Texas Heir

by Linda Warren

  Reed didn’t even pause. “Monica, my assistant, is on your payroll. You pay her handsomely to feed you information. As of today she no longer has a job.”

  “Richard!” Vanessa threw up her hands. “I give up. Why can’t you let go?”

  A scowl appeared on Richard’s face.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Reed said. “I’m going to stop it.” He tapped the will. “I took time to read Grandfather’s will and it cleared away a lot of my doubts.”

  A look of melancholy crossed Vanessa’s face.

  Richard’s scowl deepened.

  Marisa just looked puzzled.

  He flipped toward the end of the will. “I’ll read Grandfather’s wishes in case you’ve forgotten.” He paused. “It’s part of a codicil that can be invoked at any time. It reads: ‘My first heir has been born, Richard Reed Dalton Preston. He is an heir of my blood and it is my greatest wish that at the age of thirty-five he will take complete control of Dalton’s. If he does not wish to do so, then it will fall to my next blood heir. If a blood heir does not wish the responsibility then Richard will continue to run Dalton’s as he sees fit and my precious daughter will continue to enjoy the life to which she’s accustomed…’”

  His voice trailed away and there was total silence.

  Richard turned in his chair to face Reed. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at. You are in control just as Harold wanted.”

  Reed closed the document. “No, I’m not, but from this day forward I will have complete control. I’m invoking the codicil. You will back away as you promised when I came to work as CEO. You will no longer be chairman of the board. You will retain a seat, but that’s it. People who I can trust will stay in their positions but others will be replaced. This will be a new era for Dalton’s.” He folded his hands across the document. “Any objections?”

  “Not from me,” Vanessa said. “I agree heartily.”

  “Certainly not from me,” Marisa added.

  Reed stared at his father and waited. The same light brown eyes measured each other. Reed didn’t blink or look away. This is where he made his stand.

  The scowl on Richard’s face eased. “What the hell took you so long?”

  Reed didn’t move a muscle. “You did.”

  “Everything I’ve done I’ve done with your best interest in mind. I’ve pushed and pressured you so you could take the heat in the business world. You have to be hard and tough to succeed and I never thought you had those qualities, so I had to be behind the scenes to make sure you didn’t fail. As a father that’s my role. You may not understand that, but it’s the truth.”

  If his father wanted him to be tough, then he’d show him tough. With a glint in his eyes, he asked again, “Any objections?”

  “None,” Richard replied. “It’s been my dream as well as Harold’s that one day you’d take over. That day has come.” He stood and held out his hand. “I’m proud of you, son.”

  Reed shook his hand with strength and confidence. Then Richard did something he’d never done before, he pulled Reed to him and hugged him. “I…I love you, son,” came out muffled, but Reed caught it.

  His father had never said those words to him and for a moment Reed stood transfixed, almost paralyzed. He let out a long breath and managed to hug his father back. “I love you, too.” So many years of tension and three little words absolved a lot of sins.

  It definitely was a new beginning. Reed knew that life would not be perfect, but now they would be a family as best as they could.

  Marisa hugged him. “I’ve got to run. Brilliant,” she whispered for his ears only and then she was gone. Marisa had her own life and she was happy. That’s what Reed wanted now—to be happy.

  His mother hugged him also. “I’m proud of you, too. Are you coming back to the house?”

  “No, Mother.”

  She touched his face. “It’s your life. You do whatever you want.”

  “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings the other day about Christmas.”

  She shrugged. “It was the truth. I’d be the first to admit I was a lousy mother.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not good at cooking either.”

  He smiled. “You really don’t have to do that.”

  “Thank you.” She sighed with relief. “I’m actually awful at it. I think I’ll leave the cooking to others.”

  “Hallelujah,” Richard said. “I’m going to the club and drinking to that.”

  “I’ll go with you, dear.” His mother hugged him again and followed her husband.

  At the door Richard looked back. “Good luck, son. Wherever Harold is, he’s smiling today.”

  “Thank you.”

  Richard hesitated and then added, “For what it’s worth, Daphne wasn’t the woman for you.”

  “No, she wasn’t, but I know who is.”

  “Yeah.” Richard nodded. “Even though you don’t need it, you have my blessing.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Reed gathered his briefcase and headed for his office with a smile.

  RICHARD AND VANESSA stepped onto the elevator.

  Richard looked around. “Where is that guy who operates this thing?”

  “He’s probably in the bathroom,” Vanessa replied.

  “He’s kind of funny about this elevator.”

  “Just push a button.”

  Richard poked a number. “Our son thought he was going to put one over on me.”

  “He did,” Vanessa told him, reaching in her purse for her compact to check her makeup.

  “Yes.” Richard had to admit Reed had. “He’s a chip off the old block.”

  “Please.” She snapped the compact closed. “I sincerely hope not. I would like my son to have a heart.”

  He put his arm around her. “Stop being bitchy.”

  She rested against him. “Do you think Reed will call Cari?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “It would be nice to have Cari’s family over to dinner.”

  Richard thought about that for a moment. The Michaels family had grown on him, but what he did now would determine his future with his son. The crash had changed Reed. He’d become a formidable man. “No. We will not interfere.”

  Vanessa laughed softly. “Spoken like a man who has learned his lesson.”

  “Hear, hear.”

  IN THE MORNING Cari awoke feeling sluggish. She was starting to have nightmares about the crash and she thought she might call a counselor to help deal with it.

  Her sunburn was healing and fading to a nice tan, thanks to her olive complexion. Her feet were also healing and she decided to try wearing heels with a back strap. She had to do job interviews soon. Her life seemed to be in a holding pattern and she didn’t have the strength to change that.

  Or maybe she didn’t want to.

  Her broken heart was about to get her.

  The doorbell rang and she went to answer it. A courier handed her a letter and she signed for it. It had the Dalton logo, so she knew where it was from. Her hand shook as she read it.

  Her resignation had been accepted.

  By Reed Preston.

  Her broken heart shattered into so many little pieces that she fought to breathe. She sat on the sofa for a long time just staring at Reed’s signature. How could he?

  It took fifteen minutes for the anger to set in. How dare he!

  She hurried to her bedroom to dress in a chocolate-brown power suit and ecru silk blouse. After sixteen years at Dalton’s, she deserved more than a letter. As she felt the adrenaline pumping through her veins she knew she was coming out of the depression or whatever she’d been in.

  Just as she reached the door to her garage, the phone rang. She yanked it up.

  “Cari, it’s Adele. I hope you’re feeling better.”

  She gripped the receiver. “Yes. Thank you.”

  “If you have time this morning, Reed would like to see you.”

  Oh, you bet he was going to see her. “I’ll be there in less than an hour,” she
replied.

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

  Cari didn’t even take a minute to wonder what the call was about. She had something to say to Reed Preston and she was going to say it to his face.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cari’s morning was beyond her usual “take two Tylenol” kind. This was a rip-roaring “take no prisoners” type and she did not intend to control her anger, her resentment or her hurt feelings. She’d earned the right to have her say. She wasn’t that naive country girl afraid of rejection anymore.

  Pulling into her parking spot, she saw her name was still on the marker. That gave her pause. Cari Michaels—Vice President. But she wasn’t. She no longer worked for Dalton’s.

  She shoved the gearshift into park with more force than necessary and grabbed her purse. Her heels tip-tapped across the pavement, echoing through the concrete ceiling with a sharp sound.

  Almost two weeks ago she’d made this same walk. Two weeks and her whole life had changed. Her goals and her thinking had also changed. But she was still Cari.

  She could see Homer’s smiling face, his eyes huge at the sight of her.

  “Ms. Cari. Ms. Cari, you’re back. You’re back,” he chanted.

  She smiled at his sincere expression. “Yes, I’m back.” She couldn’t tell him she was only here for an in-your-face session with Reed.

  “May I hug you? My mama says not to hug a woman unless I ask. Some people don’t like it.”

  “You can hug me all you want.”

  He enveloped her in a big bear hug and she couldn’t hide her smile.

  Inside the elevator, he asked, “Do you want me to make Louise fly?”

  “That’s okay. I’ll take the slow trip.”

  “Good, ’cause Louise has one speed.” He pushed a button. “I watched on the news, Ms. Cari, and Mama and me prayed for you and Mr. Preston.”

  “Thank you, Homer. That was nice.”

  As the elevator stopped, she hugged Homer again and stepped off. She took a moment and absorbed this place that was her second home. The extra-wide hall with Dalton and Preston family photos, the shiny hardwood floors and an ambience that was unequaled in style and class.

  She started for her office to say hi to Heather and stopped short. Reed came out of his large office at the end of the hall. He was talking to someone she didn’t recognize. Maybe it was her replacement.

  He turned and their eyes met. Looking into his warm eyes all her anger and her resentment faded away. A tiny scar was still visible on his left temple, a small reminder of the crash. But she remembered so much more; a man sharing his inner feelings and opening up his heart. To her. She also remembered his touch, his gentleness and his strength. Now at nights when she stirred from a restless sleep she instinctively reached for him. When her hands touched an empty space she felt a loneliness that was hard to take.

  Oh God, she loved him. A lot of things had changed, but that hadn’t. And just like that, all her anger disappeared.

  He walked toward her with an easy athletic stride. “Cari, how are you?”

  His voice wrapped around her like a warm comfy blanket. She wanted to snuggle into him and feel that warmth forever. She pulled herself up quickly. How could she be so weak?

  She tightened her grip on her purse strap. “I’m fine. I got your message.” At the thought of his message some of her anger returned. “I don’t have a lot of time. I have job interviews scheduled.”

  He seemed taken aback. “You’re looking for work?”

  “Yes. I tried starving and I really didn’t like it.”

  “Cari.” He took a step toward her.

  “Mr. Preston,” the young man she didn’t know spoke from behind him. “The meeting is ready to start.”

  “Thank you.” Reed turned to the man. “Brian, this is Cari Michaels.”

  “Yes, I know.” He shook her hand with a firm clasp. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “And, Cari, this is Brian Parks, my new personal assistant.”

  New personal assistant? What had happened to efficient Monica?

  Before she could ask, Brian said, “Sir, everyone is seated.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Reed replied.

  “You’re busy so I’ll just go.” For whatever reason he wanted to see her, it really didn’t matter. He probably just wanted to talk about a severance deal. Her time here was over. As she’d told Kitty it was time to move on. Now she had to do it with dignity.

  “No,” Reed said. “I would like for you to attend the meeting.”

  She was disconcerted. “I don’t—”

  He looked into her eyes. “Trust me.”

  When he looked at her like that, she’d follow him anywhere, which she did, right into the boardroom. Everyone stood and embraced her and shook her hand. She’d talked to several of them on the phone and they’d all sent cards and flowers, but it was good to see them in person. She worked with these people every day and it was hard to leave them. She’d never realized how hard until this moment.

  After the pleasantries, everyone took their seats. Cari noticed someone was sitting in her chair, obviously the new vice president. She also noticed there were several new faces on the executive team.

  She was about to turn and leave, thinking this really wasn’t the place for her, when Reed said, “Cari, please sit here.” He pointed to the chair on his right. With everyone watching she had no choice. He said to trust him and that’s exactly what she did. By now she realized something was afoot, so she eased into the chair and waited.

  “Thank you for coming,” Reed started to speak. “As all of you know this is a new beginning for Dalton’s, a changing of the guard so to speak.”

  What was he talking about? New beginning? He had her full attention.

  “As of yesterday, Richard Preston no longer has any say in the running of Dalton’s. I have taken over the reins completely as CEO and chairman of the board. Those people who were loyal to my father and who he paid for information are now gone.”

  Holy cow, was all Cari could think. She hadn’t talked to Marisa in a couple of days and she had no idea this was going on. Even though Marisa was her good friend, it was hard to talk about Reed and the store. She did wonder, though, how this had come about.

  “You see new faces on the executive team and I’d like to introduce them and their jobs.”

  The back of Cari’s feet began to hurt. As Reed talked, she slipped one shoe off and then the other. She wiggled her toes and her feet felt better.

  “George Ortell will now be vice president. You all know George. He’s been a very loyal employee.”

  George had her job. This was a little too much and she refrained from sending George daggers with her eyes. Reed said to trust him, but she was finding that a little difficult.

  “The only position left is that of president. This person will work very closely with me and I was very particular about who this individual would be. Only one person knows Dalton’s as well as I do.” He paused and his eyes caught hers. “Cari Michaels will be the new president of Dalton’s.”

  What! What did he say?

  With her foot, she frantically searched for her shoes beneath the table. But they kept eluding her. So she plastered a smile on her face and wondered if she was dreaming.

  The double doors opened. A white linen–covered cart with champagne and hors d’oeuvres was wheeled in. A waiter popped the cork and poured the bubbly.

  Reed raised his glass. “I’m looking forward to working with all of you. Here’s to a year of change and may it be a big success.”

  Everyone echoed his sentiments and enjoyed the moment. Cari gave up on finding her shoes and joined the others, without shoes once again.

  Soon the cart was wheeled away and the last person filed out. Reed closed the doors with a significant gesture. They were alone. She sank into a chair. Tears filled her eyes and she didn’t bother to hide them.

  “Hey.” Reed pulled a chair close to her. “What is
it? Do your feet hurt?”

  “A little, but that’s not it.” She brushed away tears with the back of her hand. “I’ve just had my dream job handed to me and I should be happy, but I’m not.”

  Reed swallowed visibly. “Why aren’t you?”

  She brushed away more tears. “Because I can’t accept it.”

  “Why not?”

  “I can’t work that closely with you. I’m sorry, but I love you. I just can’t see you every day knowing you’re married to someone else.” She jumped to her feet and hurried for the door.

  “Cari.”

  She stopped and she hated herself for that weakness. Keep walking. Somehow she couldn’t make her feet move.

  “Cari, look at me.”

  “I just need to get my shoes and purse,” she said, turning and avoiding eye contact.

  “Will this change your mind?”

  She stared at the black velvet box, and the most beautiful diamond she’d ever seen winked back at her. She was immediately better. “What…about…Daphne?” she spluttered.

  “We broke up.” Then he told her an amazing story. She had to close her mouth several times.

  “So you see you were right. My father handpicked Daphne and I was looking for someone to take my mind off you. That doesn’t put me in a very good light, but all I can say is that deep down I was trying to please my father. I guess that little boy who yearned for his love and attention resurfaces every now and then. Luckily I’m finally my own person. My own man.”

  Unable to resist, she touched his face, “I rather liked the old one, too.”

  Taking her hand, he said, “Cari Michaels, I’ve never said this to another woman. I’ve never been able to say it. Being Reed Preston, it didn’t seem to be required.” He paused and looked down at the ring in his other hand. He raised his eyes to hers. “I love you. Will you marry me?”

  She flew into his arms, throwing her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, yes!” she said, kissing his face over and over.

  He held her face with one hand and stared into her eyes a moment before he captured her lips completely. The kiss went on and on, each taking and giving what they needed after being apart for so many days.

  Finally Reed pulled her to the chairs and they sat side by side, much as they had sat for days in west Texas. He removed the ring from the box, slipped it easily onto her finger and kissed it.