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  “Take care of yourself and don’t worry about coming back to work. Take all the time you need.”

  Something snapped in Cari. He was treating her like an employee, denying everything they had shared. In his comfortable real world he was back to being Reed Preston and still keeping her at arm’s length.

  She couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer. “I said I didn’t expect anything from you, but actually I do.”

  “Anything.” The light in his eyes should have stopped her, but it didn’t.

  “Be honest. Stop running from the truth. Stop hiding behind honor, duty and commitment. You’re afraid—”

  “Cari…”

  She held up a hand. “Let me finish. You owe me that.” She swallowed hard. “Loving someone, like you loved your parents, brought you pain, and you’ve built a world where you can never be hurt again. Sometimes love hurts, but then it also can bring fulfilling, immeasurable rewards. Please don’t stay that lonely little boy. Allow yourself to love with all your heart, even if it’s Daphne. That’s my wish for you.”

  They stared at each other for a long moment and then he turned and strolled from the room.

  Cari held her hand to her cheek, still tingling from his touch.

  The ball was now in his court. He had decisions to make and she prayed he made the right ones. Would he confront his fears and accept love into his life? Would he ever admit he loved her? Or would he take the safe route and marry Daphne?

  He was a man of character and she had always known that. It was one of those things she loved about him. For once in his life she hoped safe was not an option for him, not after what they had been through together, after what they had shared.

  Brushing away a tear, she turned onto her side and let them flow freely. She needed to. Maybe in a silent way she was saying goodbye to everything that might have been. As sobs racked her body, she realized some things weren’t meant to be.

  But accepting that reality would take time.

  Maybe forever.

  AN HOUR LATER the doctor came in and checked her over. He gave the okay for her to go home. He advised her to go for counseling and she said she’d think about it. The one thing she needed now was her family. She’d spent years dreaming of leaving her small-town roots. Now she couldn’t wait to go back.

  The doctor then went over guidelines for her diet. So far she’d only had liquids, pudding and soup. He wanted her to slowly add solids back into her diet. He also wrote a prescription for an ointment to be administered to the blisters and sunburn and advised her not to wear shoes for a while. Mostly he wanted her to take life slowly.

  That suited her fine. She planned on enjoying every moment as much as she could.

  Kitty breezed in with a carryall. “I have get-away clothes.”

  Cari swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I’m ready.”

  “I have strict orders to bring you straight home.” Kitty unzipped the bag and pulled out jeans and a pink knit top. “Mom is fixing up our old room.”

  Cari cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t plan to stay that long.”

  Kitty stopped and looked at her. “Please let us pamper you. It’s the least you can do after taking ten years off our lives.”

  “Okay. I’ll be very docile.”

  Kitty laid the clothes on the bed. “Yeah, right? Since when?”

  “Since I’ve learned to be grateful for everything I have.”

  “Oh, sissy.” Kitty hugged her tightly. “It’s so good to have you back.”

  Cari held on for a moment longer. “Me, too. Now help me dress. I might topple on my head.”

  After she was dressed, Kitty went to check on the release papers. Cari sat in a chair and waited.

  Richard Preston walked into the room. Usually the sight of the man tied her stomach in knots. Today her insides were calm. After facing death, Mr. Preston’s power took on a whole different meaning. He was just a person, as Marisa had said, and Cari’s life or happiness did not depend on him or his company.

  “Ms. Michaels,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’re going home.”

  She managed a smile. “So am I.”

  He shoved his hands into his tailored slacks. “I want to thank you for saving my son’s life. You will have a job at Dalton’s forever.”

  She wasn’t sure how to respond to that and she really wasn’t sure about her job, so she replied honestly, “I would have done it for anyone.”

  He nodded. “I believe you would. You’re an exceptional young woman.”

  Cari was taken aback and she was glad when Kitty returned. “Hey, Mr. Preston,” Kitty said. “Doesn’t Cari look great?”

  “Yes, she does.”

  Kitty studied him. “You know, if you’d stop by my shop I could put some low lights in your gray hair and it would be stunning. It might help your mood, too.”

  “I’m satisfied with my own stylist,” he replied rather stiffly.

  “Relax, Mr. Preston. I was teasing,” Kitty told him. “Don’t you have a sense of humor?”

  “I was born without one.”

  Kitty drew back. “Now that’s just sad.”

  Cari noticed the corners of his mouth twitch. He had a sense of humor, but he kept it hidden. Watching the whole scene, she marveled at her sister’s nerve. She’d had the same nerve, though, when she’d first started at Dalton’s.

  Suddenly Kitty smiled. “You’re putting me on.”

  “You’re so easy,” Richard replied. “And sincere. I appreciate the thought.” He glanced at his gold watch. “I have to be going. Reed will be home soon. I just wanted to see Ms. Michaels.” He glanced at Cari. “Thank you.”

  She could only nod.

  Thirty minutes later a nurse wheeled Cari through the lobby with Kitty trailing behind. Kitty hurried to bring her car around and Cari waited with the nurse. A large TV screen was in the lobby and a news report came on.

  “After surviving a plane crash, Reed Preston, Texas heir to the Dalton’s Department Stores empire was released from the hospital today,” the reporter was saying. The rest of his words went over Cari’s head. Her eyes were riveted on Reed and Daphne entering the backseat of a limo. Lightbulbs flashed and Daphne smiled into the camera, waving.

  As she watched, that tiny sliver of hope she clung to shattered. Reed had made his choice. He was more comfortable with safe. With his fiancée. Whatever he and Cari had shared was over. Really over. She brushed away an errant tear as the reality of that became very clear.

  Only the heartache remained.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Richard watched Vanessa flutter around the dining table checking to make sure every place setting was perfect.

  She repositioned a crystal goblet. “Isn’t this exciting? Our son is coming home.”

  He had to agree. “Yes, it is.”

  Vanessa glanced at her watch. “They should be here soon and, Richard—” she took a moment to spare him a pointed glance “—I want this to be a happy occasion. No arguments. Just happiness.”

  He leaned against the door frame. “I was thinking the same thing, and I also think it would be best if I didn’t mention my involvement in Reed’s engagement.”

  Vanessa stopped in her perusal of the table. “What do you mean?”

  “Telling him is only going to upset him.”

  “And revealing your sins is not a Richard Preston thing.”

  He didn’t deny her words because they were true. Any guilty feelings he had, he ignored. God wouldn’t want Reed hurt was his reasoning. “Life is back to normal and I feel I should leave it that way.”

  Vanessa’s eyes narrowed. “There’s just one little problem with that.”

  “What?”

  “You told me.”

  Richard frowned, not believing what she was implying. “Are you saying you’d tell him?”

  Her eyes widened, the lights of the chandelier reflected in them. It wasn’t a soft light. It was hard as steel.

  “We almost lost our daughter, n
ot to mention our darling Ellie, because of our manipulations. We thought our son was dead for days. I’ve learned a very valuable lesson in all the heartache.” Her eyes held his. “Honesty, Richard. All these things have happened for a reason and we have to make amends. We have to be honest with our children. Reed has to know you set up the dinner date with Daphne and then we let him make his own decisions. After that we support him completely.”

  He straightened from the door frame. “But don’t you see, once I tell him, he’ll be so angry he’ll leave Dalton’s and cut us out of his life. Is that what you want?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “But it’s a chance we have to take. If you don’t tell him and he finds out from someone else, you run the risk of really losing him forever. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”

  “Vanessa, be reasonable. How will he find out?”

  The steel in her eyes grew harder. “I remember you saying the same thing about Marisa. You said she would never find out about her baby. But she did, didn’t she?”

  Guilt slapped him in the face then. At that moment, he hated Vanessa for pointing out his faults and his misdeeds.

  When he didn’t reply, Vanessa went on. “I’ve never been a big believer in fate, kismet or whatever. I dealt with life my own way, uncaring of others. My father made the world my playground and I selfishly enjoyed every minute of it. Looking back, I can see just how selfish I was. I had children and other people cared for them. I left my son in your care. I should never have done that. He needed to be with his mother and not a ruthless, unfeeling bastard.”

  Richard flinched from her words but he couldn’t deny or defend them. All he could do was stare at her and wonder if she was having a nervous breakdown.

  She placed her hands on her hips. “I’m not trying to be mean, Richard. In the same vein I’d call myself an unfeeling, heartless bitch.”

  “We made mistakes,” he said.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “That’s what I’m saying. It’s time to prove we’re not those people anymore.”

  He closed his eyes briefly. “I can’t lose my son again.”

  “We have to hope he appreciates your honesty.”

  “Van—”

  “No.” She stopped him quickly. “You’ll tell him.” She linked her arm through his. “But not tonight. This time is for happiness.”

  As they walked into the living room he knew she was right. He’d promised, but it was hard to keep that promise when life was good. On the other hand, he wasn’t sure what would happen if he didn’t.

  For once in his life he wasn’t willing to take that risk.

  WHEN REED ARRIVED at his parents’, the NTSB investigators were waiting. They sat in his father’s study going over the crash. He told them everything he remembered.

  “When no one came to rescue us, we decided to walk out.”

  “How did you manage?” Mr. Sparks asked.

  “We didn’t have anything but the clothes on our backs. Some things were scattered down the mountain. Cari saw a backpack and climbed down to get it even though she’s afraid of heights. We fly all the time and I never knew she was afraid of heights.”

  He rubbed his hands together trying not to get sidetracked. “It must have been Melody’s. We found water, cereal bars, sneakers, a scarf and things we could use. Cari had lost her heels in the plane and even though the sneakers didn’t fit she wore them. We used the water sparingly and a metal file worked to cut into a prickly pear cactus. The file broke easily, but we found the fruit of another cactus to eat.”

  “You did very well under the circumstances,” Mr. Cober said.

  Reed eyed the investigator. “You stopped looking for us?”

  “Yes. We saw no signs there were any survivors.”

  “The rain washed away all the evidence I suppose.”

  “Yes.”

  Reed thought of something. “I discarded my broken watch on the ground not far from the crash site.”

  “It wasn’t recovered. An animal or bird must have taken a shine to it.”

  “I suppose.” Reed looked back at his clasped hands. “I kept telling Cari we were going to make it, but at times I wasn’t sure. She was getting so weak and I was, too. But I wouldn’t let it show. I had to be strong for her. That petite woman pulled me from the plane moments before it exploded. I’ll never be able to repay her.”

  “I don’t think she wants you to,” Mr. Sparks replied. “From what I’ve seen of Ms. Michaels she’s a very strong and competent young woman. She would have done the same for anyone.”

  She would. That’s who Cari was, a person who gave with all her heart. And she loved him. All she wanted was his unconditional love.

  He would never be able to give her that.

  Why not?

  Be honest, she’d said. Please don’t stay that lonely little boy.

  He shook the thought away.

  REED SETTLED IN for an evening with his family. Marisa, Colter and the kids were there and it made everything perfect. With Ellie and Jack around, there wasn’t any time for deep introspection. He needed to lose himself in their vitality.

  His mother had the cook prepare potato soup for him and he was touched by her thoughtfulness. Although the doctor had said he could slowly add solid food back into his diet he wasn’t all that hungry. Not even for the prime rib that was served to the others.

  After the maid removed the plates, his father asked, “What’s for dessert, Vanessa?”

  Vanessa pushed back her chair. “We’re not having dessert.”

  Richard’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean we’re not having dessert?”

  Vanessa reached for Reed’s arm, and Reed rose to his feet.

  “We’re going to the kitchen to make dessert,” she announced.

  Richard threw his napkin on the table. “You have to be kidding me.”

  “No, not even close,” Vanessa answered, and they all trailed into the kitchen. The servants had conveniently disappeared. Vanessa ordered everyone around the large oak table.

  “This is very strange,” Daphne whispered to him.

  Richard leaned in and whispered in that same hushed voice, “This has been hard on her and I believe she’s having a nervous breakdown.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Marisa said. “She’s just happy her son is alive and she wants to do something for him. Something motherly, so go along with whatever she’s planned.” Marisa lifted an eyebrow at her father. “Or else.”

  “Mommy’s tough, Grandpa,” Ellie spoke up. “You better behave.”

  Richard winked at his granddaughter. “For you, sweetheart, anything.”

  Vanessa came back with a white apron over her silk dress. Reed just stared at her. Marisa was right. Their mother had changed or she was having a nervous breakdown as his father had insinuated. But he didn’t think so. She seemed to have a need to touch him, to please him, and she’d never been like that before.

  “I noticed they were letting you eat pudding at the hospital,” Vanessa said to him. “I asked Ruth how to make it and she said I should try something easy and told me what to buy.”

  “You went to the grocery store?” Richard asked before Reed could.

  “Yes, dear, and it’s really an interesting place with so many mothers with carts and kids. I just never realized it was a gathering place for mothers.”

  “They do most of the cooking,” Marisa pointed out.

  “Yes, and tonight I’m making dessert for my son and everyone else, too.”

  “Vanessa, I do not want pudding for dessert.” Richard made his views clear.

  So did his mother. “Well, Richard, you’re out of luck. It won’t hurt you to skip dessert.”

  “What!” he spluttered, but Vanessa didn’t pay him any attention.

  She brought a bowl with several items in it to the table. Removing the contents, she held up a box. “This is instant chocolate pudding.”

  “Yay!” Jack clapped. “I love chocolate pudding.”

  Colt
er ruffled his son’s hair. “Be patient, son.”

  Vanessa opened two boxes and emptied them into the bowl and added measured milk. “Now watch,” she instructed as she whisked the ingredients together. “We let it set for a few minutes and then we’ll have pudding. Isn’t that amazing?”

  “Absolutely.” Reed stood and kissed her cheek.

  Marisa brought bowls, spoons and napkins. Soon everyone had a bowl of pudding. Jack dived in first. Even Richard took a bowl, mainly because Marisa placed it in front of him.

  They sat around the kitchen table like a normal family and Reed felt at home for the first time in his life.

  AFTERWARD THEY RETIRED to the living room for after-dinner drinks. As they sipped wine, Ellie showed them her ballet routine. She danced around the living room to the music of Swan Lake. Reed thought how beautiful she was, her slim graceful lines and movements just like Marisa’s. He glimpsed a tear in Vanessa’s eyes. It was his mother’s dream that Ellie continue dancing seriously, but that would be up to Marisa and Colter. Most of all it would be up to Ellie. Everyone knew Ellie was her father’s daughter and a cowgirl at heart. She was a championship barrel racer. It would be interesting to see what path Ellie’s life would take. Whatever she chose, her parents would support her enthusiastically. So would Reed.

  Jack wouldn’t be outdone. He wanted to show everyone how he could rope. Colter explained rather patiently that he couldn’t rope in the house.

  “I’ll use a pretend rope then,” Jack said, and proceeded to demonstrate everything his father had taught him, his tongue held tightly between his teeth. The expressions on his face were priceless. Of course, Ellie egged him on by pretending to be the calf who was being roped.

  They had everyone in stitches, even Richard and Vanessa. Daphne seemed bored with the whole thing. He thought she would have been excited about Ellie’s dancing, but she wasn’t.

  Whatever connection he and Daphne had had, they seemed to have lost it. He knew it was him. He’d changed. Daphne hadn’t.

  She kissed him briefly. “I really must go. I’m so glad you’re home. Have fun with your family and I’ll see you tomorrow.”