Texas Heir Read online

  “No. Reed Preston the man is very ordinary and there’s nothing ordinary about you.”

  “Reed, you’re not making sense. You need to see a psychologist.”

  “I’m fine, really,” he assured her. “For the first time in my life I’m certain I will be in control of my future.”

  “Reed.”

  He hugged her briefly. “I wish you all the best. Keep the ring. It suits you.” He strolled toward the stairs.

  “Reed,” his father called.

  He stopped to face him.

  “May I ask where you are going?”

  “No, you may not, but I will tell you I know what I’m going to do for the rest of my life.”

  “That would be?”

  “I’ll let you know when my plans are finalized.” He took the stairs two at a time, not looking back.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Reed hurried to his room, grabbed some money and called a cab. He then told the guard at the gate to let the cab in when it arrived. As he waited, he thought of all he’d learned about himself last night and this morning. Cari had been right. He’d been looking for damage control, as she had put it, and he’d found that in Daphne.

  He wasn’t sure what that revealed about himself, but he knew one thing. He was scared to death of love. From the start, he’d known Cari had the power to change him. That’s what he was afraid of—that power. He’d built a safe little world for himself where exposing his emotions wasn’t required. If he did that, it would open him up for pain, and he was an expert at protecting his heart.

  Except when it came to Cari.

  She seemed to know him better than he knew himself.

  He stared out at the bright September day and felt as if his life was just beginning. So many times he wondered what he was going to do with the rest of his life. Now he knew and it was clear as the day.

  A week ago he would have been so angry at his father’s manipulation. Maybe he wasn’t angry because it revealed Reed’s own weakness. No one forced him to date Daphne. He’d done that on his own.

  He ran his hands over his face. Even though he didn’t want to hurt Daphne, he felt there wasn’t any other way. He really believed she wasn’t hurt as much as disappointed. In the future he prayed she would find someone more suitable for her.

  The yellow cab appeared up the driveway and Reed sprinted for the backstairs. He walked through the garages to the driveway and slipped into the backseat. Within seconds, he was headed for his condo.

  CARI HAD AN introspective kind of day. Now that she’d burned her bridges at Dalton’s, she had to think about her future. Ever since her childhood she’d dreamed of having a better life. She’d accomplished that goal. Her goal now was to be happy. After what had happened, that was more important to her than anything.

  Without Reed she wondered if that was possible.

  She shook off that feeling and went to her computer. Tomorrow she’d have to see about getting a new laptop. Her old one was burned to a crisp somewhere in west Texas. She also had to get a new driver’s license and new credit cards. But today she needed to work on a résumé. She knew just about everyone in the business and she thought she would apply at several places, but first she’d try Neiman Marcus.

  Halfway through the document she had to stop. She couldn’t finish it. She felt a betrayal to Dalton’s that she couldn’t explain. Going into the kitchen, she grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. She seemed to be thirsty a lot. Maybe her body was still trying to replenish after the dehydration.

  She tried not to think about Reed and found that almost impossible. He was still hiding behind duty and honor and running from his feelings.

  How could he deny what he felt for her? What they’d shared? They’d made love like there was no tomorrow, both weak and exhausted, but one touch, one kiss and they were energized, needing each other much more than water. She’d always remember that and she had a feeling he would, too.

  But would it matter?

  REED DIDN’T GO into work as he’d planned. Since he’d missed the memorial services for Fletcher and Melody, he visited with their families. They asked a lot of questions and he answered them as best as he could. He felt it gave them some measure of peace. It also helped him.

  Later, he went back to his condo. He didn’t sleep much. The crash, life and his future weighed heavily on his mind. By morning he had everything sorted out. He knew what he had to do.

  He got out of his car in the parking garage and walked to the executive elevator with confidence. Today marked a new beginning. A new era.

  For Dalton’s—and for Reed Preston.

  Homer hugged him and asked about Cari. He told him she was still with her family. Reed wanted to call, but he thought he’d wait until she had returned to Dallas. Then they would talk.

  Everyone shook his hand and said how glad they were he was alive. After the greetings, he went straight to his office, his secretary following him.

  “Adele, please tell Jim Kimball I want to see him as soon as possible.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Also have Monica come in.”

  “Yes, sir. Anything else?”

  “That’s it for now.”

  She handed him an envelope. “This came by courier.”

  “Thank you.”

  Adele turned, and then pivoted around. “It’s wonderful to have you back.”

  He grinned. “It feels good, too.”

  After she left, he looked down at the letter and ripped it open. A resignation letter from Cari. His heart dropped like a stone to the pit of his stomach. Had she given up on him?

  Monica tapped at the door and walked in. “Reed, I’m so happy you’re safe.”

  In a split second he collected himself. “Thank you.”

  Reed leaned back in his chair. He’d decided to start his new life by ferreting out the person feeding his father information. Only two people knew his every move, Adele and Monica.

  For years he’d been willing to let it slide, but not anymore. To run Dalton’s he had to be in total control.

  He glanced at Cari’s resignation. She had always instilled in him a need to do the best job he could. She gave him strength and courage just as she had in west Texas. He couldn’t imagine running Dalton’s without her by his side, nor could he imagine a life without her in it.

  First he had to take care of business.

  By process of elimination he settled on Monica. Adele was very efficient, but she didn’t have any deceit in her. He could be wrong, but he didn’t think so.

  His eyes caught Monica’s. “As of today you are no longer employed by Dalton’s.”

  “Excuse me?” Her eyes narrowed to mere slits. “I’m your personal assistant and I demand to know why you’re terminating my employment without reason.”

  He leaned forward, his eyes never leaving hers. “Because you’re feeding my father information. He keeps tabs on me through you.”

  “That’s not true. I would never—”

  “It’s true,” he said in a strong voice. “You know it and I know it, so just admit the truth. If you do, I’ll give you a good severance package. You keep lying and the offer is off the table.”

  She chewed on her lip, weighing her odds, and he knew his hunch was right. “Your father is a very powerful man.”

  “And you thought you’d work both sides of the fence.”

  She paled visibly. “He said he’d fire me.”

  That was Reed’s point. Richard shouldn’t have the power to fire anyone. Reed was CEO and in charge, not Richard. That was going to change.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t have someone working for me who I can’t trust.”

  “I am sorry, Reed.”

  “I know. Next time don’t sell your principles for a few extra dollars.”

  She nodded and walked out.

  It didn’t make Reed feel any better that he’d been right. Monica was a good employee and they worked well together, but as he had told her, he needed
people on his team who he could trust.

  He trusted Cari. But he couldn’t allow himself to think about her right now.

  Adele buzzed through to let him know Jim Kimball had arrived.

  Reed stood and shook the man’s hand. Jim had worked as an attorney for Dalton’s since he’d graduated from law school. He was now senior attorney for the store and very loyal to Richard.

  “Reed, it’s so good to see you. You had us all worried.”

  “Thank you, Jim. I’m happy to be alive. Have a seat.”

  Jim sat in the leather chair across from Reed’s desk. “What’s this about?”

  Reed came straight to the point. “I want to see my grandfather’s will.”

  “Pardon me?” The man seemed genuinely puzzled. And nervous.

  “You’re not hard of hearing, are you, Jim?”

  “No, sir.”

  “I expect it in my office in an hour.”

  Beads of perspiration popped out on Jim’s forehead. He reached in his pocket for a handkerchief and dabbed at them. “I don’t think I can do that in an hour.”

  “One hour, Jim.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jim rose to his feet.

  “Please don’t make the mistake of calling my father. You will be unemployed the moment you do. Am I clear?”

  “Yes. It’s just—”

  “I know you’re loyal to my father, but he’s not steering this ship anymore. I am, so choose your loyalties carefully.”

  “I’m close to retirement and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.”

  Reed stood. “It’s up to you, Jim. Who are you working for?”

  Jim dabbed at his forehead again. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

  “Thank you. Your job is secure. You have my word.”

  Jim shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Reed was. He just needed a little extra incentive, and he felt his grandfather’s will would give him that. He wanted to read with his own eyes Harold Dalton’s plans for the store his father had started.

  CARI TOOK HER NIECES, Judith, Janice, her sister-in-law, Kitty and her mother shopping at Dalton’s. She wore flip-flops Kitty had bought her. She’d promised to take them, but it was difficult. Her family didn’t know about her resignation and she wasn’t ready to tell them. She didn’t want them to worry.

  Since the employees knew her, it was an extra-special trip. She wanted to go up to the executive offices, but she didn’t. For the first time she didn’t want to see Reed.

  After everyone had left, Kitty drove her to Melody’s parents’ home. The memorial service had already been held and Cari wanted to offer her condolences in person. Fletcher’s parents lived in Oregon and she had talked to them on the phone, but she stopped by his ex-wife’s.

  The visits were draining and Cari was glad when Kitty lingered after driving Cari home. She needed the company. They settled in the living room, Cari with her water and Kitty with a cola.

  She found herself telling her sister about the ordeal she’d been through, the first time she’d really opened up. Once she started she couldn’t seem to stop talking.

  “You resigned!” Kitty sat straight up in the chair, appalled at that.

  “Yes. I can’t work with Reed any longer.”

  Kitty took a swig of her cola. “I never figured you for a coward, big sister.”

  “I’m not a coward,” Cari retorted. “If you say that again I’m going to pour that cola over your head.”

  Kitty grinned like a Cheshire cat. “That’s the Cari I know and love.”

  “This isn’t easy and I didn’t make the decision lightly. It’s time for me to move on.”

  Kitty lounged in the chair. “You’re making it easy for Reed.”

  “Maybe.”

  “You know.” Kitty twisted her hair around one finger. “When we were at the Preston house, I got to know Mr. Preston a little better.”

  “Yes, I could tell from the way you talked to him the other day.” That had surprised Cari because Richard Preston opened up to no one. A trait he’d passed on to his son.

  “He’s powerful and knows it and he can be intimidating, but the thought of losing his son was tearing him up. It made him human and I felt sorry for him.”

  “You’re probably the first person to ever say that.”

  Kitty grinned. “Since men now frequent beauty shops, I’m used to dealing with the cranky ones.” She winked. “Mr. Preston thinks highly of you.”

  Cari stared at her baby sister. “What?”

  “He knows your contribution to Dalton’s has been invaluable. He said he didn’t think you were afraid of anything. You stand up to board members and even him when you think something is right for Dalton’s.”

  “He said that.” Richard Preston must have been feeling very low.

  “Yes. He admires you.”

  “Let’s don’t go that far.” Cari gave a fake laugh. “He wants me as far away from his son as he can get me.”

  Kitty lifted an eyebrow. “Are you’re going to let that happen?”

  Cari closed her eyes and leaned her head against the sofa. She’d always been a fighter. Was she giving up? Hell, no. But she wasn’t waiting for Reed any longer.

  Liar, resounded in her head like a cymbal. She ignored it.

  The doorbell rang. Kitty opened the door to Marisa and they made hot-fudge sundaes and talked about girl things. Reed’s name wasn’t mentioned.

  Before Marisa left, Cari told her she’d resigned from Dalton’s. She didn’t want Marisa to hear that from anyone else. As always, Marisa understood.

  But Cari was beginning to wonder if she did.

  IN LESS THAN AN HOUR Jim was back in Reed’s office and laid a document in a leather folder in front of him.

  “Thank you, Jim. I’ll get it back to you as soon as I can.”

  “Sir, I’d rather take it with me and put it back in the vault. Your father…”

  Reed folded his hands across the document. “I’ll get it to you as soon as I can.”

  Jim inclined his head and walked out.

  He took a moment to marvel at the fear his father had instilled in his employees. Reed didn’t want his employees to fear him. Loyalty, honesty and dedication were what he wanted. That’s the way he would run Dalton’s.

  He focused on the document in front of him. His grandfather’s own words seemed to leap out at him and he became more aware of the legacy that had been passed down to him.

  Thirty minutes later he rang Adele and she hurried in.

  “Call my parents and tell them I would like to see them in the boardroom at one o’clock. Also, contact my sister for the same meeting.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As she made to leave, he stopped her. Picking up Cari’s letter, he handed it to her. “Draft a letter stating Cari Michaels’s resignation has been accepted and I’ll sign it.”

  “Uh…” Adele seemed at a loss for words.

  “Something wrong?”

  “Ms. Michaels isn’t coming back? Oh, I’m sorry. That’s none of my business.” She quickly collected herself. “I’ll draft a letter right away.”

  As he saw the fear in Adele’s eyes, he felt the power his father was so fond of brandishing. Unlike Richard, though, causing that fear was not a power play or a turn-on for him.

  He looked at his secretary. “Adele, it’s okay to be sad that Cari won’t be coming back. Things are changing at Dalton’s and Cari will no longer be vice president. Other changes are to come. I’ll get with you on a memo later today.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Adele relaxed, although she seemed eager to escape to her office.

  Reed twisted his gold pen between his fingers. He could see Cari’s face so clearly and hear her voice. Junior, what do we do now? He took a long breath. They accepted their future. To do that he had to let her go because after their ordeal they needed to be free to make the right choices for their lives.

  First he had to solidify his future.

 
Then he would talk to Cari.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Adele informed Reed his parents were in the boardroom. He picked up his briefcase and headed there. As he took his seat at the head of the table, he glanced directly at his father.

  “What’s this about, son?” Richard asked. “I have a golf game this afternoon and I’d like to get to it.”

  Reed glanced at his watch. “Marisa is on her way, so I’d like to wait for her.”

  Richard’s eyebrow shot up. “You asked your sister?”

  Before he could reply, Marisa breezed in, kissed everyone and took a seat by Vanessa. “I hope this isn’t going to take long,” she said. “I have to be at Ellie’s school by two-thirty.”

  “No, it won’t take long,” Reed replied.

  “What are we doing here, Reed?” Richard asked with a touch of annoyance.

  Reed removed the will from his briefcase. “We are the four biggest shareholders of Dalton’s and I wanted you to be the first to know of changes that are going to take place.”

  “You’re quitting,” Richard said, shaking his head in disgust. “I thought you had more guts than that. I interfered in your life and I apologized, but you’re the one who took the relationship to the next level. For heaven’s sake, don’t throw away your birthright because you’re angry at me.”

  Reed held his father’s gaze. “I didn’t say anything about quitting. I said things were going to change.”

  “I promised not to interfere in your life again. Do you want it in writing?”

  “Richard, please shut up and let our son talk,” Vanessa said. “Everything is not about you.”

  Richard glared at Vanessa.

  “Father,” Marisa intervened. “Please just listen to Reed.”

  Usually Reed would be gritting his teeth by now. But he felt calm, in control. “For a long time I’ve been unsure of my life and I’ve felt like a figurehead here at Dalton’s. I’ve never been in control because—” his eyes caught his father’s again “—you manipulate my life, the store, everything behind the scenes.”

  “I do not. You’re the CEO and I’ve backed away.”