Whispered Promises
Brenda Jackson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

Acknowledgment

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Acknowledgment

To the 1971 class of William M. Raines High School, Jacksonville, Florida. And to Raines Vikings everywhere. Ichiban!

To Debbie Bowen, Rosemarie Baker, Mary Anne Coursuti, and Marge Smith (aka Elizabeth Sinclair) for their invaluable critiquing.

To Brenda Arnette Simmons for her helpful feedback on the finished product.

To my family and friends for their continued support.

To all the readers who fell in love with the Madaris brothers. This one is for you.

Chapter 1

“G irl, take a look at the brother who just walked in.”

“He’s definitely a good-looking man.”

“A real work of art.”

“Handcrafted in all the right places.”

“I wonder who’s the lucky sister meeting him here.”

“Wished it was me.”

Feminine whispers rippled through the restaurant as a number of heads turned, and admiring eyes glanced toward the man entering the establishment.

Dex Madaris was oblivious to the attention he was getting. His gaze roamed the room before zeroing in on the dance floor. A few couples were dancing, locked in each other’s embrace, slowly moving to the soft sound of the jazz music being played. No doubt they were caught up in their own private world, sharing whispered promises of love like he and Caitlin had once done.

Caitlin.

He took a deep breath. Everyone was entitled to at least one mistake in life, and Caitlin had been his.

“Welcome to Sisters. Will you be dining alone?”

A soft voice broke through Dex’s reverie. He glanced down into a hostess’s smiling face.

“I’m meeting my brother here. I believe he made reservations.”

“What’s the name?”

“Madaris.”

The woman’s smile widened. “So you’re Clayton’s brother?”

Dex raised a brow. “Yeah, one of them. I gather you know Clayton.” It was more a statement than a question. He knew there weren’t too many females in Houston who didn’t know his younger brother, the confirmed bachelor.

A soft chuckle erupted from the woman’s throat. “Oh yes, I know Clayton.”

He slanted her a curious look, not failing to notice the light dancing in the depths of her dark eyes. He couldn’t help wondering just how deep her acquaintance with his brother went.

“Clayton hasn’t arrived yet, but if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your table.”

She led the way to a table overlooking downtown Houston. Sitting down, Dex couldn’t help noticing the number of females that were either dining alone or together in groups.

Sisters.

It suddenly dawned on him the connection between the name of the restaurant and the number of women that were there. Although quite a few men were in attendance, they were outnumbered by the women two to one. Evidently this restaurant was a meeting place where the sisters came to hang out and bond.

“Would you like to order now, or do you want to wait until Clayton gets here?”

“I’ll wait.”

“All right.” A grin curved the woman’s lips. “Clayton has told me a lot about you.”

Dex gave her a dry look. “Really? And just what did he tell you?” Evidently, Clayton hadn’t told her just how much Dex enjoyed his privacy.

“He said you’re a workaholic and somewhat of a loner.”

Dex moved his shoulders in a noncommittal shrug. A workaholic and a loner. He knew in all honesty there was more than a little truth to Clayton’s claim. Since his divorce from Caitlin four years ago, he had drowned himself in his work. He’d volunteered for longer hours and had taken on projects other geologists with Remington Oil hadn’t wanted to be bothered with. Since returning to the States from Australia, he had formed his own company, Madaris Explorations, almost a year ago. He worked day and night to assure its success, and to prevent his mind from idle wandering to the past. The memories were too painful, and work, he’d discovered, was the best antidote for a distracted mind.

The waitress had said something.

“What?” Dex shook himself out of his distraction and back into awareness.

“I said Clayton’s here. He just walked in. I’ll be back to take your order.”

Dex glanced around and watched with amusement as Clayton stopped at a number of tables to greet the ladies. Dex shook his head as he reflected on just how different the three Madaris brothers were. Justin, his older brother by eighteen months, was considered the warm, loving, sensitive one. After suffering the pain of losing his first wife nearly twelve years ago, he was a happily married physician living near Dallas.

Dex knew that he himself was often viewed as a true-blue Scorpio man—deep, complex, intense and as serious as a heart attack. He was the Madaris not to cross.

Baby brother Clayton, two years younger, was a prominent attorney here in Houston and a womanizer of the third degree. Outgoing and friendly, the only time he was completely serious was in the courtroom. Unfortunately he was also a notorious busybody. He acted as if it was his God-given right to stick his nose into his brothers’ affairs whenever he felt it was necessary.

“Sorry I’m late,” Clayton said, sitting down. A mischievous grin played at the corners of his mouth. “So what do you think of this place? Have you ever seen so many gorgeous sisters under one roof before?”

The glint in Clayton’s eyes confirmed Dex’s suspicion that his brother was up to something. “No, can’t say that I have.”

Clayton leaned back in his chair. “Did you get the chance to check out any of the ladies?”

Dex decided to sidetrack Clayton’s question. “And how was your day?”

“It was just another day. And don’t change the subject. Did you get the chance to check out any of the ladies?”

“No.”

“But you will.”

Dex gave an exasperated sigh as he picked up his menu. “Maybe.”

Clayton rolled his eyes. “Can’t you get excited about anything other than rock formations and soil samples?”

Dexter Madaris stared long and hard at his brother. “Like I said, maybe.”

Clayton snorted in frustration. “You’re a hopeless case, Dex.”

“Does that mean you’re finally giving up on me?”

Clayton chuckled. “It would serve you right if I did. But I won’t let you off that easily. When was the last time you were with a woman?”

Dex raised a brow. “That is none of your business.”

A burst of laughter exploded from Clayton’s throat. “Hey, man. Come on. You can level with me. I’m blood, remember,” he said when his laughter had subsided to a chuckle. “It’s been that long, huh?”

Dex grinned and shook his head. “The last time for me, I’m sure, was probably not as recent as for you.”

“Probably not,” Clayton responded, scanning the menu. “So what’s the problem?”

“There isn’t one. You may find this hard to believe, but there’re more important things in life than sex.”

“Really?” Clayton exclaimed in a tone of total disbelief. “Name one.”

Hearty laughter escaped from Dex’s lips. It was a rare occurrence. “Now I happen to think you’re the one who’s a hopeless case.”

Clayton smiled. “If I am, you better believe I’m definitely a very satisfied one. How about letting me fix you up with Cocoa over there? She’s just what you need.”

Dex’s gaze followed Clayton’s to the lone diner sitting across the room. The attractive woman was smiling at him. The meaning behind her smile, and the look she was giving him, were obvious. But he refused to acknowledge or to accept her open invitation. “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”

Clayton looked intently at Dex. “When will you bury the past?”

“I have.”

“I don’t think so. You’re still carrying a torch for Caitlin.”

Dex gave Clayton a scathing look. “I hate to disappoint you, bro, but you’re wrong.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, you are. Caitlin’s history.”

“Then prove it. Let me introduce you to Cocoa.”

“Clayton…” he began.

“You need a woman, Dex, and Cocoa is just the person for you. She’ll make you think about something else besides work. Don’t you know that all work and no play makes Dex a dull boy?”

Dex frowned. “Dull, huh? Then it’s a good thing I won’t be wasting Hot Chocolate’s time.”

“Her name’s Cocoa, and she has a knack for undulling people.”

“Yeah, I bet she does. Maybe some other—”

Dex suddenly stopped talking when his ears picked up the sound of the music being played. It was the song that had been playing the last time he and Caitlin had danced together. Even after four years, he could still remember the warm, soft feel of her in his arms; her body so close to his as he held her tight, not ever wanting to let go.

“Dex? Is something wrong?”

Dex took a deep, calming breath before answering, forcing the memory to pass. “No, there’s nothing wrong. Let’s go ahead and order. I need to make a stop by the office tonight. There’s some work I need to finish up.”

Long hours and hard work helped him to forget the things he didn’t want to remember.

200 miles away

Caitlin Madaris stood near the window gazing at the beauty of the skyscrapers that spanned the moonlit sky. In the distance below, specks of light could be seen reflecting from the blue waters of the San Antonio River.

A tremor shuddered through her as she desperately tried to appreciate the night’s allure. It was useless. Her thoughts were miles and miles away. Drawing in a deep breath, she inhaled the disinfectant smell of the visitors’ waiting room and swallowed the lump in her throat.

Fear and grief surged through her. Biting her lower lip, she clenched her hands together. She wanted to scream out her pain, yell out her anguish and tear the inner turmoil from within her. Unfortunately she couldn’t. She could not lose control. Not now, not ever. She had to be strong. There were no family members she could turn to. Both of her parents had been the only child of their parents. There weren’t any grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins. There was no one to share her anguish.

The sound of footsteps echoed softly on the tiled floor. “Caitlin?”

Bracing herself, she turned around. Fighting back tears, she faced Dr. Flores. “How is he?” she asked, her voice remarkably steady. She searched the face of the gray-haired man wearing a white lab coat. He was not only her father’s physician, but an old family friend, as well. Seeing his sullen expression, any hope she harbored vanished. Nevertheless, she willed herself not to panic.

Dr. Flores placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Your dad’s condition is stable for now, and he seems to be resting comfortably. Although his medication has worn off and he’s in pain, he refuses to swallow another dose until he speaks to you.”

A terrifying weakness paralyzed Caitlin. Her father had always been a healthy man, except for a light heart attack a few years back from which he’d fully recovered.

“You can only visit him for a few minutes, Caitlin. Then I need to sedate him so he can rest comfortably through the night.”

A sense of despair washed over her. Her dark eyes burned with fatigue brought on by a sleepless night. “So nothing has changed.” It was more a statement than a question.

Dr. Flores hesitated before answering. “As I explained over the phone this morning, we diagnosed his condition over eight months ago. Since the tumor was discovered, its malignancy has spread very rapidly. Chemotherapy would have been useless. I advised him to tell you about his condition but he refused. He didn’t want you to know he had prostate cancer until it became absolutely necessary.”

Caitlin nodded, then asked the dreaded question she had to have answered. “How much longer?”

Louis Flores shrugged. “A matter of days, maybe a week. It’s hard to say at this point. There’s really nothing we can do for him, other than making him comfortable. He doesn’t want you to see him this way, but has no choice.”

Dr. Flores paused and then went on. “And another thing, Caitlin. Don’t question anything he tells you. The reason he won’t let me sedate him just yet is because he wants to be completely coherent when he talks to you. Don’t think what he’s saying is prompted by the medication.”

Caitlin’s instincts sensed a warning in Dr. Flores’s words; a warning that went beyond mere medical advice. She lifted her eyes to his face, letting her gaze run over the distraught features he arduously shielded behind a cloak of professionalism. “Dr. Flores—”

“No, Caitlin. Whatever Halston has to say, he’ll tell you himself.” An expression of tenderness softened his face. “Let’s not keep him waiting.”

A short walk down the hall brought Caitlin to her father’s room. Inhaling a deep breath, she walked over to the bed where he lay with his eyes closed. Taking a seat in the recliner next to the bed, she studied her father’s pallid face. As if sensing her presence, a weak smile touched his mouth. His eyes opened slowly.

His gaunt appearance looked nothing like the robust man she’d always known and loved. Sickness had aged him beyond his fifty-eight years and he’d lost an enormous amount of weight. Caitlin had to bite back a strong urge to cry out in agony. Instead she remembered Dr. Flores’s words and took her father’s hand in hers. Immediately she sensed his loss of strength. Her heart ached.

Halston Parker forced out a ragged breath. “Caitlin?”

“Yeah, Dad. It’s me. Don’t try to talk now. I’m here, and I’m not going anyplace.”

He closed his eyes, then reopened them. A hint of a smile barely touched his mouth. He stared at her. Caitlin wondered if he saw her or was visualizing her mother whom she favored, his beloved Catherine, who’d died eight years ago. He had taken her mother’s sudden death from a ruptured appendix extremely hard, never fully recovering from it. It had been during that time their already close relationship had become even closer. He had devoted all of his time and attention to his only child. It was as if Caitlin had become the only thing that had kept him going in a world filled with extreme loneliness.

Caitlin sighed, remembering how, six months ago, he had encouraged her to accept a job offer that required a move to Fort Worth. He’d known about his condition and had sent her away to spare her the anguish of seeing him suffer. If only she had known…

She reached out and, with an unsteady hand, wiped beads of moisture from his forehead.

“Dex.”

Caitlin’s hand stopped moving, hanging in midair. Her eyes widened. Surely her mind and ears were playing tricks on her. Her father couldn’t have spoken the name of the only man she’d ever known him to despise…and the only man she’d ever loved. “Dad?”

Halston Parker stared at his daughter through glazed, dark eyes. “Call Dex. I need to see him.”

His words, although wrested from his lips, sounded clear and precise. Silently, Caitlin stared at him. She moistened her dry lips remembering Dr. Flores’s words— Don’t question anything he tells you— but with her father’s strange request, she couldn’t help asking, “Why would you want to see Dex, Dad?”

Pain clouded Halston Parker’s eyes, making them appear more deep set. His craggy jaw was covered lightly with a day’s growth of gray whiskers. His once-rugged features now looked muted and frail. New lines, a result of some emotion Caitlin couldn’t name, creased across his cheekbones. His nostrils flared slightly from labored breathing. “Tell him to come before…”

His words drifted off as his eyes closed slightly. He forced them back open to gaze at her. “Call Dex, Caitlin,” he pleaded raggedly in a voice so low Caitlin had to lean over to catch the words. He closed his eyes again.

Caitlin forced back a rush of tears. Why would her father want to see her ex-husband? She’d decided four years ago Dex would no longer be a part of her life. Since that time she’d managed to move ahead and not dwell on the love she’d given up. She couldn’t say she hadn’t looked back, because a few times she had. No, she confessed, more than a few times. A familiar twist of pain unfolded within her. It had been a decision she’d made and stood by.

Seeing that her father had lapsed into a deep sleep, she rose from the chair and went to the window. Could she do what her father had asked? Could she handle seeing Dex again? Would he come even at a dying man’s request?

She took a deep breath as numerous questions flowed through her mind. No matter what her father’s reasons were for wanting to see Dex, no matter what the chances were of her wounds being reopened, she would do as her father had asked. Telling Dex her father wanted to see him didn’t necessarily mean he would come. Why should he?

Walking out of the room, she went to use the pay phone in the lobby. She wasn’t even sure if Dex was in the States. The last she’d heard, he was still out of the country. Minutes later she dialed the residential telephone number in Houston that had been given to her by the operator.

After three rings she found herself listening to Dex’s answering machine. The sound of his deep, masculine voice nearly made her jump. It had been four years since she’d heard it. A sensation she thought had dissolved long ago crept down her spine. Even over the phone lines Dexter Madaris had the ability to make her knees weaken, her pulse escalate and her breathing thicken.

She quickly hung up the phone, deciding not to leave a message. She would try contacting him again later. A sigh whispered through Caitlin’s lips. Time hadn’t totally destroyed the effect Dex had on her. This unexpected revelation struck her suddenly. After four years she still couldn’t force the strong-jawed, dark handsome face with its sensuous voice out of her mind…and completely out of her heart.

But she had to. She couldn’t afford to go back and dwell on the past. But still, she couldn’t stop her mind from drifting back to that beautiful day in late May four years ago, when she and Dex had met…

Caitlin Parker had a hard time believing her eyes when her gaze settled on the handsome man who’d just entered the café. He moved with the grace of a black leopard, reflected in the powerful movement of his shoulders and muscles. There was a smooth leanness in his tall form, reminding her of a spirited athlete combined with a laid-back silent manner.

His jeans molded to his firm thighs and long legs, while his white shirt stretched tautly across his broad chest. When he removed the Stetson from his head, she saw that his naturally wavy black hair was cut short in what she considered a blatantly masculine style. His nut-brown features, bluntly strong and sensuous, seemed carved into his firm jawline, high forehead and straight nose. However, it was his eyes that took Caitlin’s breath away. There was something very cryptic about the charcoal-gray eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on her. After mumbling a few words to the waiter, he moved in her direction.

Caitlin was caught up with the handsome man’s approach to her table. Her grip tightened nervously around the glass of iced tea she held, attempting to control the trembling in her body, beginning with her fingers. It didn’t work. All attempts at control failed when he stood before her.

“Caitlin Parker?”

The sound of his deep voice nearly undid Caitlin, causing her to nod in mute silence.

“I’m Dexter Madaris. My uncle, Jake Madaris, had planned to meet with you but, unfortunately, he had to fly to Wyoming unexpectedly on business. He won’t be back for several days. As a favor, he asked me to come meet with you to discuss the summer job you’ve applied for. May I sit down?”

Caitlin could only stare, hypnotized by the man standing before her. He had to be, without a doubt, the sexiest man she’d ever seen.

“Miss Parker?”

At that moment Caitlin realized she hadn’t answered his request. Heat flushed her face and her lips trembled slightly with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Mr. Madaris. Yes, please have a seat.” She watched as he settled his lithe frame into the chair.

“How old are you, Miss Parker?”

“What?” Caitlin whispered, caught off guard by the question. His voice echoed a Texas drawl that made her breath lodge in her throat. Masculine and distinct, it conveyed a strength and an endurance all its own. Together, his eyes and voice were a deadly combination.

Dex smiled in a way Caitlin thought enhanced the fullness of his sensual mouth. “I asked how old you are?”

Caitlin cleared her throat. “I’m twenty-one. Why?”

“Because you look rather young for the job. By the way, you can call me Dex. Do you mind if I call you Caitlin?”

“Not at all.” She nervously lifted the glass of tea to her lips and asked, “And how old are you, Dex?”

He shot her a surprised glance before answering. “I’m thirty-two.”

The waiter came and took Dex’s order. Caitlin used the interruption to contain her breathing. Dex’s presence had her heart beating at an alarming rate.

“What about you, Caitlin? Can I order something for you?”

“No, thanks, I’m fine.”

Dex nodded then dismissed the waiter. “I understand you graduated from college a few days ago. Now that school’s over, why do you want to spend your summer working when you could be celebrating by heading for the beach, or the border like most of the other graduates?” he asked.

Caitlin looked away then returned her gaze to his. “In the fall I’m going back to college to begin a masters program. I really don’t consider what I’ll be doing this summer as work. I’ll get to do something I enjoy.”

“Working with computers?”

“Yes,” Caitlin replied, tensing under Dex’s direct stare. Somehow she managed a smile. “Besides, I’ve always wanted to spend some time on a real ranch.” She didn’t add that she’d often heard about the handsome cowboys and broncobusters that worked there. If he was a sample of what the place had to offer, then what she’d heard had been true.

“Oh?” Dex laughed softly. “And how does your family feel about that?”

“My mother died a few years ago, so it’s just me and my father. Although he’s not thrilled with the idea, I convinced him it would benefit me in the long run to gain a degree of experience in my field of study. But to pacify him, I’ve agreed to return to San Antonio for a while before going back to school in September.”

“San Antonio? Is that your home?”

“Yes.”

He studied her intently. “Do you always give in so easily?”

Caitlin lifted her brow, unsure whether he was referring to the incident with her father or something else. “No. I’ll stand my ground when I believe what I’m doing is right.”

The waiter interrupted them when he served Dex his drink. Caitlin watched as he took a sip and thought it was the most sensuous gesture she’d ever seen. She tried to submerge the heat flaring in her stomach as she watched the way his mouth touched the rim of the glass of wine, tipping it up to his lips, savoring the taste as it slowly slipped down his throat. She felt a strange ache in her limbs when he ran his tongue over his lips in appreciation of the wine’s fruity taste.

“Tell me a little more about your background, Caitlin.”

Caitlin tore her gaze from his mouth and directed her attention to the scented candle burning in the middle of their table. She cleared her throat. “I graduated from the University of Texas,” she said, “with a degree in computer technology and a minor in accounting. For the past three years, I’ve been part of the work-study program on campus, working in the computer department.”

Dex swirled the liquid around in his glass. A faint sparkle lit his eyes when he spoke. “Uncle Jake’s business is livestock. He raises cattle and horses and then sells them to farms all over the country. His reputation as an excellent stock breeder has spread, and over the years his business has grown tremendously.”

“I think everyone in Texas has heard of the Whispering Pines ranch and Jacob Madaris,” Caitlin said.

Dex took another sip of wine. “Fortunately he wants to upgrade his billing system. The system he’s using now is really outdated. What he wants you to do is to analyze his present setup and come up with some suggestions on computerizing his business accounts.”

Caitlin nodded. “Smart idea.”

“I agree, however, I may as well warn you that the person who does the bookkeeping, Delane Ormand, has been there for ages and detests change. According to Uncle Jake, she doesn’t feel comfortable working on a computer, since she doesn’t know anything about them. Think you can handle setting up the program and selling the idea of computerized accounting to Delane?”

There was a determined gleam in Caitlin’s eyes. “Yes,” she said with easy confidence. “Once Ms. Ormand realizes how much easier her work will become with a computer, she’ll love it.” Caitlin paused for a moment before asking, “Do you work at the ranch, too, Dex?”

He smiled. “No, I don’t work there, although I used to during summers and vacations while in high school and college. Right now, I’m just visiting my uncle. I’m a geologist in oil exploration. My company has transferred me to Australia for two years. I’ll be at the ranch for the next three weeks for some rest and relaxation before leaving the country.”

Caitlin hoped her face didn’t show her disappointment. She swallowed against the fullness in her throat. The intensity of Dex Madaris’s eyes stirred her insides. He had a way about him she was sure attracted numerous women. He was dangerous, not in the normal sense, but instead dangerous to one’s common sense.

She didn’t doubt for a minute he had the ability to make the most sensible woman throw all caution to the wind for an opportunity to get to know him intimately. Her cheeks heated from her candid thoughts. She twisted slightly in her chair.

“Is there something wrong, Caitlin?”

Her gaze flew to Dex’s face. She felt her body stir under his intense scrutiny. She suddenly realized she was dealing with a man with the ability to strip away any emotional barriers with one smoldering look.

“Caitlin?”

She inhaled deeply and forced herself to shake her head. “No, nothing’s wrong.”

Dex took another sip of his wine. “The pay is twelve dollars an hour and includes your room and board. Uncle Jake figures the project shouldn’t take any longer than four to six weeks. Are you absolutely sure you want the job?”

“Yes, I’m positive.”

“Then it’s yours.”

Joy swept through Caitlin. “Thank you.”

A widened smile touched Dex’s lips. “How soon can you begin—?”

“Caitlin?”

The soft, gentle voice brought Caitlin’s thoughts back to the present. She immediately recognized the person standing before her. “Reverend Timmons. I’m so glad you came…”

By the time Dex crawled into bed that night, he was bone tired. Before returning home from the restaurant, he’d stopped by his office, and he and his project foreman and good friend, Trevor Grant, had worked well past midnight going over an important job proposal.

The ringing of the telephone interrupted what he’d hoped to be the beginning of a good night’s sleep. Reaching over to the nightstand, he picked up the phone.

“Yeah?” When Dex didn’t get a response but heard the faint sound of breathing on the other end, he became annoyed. “Who the hell is this? State your business or hang up.”

“Dex?”

Dex frowned, trying to recognize the voice. “Who wants to know?”

There was a pause. “It’s Caitlin, Dex.”

The words were a hard blow to Dex’s firm stomach. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, finding himself drenched first with disbelief, then a surge of renewed anger. There was a tightness in his throat. “What do you want, Caitlin?” His words were clipped and devoid of any emotion except one. Bitterness.

“I’m calling for my dad. He’s very ill and wants to see you. I don’t know why, but he’s asking for you. Please come, Dex.”

Dex’s jaw stiffened and his eyes hardened like ice. The urge to tell her father where he could go—in not so nice words—was on the tip of his tongue, but he hesitated. He wasn’t that heartless. Besides, Caitlin sounded scared and he heard the pain and anguish in her voice.

“What’s wrong with your old man this time, Caitlin? The last time I saw him he wasn’t doing so hot, either. If my memory serves me correctly, it was the news of our sudden marriage that sent him to the hospital with a heart attack. Have you decided to marry again and Daddy Dearest can’t handle it?”

“Dex, please. Don’t. My—my father is dying of cancer and wants to see you.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. However, he and I aren’t the best of friends. What’s this all about?”

“I don’t know. But he wants to see you. Please come see him. P-please.” Her tearful plea came through the phone lines.

A tightness squeezed Dex’s chest and instead of his anger intensifying, he found his heart losing some of its hardness with her plea. He loathed himself for allowing her to get next to him after all this time—after she had turned her back on him and his love. But something was happening to him he hadn’t counted on, something he didn’t understand. Even after four years of hurt, she could still arouse a degree of protectiveness in him.

A natural instinct to protect her from any type of pain kept his bitterness in check. Her words penetrated his mind. Her father was dying? Then he could just imagine the depth of her agony. He, of all people, knew just how much the old man meant to her. He hesitated briefly before answering. “Where is he?”

“Baptist Memorial Hospital, the eighth floor.”

Dex took a deep breath. “I’m on my way.”

After hanging up the phone he let his head fall back against the pillow. He stared at the ceiling. Could he handle seeing Caitlin again? He didn’t love her anymore, but the pain she’d caused him was like a wound that wouldn’t heal. Her decision to end their marriage before giving it a chance was an act he could never forgive her for.

His heart felt like it was ready to explode in his chest. In a short space of time she had become his life, his very reason for existing.

He should never have let it get to that point. After all, he had seen firsthand what falling head-over-heels in love with a woman could do. His best friend, Greg, had taken his own life over a woman while they were in college at Morehouse. Dex had vowed never to become a victim of love to that extreme. And he had kept his vow—until he had met Caitlin.

His mind reflected on their first meeting. He’d fallen in love with her the first time he’d seen her that day in the restaurant. Her beauty had nearly taken his breath away. She had eyes the color of dark coffee. Her face, burnished bronze in color, had sharp, high cheekbones, a perfectly shaped mouth and a flawlessly aligned nose. Silken strands of jet-black hair had fallen in soft curls around her shoulders. Each attribute had added radiance to her warm unblemished features.

The timing had been awful. He was to leave the country within three weeks. Besides, she was young—eleven years his junior. But those things hadn’t kept him from wanting her, from loving her.

In the beginning, for the first couple of days after she’d come to work at his uncle Jake’s ranch, he’d kept his distance. Then Clayton had arrived and had immediately set his sights on their uncle’s newest employee.

Convincing himself he was saving Caitlin from the clutches of his womanizing younger brother, Dex began pursuing her himself. It was only later that he’d discovered Clayton had somehow picked up on his intense but unacknowledged attraction for Caitlin, and had played devil’s advocate, propelling Dex into action. What followed had been a whirlwind romance between him and Caitlin.

After spending time with her, he had felt that although she was eleven years younger than him, she was a young woman who knew her mind. She had acted more mature than her twenty-one years. The more time he had spent with her, the more he became sure that he wanted her as the woman in his life—forever. He couldn’t handle the thought of going to Australia and leaving her behind. There were a number of good universities in Australia where she could obtain the additional education she wanted to pursue. When he had asked her to marry him, she had readily accepted.

Within two weeks they were married in a rushed ceremony at Whispering Pines ranch with just his uncle and Clayton present. It was only when they were on their way to meet each other’s families, that he had an opportunity to dwell on her reluctance to notify her father about their marriage.

Although surprised by his unexpected marriage, his parents and siblings accepted Caitlin into the family with open arms. But nothing, Dex thought, could have prepared him for the horrible scene they’d encountered upon arriving at Caitlin’s home and announcing their marriage and her plans to accompany him to Australia.

Halston Parker had gone into a rage, which subsequently doubled him over clutching his chest. After he was rushed to the hospital, Caitlin had been told he’d suffered a mild heart attack.

She had been upset and besieged with guilt. Dex had spent his last day in the States pacing the waiting room of the hospital with her. He’d somehow managed to convince her to come back to the hotel with him. Once there, she had found comfort in his arms. He’d made love to her to erase her fears. The next morning he had felt her withdraw from him, and wondered if their newfound love could withstand the external pressures.

Before catching a cab for the airport, he had literally begged her to join him in Australia as soon as her father recovered. She had promised him she would.

As the weeks passed and she’d begun avoiding his nightly phone calls, he’d made arrangements to return to the States on an emergency leave. The day he was to depart, he received the divorce papers and Caitlin’s wedding ring. She wanted out of their marriage.

According to the brief letter she’d enclosed with her ring, she claimed she loved him, but her father needed her more and she couldn’t leave him. She thought it best they end their marriage.

The impact of her decision had hurt deeply. Deeper than any pain was supposed to hurt. He had always known and understood the internal war he had fought since Greg’s suicide. He had waged such a fierce battle against ever falling in love that when it happened, he had been totally consumed by it. Caitlin had been everything he had ever wanted and desired in a woman. And when he had fallen for her, he’d fallen hard. No one, and that included his family, had understood the depth of his bitterness after his breakup with Caitlin. Considering her age when they had married, and the brief period of time they had known each other, Caitlin’s actions, as far as his family were concerned, had not been surprising.

Unfortunately he did not share their reasoning. The way he saw it, Caitlin had said her vows and had made promises, and neither was meant to be broken.

Sighing deeply, Dex reached for the phone and began dialing.

“Hello?”

“Clayton, I’m leaving tonight for San Antonio.”

Chapter 2

T he antiseptic smell of the sterilized facility stung Dex’s nostrils the minute he walked into the hospital’s lobby. Stepping into the elevator, he punched the button for the eighth floor.

It seemed like an eternity before the elevator door finally opened. Stepping out, he dismissed the interested looks he received from a couple of nurses and walked over to the nurses’ station. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter with her head bowed, reading a patient’s chart.

“Excuse me. I’m here to see Halston Parker.”

The woman lifted her head and smiled at him kindly. “Are you a member of the family?”

The question was a common one to ask, but Dex couldn’t help but flinch. “No,” he answered curtly. “I’m not, but I was asked to come here by Caitlin Parker.”

The woman gave him a bemused glance although her smile continued to be friendly. She glanced down at the chart she pulled from a nearby rack. “Caitlin Parker?” she questioned.

“Yeah. Caitlin Parker. Halston Parker’s daughter,” he replied, glancing around the nurses’ station.

“You must mean Caitlin Madaris.”

Dex’s head whipped around sharply. “What did you say?”

“I said Mr. Parker’s daughter is Caitlin Madaris.”

“I’ll take care of this, Diane,” a deep voice said behind Dex.

Dex turned around and came face-to-face with a man he remembered as being Halston Parker’s physician.

“Mr. Madaris, welcome back to San Antonio.”

Dex nodded tiredly and rubbed his temples. The nurse had referred to Caitlin as Caitlin Madaris? Why was she still using her married name? His name? Why had she kept the name when she’d rejected the man who’d given it to her? He stared into the doctor’s face. It had aged considerably in the last four years. “This isn’t a pleasure trip, Doctor,” he said, shaking the hand the man offered.

Dr. Flores nodded his head. “You’re right, it’s not. Did you have any problems getting here?” he asked politely.

“No. I caught a cab from the airport.”

The older man lifted a brow. “Your luggage?”

“I didn’t bring anything but what you see here,” Dex said, indicating the overnight bag he carried. “I don’t plan on staying long,” he added in a clear, firm voice.

Dr. Flores looked at him for a moment. “Oh, I see. Did you know that Caitlin isn’t living here in San Antonio, Mr. Madaris? She moved to Fort Worth six months ago.”

Dex looked at the older man in complete surprise. “No, I didn’t know that.” Heat stained his cheeks and his eyes narrowed “But then I haven’t had a reason to keep up with my ex-wife over the past four years. Where she lives is no concern of mine.”

The doctor appeared slightly flushed. “I’m sorry, my mistake.”

Dex nodded. “No sweat. We all make them.” He glanced around. “Where’s Caitlin?”

“She’s resting. I gave her something to relax her. It’s been a very trying time for her. I’ll go get her now.”

Dex grabbed the man’s arm when he turned to walk off. “Don’t bother. Whatever Halston Parker has to say, he can say to me alone. There’s no need to involve Caitlin.”

The older man shook his head. “Halston wants to speak with both you and Caitlin.”

Dex studied the doctor for a moment. “Do you have any idea what this is about?”

“Even if I did, I’m not at liberty to say, Mr. Madaris. If you would like to wait in a private waiting room, I’ll get Caitlin.”

In the waiting room, Dex stood at the window looking down at the smaller office buildings below. His body tense, his senses alert, he knew the exact moment Caitlin quietly entered the room. He turned slowly to face her.

Their eyes connected immediately. Dex dragged his gaze over her. Even with tired lines etched around her eyes, her hair in disarray and her dress slightly wrinkled, as far as he was concerned, she still looked utterly beautiful. His heart felt like it was about to explode in his chest. How could he find her desirable after the hell she’d put him through? He resented the fact that his strong attraction to her was still there. His reaction to her sparked his temper.

“Hello, Dex.”

“Caitlin,” he acknowledged curtly. “I’d like to see your father as soon as possible, so he can say whatever it is he wants to get off his chest.”

“We can go see if Dad’s awake now. If you don’t mind coming with me,” she said, opening the door.

“You go ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute.” He needed time alone to regain his composure. Seeing Caitlin again had brought a greater reaction than he had expected. Unwanted memories had coursed through him.

Caitlin nodded and closed the door behind her. A shiver passed through her body. The memories she had carried of her ex-husband were nothing in comparison to the masculine, virile reality she’d just seen. Strength and power emanated from him. He was still the handsome Texan she’d fallen in love with four years ago. His features were rugged and strong, and his nut-brown skin had darkened to a coppery-brown from hours undoubtedly spent in the sun. Dexter Madaris was still the most attractive man she’d ever seen. A sudden feeling of dread washed over her when she remembered something else about him. He was a man who didn’t forgive easily. She’d discovered that the hard way when he had not responded to her letter.

Her hands were numbed with cold when she found Dr. Flores at the nurses’ station. They were as cold as Dex’s attitude had been toward her. “Dex wants to see Dad now, Dr. Flores. Is he awake?”

The older man searched her eyes. “Are you all right, dear?”

She swallowed hard before forcing a smile. “Yes. I’m fine. Can we see my father now?”

“Yes.”

They turned upon hearing footsteps approaching on the tile floor. Dex came to stand before them. “I’m ready.”

Dr. Flores gently placed his hand on Caitlin’s arm to restrain her when she turned to leave. “Please keep in mind at all times how much your father loves you, Caitlin.” He then walked off.

Caitlin frowned, pondering the doctor’s words. Did he know why her father had summoned Dex?

“Let’s get this over with.” Dex’s biting words intruded into her thoughts.

“This way,” she said, leading the way to her father’s room. She wished she could ignore Dex’s obvious signs of anger, but he was definitely a brother with an attitude. When they reached her father’s room, without a single word, Dex pushed the door open and walked into the room past her.

Dex sucked in his breath. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of the man he saw lying in the hospital bed. The shriveled-up man caused a sick feeling to engulf him. Halston Parker was almost unrecognizable.

He stood back and watched Caitlin square her shoulders and approach the bed. Her face didn’t reveal a flicker of emotion, but her eyes did. The pained look in them was unmistakable. Losing her father was affecting her more deeply than she was letting on. He knew she would have done anything to prevent that kind of loss. He continued to watch as she drew her hand across the bed, smoothing the wrinkles in the hospital blanket. She bent over the frail body and whispered, “Dad. Dex’s here.”

Dex was suddenly filled with compassion when he could no longer retain his distant attitude. He was again confused by the betrayal of emotions he had held in check for so long. As if by some connective power, Caitlin’s pain became his. He was suddenly struck with a return of the urge to shield her from what she was going through. More than anything, she needed support. Support from family, friends or someone who cared, but right now she was all alone. All alone except for an ex-husband who wished more than anything he was someplace else.

With a heavy sigh, he leaned against the back of the closed hospital door and continued to stare at her. Could he somehow find it within himself to give her the support she desperately needed after what she’d done to him? Could he put all his bitterness aside and reach out and give her someone to lean on? Forgiveness wasn’t one of his strong points. His family had told him countless times that he could hold a grudge longer than anyone they knew.

“Dad, did you hear me?”

Dex noticed the head of the frail body in the bed nod. Caitlin looked up at Dex, her dark eyes misty with tears, assessed his expression. Coming forward, he nodded his understanding. Looking down into the deathlike face, he watched as Halston Parker’s eyes slowly fluttered open. For a brief second he stared up at the both of them, seemingly in tremendous pain—both physically and mentally.

“Caitlin. Dex. You’re here,” Halston Parker whispered hoarsely, a weak smile touching his lips. “I have the two of you back together again.”

Caitlin could feel a sudden sharp chill in the air from her father’s words. “Dad, Dex can’t stay long,” she rushed in. “You wanted to see him, and he’s here.”

Halston Parker’s eyes shut for a moment. He reopened them and stared intently at Dex. “Legally, Caitlin’s still your wife.”

Caitlin stared at the deathlike face lying against the white pillow. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Dad. Dex and I aren’t married. Don’t you remember? I filed for a divorce a month after he left for Australia. The papers were sent to him and he signed them.”

Halston Parker nodded, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Yeah, he signed them and your attorney got them back a couple of months later. But I told him you’d changed your mind about the divorce and not to file them with the courts. I’ve had them in my possession ever since. They’re in a trunk in the attic.”

Caitlin’s glance flew to Dex with her father’s revelation. His chin twitched. His eyes darkened. He gazed speechlessly down at her father. She could feel the anger radiating deep from within him. When he spoke, his voice, although low, conveyed blatantly all the anger he felt.

“You had no right to do that, Mr. Parker. You had no right to interfere.”

Halston Parker’s breathing became labored. “I did what I thought was best, under the circumstances.”

“That doesn’t make sense. You didn’t approve of my marriage to your daughter. Why would you stop our divorce from becoming final?”

The older man tried responding, but couldn’t. It was a brief moment later before he found the strength to speak. “In the beginning, I was only thinking of myself. I didn’t want to lose her. I didn’t want to be left all alone. Please try and understand, son, she was all I had. I couldn’t let you take her away. I know I was wrong, and I’ve asked you here for your forgiveness and to set matters straight. I know you could have taken advantage of Caitlin four years ago, but you didn’t. You did the honorable thing and married her. But at the time, I couldn’t accept the difference in your ages. I thought she was too young for marriage, especially to you. I didn’t want to see her get hurt.”

A number of questions flooded Dex’s mind. He still didn’t understand why Halston Parker had stopped their divorce. He watched the older man try to raise his hand up to him. Dex knew the attempt was draining on him, so he took the frail hand in his.

“Regardless of whether the divorce is valid or not, it was Caitlin’s decision to end our marriage, Mr. Parker, not yours. You didn’t do anything to me personally so there’s no reason for you to ask my forgiveness,” Dex replied harshly.

Halston Parker shook his head weakly. “I made her choose between the two of us, and I never should have done that. I used her one weakness, her love for me, to turn her away from you. Don’t you understand? I pressured her.”

“But the decision was still hers, not yours,” Dex stated sharply. A part of him hardened at the man’s words. What was Caitlin’s father driving at? Why was he attempting to find excuses for the decision his daughter had made? As far as Dex was concerned, there was no acceptable excuse.

Halston Parker removed his hand from Dex’s and offered it to Caitlin. She tenderly took his outstretched hand. She had been standing quietly by Dex’s side as tears streamed down her face. “Will you forgive me for being so selfish and for thinking more of my happiness than of yours, Caitlin?”

Caitlin’s breath caught her in throat, making speech difficult. “Dex’s right, Daddy. It was my decision, so don’t ask either of us to forgive you. I love you very much.”

“And I love you, baby-girl. I don’t want to leave you alone,” he said, his voice taut and thick with emotions and worried concern.

“I won’t be alone, Dad. I have Jordan.”

A lone tear fell from the older man’s eye as he slowly nodded. “You’ve been the joy of my life. Every man should have a daughter such as you to love. No man should be cheated out of that.” He turned his attention back to Dex. “Promise me you’ll take care of Caitlin. Please take care of my baby for me. Promise me.”

Dex had not been prepared for this request and his gaze quickly flew to Caitlin. She refused to meet his eyes, and he couldn’t help but see the way she was clenching her teeth to keep from crying out. Her body began trembling as silent tears continued to stream down her face. This was an enormous ordeal for her. How would she feel if he were to make a promise like that to her father? And who on earth was Jordan? Was he a new man in her life? If so, why was her father asking him to come back into her life when it appeared she was involved with someone else? Was Halston Parker trying to manipulate his daughter’s life even now with one foot in the grave?

Dex gazed down into the older man’s face. Glassy eyes watched him, waiting for his answer. He didn’t have to be a doctor to know the man’s condition was going downhill and fast. He was fighting just to keep his eyes open. The man lay facing imminent death, and more than anything he needed the assurance that his daughter would be taken care of.

Without any further thought, Dex answered. “I promise to take care of Caitlin and to do what I can for her, Mr. Parker.”

Halston Parker released a long, ragged breath, accepting Dex’s promise. He closed his eyes and moments later his breathing became deep and even. Wordlessly, Dex and Caitlin sat in the chairs next to the bed.

Seconds became minutes. Minutes ticked into hours. Before the dawning of a new day, Halston Parker’s breathing stopped.

He was gone.

Chapter 3

T he sun was shining bright in the midmorning sky when Dex and Caitlin walked out of the hospital. It wasn’t even ten o’clock yet, but already the day promised to be miserably hot, which wasn’t unusual for a day in mid-June.

Caitlin squared her shoulders and tried to keep all the grief of losing her father at bay, but found she couldn’t. Swallowing, she blinked back a surge of fresh tears.

“I’m driving you home, Caitlin. Where’re you parked?”

The touch of Dex’s arm around Caitlin’s shoulder penetrated deeply. Sniffing, she angled her head to look up into his eyes. To her surprise, they were filled with compassion, something she hadn’t expected. Feeling a lump form in her throat, she answered in a choked voice. “My car is parked over there.”

When they arrived at her father’s home, Caitlin covered her face with her hands and began crying openly in heart-wrenching, strangled sobs. Dex turned off the car’s ignition, pushed the seat back and gently pulled her into his lap.

“That’s it, get it all out. Everything’s going to be all right, Caitlin. Your father isn’t in any more pain. He’s at peace,” Dex whispered softly, tenderly cradling her in his arms.

When her sobs turned to soft whimpers, she lifted her tear-stained face to his. “Dad didn’t get a chance to see Jordan for the last time,” she said brokenly.

Dex’s hand stopped stroking Caitlin’s hair and back. His eyes darkened. “I gather Jordan means a lot to you.”

Caitlin frowned at his words. She then began wiping her eyes with trembling hands. “Of course. Jordan is my life.”

Dex felt a surge of renewed pain and anger. He had to clamp down on his teeth to keep from lashing out at the thought of her deep feelings for another man. He stared hard at her. “Since he’s your life, why hasn’t he made you his? I would think under the circumstances, he’d be here for you.”

Confusion covered Caitlin’s face. “What are you talking about?”

Dex’s voice was as hard as his eyes and held a steely edge when he continued. “I’m talking about this person named Jordan. Never mind, he’s your problem, not mine. My only concern is the promise I made to your father, and I intend to keep it. I’ll not leave before the services. After that, I have no intention of staying a minute longer. I’ll contact Clayton to fly in as soon as the services for your father are over. If your father’s claim is true, and there’s a possibility that we’re still married, I’ll make sure Clayton does whatever has to be done to legalize our divorce. Then you can continue your life with Jordan.”

Caitlin’s eyes grew wide with startled surprise with Dex’s words. He acted like he didn’t know who Jordan was? But how could he not know? She had written to him so he had to know. But if he really didn’t…

Panic seized Caitlin when she thought of that possibility. She skittered away from Dex and quickly got out of the car.

Dex raised a questioning brow. He watched Caitlin at her front door fumbling nervously with her keys before opening the door and going inside the house.

He tilted his head back against the car seat and closed his eyes, totally bewildered. What in the world was going on? When he’d mentioned the other man, Caitlin had acted as though she was having an anxiety attack. Something wasn’t right, and he intended to find out what was going on.

Dex sighed deeply. He wondered if her actions had anything to do with the letter Dr. Flores had discreetly given to him at the hospital. It was a letter Halston Parker had asked Dr. Flores to give to him. No doubt it was another chunk to add to this bizarre puzzle to which only Caitlin’s father had all the pieces. Instead of reading the letter when Dr. Flores had handed it to him, he had stuffed the envelope in his pocket to read later. He wasn’t ready to read anything Caitlin’s father had written to him. He was still trying to recover from the old man’s claim that he and Caitlin were still legally married.

Fury almost choked Dex. He was tired of playing games. He wanted answers and wanted them now, and he intended on getting them from Caitlin. He got out of the car and walked up to the house.

Caitlin had left the door open and Dex walked inside. He heard her sobs and took the stairs two at a time, following the sound of her voice.

He entered the bedroom at the precise moment she reached for a tan-colored jacket that was tossed across a chair. The masculine decor of the room, smelling of pipe tobacco, had been her father’s. Clutching the jacket to her chest, her shoulders began to shake.

Dex swiftly crossed the room and gently pulled Caitlin into his arms. Once again the need to protect and shield her from pain overwhelmed him.

She tried pulling herself out of his arms, but his hold on her tightened. “You don’t have to take care of this now, Caitlin. Come downstairs and let me get you something to eat before I leave to go check into the hotel.”

She trembled in response to the tenderness in his voice and shook her head against his shoulder. “I—I need to tell you about Jordan, Dex.”

Dex attempted to control the anger renewing itself within him at the mention of the man’s name. “Not now, Caitlin. We’ll talk later. I’ll come back, after you’ve rested.”

“No, Dex. We need to talk now. Jordan is…”

Caitlin didn’t finish the statement. She felt Dex’s body push away from her. Gazing up into his face, she saw a nerve in his jaw twitch. Harsh lines etched his face. Her gaze followed his and came to rest on the picture frame sitting on her father’s dresser.

A suffocating sensation overtook Caitlin. She stepped back out of Dex’s arms. She watched as he walked over to the dresser and picked up the frame. Her breath caught in her throat when he stood studying the photograph of her and the little girl who sat in her lap. He turned to her, his expression stony, his eyes narrowing. “Who’s this in the picture with you?”

Caitlin’s voice was barely a whisper when she responded. “Jordan.”

Dex stared at her in both shock and surprise. Jordan wasn’t a man but a little girl? He gazed at the photograph he held in his hand, closely examining the face of the little girl. He studied the abundance of black wavy hair entwined into two fat braids, the shape of her nut-brown face, the curve of her eyebrows, the thick lashes fanning her eyes and the fullness of her lips. But what really caught his attention was the color of her eyes. They were charcoal-gray. The photographer’s camera had picked up the color perfectly.

A heaviness erupted in his chest. “How old is she, Caitlin?” His question thundered loudly in the room.

Caitlin’s voice was filled with apprehension when she answered. “She turned three on March first.”

Dex’s gaze never left Caitlin as he stared in disbelief. He began doing calculations in his head. If she was born the first of March then she was conceived the end of May, during the first week of their marriage.

Dex’s jaw hardened as his anger escalated. He knew without a doubt he was looking into the face of his child. A child he’d known nothing about. He also had a sinking feeling as to why Caitlin’s father had gone through so much trouble to preserve their marriage, and why Caitlin still used his name.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked in a voice that shook with rage. “How could you not let me know I had a child? What kind of a woman are you to keep something like that a secret? It was just fine and dandy that you didn’t want me, but you had no right keeping the existence of my daughter from me. You had no right at all, lady!”

Anger washed over Caitlin. She stood facing him, her body stiff with indignation. “I didn’t try keeping anything from you. I didn’t find out that I was pregnant until after I’d filed for divorce, Dex. But I did write to you when I found out. How could you think I wouldn’t tell you? She belonged to you as much as she belonged to me. I would never have kept her existence from you. Never.”

A quiet uncertainty lingered in Dex’s stare as his hard gaze touched Caitlin. “I never got a letter from you, Caitlin.”

“But I sent it, and you never responded,” she said louder than she had wanted.

Her statement slashed through him. “I didn’t answer because I didn’t get a letter. If I had, I would have responded.” Dex couldn’t help but wonder if the envelope in his pocket, the one given to him by Dr. Flores, contained the missing letter. How far had Halston Parker gone to keep him away from Caitlin and from ever finding out about his child? Caitlin should have come to him in Australia like she’d promised. He could never forgive her for not doing so.

“For the sake of argument,” Dex said in a controlled tone. They weren’t getting anywhere raising their voices at each other. “Let’s say you did send the letter. Weren’t you concerned when I didn’t write back or call?” he asked curtly.

“No. I assumed you hated me for choosing to stay with my father instead of coming to you. I thought you—”

“You thought I didn’t want my child?” Dex thundered. An incredulous look of disbelief crossed his face. He quickly strode across the room. Snatching her wrist, he pulled her closer to him. “What kind of man do you think I am?” he asked, his dark eyes blazing with fury. “How could you think what happened between us could’ve had any bearing on how I felt for my child, my own flesh and blood?”

Caitlin snatched her hand from him. She tilted her chin and glared up at him. “I wrote you.”

“I have no proof of that. Besides, if I didn’t reply to the first letter the decent thing would have been to write again or even call. They do have telephones in Australia, and you had my number. Something that important deserved a phone call. Your flimsy excuse won’t wash with me, Caitlin. And what about my family? If you couldn’t reach me, all you had to do was get in touch with them. Any one of them would have been more than happy to hear from you.”

“I’d met them only once. I thought they wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me. We were no longer married, and I’d hurt you. I thought they despised me for what I’d done to you. When I didn’t hear from you, I assumed the worst.”

Caitlin struggled mentally for a few seconds, telling herself she needed to make Dex understand. “Can’t you see I had my doubts, Dex? You’re right. I should have known you better. But as far as I’m concerned, you should have known me just as well. The truth of the matter is that we really didn’t know each other at all. Everything between us happened so fast. We got caught up in a whirlwind romance that quickly moved into marriage.”

“If you felt that way, why did you marry me? Why didn’t you turn me down when I asked you to become my wife?”

“Because I wanted to be with you. You swept me off my feet, Dex, and at the time, nothing else mattered, not the short time we’d known each other, nor how my father would react to the news of our hasty marriage. There were so many things we didn’t know about each other.”

Dex’s jaw hardened. “We knew enough. You should have known the most important thing about me, Caitlin. You should have known how I felt about you. I didn’t want an affair with you for those three weeks. I wanted more, I wanted forever. I made the mistake of thinking that you did, too.”

“No, Dex, you didn’t make a mistake. I did want forever. But after you left for Australia, I began having my doubts about a lot of things. And when you didn’t answer my letter, I accepted what I thought was your decision not to want your child. I continued on with my life. But I never once gave up hope that one day you would want to see her. I’ve not once kept Jordan in the dark about you, even when I thought you didn’t want her. She began asking questions about her daddy when she noticed all of her friends had fathers and she didn’t. She knows all about you. Although I didn’t have any pictures of you to show her, Jordan knows who her father is.”

Dex frowned. She was right about not having any pictures. There hadn’t been a lot of time for any. The only photo of them together had been the one his mother had taken when he’d taken Caitlin home to meet his family.

He moved toward the window. He looked below at the empty street. “And just what did you tell my daughter about me? That I didn’t want her? That I deserted her? That I deserted you?” he asked coldly.

Caitlin folded her arms tightly in front of her. “No,” she replied softly. “I never gave Jordan the impression you were a terrible person, or blamed you because the three of us weren’t together. When she began asking about you, I told her you worked in a country far away, and that maybe you’d come back to see her one day. She accepted that.”

Dex took a minute to put a cap on his anger before turning to face Caitlin. “And when she got older, and I didn’t show up, what lie would you have told her then?”

Caitlin met his cold gaze head-on. “Whatever was necessary.”

A strained silence saturated the room as Dex stared at Caitlin. “Where’s she now?”

Caitlin took a deep breath, her thoughts in chaos. She looked at him. “She’s with Marsher Logan, Dad’s neighbor. She took Jordan with her to visit her own little granddaughter who lives in the country. They’ll be back tomorrow.”

Dex thought about Caitlin’s response. He would get to meet his daughter for the first time tomorrow. He continued looking at Caitlin. His anger escalated. She had stripped him of three years of his daughter’s life because she hadn’t chosen his love over her father’s. Angered beyond control, he stormed past her and out of the room.

Caitlin blinked rapidly, losing control of her emotions. She bit her lower lip as Dex’s words came back to haunt her. He was right. She should have known he would not have turned his back on his child. But then, he should have known she would not have deliberately kept their daughter’s existence from him.

Leaving her father’s room, she closed the door behind her and went into her own bedroom. Once there, she began pulling off her clothes. She felt tired, drained and depleted of all strength and logical thought. And to make matters worse, her head had begun to ache. Emerging from the shower minutes later, she slipped into a nightgown. Her father was gone, her daughter was away, and the only man she had ever loved totally despised her.

Once again she succumbed to her tears.

Dex paced the living room in quick angry strides. Coming to a stop, he pulled the letter Dr. Flores had given him from his pocket. Opening the envelope, he was surprised to find not the missing letter—the one Caitlin claimed she’d written to him about his child—but another letter. It appeared to have been written by Halston Parker and was dated over a week ago.

Moments later, after reading the letter, Dex’s jaw tightened. If Caitlin’s father’s words could be believed, there was a possibility that Caitlin could be in some kind of danger.

The letter stated that Halston Parker owned a piece of property near Eagle Pass; land that had been in the Parker family for generations. Halston had recently received offers on the land, which he’d repeatedly turned down. Not long after that, things began happening to him that had vindictive overtones. He’d reported the incidents to the police, but after the police investigation turned up nothing, they’d dismissed them as teenagers’ mischief.

The letter further stated Caitlin didn’t know anything about what had been going on since she’d been living in Fort Worth. But there was little doubt in Halston Parker’s mind that whoever had been after him to sell would now begin harassing Caitlin. He had ended the letter pleading with Dex to protect her.

As Dex refolded the letter and stuffed it back in his pocket, he couldn’t help wondering if any of what he’d read in the letter was true, or was it just another ploy by the old man to get him and Caitlin back together. As soon as he had some free time, he would pay a visit to the local police to see if there had been an investigation as Halston Parker had claimed. But first he had to make a telephone call.

Dex picked up the receiver of the phone that sat on a nearby table and punched in a few numbers. He needed to talk with Clayton. Hopefully, he would be able to give him some legal advice. The phone was answered on the second ring.

“Hello?”

“Clayton. It’s Dex.”

“How are things going?”

“Not too good. Caitlin’s father died a few hours ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Please convey my sympathy.”

“You can do that yourself,” Dex replied bitterly. “I need you here as soon as possible. There’s a legal matter I need to discuss with you.”

“Oh? What’s up?”

“According to Mr. Parker, the divorce papers Caitlin and I signed four years ago were never filed with the courts.”

“What? I don’t understand. Why?”

“He told the lawyer that Caitlin and I no longer wanted a divorce.”

“If what you’re telling me is the truth, you and Caitlin may still be married.”

Dex sighed deeply. “I was afraid of that.”

“If you still want to end your marriage, it won’t be a problem since you haven’t lived together in four years. Under the circumstances, a judge may agree to make it effective the day of the original divorce.”

“There may be a problem with that. There’s something else I think you should know.”

“What?”

“Caitlin found out she was pregnant a couple of months after I left for Australia and she’d filed for a divorce.”

There was a pause. “What are you saying, Dex?”

Dex beamed proudly. It was late in coming but he was announcing the existence of his daughter to his family for the first time, and he felt every bit a proud father. “What I’m trying to tell you is that our parents have another granddaughter. And you, Clayton, have another niece.”

“What! I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it.”

“I take it you didn’t know about her.”

“Of course I didn’t know about her!”

“All right, all right, just take it easy, Dex. Did Caitlin say why she didn’t tell you?”

“She claims she wrote me when she found out she was pregnant.”

“And I take it you don’t believe her.”

“I didn’t get a letter, Clayton.”

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean she didn’t send one just because you didn’t get one. You yourself have complained about how lousy the mail service was in Australia. Just give her the benefit of the doubt.”

Dex’s frown deepened. Clayton always had had a soft spot where Caitlin was concerned. “I don’t know if I can do that. Because of her, I may have lost too much already.”

There was a brief silence. “Just don’t be so hard on her, Dex. She’s going through a lot right now. The last thing she needs is for you to make things worse. What she really needs is your support, not your anger. Lighten up. Now tell me about my niece. What’s her name?”

Dex was glad to get off the subject of Caitlin. “My daughter’s name is Jordan.”

“Jordan? Caitlin named her after you?”

Clayton’s question caught Dex by surprise. He’d been so upset, he hadn’t made the connection. Jordan was his middle name, and he had to admit it was a very unusual name for a girl. Had Caitlin named his daughter after him? “I don’t know, Clayton.”

“Mmm. That’s interesting. If she did, I wonder why?” Clayton asked, seemingly more of himself than of Dex.

Dex frowned. He couldn’t help wondering what Clayton was driving at.

“How did Jordan take to you, Dex?”

“I haven’t actually seen her yet. She went on a little trip with a friend and won’t be returning until tomorrow. But I’ve seen a picture of her and she’s beautiful.”

Clayton laughed. “She must be Caitlin’s little look-alike.”

Dex chuckled. “I hate to disappoint you, little brother, but she’s the spittin’ image of me. She has my eyes, my nose and those Madaris lips. She couldn’t look more like me if I had given birth to her myself.”

“I thought you said she was beautiful. Everyone knows what an ugly cuss you are,” Clayton replied jokingly.

“Keep talking, bro, and I may be tempted to break your nose when I see you. But seriously, there’s a lot I need to discuss with you. I desperately need legal advice.”

“No problem. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“There’s something else that’s bothering me, Clayton.”

“What’s that?”

Dex proceeded to tell Clayton about the letter Halston Parker had left him and what it said.

“Have you told Caitlin about it?”

“No. She’s pretty shaken up over her father’s death. And until I’m sure what’s in Halston’s letter is legit, I don’t want to say anything to her about it.”

“When will the services be held?”

“The day after tomorrow. I’ll put off going to the police until that’s over…and Clayton?”

“Yeah?”

“How about dropping by my place and packing a few things. It seems I may be here awhile.”

“What’s the name of the hotel where you can be reached?”

“Until I find out what’s going on, I’m staying right here with Caitlin. I blindly promised her father I would take care of her, and I’m going to keep my word.”

“Will Trevor be running the business while you’re away?”

“Yeah,” Dex replied. “He’s the best project foreman there is. Madaris Explorations is in good hands. I’ll give him a call later to let him know where I am, so he’ll know how to reach me.”

“I’m going to catch the first available flight out in the morning, Dex. I’ll call you from the airport for directions to Caitlin’s father’s home. I’ll see you then.”

Caitlin heard someone knocking on her bedroom door in the deep recesses of her mind. She opened her eyes. Moaning, she shifted her head on the pillow. Good…the sound had stopped. She felt completely awful, and in an attempt to find relief she sank back against the pillow and closed her eyes.

The knocking started again. She opened her eyes and blinked once sluggishly. Slowly pulling herself out of bed and putting on a robe, she nearly stumbled over her shoes which were tossed carelessly on the bedroom floor. Making her way to the door, she snatched it open and found Dex standing there with concern etched on his face. She thought he’d left.

They regarded each other silently. His rough and chiseled features did nothing to downplay his handsomeness. Instead they placed a greater emphasis on his detached emotions. “What are you doing here, Dex? I thought you had left.”

Dex didn’t respond to Caitlin’s statement. Instead, he took a good look at her appearance. He had begun worrying when she hadn’t come downstairs. Studying her intently, he took in the unhealthy pallor of her skin.

“You’re ill, Caitlin.” It was a statement and not a question.

“What?” Caitlin asked. Tearing her gaze from his, she crossed her arms over her abdomen, chasing away a chill.

Seeing her tremble, Dex entered her room. “I said, you’re ill.”

Caitlin shook her head. “I’m not ill, Dex, just tired.”

He wasn’t easily convinced. “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“I don’t want to see a doctor. All I want is to be left alone.”

“Sorry, that’s not an option.” With a quick movement, Dex swept her off her feet into his arms.

“What do you think you’re doing? Put me down this minute!”

“You’re too weak to argue with me, so do yourself a favor and save your strength. I’ve made lunch, and you’re going to eat it.”

“I don’t want to go downstairs. I’m too tired.”

“I can believe that. When was the last time you ate anything?”

Caitlin glared up at him. “I don’t remember. Maybe yesterday, I don’t know.”

Dex swore through gritted teeth. He carried her over to the bed and placed her on the comforter. “Where are the serving trays kept?”

“I don’t remember,” she snapped.

A slight frown touched Dex’s features. “Since you aren’t cooperating, I’ll find them myself. I’ll be back in a minute.” He left the room.

Standing, Caitlin took off her robe and tossed it on the chair across from the bed, then got back into the bed. She felt as weak as a newborn baby, and all she wanted to do was to go back to sleep. The next thing she knew, Dex had returned carrying a tray with food on it.

The aroma of the vegetable soup teased her nostrils and her stomach began growling. Sitting up, she took the tray he offered. “Thanks.”

Dex sat in a chair at the foot of her bed and watched through hooded eyes as Caitlin quickly consumed the meal he had prepared. He couldn’t help but remember another time he’d served her in bed. It had been the morning after they had gotten married. His pulse began racing at the memory of them together. He never knew how truly wonderful love between a man and a woman could be until he’d made love to her. But then…his thoughts reminded him, he’d also found out later just how painful love could be.

When Caitlin had finished eating, he removed the tray, pleased that she had eaten everything. “Now try and get some rest. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

Caitlin yawned, fighting sleep. “Downstairs? When are you leaving?”

“I’m not.”

Caitlin blinked. “What do you mean, you’re not. I don’t remember inviting you to stay here.”

“You didn’t.” He was not ready to tell her about the contents of the letter her father had left for him. “I’ve decided to stick around to make sure you’re all right.”

Caitlin frowned. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m capable of taking care of myself.”

“Evidently your old man didn’t think so,” Dex said, gently pulling the comforter and going about tucking her in. “I made him a promise, Caitlin, and I intend to keep it.”

Caitlin yawned again. “I don’t need you here.”

“Go to sleep, Caitlin.”

“No. I’ll be fine. My father always thought of me as his little girl, Dex. You’re the one who thought of me as a woman,” Caitlin said sleepily, barely able to keep her eyes open. “Don’t you remember, you made me a woman.”

Despite his anger, a part of Dex could never forget. “Yeah, Caitlin. I remember, now go to sleep. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

“Mmm…” she replied, drifting off into sleep.

Dex’s eyes softened as he watched her fade into blissful slumber. Reaching out, he removed a wayward strand of hair from her cheek. Her earlier words assailed him with pleasant memories. “You’re right, I made you a woman. My woman. ”

He went to the foot of the double bed, deeply disturbed by the strong emotions stirring within him. His gaze took in the feminine body nestled beneath the bedcovers. He fought a sudden wild impulse to climb into the bed beside her.

Glancing around the bedroom, his eyes caught sight of a brass picture frame on Caitlin’s dresser that held a copy of the same photograph in her father’s room. Moving to the dresser, he picked up the frame and again studied the photograph. Emotions welled deep within him. His daughter, a part of him and a part of Caitlin.

He couldn’t help but think about the things he had missed out on. Things like watching Caitlin’s belly swell while carrying his child. Being a doctor, his brother Justin had delivered his own daughter a few months ago. Although Dex knew that he himself lacked the medical qualifications needed to accomplish that same feat, nothing on earth would have prevented him from being in the labor room with Caitlin, and to have been present when Jordan was born. He wished he could have heard his daughter’s first words and seen her take her first steps.

A faint noise drew his attention back to Caitlin. She had turned in sleep, facing him. Compelled by a need he didn’t understand, Dex moved to stand by the bed again. Without conscious thought, he reached out and traced his finger across Caitlin’s brow, cheek and chin, feeling the velvety softness of her brown skin and being careful not to wake her.

Suddenly, he snatched his hand back. He wouldn’t allow himself to get burned by love again. His life had not been the same since the day he’d met her. How much pain and heartache could one man endure before learning a valuable lesson in life?

He had learned his lesson well. No matter what, Caitlin would never get close to his heart again.

Never.

Chapter 4

D ex tossed aside the magazine he’d been reading when the sound of the doorbell vibrated through the room. Moving quickly, he made his way to the door. Caitlin was upstairs sleeping, and he didn’t want her to awaken. She needed the rest.

He blinked, surprised at what he saw upon opening the door. An older woman stood before him holding a sleeping child in her arms. Dex’s throat suddenly felt tight and dry. He knew without an introduction who the woman was. And he also knew whose child she held in her arms.

His.

“You must be Ms. Logan?” he said, smiling against the sudden lump in his throat. “Please come in.”

The woman’s thin mouth curved into a smile as she stepped inside. Her eyes reflected surprise as they swept over him. “Yes, I’m Mrs. Logan.” She gazed at him with thoughtful curiosity. “You seem to know who I am, but I can’t recall ever having met you before. Although you do look familiar.” She looked down at the sleeping child in her arms and then back at Dex. “Oh,” she said, making the connection. “Jordan looks so much like you. Caitlin always said she looked a lot like her father. You must be Caitlin’s ex-husband.”

Dex nodded. Or her current one, he thought. “I’m Dexter Madaris,” he said, offering the woman his hand in a warm handshake. “Caitlin said Jordan wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.”

“Yes. That was our plans, but…”

The woman’s cheerful chatter faded into oblivion as Dex’s gaze was drawn to his child asleep in Ms. Logan’s arms.

“Mr. Madaris. Are you all right?” The older woman’s eyes, reflecting concern, reminded Dex she’d been talking to him.

“Yes, I’m sorry. What did you say?”

She looked at him closely. “I said Caitlin wasn’t expecting us back until tomorrow, but Jordan began missing her mommy. I see Caitlin’s car in the driveway. Is she home?”

“Yes, she’s upstairs sleeping.”

The woman nodded. “I’m surprised she’s here and not at the hospital. How’s Mr. Parker?”

“He died this morning.”

Ms. Logan’s smile was replaced with a sympathetic frown. “I’m so sorry. My husband and I moved into the neighborhood a couple of years ago. Mr. Parker was such a nice man. How’s Caitlin doing?”

“As well as can be expected, under the circumstances.”

Ms. Logan nodded. “Please convey my condolences to Caitlin and tell her if there’s anything my husband and I can do to let us know.” She transferred the bundle from her arms to Dex’s.

“The drive back tired Jordan out. Tell Caitlin if she needs me to babysit tomorrow, I’ll be more than happy to. Goodbye, Mr. Madaris. I’ll let myself out.”

“Goodbye.” Dex’s palms began perspiring as he stared down at his child. Tightening his arms, he cradled her closer to him. His composure crumbled. His surroundings became nonexistent. He was aware of nothing except the sleeping child he held—his daughter, his own flesh and blood.

Seeing her for the first time had a devastating impact on him. Because of his preoccupation, he was not aware of another presence in the room.

“Dex?”

He looked up to find Caitlin standing on the bottom stair. Her nap seemed to have renewed her. Her hair fanned softly about her face and shoulders. Her eyes were minus the traces of puffiness beneath them. Her skin had a satin gloss and appeared to be as smooth as the skin of the child nestled in his arms. She was wearing a cream-colored velour robe and looked absolutely beautiful and seductively innocent.

“I heard the doorbell,” she said, coming toward him.

Dex expelled his breath slowly. “Ms. Logan said Jordan missed you.”

A smile touched Caitlin’s features. “That doesn’t surprise me. Jordan and I are seldom apart, except for when I’m working.” She reached out to take their child from his arms.

Dex stared down at Caitlin’s outstretched hands. He then looked up and met her gaze. “No,” he said in a deep husky voice that did little to hide the deep emotions he felt. “I want to hold her for a while.”

Turning, he went to the sofa and sat down. Tenderly, he cradled his daughter in his arms, holding her close.

Caitlin took a deep breath to ease the awful ache in her chest after witnessing this first-time meeting of father and daughter. She started back up the stairs, but stopped when she heard the sound of her name from Dex’s lips. She turned around. Dex was staring at her over Jordan’s head and was holding his free hand out to her.

A warm feeling touched Caitlin with Dex’s offer of a temporary truce. She walked over to the sofa and placed her hand in his. Gently pulling her down on the couch next to him, he drew her against him.

“She’s beautiful, Caitlin, and I want to thank you for her.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Dex.”

“Yes, I do. There were other options you could’ve taken. And I’m glad you didn’t choose any of them.”

Her gaze held his. “Jordan has been my joy, Dex. There was never a question that I wanted her.”

Dex’s expression remained neutral, although Caitlin could feel his body stiffen when he said, “But there was a question in your mind whether or not I did.”

Caitlin wished she could deny his accusation, but could not. She felt a tightening in her throat. Seeing Dex hold their daughter made her realize Jordan’s loss the past three years. Caitlin’s biggest regret was that Jordan was growing up without being a part of a loving, close-knit family. Some of Caitlin’s fondest childhood memories were those of her parents and how much they had loved each other, as well as how much they’d loved her.

She also knew that Dex had had a similar childhood, although he hadn’t been an only child. There were six Madaris siblings, three of each. When he’d taken her to his family home, it was obvious the Madaris family was a close one.

Caitlin glanced at Dex. To her surprise, he had drifted to sleep holding Jordan with one hand and her with the other. “It appears I wasn’t the only one tired,” she said softly. Her worries, tears and confusion were momentarily forgotten. Snuggling comfortably against Dex, she closed her eyes.

Dex didn’t know how long he’d slept, but when he awoke his gaze locked with miniature eyes that were a mirror image of his own, staring at him curiously.

He sensed numerous emotions flowing through his daughter’s small body. She looked as though she didn’t know what to make of this strange man holding her in his arms. Her gaze moved from him to Caitlin, whose head rested on his shoulder as she slept.

Dex began to panic when he saw the curiosity and confusion in his daughter’s eyes being replaced with sprouting tears. The last thing he wanted was to make her cry.

He nudged Caitlin and whispered, “She’s awake.”

Dex’s words stirred Caitlin from a sound sleep. A smile touched her lips as she straightened in her seat. “Hi, Jordan.”

“Mommy!” The little girl squealed in delight, eagerly scampering from Dex’s lap into her mother’s outstretched arms. Her chubby arms fastened themselves around Caitlin’s neck.

Caitlin laughed. “Whoa. Not so tight, baby. Don’t choke Mommy.” She was not at all surprised at Jordan’s lack of acceptance of the man she’d never seen before. Except for Caitlin’s father and the fathers of her playmates, Jordan wasn’t used to much male company.

Jordan loosened her hold on her mother slightly. Turning, she looked at Dex from beneath dark lashes. “What’s your name?” she asked him in a voice matching the suspicious glint in her gaze.

Dex held his breath, taking in the beautiful darkness of his daughter’s eyes, so like his own.

Jordan folded her arms over her chest and stuck out her lower lip when she mistook Dex’s silence as a refusal to answer her question. “I’m Jordan,” she lifted her chin and unceremoniously announced.

A smile tugged at the corners of Dex’s mouth. She was definitely a Madaris. The females in his family were notorious for pouting, which could usually be soothed by kind words or actions. “That’s a pretty name.”

Dex’s comment awarded him a softening of his daughter’s features.

Caitlin, who had been watching the exchange, decided to use this time to prove something to Dex. “Jordan?” She spoke softly to her daughter. “Who’s your daddy?”

Jordan turned her head and looked at her mother. The expression on her small face indicated she didn’t know what to make of her mother asking such a ridiculous question. Nevertheless, she answered anyway, in a clear voice. “My daddy is Dexter Jordan Madaris.”

Jordan then turned her full attention back to Dex. “My daddy’s named Jordan, too.”

A heartfelt emotion welled in Dex’s chest and threatened to burst. Caitlin hadn’t lied to him. Even when she had believed he had rejected his daughter, she had told their child about him. His daughter knew his name and seemed awfully proud she shared part of it. He couldn’t help the smile that stole over his lips, or the joy he felt inside.

“What’s your name?” Jordan asked Dex again.

Dex met Caitlin’s gaze over the head of their daughter, and she nodded briefly. The time had come for him to answer her question. “My name is Dexter Jordan Madaris.”

Jordan’s cherub face became confused. She looked at him then shook her head vigorously. “No. That’s my daddy’s name.”

Dex extended both arms out to her. “I’m your daddy, sweetheart.”

“No!” Jordan said, glaring at him defiantly. “My daddy’s in Azalea.”

Dex couldn’t hide the smile touching his lips with his daughter’s mispronounciation of Australia. Understanding the depth of what was taking place between them, he didn’t want to confuse Jordan, but he felt it was important that she knew who he was. And the sooner, the better. “I am your daddy, Jordan.”

Jordan turned to her mother for support. She was not ready to accept this stranger’s claim. “My daddy’s in Azalea, isn’t he, Mommy?”

Caitlin swallowed. She was prepared to say the words she often wondered if she would ever get the chance to say. Not knowing what Dex’s future plans were regarding their marriage, she wanted Jordan to know Dex was her father, but didn’t want to give the impression he would be a permanent fixture in their lives.

“He is your daddy, Jordan. And he’s come to see you.”

A small frown appeared on Jordan’s face. She turned back to Dex and sized him up once more.

Dex held his breath, hoping and praying that his child would accept him as her father. He could tell that her young mind was trying to absorb the words her mother had just told her. He watched as the expression in her eyes changed from confusion to comprehension and then acceptance. A smile spread over her features and she moved from her mother’s lap and into his outstretched arms.

Dex kissed his daughter lightly on the forehead, snuggling her closer to him, to his heart. His voice was choked when he spoke. “Your daddy loves you, Jordan.”

Caitlin shivered at the deep emotions Dex’s words of love to his daughter caused. It took every ounce of restraint she could muster not to let those emotions rip her in two. She was more than a little surprised when Dex suddenly released one of his arms from around Jordan to pull Caitlin closer to him. She accepted his embrace and rested her head on his shoulder.

Jordan lifted her head from her father’s chest. Looking into her mother’s misty eyes, she let out a happy chant. “Daddy’s home, Mommy! My daddy’s home from Azalea!”

Caitlin awoke the next morning as the sound of her daughter’s laughter filtered through her sleepy mind. Shifting her head on the pillow, she remembered how hard it had been for her to go to sleep, knowing Dex was sleeping in the guest bedroom across the hall.

Getting out of bed, she headed for the bathroom. As she began to dress after taking a shower and blow-drying her hair, she remembered Jordan’s excitement that her daddy was home. To celebrate, Caitlin had ordered Jordan’s favorite food, pizza.

It was a little past nine by the time Jordan had gotten bathed and in her pajamas. After her bath she’d grabbed her favorite doll and had gone looking for her daddy. She had found him sitting quietly on the sofa. Dashing across the room to him, as though it was the most natural thing, she crawled into his lap. Dex had wrapped his arms around his daughter and hugged her with fierce tenderness and open affection. The touching scene had nearly brought tears to Caitlin’s eyes.

She had found it difficult to tear her gaze away from them. Somehow she had forced her attention to things she needed to do like preparing the guest room for Dex.

It was only when she had come back into the living room that she noticed a confused expression on Jordan’s face.

“Jordan, what’s the matter?”

Jordan looked up at her mother. “Where’s Grampa?”

Jordan’s question made Caitlin go still as pain tore through her. She had wondered how long it would take for her daughter to notice her grandfather’s absence. The two of them had been very close. From the time she had brought Jordan home from the hospital, they had lived in this house with her father. Moving to Fort Worth six months ago had been hard on all three of them.

“Grampa’s gone away, honey,” she finally whispered to her daughter.

Jordan seemed to ponder Caitlin’s words. “To Azalea Mommy?”

A lump formed in Caitlin’s throat. She had been unable to reply. She was grateful to Dex for coming to her rescue by answering for her. “No, Jordan. Your grampa hasn’t gone to Australia. He’s in heaven.”

Jordan turned wide dark eyes on her father. “He’s up there with the angels?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” Dex replied, smiling tenderly, pulling his daughter closer to him. “He’s up there with the angels.”

A pleased smile spread over Jordan’s face. “They’ll give him some wings.”

It wasn’t long afterward that Jordan began getting sleepy. Together, Caitlin and Dex had taken her upstairs to tuck her in. They had listened as she said her prayers, saying a special prayer for her grampa in heaven, and thanking God for sending her daddy home to her and her mommy.

Listening to Jordan’s prayer had made Caitlin’s throat constrict. It had taken all the strength she could muster not to fall apart right then and there. After letting Dex know the guest room had been prepared for him, she had quickly said good-night and escaped to her own bedroom.

The sound of Jordan’s laughter brought Caitlin’s thoughts back to the present. Sighing, she glanced at her watch. The services for her father were tomorrow, and there were a number of things she needed to do before then.

Following the sound of cheerful loud voices, she wondered if the truce between her and Dex was still in effect. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the kitchen door and walked into the room.

Dex’s gaze met hers when she entered. He was standing near the kitchen table. The collar of his shirt was unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled up on his forearms. “Good morning, Caitlin.”

At the mention of her mother’s name, Jordan, who had been on her knees in a chair leaning over the kitchen table, squealed with glee when she saw her mother. “Mommy!”

Dex quickly helped his daughter down from the chair when it appeared she would jump. Running over to Caitlin, Jordan leaped into her mother’s outstretched arms. “Mommy! We’re making you breakfast!”

Caitlin smiled at her daughter. “Really? What’re you making?”

Jordan turned to her father. “What’s it called, Daddy?”

Dex’s laughter filled the room. “If we told her, sweetheart, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Oh,” she replied to her father. To her mother she said, “It’s a surprise, Mommy.” Then in the same breath she exclaimed, “I’m going to see the world today.”

Caitlin raised a brow. Her lips formed in a grin. “You’re what?”

There was deep amusement in Dex’s eyes when he glanced at Caitlin. “What she’s trying to say is that she is going to Sea World today. If that’s all right with you, that is. Ms. Logan called and invited Jordan to go with her and her granddaughter.”

“Yes, it’s all right with me.”

“She also told me to tell you that she’ll be happy to keep Jordan for you tomorrow.”

Caitlin nodded. She was grateful for Ms. Logan’s kindness. She put Jordan down. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

Jordan nodded her head. “Daddy said when you got up we would give you your surprise.”

“Oh, he did, did he?” Slowly being pulled in the excitement and conspiratory merriment surrounding father and daughter, Caitlin turned to Dex. “What’s this big surprise for breakfast?” She sniffed the air, bringing forth giggles from her daughter. “I don’t smell bacon or eggs or anything like breakfast.”

“Come see for yourself,” Dex invited. He couldn’t help noticing the style of Caitlin’s hair. It was arranged in a bevy of soft curls that dipped over her face and shoulders. He thought the stylish cut provided her with a totally different image than the one she had worn four years ago. This new style gave her a look of an even higher level of maturity and sophistication. Even dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a T-shirt, she looked nothing like the little slip of a woman that he had married.

Caitlin walked over to the table where Dex was putting the finishing touches on a concoction she didn’t recognize. She looked from father to daughter. “I give up.” She raised a brow. “What is it?”

Jordan laughed. “Tell Mommy what it is, Daddy.”

“It’s a Rice Krispies’ ice-cream float with berries, nuts, chocolate syrup and whipped cream,” Dex said, chuckling. “This one is for you. We ate ours already. They were delicious.”

“Would you like some more?”

Caitlin pushed herself away from the table. “I think I’m going to be sick,” she said, rubbing her stomach.

Dex grinned. “No one forced you to eat it, Caitlin.”

She moaned. “How could I not eat it? Jordan was so excited about helping you prepare breakfast, I didn’t have the heart not to eat all of it. It’s a good thing Ms. Logan came when she did, or Jordan would have wanted me to have seconds.” Caitlin smiled. “If I’ve gained weight from eating that thing, it’s all your fault. I feel fat.”

He smiled easily. “Relax. You’re not fat. You’re as beautiful as you were the day I first laid eyes on you.”

The lighthearted remark sent panic racing through Caitlin. Please don’t bring up the past. I couldn’t handle it if you did, her mind screamed. Not wanting to bring up their past, she took the initiative to change the subject. “You did say Clayton was coming today?”

Dex met Caitlin’s direct gaze. “Yes. He should be here sometime this morning.”

She regretted asking about Clayton the moment the question had left her lips. She knew why he was coming. Dex had summoned his attorney brother to do whatever was necessary to undo what her father had done. He wanted to make sure he was free of her as quickly as possible. However, there was the issue of Jordan. She wasn’t certain what Dex’s plans were regarding their daughter, but she was more than sure he wouldn’t be one of those fathers who would be satisfied with just seeing his child whenever the mood struck. He had been cheated out of three years already, and she had a gut feeling that was the limit. What she wasn’t sure of was just how far he would go to be a part of Jordan’s life. Would he try to get full custody of her? Not wanting to even think of that possibility, Caitlin decided to stay clear of any conversation concerning Clayton’s visit, too.

“How’s your brother Justin?”

Dex smiled. “Justin couldn’t be better. He’s married with two kids and lives in Ennis, Texas. His wife, Lorren, is the author of the Kente Kids books.”

“Really? Jordan has all of those books, and the Kente Kids Show is her favorite Saturday-morning cartoon.”

Dex nodded. He then brought her up-to-date on his other family members. Caitlin couldn’t help noticing that Dex’s love for his family ran deep. It showed in his discussion of them.

“I understand you’re no longer living here in San Antonio, Caitlin.”

She leaned back in her chair. “I moved away six months ago. I was offered a teaching job in Fort Worth.”

“I’m surprised your father didn’t try and convince you not to go.”

She inhaled deeply, hearing the sarcasm in his voice, but deciding to ignore it. “He actually encouraged me to take the job. I should’ve known then that something was wrong. He was dying and he didn’t want me or Jordan around to watch. According to Dr. Flores, it was too late for chemotherapy. Unfortunately the disease hadn’t been diagnosed early enough. By the time Dad began experiencing symptoms, the cancer had already spread to other parts of his body. He and I talked on the phone often and not once did he tell me about his condition. I can only imagine what it cost him to pretend nothing was wrong so I wouldn’t find out.”

“When did you find out?”

“A few days ago. Dr. Flores called and told me. By that time Dad had been in the hospital a week already. He had ordered them not to contact me until it became absolutely necessary.”

Caitlin signed heavily. “He was a wonderful father and I loved him dearly. What you told him at the hospital was true, Dex. It was my decision to remain here in the States with him and not join you in Australia. I couldn’t turn my back on him.”

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