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

His eyes darkened, but he didn’t say anything.

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

The right or wrong would come later.

“Oh, Cari.” Reed’s 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 love you and I want you to make love to me.”

Dear Reader,

When I wrote The Christmas Cradle (AR, November 2004) I never thought I’d write spin-off books, but I did—The Cowboy’s Return (AR, February 2006) and Once a Cowboy (AR, February 2007). Then came an idea for another, rather unusual, spin-off story about Cari Michaels and Reed Preston.

Reed is CEO of a family-owned Texas chain of department stores. Cari has worked her way up the corporate ladder to vice president. Somewhere along the way she’s fallen in love with her handsome boss. When Reed announces his engagement, Cari is devastated. After a scheduled trip to an El Paso store, she plans to turn in her resignation. Then the unthinkable happens—the plane crashes in desolate west Texas. They are the only two survivors.

Their dire situation causes Cari and Reed to take a good look at their lives and at each other. Suddenly they can see what’s important to them. But is it real? Or is it something fabricated from the tragedy? You’ll have to keep reading to find out.

This was a difficult story to write, yet I enjoyed it immensely. I hope you do, as well. As the saying goes, hold on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

With love and thanks,

Linda Warren

P.S. It always brightens my day to hear from readers. You can e-mail me at Lw1508@aol.com or write me at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan, TX 77805 or visit my Web site at www.lindawarren.net or www.myspace.com/authorlindawarren. Your letters will be answered.

Texas Heir
Linda Warren

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning, bestselling author Linda Warren has written twenty-one books for Harlequin Superromance and Harlequin American Romance. She grew up in the farming and ranching community of Smetana, Texas, the only girl in a family of boys. She loves to write about Texas, and from time to time scenes and characters from her childhood show up in her books. Linda lives in College Station, Texas, not far from her birthplace, with her husband, Billy, and a menagerie of wild animals, from Canada geese to bobcats. Visit her Web site at www.lindawarren.net.

A special thanks to Gary Simmons

for being so generous in sharing his knowledge of

private jets and aircraft. And to Sara Schroeder for

sharing her visit to west Texas. Also, to Jane Pearce

for graciously giving me a Spanish lesson.

And lastly, to Pam Litton, Lee Dewbre,

Linda Stewart, Linda Hermes and

Colleen Thompson for offering help when

I needed it the most. All errors are strictly mine.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Chapter One

Cari Michaels was having a “take two Tylenol” type of day.

And it was only five minutes to eight.

With tires squealing, she swerved into her parking spot with the speed and arrogance of her sixteen-year-old nephew. She had five minutes to make the executive meeting on time.

Why was Reed Dalton Preston, CEO of Dalton’s Department Stores, calling an impromptu gathering of his executives this early? The one morning her alarm clock chose to die.

Seconds ticked away.

No sweat. She’d make it.

Thrusting the gearshift into Park, she turned off the engine and grabbed her purse and briefcase. Then she was off at a run for the elevator, her heels tapping in three-quarter time across the pavement in the parking garage. She prayed Homer, the elevator operator, was waiting with the door open.

He was. She could see his smiling round face, and then she heard a snap. The next thing she knew she was kissing hard, dirty concrete. She moaned as burning needles of pain shot through her knee and elbow.

Damn! Damn! Damn!

Her day just got worse.

“Ms. Cari, are you okay?” Through a wave of humiliation she heard Homer’s worried voice and rolled to her feet faster than a quarterback nailed for a loss.

“Yes, Homer. I’m fine.” She brushed off her black Prada pantsuit and took a deep breath. “Just broke a heel.” She raised her foot to remove the offending shoe and held it up, but she didn’t have a moment to chat. Time was running out and she knew she’d get “The Look” from Reed if she slid into her seat one second late.

Homer picked up her briefcase and purse and handed them to her with a concerned look in his eyes.

“Thank you,” she said, and hobbled into the elevator. “Can you make Louise fly?”

“No, ma’am,” Homer replied, adjusting his bellman’s cap with the Dalton logo on it. “She only goes one speed.” Homer was mentally challenged and he took his job seriously. He’d named the elevator Louise and sometimes he stayed until every executive was out of the building because he didn’t like anyone pushing Louise’s buttons but him. Everyone loved Homer, including Cari.

As the elevator smoothly glided upward she removed her other heel. Being just five feet three inches tall, she really needed the heels for the extra confidence-boosting height.

Glancing down, she saw she’d ripped her slacks at the knee. There was also dirt on her cobalt-blue silk blouse. Great. Now she was going to look like a street urchin, but she wasn’t missing the meeting.

Elevator music, Bach or Beethoven or something, played in the background and it started to get on her nerves. Why was this thing going so slow? Louise needed a checkup.

“My mama says it doesn’t matter what you look like as long as you have a good heart.” Homer’s bit of wisdom made Cari wonder if she looked that bad.

“You have a good heart, Ms. Cari.”

“Thank you, Homer. So do you.”

The doors opened. She smiled at Homer a second before she dashed out and down the hall to the private door of her office.

Homer’s “Have a good day” followed her.

She threw the shoes and her briefcase onto her desk and took a moment to glance at herself in the mirror by the door. Slipping her purse strap over her shoulder, she ran her fingers through her short, blow-and-go, dark brown hair. At the moment it was more blow than go.

Her sister, the beautician, had talked her into the style. Chic and stylish, Kitty had said—just what Cari needed for her busy lifestyle. Shaking her head, she hoped her hair looked chic instead of looking more like it had been cut with a weed-eater.

And who’s going to notice, she asked herself as she darted out the door to the boardroom. Certainly not Reed Preston. Cari remembered vividly the first time she had seen Reed. He and Richard Preston, his father, were making a tour of the store, something Mr. Preston didn’t do too often. But Reed was home for the summer from the University of Texas and Mr. Preston was priming him to take over the reins of Dalton’s. Everyone had been on their toes, watching their p’s and q’s for the momentous occasion.

She’d been a naive, gauche teenager determined to make something of her life away from the small farm where she’d been raised. When she looked at Reed, she saw everything she’d been looking for and everything she could never have. He was tall with dark hair and warm, brown eyes. Cari knew Reed was as far out of her reach as Prince William. Not that she wanted the prince, but that’s how she thought of Reed—as the Prince of Dalton’s.

So did a lot of other women.

She kept her feelings secret. No one knew how she felt about Reed except Marisa Kincaid, Reed’s sister, a woman whose struggles with her difficult, demanding family had put her in desperate need of a good friend.

When Marisa was seventeen she’d fallen in love with a rodeo cowboy, Colter Kincaid. Marisa was in training to be a concert pianist and her involvement with Colter was unacceptable to the Prestons. With lies and threats her family had broken them up, but Marisa soon discovered she was pregnant. Unable to locate Colter, Marisa had to deal with her parents alone. She refused abortion and adoption, intending to keep her baby. She had underestimated her parents, though.

Marisa had problems with the pregnancy, so the Prestons devised a plan. They told their daughter the baby was stillborn. In truth, they had called Colter and offered him the baby. For years Marisa grieved for her child. At the time she lived with her mother in New York, and she sank into deep depression, unable to play the piano. Her father had brought her to Texas to heal.

Once Marisa was in Texas, the lies and deceit began to unravel. Marisa found out her daughter was very much alive. It had taken a while, but she and Colter had fallen in love again, too. It hadn’t been an easy time and Cari had been there for Marisa when she’d needed to talk. Cari admitted their friendship had undoubtedly helped her gain a vice presidency at Dalton’s, but she also had earned it.

She had realized at an early age that she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life as a salesclerk and, with four siblings, her parents couldn’t afford to send her to college or even junior college. So that first year she’d saved every dime she could and took night courses at a junior college, finally finishing up her business degree at the University of Texas in Dallas while continuing to work for Dalton’s.

When she entered the boardroom, Cari summoned her years of experience and quietly took her seat at the polished oak table, which could seat twenty people. The paneling on the walls was made of the same vibrant wood, trimmed in an ornate, hand-carved pattern unlike anything Cari had ever seen. Photos of all the stores across Texas, as well as the store’s founder, Harold Dalton, hung on the walls. The first time Cari had stepped into this room the sight of it had taken her breath away.

An arrangement of white irises and lavender lilacs took pride of place in the center of the table. Fresh flowers always adorned this room. Their delicate fragrance drifted to her and Cari relaxed, uncaring that her slacks were torn and her blouse was dirty.

The executive team had already taken their seats and Reed stood at the head of the table, looking directly at her. She stared back at him. Yet those honey brown eyes didn’t waver for a second.

Nor did hers.

“Nice of you to join us, Ms. Michaels,” he said in his deep, smooth voice that usually curled her toes into her shoes. Since she wasn’t wearing shoes, her toes curled against the polished hardwood floor that felt cool to her stocking feet.

She smiled sweetly, not rising to the bait.

“I know you’re wondering why I called this meeting.” Reed turned his attention elsewhere and she let out her breath, not even realizing she was holding it. Her elbow was throbbing and she just wanted to go to her office and regroup for the day. She was sure she’d left her pride somewhere on that garage floor and she desperately needed to get it back.

George, the man on her right, sat with a pen in his hand ready to jot down every word out of Reed’s mouth. Mike, across from her, was poised the same way. Cari’s pen was in her purse and she didn’t see the need to fish for it. Reed’s personal assistant always sent memos just in case anyone missed anything.

“I’ll make this short,” Reed said. “I know you’re eager to get back to your jobs. Or at least I hope you are.”

That caused a round of muffled laughter.

Cari took a moment to study Reed. In jeans, a crisp white shirt, a lightweight sports jacket and cowboy boots—she couldn’t see them but she knew he always wore custom-made Kincaid boots—he appeared to have stepped out of the pages of Texas Monthly magazine. His tall lean frame showed off the clothes, but there was something about him that bespoke power and wealth. Maybe it was the way he looked directly into your eyes. Or that strong chin. Or that razzle-dazzle, made-for-Hollywood smile. Or an elusive quality that was embedded in the way he moved and spoke.

But to her it was none of those things. She admired the man within, the man who was striving to prove to his father he could run Dalton’s with strength and compassion. Reed was more involved with his employees than Mr. Preston had ever been. Homer had a job because of Reed. Mr. Preston would never have allowed Homer to be hired.

Reed had new ideas and a new way of doing business. It was showing results. Profits were at an all-time high and Cari enjoyed working with her boss, being on his team. But she wondered if he’d ever see her as a woman.

A desirable woman.

At thirty-four, marriage and family were becoming important to her. If she kept waiting for Reed Preston, her biological clock was going to spit and sputter and run out of time.

“I wanted to let my executive team know before the news hits the papers,” Reed was saying. “Daphne Harwood and I are engaged. We’re planning an early spring wedding.”

What did he say?

People jumped up, shaking his hand and congratulating him. Cari felt herself turning to stone. All her dreams, everything she’d ever hoped for, ended in that moment. Somewhere within her she found the strength to get to her feet. She had to. She was a professional.

Without shoes.

Was there something symbolic in that? What could it be? If Reed had a glass slipper, she definitely had a foot to put in it. A bubble of hysterical laughter rose in her throat and she immediately pushed it down.

“I would like for you to meet her. She’s waiting in my office.” He pushed a button on the phone to his left and then glanced at them. “Please make her feel welcome.” Reed motioned to someone at the door and a goddess walked in. That was the only way to describe Reed’s fiancée, Daphne. Tall, with champagne-blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes, Daphne’s body was a perfect ten on anyone’s scale.

Even Cari’s.

Where in the hell did she come from? Marisa hadn’t mentioned Reed was dating anyone special. Reed’s dating life was a revolving door of beautiful women. No one had told her the door had stopped revolving. When did this happen?

Reed was introducing Daphne to each person and explaining their job. Oh great! She stood on her tiptoes, not that that was going to help her height a lot. Why did she have to break her damn heel?

There wasn’t enough Tylenol in the world to fix this day.

Or her broken heart.

She braced herself as they approached.

“This is Cari Michaels, vice president,” Reed said. “She’s basically my right hand. I can always depend on Cari to—” he noticed her shoeless feet and torn slacks “—what happened?”

“Nothing.” She brushed his concern away. “I took a tumble in the garage and broke a heel, that’s all.”

“Maybe you should see a doctor,” Daphne said in a silky voice that managed to rub against Cari’s nerves like coarse burlap.

“Yes,” Reed said. “That’s a good idea.”

“No.” Cari felt dwarfed and insignificant by the tall goddess and Reed standing side by side. They reminded her of a model bride and groom atop a wedding cake. “I’m fine, really.” She held out her hand. As their palms touched, she noted Daphne’s fingers were soft, fragile almost, but that’s not what held Cari’s attention. It was the large diamond sparkling on her left hand. “It’s nice to meet you and I wish you both the very best.”

She moved away as quickly as possible, her words ringing in her ears. She prayed they’d sounded normal. She could be a sore loser if she had ever been in the game, but she had never even walked onto the field.

Only in her dreams.

“Cari.” Reed caught up with her at the door. “Our plane leaves at one. Will you be ready? We can postpone the trip if you’re not up to it.”

Good heavens, the morning’s events had caused the scheduled September trip to the El Paso store to slip her mind. Her overnight bag was in her car, so her amnesia was only temporary. Reed made random visits to all the stores. He kept an up-close-and-personal connection with every store manager. They were all eager to please him.

He’d said she was his right hand and she supposed that was true. She made the trips with him and together with the manager they went over every minute detail for improvement. This was a system implemented by Reed. Richard Preston rarely visited his stores unless it was an emergency, such as a store not showing a profit.

She usually enjoyed the trips, but this one suddenly took on a feeling of gloom and doom. Spending two hours with Reed in a plane would be pure torture.

He was marrying someone else.

A painful knot clenched her stomach. The fall was the excuse she needed to avoid the trip and she was going to use it.

Coward.

The word ran through her system like the cheap moonshine she and her cousins had gotten drunk on as teenagers. It had made her sick then and she felt sick now.

But she’d never taken the easy way out and she wasn’t about to start.

“I’m fine and I’ll be ready.”

With as much dignity as possible, she walked out of the room.

REED STARED after her. Cari looked upset and he wondered why. She couldn’t be upset about the engagement, could she? It was probably just her fall. He should cancel the trip, yet Cari would have a fit if he treated her with kid gloves. She was direct and honest and he had to take her at her word.

His sister, Marisa, had really hoped he and Cari would become a couple, but they had never made that connection. Cari was a bundle of energy, determined to succeed in the business world. With sheer grit and guts, she had climbed the corporate ladder at Dalton’s.

Her confidence and drive sometimes threw him. He was used to women fawning over him and going out of their way to please him. Cari had done none of those things. She taunted him by calling him Junior and her dark eyes dared him to reprimand her, which he often did.

They had that type of relationship, vocal and explosive. Sparks always seemed to fly when they were together. It was a great working relationship. That was the most important thing to both of them.

The situation had changed somewhat last Fourth of July and he still cursed himself for his momentary lapse. Marisa and her husband, Colter, had thrown a big party at their ranch and Cari and Reed were invited along with a lot of their friends. Everyone else there was part of a couple, so they were paired together. The evening had been fun, with a lot of laughing and ribbing. In the backyard they popped fireworks and watched the glittering sparks light up the sky.

Standing in the moonlight, Cari had smiled at him and without thinking he’d kissed her. It lasted a mind-blowing split second before he realized what he was doing and pulled away. Cari had never shown a romantic interest in him. Her career was her life. She gave Dalton’s one hundred percent of herself and he wasn’t jeopardizing that. They had a business relationship. Period.

In a rush he’d said, “Happy Fourth of July.”

She’d smiled and wished him the same.

Her reaction was a relief. No way was he dating a woman who worked for him even if his sister wanted him to. He steered clear of setups. His parents were constantly trying to fix him up with the perfect woman. Their attention to his marital status made him feel pressured and restless. It was important to him that he make his own choices, especially in women.

At times, though, he wondered what would have happened if he hadn’t stopped kissing Cari.

“Darling.” Daphne laid a hand on his arm. “Is everything okay?”

He looked into her beautiful eyes and was so grateful he’d finally found the woman for him. It had been a whirlwind courtship and at the end of four weeks he’d proposed.

Marriage had never been on his list of top priorities. His parents had a marriage from hell and his friends were all playing marriage roulette. He had to admit that Marisa and Colter were happy, and as he grew older he realized he wanted that—to find the perfect woman, if there was such a person, to share his life and to raise a family together.

His parents had manipulated him and Marisa all their lives and the last thing Reed needed was a woman his parents had picked for him. Ironically a business acquaintance of his dad’s had been invited for dinner and his daughter was in town. His mother was a fanatic about her dinner parties and the proper seating. She’d begged Reed to attend so the young woman wouldn’t feel out of place.

To his surprise he and Daphne had hit it off from the start. She was independently wealthy, so she wasn’t after him for his money. She was a ballet dancer and had just returned from touring France. That threw him at first because his mother had been a dancer, but Daphne was different. She donated a lot of her time to children’s charities and put on special shows to entertain many of them. He admired everything about her. Also, she wanted a home and family like he did. They were perfect for each other.

The date hadn’t been a setup. His parents hadn’t even known Mr. Harwood’s daughter was in town until the last minute. So it was a nice surprise for all of them.

“Yes.” He kissed her cheek. “Everything is fine.”

For some reason though he couldn’t stop himself from staring at the doorway where Cari had stood.

CARI RUSHED through her secretary’s office to reach her own, not bothering to go through her private entrance. “Get me a tall mocha frappuccino with an extra shot of espresso, please,” she said to Heather.

“Yes, ma’am.” Heather was instantly on her feet.

“I already have it.”

Cari whirled around to see Marisa standing there with two coffees. She quickly reached for one. “I knew I loved you for a reason.” She took a sip and glanced at Heather, who was staring at her with wide eyes. At twenty-four she looked like a teenager. Cari knew she must have looked the same years ago.

“Please get me the itinerary for the El Paso trip.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Marisa followed her into her office. “I see you’ve heard the news.”

Cari took a big swallow of coffee. “If you mean about Reed and the debutante, yes, I just heard.”

“I’m sorry. I tried calling but you didn’t answer.”

“Oh.” Cari patted her pockets with one hand. “I’m not sure where my cell is. I guess I left it at home.”

Marisa gave Cari’s disheveled appearance the once-over. “What happened?”

“Don’t ask.”

“Okay,” Marisa said slowly, watching her. “I tried to get here earlier, but it’s a mad rush to get the kids off to school, and this morning Ellie was having a fit about her hair. Since she’s become a teenager, the naturally curly hair has become more of an issue. We seem to spend every morning taming it.”

“No big deal,” Cari replied with a wave of her hand.

She could feel Marisa’s eyes on her. “I know how you feel about Reed.”

Her eyes flew to meet her friend’s. “That’s just between you and me.” With a sigh, she sank into her chair and took another gulp of coffee. Setting the paper cup on her desk, she asked, “Where did she come from? Has he been dating her long?”

Marisa sat in a rose chintz chair, placing her purse on the floor. “My parents hosted a dinner for them last night and Colter and I met her for the first time. She’s a daughter of a business acquaintance of my dad’s.”

“You’re kidding.” Cari sat up straighter. “I would have thought Reed would have avoided her like toxic waste.”

It was a well-known fact that Richard and Vanessa Preston had ideas about who Reed should marry—someone with their social standing and assets. But since the fiasco with Marisa, Reed ignored his parents and chose his own women.

“Me, too.” Marisa crossed her legs and took a sip of her coffee. “I think it was love at first sight. One of those wham-bam things.”

“Mmm.” Cari twisted her cup, feeling the warmth against her thumb. She thought that strange when she felt so cold inside.

“Cari, I’m sorry.”

Cari looked into her friend’s honey-warm eyes and saw all her concern and caring. Marisa was one of those women who was beautiful on the outside as well as within. Looking at her delicate features and curly hair, one would think she was fragile and weak, but Marisa was one of the strongest women she knew.

“Hey, don’t feel sorry for me,” she told her. “Reed and I weren’t meant to be together. We’ve had a number of years to connect and we haven’t.”

Marisa glanced at her over the rim of her coffee cup. “I wonder why?”

“Incompatible,” Cari joked.

“But you work so well together.”

They did, but Cari didn’t know how much longer she could continue to do that.

“We don’t let our personal feelings get in the way of business. Dalton’s is always our top priority.”

Marisa looked straight at her. “You care more about Dalton’s than I ever did.”

“When you have to earn something, it means so much more.”

“I think that’s it.”

Cari blinked. “What? What are you talking about?”

“Reed and I were born with the proverbial silver spoon in our mouths. By birth, everything was given to us. We earned nothing, but you’ve had to fight your way up. The first thing I noticed about you was your determination and confidence.”

“So?”

“I never think of you as being afraid, but I think you’re afraid of my parents and their social status and expectations. You’re afraid you won’t fit in or live up to their ideal mate for Reed. In your mind, you’re still that farm girl from Hillsboro, Texas.”

“That’s—”

“It’s true.” Marisa didn’t give her a chance to voice a protest. “If you had gone after Reed, you would have been a couple a long time ago.”

Cari bit her lip, not bothering to lie to her friend. “Your mother ties my nerves into tight knots, and after a meeting with your father I have to rush to my office and put my head between my legs to catch my breath again. I don’t know why I’m always trying to fit in.”

Marisa got up and came around the desk. Sitting on the edge, she placed her cup behind her. “Why do you have to try at all? You’re an intelligent, kind, beautiful, funny and compassionate woman. I’m lucky to have you for a friend and I’m so grateful you’re in my life. Just be yourself. My parents are just people and sometimes they haven’t been very kind or understanding. So don’t ever think you’re less than them.”

“You don’t know what it’s like to be raised poor and to never have anything. People look down on you and that’s hard to overcome.” Suddenly Cari remembered the homemade hand-me-down clothes, food stamps and welfare. Her past was like a scar on her soul that would never heal.

“Cari Michaels, I’m going to shake you. Look at all you’ve accomplished. From a saleswoman you’ve risen to a high-paying position in a billion-dollar corporation. That’s no small feat.”

Cari lifted an eyebrow. “It helps to have friends in high places.”

“Who?”

“You, of course.”

Marisa frowned. “I had nothing to do with you getting this job.”

“When you left, you suggested—”

“No, I didn’t,” Marisa quickly interrupted. “I was busy planning a wedding and getting to know my daughter. Dad and Reed always fill the top positions. Your job performance was miles above the rest. I’m sure there was never any doubt about moving you up. My father’s not an idiot. He knows who’s best for Dalton’s.”

Cari was stunned. She’d thought Marisa had gotten her the position. Suddenly she was feeling so many things and each one was labeled stupid with a capital S. Confidence was always her strong suit…yet at times it was her weakest.

“Okay.” She ruffled her hair with her hands. “I’ll admit I have a problem in that area, but I really thought you put in a word for me.”

“Please.” Marisa slid off the desk. “You don’t need a word from me. Everything you’ve accomplished you’ve done on your own. You can stand toe-to-toe with my parents and Reed. I don’t understand why you get so down on yourself at times.”

“I guess I love the misery.”

Marisa pointed a finger at her. “Repeat after me—I am terrific. I am a woman and there’s not one damn thing I can’t do. Even recover from a broken heart.”

Cari smiled and stood, hugging her friend. “Thanks. I needed that today.”

“We have to find you a boyfriend,” Marisa said, her eyes twinkling. “My rodeo husband knows a lot of cowboys. How would you like to date a cowboy?”

Her smile broadened. “I saw on a billboard somewhere ‘Save a horse, ride a cowboy,’ so I’m game. If you find a good-looking cowboy in tight jeans who doesn’t chew tobacco, I’ll go out with him. I’ll put a hitch in his giddyup and a grin on my face.”

They burst out laughing and Cari felt a whole lot better.

Marisa sobered. “You have to come for dinner tonight. The kids would love to see you and we can ply Colter for viable candidates.”

“Why didn’t you think of me when Tripp and Brodie were available?” They were Colter’s incredibly handsome best friends who were now happily married.

“Because you were hung up on you know who.”

“Not anymore.”

After a long pause, Marisa asked, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she replied, but she hesitated. She hated herself for that.

“If you’re not, this is the time to let Reed know how you feel.”

Cari gasped. “Marisa Kincaid, I can’t believe you said that.”

Marisa walked around the desk and reached for her purse on the floor. “I just don’t want you or Reed to make a mistake.”

“Don’t you like Daphne?”

Marisa brushed back her blond curls and appeared thoughtful for a minute. “Daphne is who I would be if I had continued living with my mother in New York, adhering to the strict regimen she had planned for me. Daphne is structured, disciplined and perfect, but in the two hours I spent with her last night I never heard her laugh. That bothered me.”

“Why?”

“I never laughed until I met Colter. He opened doors to emotions I didn’t know existed and I know with all my heart that a person has to laugh to be really happy.”

“Maybe she was just nervous.” Cari didn’t understand why she was defending the blond beauty. “Meeting your parents can be traumatic for anyone.”

“She’d already met them.”

“Okay. Daphne doesn’t laugh, but Reed loves her.”

Marisa shrugged. “I’m being catty and that’s all I’m saying. What time do you want to come out for dinner?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. We’re flying to the El Paso store today.”

“We? As in you and Reed?”

“Yes.”

“Mmm.” Cari could almost see the plans tripping through Marisa’s head, but she didn’t voice them. “We’ll do it when you get back then.”

“Sure.”

Marisa paused and looked into Cari’s eyes. “Remember what I said.”

“Marisa—”

Marisa held up a hand, stopping her. “This is your last chance.”

Cari knew her friend had good intentions, but Marisa didn’t know everything.

Marisa stared at Cari’s heels on the top of her desk. “I’m not even going to ask what your shoes are doing on your desk or why one heel is broken. The less I know the better. Call me when you get back.”

“I didn’t use it as a weapon if that’s what you’re thinking,” Cari called to her retreating back.

Or on your brother’s head.

Chapter Two

Cari sank into her chair, rubbing her throbbing elbow, her thoughts wandering into treacherous territory. She and Marisa shared a lot, but there was one thing she hadn’t shared. It had happened on the Fourth of July and Cari was still struggling to understand it herself.

Marisa and Colter had thrown a big barbecue for all their friends. Everyone laughed and visited and had a great time. In the evening Colter had a fireworks display for the kids.

Colter had a couple of water hoses hooked up in case sparks caused a fire. Jack thought the hoses were for fun and started squirting the kids and then letting the hose run all over him. Colter quickly had his son under control and Marisa had taken Jack into the house to change his clothes. She and Reed were laughing at Jack’s silly antics, and then suddenly he was looking into her eyes in a way he never had before. It wasn’t businesslike.

The moonlight was intoxicating and everyone else faded away. Reed had bent his head and gently kissed her lips. It had been exciting, exhilarating and everything she’d ever imagined. For a moment she’d returned the kiss with years of pent-up yearnings.

In the split second it had taken those feelings to take hold, it had taken half that for him to pull away. Suddenly a wall of fear and insecurity blindsided her. He’d never kissed her before. From his “Happy Fourth of July” she knew it was only a friendly gesture. Had she made a fool of herself?

She’d said something and she couldn’t even remember what. Reed left soon after. From then on, their relationship had changed. It was all business now. They didn’t joke around the way they used to and she didn’t call him Junior anymore.

In the past two months she’d wanted to talk about the kiss, but she could never get up enough nerve to even broach the subject. She’d hoped and prayed he’d bring it up, but he hadn’t.

When the kiss had ended abruptly, she had been both disappointed and relieved. She still wasn’t sure what the relief was really about. Was she afraid if he continued with the kiss she would reveal her true feelings? Would Reed tell her he could never become involved with someone who wasn’t in his circle of accepted friends?

At her age it seemed almost impossible that she would allow herself to believe such a thing. She was Marisa’s best friend and the Prestons had accepted her as such. Mainly because they knew Marisa wouldn’t allow anything else.

Reed had those same ethics. Her roots and blue-collar family would make no difference to him.

So why was she so afraid to take a chance? Why was she so afraid to confront Reed about her feelings?

She knew it had something to do with the razzle-dazzle shine of Richard Reed Dalton Preston. Was she happier living with the fantasy of her Prince Charming? Without his shine he’d become just a man. Maybe she was afraid of what that would reveal.

About him.

But mostly about herself.

Perhaps she was one of those women who were only attracted to the shine. Inside her, a sprout of fear took root. Razzle-dazzle shine didn’t last forever and she didn’t have the courage to find out what happened afterward. That said she was shallow and weak.

Or she was good at protecting her heart. She never wanted to feel that kind of pain again—the pain of not being good enough.

She picked up the broken high heel from her desk. As little girls, she and her sisters loved the story of Cinderella and dreamed of a fancy shoe they could slip on their foot to magically change their whole lives—away from the farm with a handsome prince.

But she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She was a grown woman and knew that fairy tales only existed in little girls’ dreams.

She also knew something else. No one was ever again going to make her feel less than she was.

Not the Prestons.

And certainly not Reed.

Cari studied the shoe for an extra moment and wondered if she had the courage to express her feelings and wait for Reed’s reaction. Reed had found the woman for him and that was it. Game. Set. Match. So it was over. Her feelings were inconsequential.

But what if Daphne wasn’t right for him?

Cari closed her eyes briefly, hearing Marisa’s words.

This is your last chance.

Suddenly she realized the truth of those words. It was now or never. They would have time to talk on the plane. She knew his moods. If he was happy, then she wouldn’t say a word about her feelings. If she sensed any doubts then she would open up and ask if he had ever thought of her in a romantic way.

She would bring up the kiss. That could unlock a whole new realm of heartache, but she wasn’t going to let him slip away without saying something.

Think about your job, echoed through her head. Her job gave her prestige, status and an identity. She was Cari Michaels, vice president of Dalton’s Department Stores. People looked up to her, valued her opinions. Could she risk losing that? Could she risk losing everything that made her feel strong and worthy?

With a sigh, she pushed the button for Heather, who breezed through the door immediately and laid the El Paso itinerary in front of her.

“Thanks.” Cari held up the heels, her mind shifting to business. “Put these in a plastic bag and carry them to George Ortell, please. I want to know who supplies these shoes to Dalton’s and I want an explanation of why this heel broke so easily.”

She could look up the information herself, but George had taken over dealing with the suppliers and she wanted him to be on top of things. Inferior products were not carried by Dalton’s.

“Okay.” Heather picked up the shoes and broken heel. “In case he asks, how did the heel break?”

“I was running to make a meeting and ended up flat on my face in the parking garage.”

A light dawned in Heather’s eyes. “Oh. That’s why you don’t have on any shoes.”

“Yes.” Cari stared at the girl, a little puzzled at her reaction. “What did you think happened?”

Heather shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought you were making a fashion statement or something. I tell all my friends I have the coolest boss. She stands up to anyone, even Mr. Reed Preston. How many women would go to a meeting without their shoes? You’re so cool.”

Cari was taken aback at the praise. Heather thought she was cool. If she only knew. “Thank you, Heather.” She rose to her feet. “I’m going downstairs to buy a new outfit and shoes.” She could have easily had the items brought to her, but she enjoyed connecting with the sales staff.

“I’ll get these to Mr. Ortell.”

Cari took the regular elevator, not Homer’s private executive one, to the first floor, which housed the women’s and children’s departments. The second floor was men’s and housewares. Department-personnel offices were located on the third floor, and on the fourth floor were the executive offices. The fifth floor was a private apartment for the Preston family. It was Reed’s domain—Cari had never stepped foot there.

Nor was she ever likely to now.

Within minutes she had new shoes and a new outfit and was back in the professional mode she’d mastered over the years.

GEORGE WAS WAITING for her in her office, as she knew he would be, to talk about the defective shoe. When she and Reed returned from El Paso, they’d have a meeting to discuss whether or not Dalton’s would continue to buy from that designer’s company.

After George left, her mother called.

“I just wanted to remind you about Daddy’s party on Sunday,” Ruth Michaels said.

Cari squeezed her eyes tight. She’d forgotten. Damn! “Oh.”

“It’s his sixtieth birthday, Cari. Please don’t miss it. It won’t be the same unless all our kids are here.”

Guilt weighed heavily in her chest. It was hard to find time for visits home. Her job was time consuming, with a lot of weekends spent working or traveling. Her parents didn’t understand her drive for success. They wanted her to come home more often, to be a part of the family, but she was finding that harder and harder to do.

“I know I’ve been busy, Mama, but I won’t miss Daddy’s special day.”

“Good. That would make him happy.”

Cari hung up resolving not to miss the birthday. She’d missed too many.

REED WENT OVER last-minute details with his personal assistant, Monica Welsby. Monica was the most organized, structured person he knew. Between her and his secretary, Adele, they kept him on top of everything. And if they just happened to miss something, he could depend on Cari to catch it. She was his safety net.

Twisting his pen, he studied his initials engraved on its gold surface, a gift from his father. Monica rattled on about the flight and visit in El Paso and her words sailed over his head. He couldn’t get Cari’s expression out of his mind. She was good at hiding her emotions, but he sensed she was upset about his engagement.

Why? Maybe he should have told her before the meeting, but the only people they had told were their families. With Cari’s ties to Marisa she did seem like family, though.

He threw the pen onto the papers Monica had placed in front of him. He wasn’t second-guessing himself over Cari. For two people who worked so well together, she had a way of getting under his skin even when she wasn’t in the room.

“Is something wrong?” Monica pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

“No,” Reed replied and rose to his feet, feeling restless.

“Well.” Monica glanced from his face to the Palm Pilot in her hand. “The limo will arrive at twelve-fifteen.”

“Be sure and let Cari know.”

“I’ve already informed Heather. Would you like me to personally call Cari?”

“No. That’s fine. I just don’t want any delays.”

“I’m in charge, so there won’t be,” Monica said with an arched eyebrow, and then headed for the door.

Before Reed could gather his thoughts, Richard Preston strolled in. “Morning, son.”

“Morning, Father?” he replied, taken aback by his dad’s sudden appearance. His father was still chairman of the board, but he stayed out of the daily business of running Dalton’s. That was the only way Reed had agreed to come on board as CEO. When Reed turned forty in four years, he’d take over as chairman as well. Another deal Reed had made with the controlling and manipulative Richard.

After what his parents had done to Marisa’s life, Reed couldn’t see himself ever working in the family business. But he’d learned forgiveness from his sister and today he had a decent relationship with his parents. It worked as long as Richard stayed away and gave Reed free rein. So it made him a little nervous when his father showed up for no reason.

“I have a golf date at the club in an hour,” Richard said, as if reading Reed’s mind. “I wanted to stop by and tell you again how pleased your mother and I are about your engagement. Daphne is a lovely young woman and she will be a great asset to you.”

Reed picked up the gold pen and studied it again, something in his father’s voice stinging in a way he hadn’t expected. “I’m not looking for an asset. We fell in love and we want to be together to build a home and a family.”

Richard nodded. “That’s what I meant. Your mother and I worried you’d be a bachelor forever.”

Reed’s father and mother had been estranged for years. Vanessa Dalton had been the only child of Harold Dalton, whose father had started the store in the early 1900s. Richard had worked for Harold and had gone after the beautiful Vanessa. Within months they were married and Richard secured his place in Dalton’s and with Harold.

It wasn’t a love match and soon after Marisa was born, Vanessa and Marisa moved to New York while Richard and Reed stayed in Dallas. That all changed when Marisa returned to Texas and found out about her daughter. Their mother soon followed and she and Richard were now sharing the home in Highland Park. Their marriage seemed strange to Reed, but he didn’t question it. Who knew what their arrangement was?

“You can stop worrying.”

Richard walked around the desk and patted Reed’s shoulder. At six feet, Reed stood a little taller than his father, and Richard’s hair was now a silver gray. Other than that, Reed knew they favored each other a great deal. Same color eyes and lean, sharp lines of the face and body. But Reed knew he hadn’t inherited his father’s cutthroat instincts or the do-anything attitude he used to get his way, uncaring of other people’s feelings or lives.

“I’m proud of you, son. You’ve exceeded all my expectations.”

Expectations! The word shot through him like a poison arrow. Something was always expected of him—to excel, to stay a step ahead of the competition, to make profits, to marry, to reproduce. He often wondered what it would feel like to be a man without everyone wanting something from him. What was it like to be free and unencumbered? Sometimes the yoke of responsibility weighed him down.

“Thank you,” was all he could say. It wasn’t easy living in his father’s shadow, or as he liked to call it—living under his father’s thumb.

“Your mother would like to have a dinner party for both families so Marisa and the kids can meet your soon-to-be in-laws.”

It didn’t escape Reed that his father hadn’t mentioned Colter. “What about Colter?” No way was he letting him get away with that slight. Colter was wealthy in his own right, capitalizing on his winning name in the rodeo circuit. He now owned a boot company and supplied a lot of western stores. Dalton’s carried his boots and other leather products and they were popular items.

Colter had character ingrained into his bones and he deserved Richard’s respect. He’d devoted his life to Ellie when he’d thought Marisa hadn’t wanted her. There wasn’t a better father on this earth.

Richard frowned. “What?”

“You didn’t mention Colter.”

“Just an oversight,” Richard said nonchalantly. “Colter is part of our family.”

“Good. Just remember that.”

“Son—”

“I’ll talk to Mother when I get back.” He cut off his father because he didn’t want to rehash an old issue. He just wanted Richard to know he wouldn’t tolerate leaving Colter out of anything. Neither would Marisa.

“Okay.” Richard inclined his head. “Who’s going with you on this trip?”

Reed knew his father was aware of everything he did. Richard had his sources—or spies—and Reed hadn’t ferreted out the informant who told his father of his every move. He didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because he had nothing to hide, but it irked him that Richard still had his finger on the pulse of this company. That implied Richard didn’t trust him.

“Cari,” he replied, watching his father’s face, “I told Fletcher we’d take the small Learjet just in case you needed the bigger plane.”

“Thanks, but we don’t have any plans that I’m aware of. With your mother, though, that could change at a moment’s notice.” Richard rubbed his jaw in thought, his expression closed. “Ms. Michaels travels with you a great deal. Is that going to bother Daphne?”

There was that tone again. “No,” Reed answered. “Just like it’s not going to bother her when I travel with Monica.”

“Monica’s in her fifties.”

Reed gritted his teeth, an old habit from his teen years when Richard tried to control his every move. “What are you getting at?”

“Ms. Michaels is a very attractive young woman.”

“Yes, so?”

Richard shrugged and Reed didn’t miss that look in his eyes. He’d seen it many times before.

“Ah.” The light switch finally flipped on in his brain. “You’re afraid I might have a romantic interest in Cari. That’s why you’re so happy. I chose the right woman—for a Preston.”

The bar of acceptance was set high—only the very elite and wealthy were considered suitable partners for the Preston children. It was one of the reasons Reed had avoided marriage. He wouldn’t subject a woman to that. But he’d gotten lucky with Daphne.

“Now, Reed, I didn’t say that. You’re very touchy today.”

“Maybe I am,” he conceded.

“Ms. Michaels holds a very important job in this company—a job she does very well. Her work ethic is exemplary and that’s why I didn’t object when you said you were promoting her to vice president when Frank retired. Besides, she’s your sister’s friend and she attends a lot of family functions.”

“But she’s not up to Richard Preston’s standards for a wife for his son. Just like Colter wasn’t an acceptable husband for Marisa.” Reed tried to keep the anger out of his voice and failed.

“Son, you’re getting angry for no reason.”

“Yeah.” Reed massaged the knot at the back of his neck. “But don’t sugarcoat your feelings for my sake. You don’t like Cari. It’s very big of you to accept her for Marisa’s benefit.”

Richard stiffened. “I worked very hard to get where I am today. Is it a crime to want the best for my children?”

Reed’s eyes didn’t waver from Richard’s and he could feel that old tension building inside him. “Yes, it’s a crime when you use underhanded tactics and manipulation to achieve what you think is best for your children. Why don’t you let them make their own decisions?”

“I do,” Richard told him. “You and Marisa both know I’m the type of man who likes to be in control. But I’ve learned my lesson with Marisa. I’m not manipulating your lives anymore.”

Reed jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “We both appreciate that.”

“But it doesn’t stop me from being happy when you make good choices.” His father’s eyes gleamed and Reed realized not for the first time that Richard was a formidable opponent and an aggressive parent.

Before Reed could respond, Richard glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run.” He walked to the door in his quick easy strides. “Do you and Daphne have plans for the weekend?”

“We’re visiting her parents at their lake house in Austin.”

“Don’t forget to call your mother about the party.”

“I won’t,” Reed responded to an empty doorway.

He walked over and closed the door, resisting the urge to slam it. Something about making his father so happy left a bad taste in his mouth.

But he’d get over it.

CARI MADE THE LIMO on time. She handed the driver her bag and slid onto the plush leather seat across from Reed.

“Glad you found shoes,” he remarked, staring at her heels with a lift of his brow.

“It helps working for a department store and having everything at my disposal.” She crossed her legs and scooted farther over. Reed’s legs were so long that she didn’t want to bump his knees. His dark gaze made the space between them seem that much smaller.

“Mmm.” He rubbed his chin and against her will she watched his strong lean fingers stroke his rough male skin. A hint of his cologne, sort of a musk mingled with leather, wafted to her, and a wave of pleasure rippled in her stomach.

“Any ill effects from the fall?”

For a moment she didn’t even catch the question, but she recovered quickly. She placed her Chanel bag, a gift from Dalton’s, beside her on the seat for something to do. “No. By midmorning my aches and pains were gone. But my pride is still bruised, and you can bet someone is going to answer for that defective heel.”

“And if you have your way, that brand of shoe won’t be carried in Dalton’s anymore?”

“You got it. I have George looking into it and I’ll have all the details on your desk Monday morning.”

Reed kept staring at her, and she wondered if her lipstick was smeared. She resisted the urge to grab her compact.

“What?”

He leaned forward. “Do you know your eyes glow when you’re passionate about something?”

“Is there smoke coming out of my ears, too?” She had to be flippant or she was going to lose what little control she had.

Reed laughed—a deep throaty sound that felt as exhilarating as sliding her dad’s old truck’s stick shift into third gear. As a teenager she knew she was off for the ride of her life. As an adult, Reed’s laugh gave her a glimpse of a ride she was never going to experience.

She stared out the window as the car whipped through traffic. Soon the driver turned into the entrance for Love Field where the Dalton jets were housed. Everything was arranged so there was no waiting. Within minutes they boarded the plane. Fletcher and Melody, the pilots, welcomed them aboard.

Cari had made many company trips. Two pilots were required to fly the plane, even the smaller Learjet. Melody was the only female copilot who worked for Dalton’s, and Cari admired her venture into mostly a man’s profession. The interior of the plane was lavish, with ebony wood and Italian leather, made to cater to the very rich. It had been decorated and customized per Richard Preston’s request. Cari always felt a little out of place when she stepped onto the lush wool carpet of the living–room style cabin.

She eased onto a small sofa, placed her purse and briefcase beside her and buckled up for takeoff. Reed spoke to Fletcher and took a tan captain’s chair across from her. The plane could easily seat six people.

“We’re ready to go,” Reed said, adjusting his seat belt.

Soon they were taxiing down the runway and the jet lifted from the tarmac with a smoothness that still left butterflies in her stomach. Her fear of heights always made her stomach knot with tension, but she generally managed to control it. Up, up they went into the fluffy white clouds, leaving Dallas behind.

Once the plane was in the air, Melody left her seat. “Everything is going smoothly. May I get you something to drink?” Another thing Cari liked about Melody, she was always willing to please. Her job was being a pilot but she didn’t consider it beneath her to act as a flight attendant. Cari had a feeling the woman was going to go far in life.

Tearing her eyes away from the window and that vast nothingness of space, Cari unbuckled her seat belt. “Water, please.”

“Me, too,” Reed replied, resting one booted foot over his knee.

Melody served the drinks on a silver tray with Waterford crystal. Cari often thought this was the height of ostentation, but it was the norm for the Prestons.

As Reed took his glass, he said, “Melody, you really don’t have to do this.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Melody smiled so brightly it was blinding.

He’s engaged, Cari wanted to say. Women were always flirting with him. That was the norm, too.

“Thank you,” Reed said, and Melody floated back to the cockpit.

They rode in silence for a moment.

She could feel Reed’s eyes on her and she refused to squirm. Finally he asked, “What do you think of Daphne?”

She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “She’s very beautiful.”

He idly rubbed his leather boot, his eyes watching her. “I sense a ‘but’…”

Her eyes caught his. “I hadn’t realized you were dating anyone seriously.” The words were like puffs of air she couldn’t capture or take back.

His eyes darkened. “I’m not aware I have to clear my dating schedule with you.”

His spurt of anger didn’t deter her. “I work closely with you every day and I’m wondering why you felt a need to keep Daphne a secret.”

“My personal life is my business.”

“So what do you care what I think of Daphne?”

“Sir.” Fletcher’s voice came through on the intercom. “We’re going through a thunderstorm, so there’ll be some turbulence. Nothing serious.”

Water splattered against the window and Cari turned her attention to it. The small plane trembled and faltered from the impact of the rain and the wind. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the cabin. It was too close.

She turned her thoughts to Reed. No way would she tell him how she felt about him. He loved Daphne and blurting out her feelings would only complicate things between them.

“Cari…”

She heard his throaty voice and she couldn’t look at him. She wasn’t that strong.

Instead, she placed her water on a side table and then opened her briefcase. She focused her attention on the itinerary and the conversation turned to business, something they both were more comfortable with.

“I see you’ve planned to take the manager and his staff out to dinner,” she said.

“Yes, the store is doing very well. I wanted to do something special, but I’m afraid I’ll have to cut it short. I plan to return to Dallas tonight.”

She knew why.

She didn’t need the overnight bag, but she still liked to carry one to freshen up. “They’ll appreciate the thought,” she replied.

A tense pause followed her words.

“Cari…”

Why couldn’t he let it go? She didn’t want to talk about his engagement or Daphne.

“Sir,” Fletcher’s voice came through, more urgent this time, “we’re losing power, so it might be best if everyone buckled up.”

“What the hell?” Reed sprang from his seat and made his way to the cockpit. Cari could hear them clearly. “What’s the problem?” Reed asked.

“I’m trying to get the plane above the thunderstorm, but we’re losing power,” Fletcher replied.

“Both engines?”

“Just one, sir.”

“Were we hit by lightning?”

“That’s my guess. I’m trying to restart the engine.”

Cari looked out the window and she could tell they were going down. Fear leaped into her throat and she quickly fastened her seat belt.

Melody was trying to help Fletcher, but the plane was not responding.

“Damn it, man,” Reed yelled. “Do something.”

“Mayday, Mayday. We have a problem.” Fletcher spouted off altitude and longitude and other flight facts, but it didn’t keep the plane from careening off course and downward.

The sound of thunder cracked loudly and the remaining engine died away. “We’ve lost contact and power,” Fletcher shouted. “I’m beginning a descent for ditching. Without power the plane cannot stay in the air. We have to land in a remote location. Take your seat, sir. Now!”

The plane wobbled severely and continued to glide slowly toward the ground. Cari began to pray and a scream clogged her throat.

Reed jumped into his seat, his face pale. He stared into her eyes and she saw more in that instant than she had in all the years she’d known him. She saw the fear and she also saw something else. As the plane jerked and spun they knew it was too late.

For them.

They were going to die.

Chapter Three

Cari awoke to pain and a throbbing in her head. Not another Tylenol morning. She opened her eyes and the pain was overtaken by fear.

Where was she?

Something held her in place. A seat belt. Was she in her car? No. She was jammed against something hard and a heavy object was on top of her. Opening her eyes more she saw wires hanging from the ceiling, compartments flung open, items strewn everywhere. She was covered in debris.

The plane had crashed!

Everything came flooding back.

Melody lay in the doorway to the cockpit and she could see Fletcher slumped over in his seat. The nose of the plane had been pushed forward and the instrument panel pressed against the pilot. She didn’t know if he was dead or alive.

An eerie quiet filled the cabin.

Reed!

Raising her head, she winced and noticed blood on her hand. A shard of glass stuck out of the soft flesh near her thumb. She bit her lip, pulled it out and held her hand against her chest to stop the bleeding. Otherwise she was okay. Or at least she thought she was, just cuts, bruises and aches.

Reed’s chair was twisted and his head rested against the side of the cabin, which seemed to be tilted and crushed in slightly. He was bleeding, his shirt soaked with bright red.

Ohmygod!

He needed help. She pushed debris off her and managed to unsnap her seat belt. As she struggled to her feet a wave of dizziness assailed her. The plane wasn’t level, so it made the dizziness worse. The cabin was pushed together and there was very little room. She gripped the wobbly captain’s chair and reached for the pulse in Reed’s neck. She didn’t find one. Ohmygod! No!

Take a deep breath. Stay focused.

Trying to keep her nerves from spiraling out of control, she stepped over more debris and made her way to Melody by holding on to parts of the shattered plane. The cabin was so mangled Cari couldn’t stand upright. She knelt by Melody, checking her pulse. None. Blood oozed from her head. Cari wouldn’t let herself think as she frantically tried to reach Fletcher. Parts of the plane dangled from above, blocking her reach. Then she smelled it.

Fuel.

Smoke.

Ohmygod!

Stay focused! They need you.

The door of the plane had been ripped away. She peered outside. A chilly foreboding swept over her and she trembled. The crushed plane was balancing precariously on a ledge or a mountain. She knew they had to get out and get out fast.

Her high heels crunched on Waterford crystal. She had a sudden urge to laugh hysterically—but she had to get them out. She couldn’t fall apart.

It was hard to stay balanced in her heels, but there was glass everywhere, so she couldn’t remove them. She unsnapped Reed’s seat belt and shook him. “Reed, wake up. Please, wake up.” He didn’t move or make a sound. Blood dripped from his head onto her hands. She grabbed a towel from the floor and wrapped it tightly around his head and then she pulled and dragged him as close to the door as she could. He weighed a ton but she never paused in her struggle. Once there, she placed his arms halfway out the door.

She glanced down, kicked off her heels and jumped. Since the door was tilted down, she misjudged the distance and almost fell flat on her face. Pain shot through her body, but she quickly scrambled to her feet. Looking up, she caught her breath. The opening seemed so far away. The plane was a mangled mess. How was she still living? Oh God! She had to take several deep breaths.

Focus! Focus!

She had to get Reed and the others out before the plane ignited. She stood on her tiptoes until she could grab Reed’s hands, and then she tugged and tugged with all her strength. Slowly, she inched him forward. Catching her breath, she reached for his armpits and dragged him out. Once his weight shifted, his body slid forward quickly and took them both to the ground. She struggled to her feet and grabbed hold of him once again. Her muscles strained and her arms burned, but she jerked and pulled until she had him safely away from the shattered plane.

Now she had to get Melody and Fletcher. Taking a deep breath, she sprinted back toward the plane. A loud explosion flung her backward. Flames roared through the crumpled fuselage.

No! No!

The excessive heat yanked her from the abyss of terror. She rose and pulled Reed farther away from the flames. Then she collapsed into a ball of fear, her body trembling uncontrollably.

She drew her knees to her chin. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she tried to stop the tremors. In a chilled stupor, she watched the smoldering plane until nothing was left but a melted heap of twisted metal.

Hot, smoldering metal.

The rain had stopped, so there was nothing to cool the offensive heat. She didn’t know how long she sat there lost somewhere between Dallas and this horrendous nightmare. When reality returned, tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was holding Reed’s hand.

Praying.

Praying for a pulse. Praying he was alive. But he just seemed cold. The towel was soaked with blood, but it looked as if the bleeding might have stopped. That was good. More tears followed. She cried for Fletcher and Melody and she cried for life’s cruel injustice. After a moment she pulled herself together.

Looking around, it seemed as if they were on a crater of the moon—dirt and rocks and nothing else except an endless sky. Not the moon, but probably a mountain somewhere in west Texas.

They had to just wait and someone would find them.

Someone would rescue them.

She prayed it was in time to save Reed.

RICHARD PRESTON HUNG UP the phone as his wife, Vanessa, entered his study.

“Are you ready?” she asked. Even in her late fifties she was still an attractive woman with blond hair and a svelte figure flattered by a Vera Wang suit. She had the body of a dancer and she never grew tired of reminding him of what she’d given up for marriage and motherhood. He wasn’t going to think about that, though. They were getting along and their children were happy. Life was good.

“I don’t feel like going to the Maxwells’ for dinner,” he said, testing the waters. The Maxwells were her ballet friends and they bored him to death with endless chatter about the next greatest dancer to grace Lincoln Center.

When she frowned, he quickly added, “I just got off the phone with Clyde Harwood. He and Muriel are planning an engagement party for Reed and Daphne. They would like a list of guests by the end of the week.”

“So.” She lifted a finely arched eyebrow. “An evening with friends isn’t going to delay the list. Admit it, you just don’t want to go.”

“Maybe. I’m all keyed up about Reed’s engagement and I would prefer to stay home. Our son has made an excellent choice. Daphne is a charming, sophisticated young lady who will do the Preston name proud.”

“Yes, Daphne will make Reed an exceptional wife.”

Richard stood. “I was worried he’d fall for Cari Michaels.”

“Cari’s a nice girl and a very good friend to Marisa.”

“But she’s not suitable as a wife for our son.”

Vanessa sighed. “Oh, Richard, haven’t you learned your lesson? We almost lost Marisa and I will not tolerate you doing anything to jeopardize Reed’s happiness.”

“That’s what is so wonderful. Reed made the perfect choice all on his own.”

“I don’t know. Marisa seems to have reservations and I trust her instincts. I just hope Reed is as deeply in love as our daughter.”

“He is. You can see it.”

Vanessa nodded. “They make a lovely couple. Marisa is very fond of Cari and I think she’s more disappointed Reed and Cari didn’t get together than anything else.”

Richard smiled at his wife. “That’s it. Reed made a choice without pressure from Marisa or me. That’s why I’m so excited and would rather stay home to go over the guest list. It will be the party of the year.”

She lifted an eyebrow again. “Maybe. Get your jacket. You’re going tonight. We have something to celebrate.”

“Vanessa…”

A tap at the door stopped him. Winston, the butler, stepped in. “Sir, there’s a gentleman here to see you, a Mr. Darin Avery, a representative from the regional office of the National Transportation Safety Board.”

Richard frowned. “What does he want? Is there a problem with the plane?”

“I don’t know, sir. Would you like for me to send him in?”

“Yes.”

A balding man with a worried expression walked in. “Mr. and Mrs. Richard Preston?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. “What’s this about?”

“I regret to inform you the Dalton jet went down at 1439 hours somewhere in west Texas.”

Richard felt a blow to his chest. “What?”

“No!” Vanessa screamed and Winston rushed in.

“As soon as the weather clears, we’ll have planes in the air searching for the wreckage. I just wanted to let you know before the story broke on the news. You have my deepest regrets.”

“My son…my son, is he alive?” Vanessa asked, holding on to Winston.

“We don’t know, ma’am, but—”

“Don’t say it,” Richard shouted. “My son is alive. He has to be.”

“I’ll be in touch, sir.” He laid a card on the desk. “If you need anything, you can reach me on my cell.” He walked out.

“Richard…”

“Vanessa, just stay calm.”

“Calm!” she screeched. “Our son has just gone down in a plane. I can be as emotional as I want! I have to call Marisa. I need Marisa.”

She reached for the phone as Winston handed her a glass of brandy.

Richard sank into his chair, refusing to believe his son was anything but alive. He had to be. His whole future was waiting for him.

A future Richard had precisely planned.

CARI REMOVED THE TOWEL from Reed’s head. A cut zigzagged across his left temple and a dark bruise spread from his ear to his hairline, but the bleeding had stopped. Since she didn’t have anything else, she wrapped the blood-caked towel around his head again.

Soon someone would come.

Reed’s sun-browned skin was so pale, and she checked his pulse. A faint beat trembled against her fingers.

“Reed!” she shouted in joy. “Can you hear me? Reed!”

A low moan escaped his throat and she cupped his face. “Reed.”

The moan grew stronger and his eyelids fluttered. Excitement ran through her. He was alive! She continued to call his name until his eyes slowly opened.

“Ca-ri.”

“Yes, yes!” Without thinking, she kissed his cheek. She was just so glad he was alive.

“Wh-ere are we?”

“The plane crashed and I’m guessing we’re somewhere in west Texas.”

“Wh-ere’s Fletcher and Melody?”

When she didn’t answer, he sat up and groaned, grabbing his head.

“Take it easy.”

He caught sight of the pile of twisted, burned metal. “Is…is…that…?”

She swallowed. “Yes. That’s all that’s left of the plane.”

“Oh my God! How did we get out?”

“I pulled you out.”

“Fletcher and Melody?” His voice was hopeful despite the anguish imprinted on his face.

“I was going back to get them when the plane exploded, but they…were…already dead.” She had to believe that.

He buried his face in his blood-covered hands. She wrapped her arms around him. “A rescue team should be here soon.”

He raised his head. “But not in time for Fletcher and Melody.”

“No.” She felt his tears as they dripped onto her cheek and she tightened her arms, her face buried in his chest. His arms went around her like a vise and they grieved for the two people they’d lost. They sat that way minutes or maybe hours. She wasn’t sure, but the light was fading. Raindrops peppered their heads. They had to find shelter.

She untangled from him and stood, surveying the desolate, bare scenery. They were in the middle of nowhere and as she looked out, she saw more of the same. More mountains, more desolate landscape.

“What are you doing?”

“We have to find shelter for the time being.” She glanced toward the darkening sky. “It looks like another thunderstorm is on the way. Stay here. I’m going to scout around.”

“Cari…”

“I’ll be okay, Reed. Just rest. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

“I can’t seem to do much else at the moment,” he replied in a low voice.

She walked away on the uneven terrain in her stocking feet. Several deep indentations had been hollowed out in the mountain from the elements. They could possibly use one as a cave until a search party arrived.

Lastly, she moved toward the charred wreckage. Pieces still smoldered. She didn’t know what she was hoping to find. Something. Anything. She peered over the side of the mountain. A wing from the plane, a wheel, objects she couldn’t identify and several personal items had been thrown free.

A backpack caught her eye. If there was clothing inside she could use it to bandage Reed’s wound. The backpack was on a steep incline going down to nowhere. Could she reach it?

Ever since she fell out of a tree as a kid, she’d had a fear of heights. Flying had been a challenge, but her job was important to her so she had conquered it. Now she had to find the courage to crawl down and retrieve the pack.

Reed was still sitting with his head buried on his knees, so weak and needing medical attention. Without a second thought, she turned around and inched down the side of the mountain. Her stocking feet were a problem. Damn, she should have removed them, but she wasn’t climbing back up to do that. Luckily she was able to find footholds on clumps of dirt and rocks, which scratched the bottom of her feet. But she kept going.

As she put pressure on one rock, it came loose and tumbled down, carrying a load of dirt with it. Cari closed her eyes, sucked in a breath and held on to a scraggly bush for dear life. Dust clogged her sinuses and she tasted it in her mouth along with her fear. She took a long ragged breath, said a prayer and found another foothold.

Finally she reached the backpack. It was pink and black, so she knew it must have belonged to Melody. With one hand she reached for it and slipped one arm through. Then she did the same with the other arm. Tentatively, she started the trek back up.

She climbed over the top as raindrops started to fall. Staggering to her feet, she ran to Reed.

“We have to find shelter,” she said, plopping down beside him.

He raised his head and his eyes were unfocused, dazed, and she wondered if he was going to pass out. “Wh-at?”

Slipping an arm around his waist, she asked, “Can you stand?” Within minutes she had him on his feet, but he swayed. With a fierce grip she led him to the partial cave that had a slight overhang. Just as she did, the heavens opened and torrential rain splattered the terrain.

She shrugged off the backpack and placed it on the ground. Reed slumped against her and she watched as the rain beat down on the wreckage.

After a moment she turned her attention to Reed. He probably had a concussion, so she had to keep him awake. She shook him several times and kept talking, but he was so out of it she finally gave up. Her strength was waning, too. The sound of the rain was hypnotic and she drifted into an exhausted, restless sleep.

MARISA KINCAID HURRIED into her father’s study followed by her husband. “Have you heard anything?”

“No, sweetheart, we’re still waiting,” Richard replied.

“Where’s Mother?”

“She’s in her room. The doctor sedated her, but I’m sure she’d be happy to see you. Actually, she keeps calling for you.”

“I’ll go right up.” She turned and then pivoted to face Richard. “Have you notified Cari’s family?”

“No. I thought I’d wait until we heard something definite.”

“I suppose that’s best.” His daughter’s face crumpled and Richard saw the first crack in her strong facade. Colter put his arm around her and she clung to him.

Richard didn’t think he was ever going to get used to this cowboy being his son-in-law. Marisa had her choice of the most eligible bachelors in the country, yet she chose a rodeo cowboy. For his daughter and grandchildren, he tried his best to like the man. And he wasn’t so bad. Colter had a lot of qualities Richard admired: responsibility, honesty and loyalty. It was his blue-collar roots that got Richard.

Daphne stepped into the room. “Has there been any news?”

Now, there was class and breeding, a woman who had it all. How he wished Marisa had made such a good choice.

“I’m afraid not,” Richard answered. “The weather is still a factor.”

Marisa wiped away a tear and looked at Daphne. “You’re taking this very well.”

“Of course. It’s not going to do me any good to fall apart.”

“Yes. Heaven forbid,” Marisa said and walked out.

Colter twisted his hat. “Her brother and her best friend are probably dead, so you can understand her state of mind.” He placed his hat on his head. “Or maybe not.” Saying that, he followed Marisa.

“What did he mean?” Daphne asked.

“Never mind. Everyone is a little emotional.” Richard walked to her. “How are you, my dear?”

“I’m okay.” She glanced at her watch. “I have an interview at a TV station in about an hour, so I better go.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“It’s better than them hounding me. I’ll give them an interview and they’ll leave me alone.”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.