Texas Heir

by Linda Warren

  “Do you believe in destiny or fate?” she asked.

  “Sure.”

  She leaned up on one elbow to look at him. They lay side by side without a stitch of clothes and yet it felt so right. The lean lines of his body were marred only by bruises, and the beard gave him a sinister yet sexy look. So many times she’d dreamed of a situation like this—with just the two of them. This might be her only chance, her last chance, and she wasn’t letting it slip away.

  “I believe we were meant to be here together.”

  His eyes darkened but he didn’t say anything.

  She touched his chest, tentatively at first, and then splayed her hand across his breastbone, feeling his heart beating rapidly against her palm.

  “Out here you’re not my boss. We’re just a man and a woman. Alone. The rest of the world doesn’t exist.” She trailed one finger through the hair narrowing down to his stomach. His skin felt rough, exciting and warm.

  She was tempting him and any other time, any other place, she would know this was wrong. They may not have a tomorrow so she was taking today.

  The right or wrong would come later.

  She replaced her finger with her lips and he groaned, cupping her head and pulling her up to him.

  “Oh, Cari.” His voice was a throaty whisper, his eyes as dark as she’d ever seen them.

  She kissed his lips gently, the touch of his beard arousing. “This is here. This is now. I don’t know if it’s right or if it’s wrong. I just know that I love you and I want you to make love to me.” She kissed him again, feeling a response yet a hesitation. “Other than that I do not expect one thing from you.”

  His hands still cupped her face and he took her lips fully and with passion. He pulled her on top of him, their bodies welding together, her breasts pressed into the hairs on his chest, soft on hard, breast to breast, hips on hips. She’d never felt anything more erotic.

  “You’re so beautiful, so tempting,” he breathed between her lips, his hands trailing down the curve of her naked back. “I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.”

  “I’m yours,” she murmured and he deepened the kiss to a level they both needed. His tongue tasted and explored and the blood surged through her veins as she returned his passion with a fervor of her own. Whatever tiredness she’d felt vanished at his first caress.

  No mouthwash, no soap, no cologne or perfume, yet the touch of his hands and lips on her body was so primal and arousing that she couldn’t get enough. His hardness pressed into her and she luxuriated in his maleness, his power.

  He rolled her over and his lips found her nipple, sucking, teasing, unleashing an urgency in her that she’d never felt before. The brush of his beard seemed to heighten her senses. His hands stroked, teased until she was on fire with wanting him.

  She needed to touch and feel as well, and her hands found his male prowess, feeling every masculine inch of him. He moaned but didn’t stop her.

  When Cari reached the point of no return, she opened her legs and Reed thrust into her. Their dismal world faded away and they were two people needing each other. His lips took hers in a fierce need and her hands splayed across his back as each thrust took them closer and closer to the precipice of unadulterated pleasure.

  As shudders of release pulsated though her body, she cried, “Reed. Oh, Reed, I love you.”

  He trembled his release and buried his face in the warmth of her neck. “Cari,” he breathed hoarsely.

  Exhausted in a new way, she stroked his hair and stared up at pure blue sky, knowing she would never feel anything like this again—this joining of two souls.

  REED HELD ON TO every nuance of emotion that transformed his body from tired and weary into strong and powerful. Cari did that by just being Cari. He could no longer deny what he felt for her was real. He couldn’t acknowledge it either. She understood he had commitments, responsibilities. For now they had each other and they both needed that. He rolled away, taking Cari with him and holding her close against his side, feeling at peace for the first time in days.

  As he looked around, there was something gentler about the scenery. It wasn’t as desolate as the land they had covered. Here was water and hope. Soon they would find civilization and return to Dallas, but that seemed like another world. Another man had lived that life. Right now all he could think about was the woman in his arms.

  He glanced down at her and she was sound asleep, her features serene, her dark eyes closed, her short hair plastered against her head. She’d never looked more beautiful. He kissed her forehead and followed her into a peaceful slumber.

  The warm sun on his skin woke him and he scrambled up, as did Cari. The last thing they needed was more sunburn, especially on their naked bodies. They stared at each other for endless seconds.

  She placed a finger over his lips. “No regrets?”

  “No regrets,” he whispered and kissed her deeply. Finally he asked, “Ready to start walking? I feel if we follow the creek it will lead somewhere, a town maybe or a ranch.”

  She made a face. “I’d rather stay right here and live in the moment.”

  He kissed the blue marks on her arm. “Cari, we need to talk.”

  She picked up her bra and panties. Her skin was smooth, soft, perfect, and he wanted to pull her back into his arms.

  She hooked her bra. “Why do we need to talk?”

  “Aren’t you angry I didn’t say I love you back?”

  She stuck her feet into her panties and pulled them up. “No, because I know you can’t say it until you’re free. I told you I didn’t expect one thing from you.”

  He found his briefs and slipped into them. “You’re lying. We crossed the line here today, but it was a line I was willing to cross. For you I think I’d do just about anything.”

  “I know.” She smiled slightly. “Now let’s find our way to civilization and home so we can sort out our future.”

  When he bent to pick up his jeans, she said, “Do you know you have a very sexy butt? Buns of steel.”

  He grinned. “I don’t believe anyone has ever told me that.”

  “Take my word for it. You do.”

  “I could say the same about yours. Your breasts aren’t bad either.”

  She giggled and buttoned her blouse. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”

  Sitting down, he pulled on his boots. “We’re a matching black-and-blue pair.”

  “Hopefully those will heal.”

  He stood and kissed her briefly. “Ready?”

  She smiled into his eyes. “Yes.”

  Within a few minutes they were fully dressed. Reed filled the water bottles and they were off again to face that future.

  Their future.

  Whatever it might be.

  TWO HOURS LATER they were exhausted once again. The creek ended abruptly, so they knew it wasn’t a flowing creek, just a gully filled with rainwater. The signs of human life they’d hoped for weren’t there. Cari tried to stay strong, but her feet hurt so badly she could barely stand. Her head throbbed and her skin felt on fire from sunburn. Reed wrapped his arms around her waist and carried her at times.

  The wind picked up again and blew against them until Cari’s strength was gone. She couldn’t go on. Sinking to the ground, she gave in to the pain and the disillusionment.

  “I can’t…go any farther.”

  Reed sat beside her and placed his jacket over their heads as the wind howled around them. He fished the water out of the backpack.

  “Drink,” he said.

  The water tasted great even though she saw some sediment in it. She drank it anyway.

  Reed took a swallow. “We’ll rest for a bit.”

  “No one knows we’re alive, so no one is looking for us.”

  “Shh.” He pulled her close. “Just rest.”

  She pulled away. “What good is rest? We’re going to die,” she shouted.

  “No, we’re not,” he shouted back.

  “I can’t keep going,” sh
e said in despair.

  “Then I’ll carry you.”

  “No. You have to go on without me.”

  “We’ve had this conversation, Cari, and the answer is still the same. No.”

  “God. You’re stubborn.”

  “Just stop arguing. You’re using unnecessary strength. Save it for walking.”

  “Yes, Junior.” She laid her head on his shoulder, knowing why she loved this man. He had more character than anyone she’d ever met and it went all the way to his soul.

  When the wind died down, they stood and trudged on. Reed kept his arm around her waist and her feet barely touched the ground.

  How long could they continue to do this?

  BY NOON Richard’s headache was gone. The family ate a light lunch and adjourned to the living room.

  “We really need to think about making arrangements,” he said.

  “No,” Vanessa replied sharply. “It’s too soon. Wait until the investigation is finished.”

  “That could take weeks.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “So?”

  He took a deep breath. “We can’t continue to live like this. We need to put Reed to rest.”

  “Richard, I absolutely refuse.”

  “Listen, Vanessa. I spoke to Fletcher’s ex-wife and Melody’s parents and they’re already planning memorial services. I feel we need to do the same.”

  Vanessa shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

  Marisa put an arm around her mother. “I agree. Let’s wait. We all need time.”

  “Sweetheart…” The doorbell rang, stopping him.

  “Oh.” Vanessa hurried toward the door. “That’s Ruth and Sam. I invited them and told Winston to let them in.”

  Richard frowned. “They’re back!”

  Marisa linked her arm through his. “This is what Mother needs, so please be patient. And courteous.”

  “I’ll try.” He nodded. “Where’s Colter?”

  “He’s in the backyard with the kids. They’re not used to being cooped up in a house all the time and they need a break from the sadness.”

  “So do you,” he told her.

  “I’m trying to be strong.” Her voice wobbled.

  “Marisa.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she said. “As long as I have Colter and the kids, I can be strong.”

  As he looked at his daughter, his past manipulations weighed heavily upon him and he now knew the full price of controlling his children’s lives. The price was a pain so great he didn’t know if he’d ever survive.

  The Michaelses and their four children walked into the room. Were these people ever going to leave him alone?

  “Look, Richard.” Vanessa held up a bag. “Ruth brought me yarn and needles. Wasn’t that kind?”

  In response, he turned and started for his study.

  Marisa caught his arm and pulled him down by her on the sofa. Now he was stuck, but no way would he disappoint his daughter.

  He’d done enough of that.

  BY LATE AFTERNOON, Reed was literally dragging Cari and he had to stop. Despair settled over him and he noticed the buzzards circling overhead. This was it. Neither of them had the strength to go on.

  They had no more water. He held Cari, knowing he would hold her until his last breath. His throat was dry, his skin was burned by the sun and he ached in every bone and muscle of his body.

  Cacti were all around them, and as soon as he had more strength he’d scrounge for more cactus fruit.

  “Cari.” He shook her.

  “Hmm.” She moved her head against him, but she was out.

  Glancing to the distant horizon, he prayed as he’d never prayed before. He blinked as he saw something and wondered if it was his imagination. It seemed like a dust cloud. Placing his jacket under Cari’s head, he carefully rose to his feet. She lay prone, not moving.

  The cloud of dust moved closer and it wasn’t his imagination. It was something!

  He bent down. “I’ll be right back,” he told Cari.

  She didn’t respond.

  Slipping off the backpack, he started toward the dust. He didn’t want to get too far away from Cari or lose his way. Through the weeds he walked as fast as he was able and then he saw it—a dirt track that was probably a road.

  Thank God!

  An old truck came into view and Reed ran forward, waving his arms. The vehicle came to a stop and dust suffocated him. He coughed and ran to the passenger door.

  Luckily the window was down and a Mexican man somewhere in his sixties peered back at him.

  “What you doing out here, mister?” the man asked. He spoke English.

  “Our plane crashed.” He took a breath. “Do you have a phone?”

  “Sí. But it no work good out here.”

  “Please try to call the authorities and tell them there are survivors from the Dalton plane crash.”

  He frowned and looked around. “Survivors?”

  “Yes, but she’s in bad shape. We need help badly. I’ll go and get her.”

  “I’ll help.”

  “No. Call.”

  “Sí.”

  RICHARD SAT between Marisa and Kitty and thought he couldn’t listen to one more word of this family togetherness.

  Vanessa sat by Ruth, patiently listening to her instructions on knitting.

  The others were quiet, as if in a holding pattern.

  Kitty patted his arm. “Relax, Mr. Preston.”

  He gave her a hard look. “Under the circumstances that’s impossible.”

  She flicked back her hair. “I know what you mean.”

  Loud voices at the door distracted them. Everyone got to their feet.

  Mr. Avery rushed in white as a sheet.

  Richard hurried to him. “What is it?”

  He took a long breath. “Two survivors have been found from the crash.”

  Chapter Twelve

  No one moved or said a word.

  “What?” Richard’s voice was barely audible.

  Mr. Avery took another long breath. “I’m sorry. I’m out of breath. I ran all the way to my car when I heard the news. I wanted to tell you in person.” He drew in deeply. “We got a call from the sheriff in Jeff Davis County. We’ve been in touch with all law enforcement in surrounding counties. He said a man found two survivors of the Dalton plane crash.”

  “Two survivors?” Richard asked, his palms sweaty.

  “Yes. That’s all I know. A medevac helicopter from Midland is on the way. It was the closest. They can get to them faster than anyone.”

  Richard swallowed. “Who are the survivors?”

  “We don’t know. The static on the man’s phone who called it in prevented the sheriff from getting details. The man said there were two survivors and one was in bad shape.”

  “Four people were on that plane,” Richard said almost to himself. His son could be one of the survivors.

  He looked Avery straight in the eye. “I want names and I want them now.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Preston, you’ll have to wait like everyone else. The helicopter pilot has instructions to call as soon as he locates them.”

  “Listen, goddammit…”

  “Richard.” He turned to Vanessa and she motioned for him to join them. She reached for Ruth’s hand. “Ruth, would you pray, please?”

  They all linked hands. Without a second thought he walked to his wife and took her hand, and then his daughter’s. They bowed their heads and Ruth said a prayer. When it was finished, Richard kept praying.

  If you let one of the survivors be my son, I promise to never interfere in his life again. I will confess all my shady dealings and change my ways. Just let him live. Let him have a life of his choosing.

  Now they waited. No one sat down. They were too nervous. Soon they’d know if their children were dead or alive.

  This tiny sliver of hope was almost worse than before.

  This time the news would be final.

  Darin Avery took command of Richard’s study, checkin
g the progress of the helicopter. Richard held on to Vanessa’s hand. For some reason he needed to. He was so afraid he was now going to be punished beyond anything he’d ever imagined. And he would need Vanessa in those moments.

  REED CARRIED Cari to the truck. She was so sunburned, so still.

  The Mexican ran to help him.

  “It’s okay,” he said. “Please open the door.”

  The man obliged, his eyes on Cari’s limp body. “Is she dead?”

  “No,” Reed replied, sliding onto the seat.

  The man hurried around to the driver’s side.

  “Did you reach the authorities?”

  “Sí. I called the sheriff and he said he’d send help. I told him we’d be on this old dirt road and gave him the location.”

  “Thank you. Do you have any water?”

  “Sure. Never go without water out here.” He reached on the floorboard and handed Reed a water jug.

  Reed managed to pour some into the lid and held it to Cari’s dry lips. “It’s water, Cari. Taste it.”

  She moaned and he dampened her lips.

  “Drink, Cari, please. We’re going home.”

  She licked her lips and he tipped the lid and she swallowed. “That’s it. Keep drinking.”

  “Re-ed.”

  “Shh. We’re going home.”

  Her head fell against his chest and he let her sleep. Soon she’d have medical attention.

  The man slowly began to drive. “My name is Pedro,” he said.

  “Pedro, you saved our lives.” Reed took several swallows from the jug.

  “How long y’all been walking, mister?”

  “Days. My name is Reed Preston. Can you get a signal on your phone?”

  Pedro picked up the cell from the seat and flipped it open. “It still has a lot of static. It comes and goes.”

  “Do you live around here?”

  “I live not far out of Fort Davis. I check oil pump meters on the oil wells.”

  “We didn’t see any oil wells.”

  Pedro flung his arm out the window. “Farther that way. I’m just returning from a run.”