Texas Heir

by Linda Warren

  She knew it had something to do with the razzle-dazzle shine of Richard Reed Dalton Preston. Was she happier living with the fantasy of her Prince Charming? Without his shine he’d become just a man. Maybe she was afraid of what that would reveal.

  About him.

  But mostly about herself.

  Perhaps she was one of those women who were only attracted to the shine. Inside her, a sprout of fear took root. Razzle-dazzle shine didn’t last forever and she didn’t have the courage to find out what happened afterward. That said she was shallow and weak.

  Or she was good at protecting her heart. She never wanted to feel that kind of pain again—the pain of not being good enough.

  She picked up the broken high heel from her desk. As little girls, she and her sisters loved the story of Cinderella and dreamed of a fancy shoe they could slip on their foot to magically change their whole lives—away from the farm with a handsome prince.

  But she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She was a grown woman and knew that fairy tales only existed in little girls’ dreams.

  She also knew something else. No one was ever again going to make her feel less than she was.

  Not the Prestons.

  And certainly not Reed.

  Cari studied the shoe for an extra moment and wondered if she had the courage to express her feelings and wait for Reed’s reaction. Reed had found the woman for him and that was it. Game. Set. Match. So it was over. Her feelings were inconsequential.

  But what if Daphne wasn’t right for him?

  Cari closed her eyes briefly, hearing Marisa’s words.

  This is your last chance.

  Suddenly she realized the truth of those words. It was now or never. They would have time to talk on the plane. She knew his moods. If he was happy, then she wouldn’t say a word about her feelings. If she sensed any doubts then she would open up and ask if he had ever thought of her in a romantic way.

  She would bring up the kiss. That could unlock a whole new realm of heartache, but she wasn’t going to let him slip away without saying something.

  Think about your job, echoed through her head. Her job gave her prestige, status and an identity. She was Cari Michaels, vice president of Dalton’s Department Stores. People looked up to her, valued her opinions. Could she risk losing that? Could she risk losing everything that made her feel strong and worthy?

  With a sigh, she pushed the button for Heather, who breezed through the door immediately and laid the El Paso itinerary in front of her.

  “Thanks.” Cari held up the heels, her mind shifting to business. “Put these in a plastic bag and carry them to George Ortell, please. I want to know who supplies these shoes to Dalton’s and I want an explanation of why this heel broke so easily.”

  She could look up the information herself, but George had taken over dealing with the suppliers and she wanted him to be on top of things. Inferior products were not carried by Dalton’s.

  “Okay.” Heather picked up the shoes and broken heel. “In case he asks, how did the heel break?”

  “I was running to make a meeting and ended up flat on my face in the parking garage.”

  A light dawned in Heather’s eyes. “Oh. That’s why you don’t have on any shoes.”

  “Yes.” Cari stared at the girl, a little puzzled at her reaction. “What did you think happened?”

  Heather shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought you were making a fashion statement or something. I tell all my friends I have the coolest boss. She stands up to anyone, even Mr. Reed Preston. How many women would go to a meeting without their shoes? You’re so cool.”

  Cari was taken aback at the praise. Heather thought she was cool. If she only knew. “Thank you, Heather.” She rose to her feet. “I’m going downstairs to buy a new outfit and shoes.” She could have easily had the items brought to her, but she enjoyed connecting with the sales staff.

  “I’ll get these to Mr. Ortell.”

  Cari took the regular elevator, not Homer’s private executive one, to the first floor, which housed the women’s and children’s departments. The second floor was men’s and housewares. Department-personnel offices were located on the third floor, and on the fourth floor were the executive offices. The fifth floor was a private apartment for the Preston family. It was Reed’s domain—Cari had never stepped foot there.

  Nor was she ever likely to now.

  Within minutes she had new shoes and a new outfit and was back in the professional mode she’d mastered over the years.

  GEORGE WAS WAITING for her in her office, as she knew he would be, to talk about the defective shoe. When she and Reed returned from El Paso, they’d have a meeting to discuss whether or not Dalton’s would continue to buy from that designer’s company.

  After George left, her mother called.

  “I just wanted to remind you about Daddy’s party on Sunday,” Ruth Michaels said.

  Cari squeezed her eyes tight. She’d forgotten. Damn! “Oh.”

  “It’s his sixtieth birthday, Cari. Please don’t miss it. It won’t be the same unless all our kids are here.”

  Guilt weighed heavily in her chest. It was hard to find time for visits home. Her job was time consuming, with a lot of weekends spent working or traveling. Her parents didn’t understand her drive for success. They wanted her to come home more often, to be a part of the family, but she was finding that harder and harder to do.

  “I know I’ve been busy, Mama, but I won’t miss Daddy’s special day.”

  “Good. That would make him happy.”

  Cari hung up resolving not to miss the birthday. She’d missed too many.

  REED WENT OVER last-minute details with his personal assistant, Monica Welsby. Monica was the most organized, structured person he knew. Between her and his secretary, Adele, they kept him on top of everything. And if they just happened to miss something, he could depend on Cari to catch it. She was his safety net.

  Twisting his pen, he studied his initials engraved on its gold surface, a gift from his father. Monica rattled on about the flight and visit in El Paso and her words sailed over his head. He couldn’t get Cari’s expression out of his mind. She was good at hiding her emotions, but he sensed she was upset about his engagement.

  Why? Maybe he should have told her before the meeting, but the only people they had told were their families. With Cari’s ties to Marisa she did seem like family, though.

  He threw the pen onto the papers Monica had placed in front of him. He wasn’t second-guessing himself over Cari. For two people who worked so well together, she had a way of getting under his skin even when she wasn’t in the room.

  “Is something wrong?” Monica pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

  “No,” Reed replied and rose to his feet, feeling restless.

  “Well.” Monica glanced from his face to the Palm Pilot in her hand. “The limo will arrive at twelve-fifteen.”

  “Be sure and let Cari know.”

  “I’ve already informed Heather. Would you like me to personally call Cari?”

  “No. That’s fine. I just don’t want any delays.”

  “I’m in charge, so there won’t be,” Monica said with an arched eyebrow, and then headed for the door.

  Before Reed could gather his thoughts, Richard Preston strolled in. “Morning, son.”

  “Morning, Father?” he replied, taken aback by his dad’s sudden appearance. His father was still chairman of the board, but he stayed out of the daily business of running Dalton’s. That was the only way Reed had agreed to come on board as CEO. When Reed turned forty in four years, he’d take over as chairman as well. Another deal Reed had made with the controlling and manipulative Richard.

  After what his parents had done to Marisa’s life, Reed couldn’t see himself ever working in the family business. But he’d learned forgiveness from his sister and today he had a decent relationship with his parents. It worked as long as Richard stayed away and gave Reed free rein. So it made him a little nervous
when his father showed up for no reason.

  “I have a golf date at the club in an hour,” Richard said, as if reading Reed’s mind. “I wanted to stop by and tell you again how pleased your mother and I are about your engagement. Daphne is a lovely young woman and she will be a great asset to you.”

  Reed picked up the gold pen and studied it again, something in his father’s voice stinging in a way he hadn’t expected. “I’m not looking for an asset. We fell in love and we want to be together to build a home and a family.”

  Richard nodded. “That’s what I meant. Your mother and I worried you’d be a bachelor forever.”

  Reed’s father and mother had been estranged for years. Vanessa Dalton had been the only child of Harold Dalton, whose father had started the store in the early 1900s. Richard had worked for Harold and had gone after the beautiful Vanessa. Within months they were married and Richard secured his place in Dalton’s and with Harold.

  It wasn’t a love match and soon after Marisa was born, Vanessa and Marisa moved to New York while Richard and Reed stayed in Dallas. That all changed when Marisa returned to Texas and found out about her daughter. Their mother soon followed and she and Richard were now sharing the home in Highland Park. Their marriage seemed strange to Reed, but he didn’t question it. Who knew what their arrangement was?

  “You can stop worrying.”

  Richard walked around the desk and patted Reed’s shoulder. At six feet, Reed stood a little taller than his father, and Richard’s hair was now a silver gray. Other than that, Reed knew they favored each other a great deal. Same color eyes and lean, sharp lines of the face and body. But Reed knew he hadn’t inherited his father’s cutthroat instincts or the do-anything attitude he used to get his way, uncaring of other people’s feelings or lives.

  “I’m proud of you, son. You’ve exceeded all my expectations.”

  Expectations! The word shot through him like a poison arrow. Something was always expected of him—to excel, to stay a step ahead of the competition, to make profits, to marry, to reproduce. He often wondered what it would feel like to be a man without everyone wanting something from him. What was it like to be free and unencumbered? Sometimes the yoke of responsibility weighed him down.

  “Thank you,” was all he could say. It wasn’t easy living in his father’s shadow, or as he liked to call it—living under his father’s thumb.

  “Your mother would like to have a dinner party for both families so Marisa and the kids can meet your soon-to-be in-laws.”

  It didn’t escape Reed that his father hadn’t mentioned Colter. “What about Colter?” No way was he letting him get away with that slight. Colter was wealthy in his own right, capitalizing on his winning name in the rodeo circuit. He now owned a boot company and supplied a lot of western stores. Dalton’s carried his boots and other leather products and they were popular items.

  Colter had character ingrained into his bones and he deserved Richard’s respect. He’d devoted his life to Ellie when he’d thought Marisa hadn’t wanted her. There wasn’t a better father on this earth.

  Richard frowned. “What?”

  “You didn’t mention Colter.”

  “Just an oversight,” Richard said nonchalantly. “Colter is part of our family.”

  “Good. Just remember that.”

  “Son—”

  “I’ll talk to Mother when I get back.” He cut off his father because he didn’t want to rehash an old issue. He just wanted Richard to know he wouldn’t tolerate leaving Colter out of anything. Neither would Marisa.

  “Okay.” Richard inclined his head. “Who’s going with you on this trip?”

  Reed knew his father was aware of everything he did. Richard had his sources—or spies—and Reed hadn’t ferreted out the informant who told his father of his every move. He didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because he had nothing to hide, but it irked him that Richard still had his finger on the pulse of this company. That implied Richard didn’t trust him.

  “Cari,” he replied, watching his father’s face, “I told Fletcher we’d take the small Learjet just in case you needed the bigger plane.”

  “Thanks, but we don’t have any plans that I’m aware of. With your mother, though, that could change at a moment’s notice.” Richard rubbed his jaw in thought, his expression closed. “Ms. Michaels travels with you a great deal. Is that going to bother Daphne?”

  There was that tone again. “No,” Reed answered. “Just like it’s not going to bother her when I travel with Monica.”

  “Monica’s in her fifties.”

  Reed gritted his teeth, an old habit from his teen years when Richard tried to control his every move. “What are you getting at?”

  “Ms. Michaels is a very attractive young woman.”

  “Yes, so?”

  Richard shrugged and Reed didn’t miss that look in his eyes. He’d seen it many times before.

  “Ah.” The light switch finally flipped on in his brain. “You’re afraid I might have a romantic interest in Cari. That’s why you’re so happy. I chose the right woman—for a Preston.”

  The bar of acceptance was set high—only the very elite and wealthy were considered suitable partners for the Preston children. It was one of the reasons Reed had avoided marriage. He wouldn’t subject a woman to that. But he’d gotten lucky with Daphne.

  “Now, Reed, I didn’t say that. You’re very touchy today.”

  “Maybe I am,” he conceded.

  “Ms. Michaels holds a very important job in this company—a job she does very well. Her work ethic is exemplary and that’s why I didn’t object when you said you were promoting her to vice president when Frank retired. Besides, she’s your sister’s friend and she attends a lot of family functions.”

  “But she’s not up to Richard Preston’s standards for a wife for his son. Just like Colter wasn’t an acceptable husband for Marisa.” Reed tried to keep the anger out of his voice and failed.

  “Son, you’re getting angry for no reason.”

  “Yeah.” Reed massaged the knot at the back of his neck. “But don’t sugarcoat your feelings for my sake. You don’t like Cari. It’s very big of you to accept her for Marisa’s benefit.”

  Richard stiffened. “I worked very hard to get where I am today. Is it a crime to want the best for my children?”

  Reed’s eyes didn’t waver from Richard’s and he could feel that old tension building inside him. “Yes, it’s a crime when you use underhanded tactics and manipulation to achieve what you think is best for your children. Why don’t you let them make their own decisions?”

  “I do,” Richard told him. “You and Marisa both know I’m the type of man who likes to be in control. But I’ve learned my lesson with Marisa. I’m not manipulating your lives anymore.”

  Reed jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “We both appreciate that.”

  “But it doesn’t stop me from being happy when you make good choices.” His father’s eyes gleamed and Reed realized not for the first time that Richard was a formidable opponent and an aggressive parent.

  Before Reed could respond, Richard glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run.” He walked to the door in his quick easy strides. “Do you and Daphne have plans for the weekend?”

  “We’re visiting her parents at their lake house in Austin.”

  “Don’t forget to call your mother about the party.”

  “I won’t,” Reed responded to an empty doorway.

  He walked over and closed the door, resisting the urge to slam it. Something about making his father so happy left a bad taste in his mouth.

  But he’d get over it.

  CARI MADE THE LIMO on time. She handed the driver her bag and slid onto the plush leather seat across from Reed.

  “Glad you found shoes,” he remarked, staring at her heels with a lift of his brow.

  “It helps working for a department store and having everything at my disposal.” She crossed her legs and scooted farther over. R
eed’s legs were so long that she didn’t want to bump his knees. His dark gaze made the space between them seem that much smaller.

  “Mmm.” He rubbed his chin and against her will she watched his strong lean fingers stroke his rough male skin. A hint of his cologne, sort of a musk mingled with leather, wafted to her, and a wave of pleasure rippled in her stomach.

  “Any ill effects from the fall?”

  For a moment she didn’t even catch the question, but she recovered quickly. She placed her Chanel bag, a gift from Dalton’s, beside her on the seat for something to do. “No. By midmorning my aches and pains were gone. But my pride is still bruised, and you can bet someone is going to answer for that defective heel.”

  “And if you have your way, that brand of shoe won’t be carried in Dalton’s anymore?”

  “You got it. I have George looking into it and I’ll have all the details on your desk Monday morning.”

  Reed kept staring at her, and she wondered if her lipstick was smeared. She resisted the urge to grab her compact.

  “What?”

  He leaned forward. “Do you know your eyes glow when you’re passionate about something?”

  “Is there smoke coming out of my ears, too?” She had to be flippant or she was going to lose what little control she had.

  Reed laughed—a deep throaty sound that felt as exhilarating as sliding her dad’s old truck’s stick shift into third gear. As a teenager she knew she was off for the ride of her life. As an adult, Reed’s laugh gave her a glimpse of a ride she was never going to experience.

  She stared out the window as the car whipped through traffic. Soon the driver turned into the entrance for Love Field where the Dalton jets were housed. Everything was arranged so there was no waiting. Within minutes they boarded the plane. Fletcher and Melody, the pilots, welcomed them aboard.

  Cari had made many company trips. Two pilots were required to fly the plane, even the smaller Learjet. Melody was the only female copilot who worked for Dalton’s, and Cari admired her venture into mostly a man’s profession. The interior of the plane was lavish, with ebony wood and Italian leather, made to cater to the very rich. It had been decorated and customized per Richard Preston’s request. Cari always felt a little out of place when she stepped onto the lush wool carpet of the living–room style cabin.