He still had plenty of people he could trust at Lassiter Media. He was going to sleuth around, see what he could find out. There were a lot of nuances and complexities to the expansion he’d managed while he was CEO. He hadn’t explained them to anyone, because he was ticked off when he left. But he didn’t want Angie walking into a hornet’s nest.
He parked the borrowed ranch pickup truck in the historic district, pocketing the keys in his blue jeans as he headed for the reception area of the red brick, six-story Lassiter Media building. In contrast to the exterior, the inside of Lassiter Media looked like it belonged in L.A., with chrome and glass, plenty of light and television screens showing the fare of the various Lassiter Media networks.
“Evan.” The receptionist greeted him with a wide smile.
Clarissa was in her mid-thirties, friendly and down to earth, and she had a knack for keeping the entire building organized. If Evan had stayed, he’d have made her his personal assistant in the Cheyenne office.
“Morning, Clarissa,” he offered as he approached the high counter.
“Are you looking for Angelica?” Clarissa gave him a wink. “I saw the rock was back on her finger.”
“It is,” Evan acknowledged. “But, no. I’m sure she has everything under control in the boardroom. I was wondering if Max was around.”
Clarissa picked up her phone and punched a few buttons. “He should be in his office. But if he’s not, I can page him. Will you be in town long?”
“Just a few days.” It was a guess on his part.
“Max?” she said into the receiver. “Evan’s here to see you.” She paused and a smile grew on her face. “Yes, that Evan. You didn’t see Angelica? The wedding’s back on.”
Evan kept a smile pasted on his face, knowing there’d be no stopping the gossip mill now. Next thing, there’d be speculation on a new wedding date.
“I know,” said Clarissa, nodding at whatever Max had said. “You want to go on up?” she asked Evan.
“I was thinking we’d step out for a coffee.”
“Can you come down?” she asked Max. “He wants to do coffee.” She paused again. “Okay.” Then she hung up the phone.
“He’s coming right down. We’ve missed you, boss.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Any chance you’ll come back?”
Evan shook his head. “That’s not in the cards. I’m working with a couple of old friends on some deals in L.A.”
“But you’ll visit Cheyenne. You’ll come to town when Angelica does.”
“I hope so.”
“When’s the wedding? It’ll be at Big Blue, right? I’m dusting off my dress and rewrapping the gift.”
Evan wished he could tell her to return the gift. He hoped she hadn’t spent much on it.
The elevator door whooshed open, and Max Truger appeared. Barely into his thirties, he was director of integrated content at LBS, but he generally had his finger on the pulse of Noah’s priorities in family programming.
“Welcome back,” Max said, reaching out to shake Evan’s hand.
“I’m not back. Not at Lassiter, anyway. Have time for coffee?”
“You bet.” Max turned to Clarissa. “Can you bump my ten o’clock?”
“Sure thing.”
“I don’t want to mess up your day,” said Evan.
“It’s an internal meeting. No problem.” Max turned for the door. “The Shorthorn Grill?”
“Sounds good.” Evan would enjoy the walk.
They exited through the wide front door, onto a sidewalk lined with well-preserved, historic buildings. The mid-morning traffic was light, but several pickup trucks sped by, along with a shiny, vintage red Cadillac that belonged to a famous local rancher.
“So, what’s going on?” asked Max, watching Evan with an astute expression. The two had worked closely together, and Max knew more than most about Evan’s relationship with Angie.
“I wanted to ask you the same question. Something up with Noah?”
“In what way?”
“He’s meeting with Angie?”
“You’re jealous of Noah? The man’s pushing sixty.”
“Of course not. What’s the matter with you?”
Max shrugged as he walked. “You’re the guy asking questions.”
“I got the impression something was off between them. A business something. Good grief, man. Jealous of Noah?”
This time Max grinned. “Well, we’re all getting used to having her at the helm. It’s funny. You moved into the big chair with barely a ripple whereas Angelica seems to be floundering.”
“Floundering how? She understands every facet of the organization.”
“I agree.”
“She was all but running it before J.D. died She’s smart. She’s prepared. You all know she has J.D.’s blessing.”
Max was quiet for a moment as they crossed an intersection. “Maybe it’s the way she got here.”
“You mean the way she tried to fight the will and teamed up with Jack Reed.”
“I suppose. Or maybe we just geared up to follow you, and then bam, the world changed around us, and now we’re all scrambling.”
“She’s going to do a great job,” said Evan.
“I know she will. I have faith in her. But leadership’s a tricky thing.”
“How do you mean?”
They rounded a corner, making their way past one of the colorful eight-foot-tall cowboy-boot sculptures that dotted the city.
“When she seems to be going off in a risky direction, I’m not sure some of the older guys want to follow.” Max held up his palms. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m the integrated media guy. I’m all for going off in new directions.”
“What do you mean, risky?” This was certainly news to Evan. Angie was stubborn, sure. But Lassiter Media was her life. He couldn’t imagine she’d take risks with it.
“I’m talking about commissioning programming from non-Lassiter producers.”
“You mean Conrad Norville?”
“According to Noah, it started with Conrad Norville, but now she’s talking about making American versions of the top-rated affiliate programs.”
Evan gave a laugh of comprehension. “She’s eroding the powerbase of the existing Lassiter producers.”
“And funding their competition. Like I said, I’m all for taking new directions. Heck, I think we should do a web-only series next summer. There’s nobody internal who can produce that, so I’d be looking outside. But she’s stepped into a minefield. Noah’s not the only one who’ll fight her.”
“Who’s on her side?”
“You mean, besides the British and Australian affiliates who’ll get the licensing fees?”
“Yes. I mean, who’s on her side in America.”
“Me. And I assume, you? And, why haven’t you guys talked about this?”
“I don’t work at Lassiter anymore.”
“But you’re marrying the woman. Warn her. And why are you coming to me to—?” Max stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and turned to face Evan. “How is it that you don’t know about this?”
Evan considered lying. Then he considered telling the truth. Neither was a realistic option. “It’s complicated.”
“Yeah. You said that. Complicated how?”
“You know what the family’s been through.”
Max thought for a moment. “But you’re engaged again.”
“She took back my ring.”
“Have you set a date?”
“No.”
Max watched Evan closely. “Is it better if I don’t ask questions?”
“Yes.”
Max gave a sharp nod. “I’m on her side, Evan. But I’m a director, and they’re vice presidents.”
“So, she’s stepped into a hornet’s nest?”
“Worse than that. She’s busy breeding the hornets.”
Seven
Angelica’s day had been mentally exhausting. It was going to be harder than she’d expected
to get the vice presidents on board. She could order them to commission non-Lassiter content, but that approach would be doomed to failure. It was hard enough to develop a successful television series, without having senior executives going reluctantly or half-heartedly into the effort.
It was dark when she parked her car in front of the house at Big Blue. She’d managed to put Evan out of her mind for most of the day. But now that she was home, memories of him were back, full blown in her mind.
She gripped the steering wheel for a long minute, willing away the sound of his voice, the tingle of his touch, the scent of his skin. They’d given into temptation last night, and she regretted it.
Though, in the light of day, she had realized the slipup was probably natural. Their relationship had ended so abruptly that there were bound to be lingering sexual urges. But that was all it had been. And it left her feeling hollow.
She eased the car door open and stepped out, looking toward the front porch. After a few seconds, she let her gaze wander to the pathway that led around back of the house. There was nothing saying she had to go inside right away. She had no desire to face Evan, and she knew Marlene was bound to spot the engagement ring. It was pure, blind luck that she hadn’t seen it last night.
Angelica truly wasn’t ready for her aunt’s excitement.
She firmly shut the car door then made her way along the pathway to the backyard. There, she made her way down the sloping lawn to the cottage that served as a pool house.
The large pool had been designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. Grass led up to its shallow edge, giving it the feel of a lake. She’d loved it here as a child, and she had happy memories of catapulting from the overhead tree swing. But tonight, all she wanted was to stretch out her muscles, burn off a little energy and postpone seeing anyone else for a little while longer.
It was a simple matter to find one of her bathing suits in the cottage. She changed, took a striped towel out to the deck, then waded into the cool, salt water. Goosebumps came up on her skin as she submerged. But once she started stroking her way across the deep end, she quickly warmed up.
She breathed deeply. Oxygen pumped its way through her limbs as she focused on putting power in her kicks and lengthening her strokes. She let her thoughts drift back in time and, eventually, both Evan and Lassiter Media vanished from her mind.
“We heard you drive up and wondered where you’d gone.” Evan’s voice interrupted her peace as she executed a turn.
Startled, she lost concentration and scraped her ankle.
“Marlene has dinner almost ready.”
“I’ll be up in a bit.” Angelica determinedly pushed off the wall, leaving him behind.
He didn’t take the hint and was still standing in the same spot silhouetted against the house when she returned.
“How did it go today?”
“Fine,” she answered shortly. Then she turned to do another lap.
Again, he didn’t go anywhere. “Something upsetting you?”
“No.” She went under, holding her breath as long as possible, nearly making it back to the center of the pool before she came up for air.
At the end of her next lap, Evan was sitting on a deck chair.
“I’ll meet you inside,” she told him.
“I don’t mind waiting.”
“I might be a while.”
He smiled in the dim light.
“What do you want, Evan?”
“To know how things went at Lassiter Media today.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly seven.”
“Your point?”
“It’s late.”
“There were a lot of people for me to see in Cheyenne.”
“Socially?” he asked.
“Professionally.”
“You do remember your father’s will.”
Angelica clamped her jaw, turning abruptly to start another lap. How dare Evan criticize her for working late. She’d worked until six tonight, merely an hour past regular quitting time. Big deal. Work-life balance was allowed to include work as well as life.
He was there when she returned.
“Swimming is life, not work,” she told him.
“Did you have lunch?”
“What?”
“You heard me. Did you have lunch, or did you have meetings straight through?”
“We sent out.” Somebody had brought in a platter of sandwiches during a noon-ish meeting.
“Did you eat?”
“Of course I ate.”
She clearly remembered putting a turkey sandwich on her plate. She’d definitely had a drink of iced tea. But she’d been talking quite a lot at that point, and she couldn’t say for certain how many bites she’d taken of the sandwich.
She did ten more laps without looking at him, but he still didn’t leave.
Finally, she was forced to admit she was tired. Her arms and legs were beginning to feel like jelly. She waded out to the lawn, retrieving the fluffy towel she’d left on a lounger.
Evan approached. “You need anything out of the cabin?”
“I’ll get it.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
She tucked the towel around herself sarong style and paced her way barefoot to the cabin. Evan walked alongside.
“How did it go today?” he asked again.
“I told you it was fine.”
“You and Noah seeing eye to eye?”
“You and Noah ever see eye to eye?” she asked.
Everyone at Lassiter Media knew that Noah took a contrary position in most discussions. He seemed to like arguing.
“Occasionally,” said Evan.
“I really don’t want to talk about it.” She entered the small cabin and retrieved her purse and clothes.
They walked along the concrete path to the house, but he continued to glance at her every few steps.
She stopped and turned to look at him. “Evan.”
His gaze zeroed in on hers, and she lost her train of thought. Lassiter Media, Evan, their fights, making love, everything morphed together in a kaleidoscope in her head.
“Yes?” he prompted.
The silence stretched.
“I don’t know,” she finally admitted. “This is weird. It’s all so incredibly confusing.”
“I know. I really do. Tell me how it went today.”
His tone was kind and there was concern in his eyes. And he was probably the one person in the world who did understand everything.
She gave in. “Not well. Not well at all. I hate to pull the gender card and say ‘I can’t get no respect because I’m a woman.’ But I can’t help but think he wouldn’t react this way if I was J.D.”
“Noah?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “Noah.”
“You’re probably right about Noah’s attitude,” Evan agreed. “And maybe some of the other VPs, too. J.D. had the advantage of being experienced, venerated and male. But you have strengths he didn’t, and you should learn to use them.”
“What strengths?” she found herself asking. “What do I have that he didn’t?”
“Vitality, fearlessness and youth.”
“I suppose I’ll eventually outlive Noah.”
Evan grinned. “It is a good idea, though.”
“What’s a good idea?”
“Licensing hit series from the affiliates and remaking them in America.”
Her suspicions instantly rose. “How did you know about that?”
“I asked around.”
“You spied on me?”
“Of course I spied on you. If you don’t want me to spy on you, then answer my questions when I ask.”
“Evan, you can’t spy on me.”
“Actually, I’m pretty good at it.”
“Angie?” Marlene’s came down the patio stairs and took in Angelica’s appearance. “Oh, good heavens, girl. Come inside. You’re going to catch cold. I’ve got jambalaya and orange peel cookies.”
Angelica felt her stomach rumble to l
ife.
“I’m starving,” Evan stated in a loud voice.
Marlene made her way down the stairs. “Let’s get you into some dry clothes, young lady.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Angelica agreed. She had no intention of fighting with Evan in front of her aunt.
“Your fingers are turning bl—” Marlene gasped and lifted Angelica’s left hand to gape at the ring. “Oh, my goodness.” She looked to Evan, beaming with obvious happiness. “Oh, my goodness.”
Angelica forced a smile, but her stomach went hollow around her lies. She couldn’t imagine how she was ever going to extricate herself from all this.
* * *
Evan’s heart went out to Angie, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he ought to apologize. Marlene had finally bid them good-night, but she’d left Angie looking positively shell-shocked amidst a cacophony of bride magazines, fabric swatches and invitation samples.
Through dinner, Marlene had ridden a crest of unbridled excitement at the idea of planning a new wedding. Though Angie protested that they hadn’t even set a date, her aunt strongly recommended summer, outside, at Big Blue. And with that, she’d been off.
In the silence left in Marlene’s wake, Angie zeroed in on Evan. “I can’t believe you spied on me.”
The accusation took him by surprise. “That’s what you want to talk about?”
“I want to know where you get off interfering in Lassiter Media.”
“What happened at Lassiter?” asked Tiffany. She and Deke were lounging at opposite ends of a big brown leather sofa.
“Forget Lassiter,” said Deke. “It looks like The Wedding Show exploded all over Angelica.”
She glared at him. “Not funny.”
Tiffany covered a grin.
“Stop,” said Angie.
“I’m sorry,” said Tiffany. “I know it’s not funny. But I can’t help thinking there’s a reality TV show in this somewhere.”
“Reluctant brides?” asked Angie, looking like she might be considering it for a Lassiter channel.
But she quickly returned her accusatory glare to Evan.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Believe me, if I knew how to slow Marlene down, I’d do it.”
Reunited with the Lassiter Bride Page 11