Texas Pride. Gerry Bartlett

things Daddy did to take advantage of people who didn’t understand what in the hell they were giving away when they signed his bogus contracts.”

      “There have been a lot of problems lately in other parts of the country with pipelines crossing Tribal lands. None in Texas that I know of. You sure we even found oil there?” Shannon looked longingly at the bar. A drink would relax this coil of tension that was beginning to knot at the base of her neck. No wonder Ethan couldn’t sleep. No, she’d made it this far tonight without drinking. It would be stupid to cave into a craving now. She’d show Billy Pagan she could resist the call. But Ethan. She worried about her brother as he polished off his drink and headed back to the bar.

      “We found it all right. Nine wells are still pumping. Good, producing wells. But there’s something strange about the numbers. Like maybe he put in more wells than they know about or is doing slant drilling.” Ethan picked up the decanter. “You know this is new to me, Shan. I’m still learning the lingo. All I see are figures that don’t add up. Wouldn’t surprise me if Daddy didn’t pull a fast one. I did enough research to know that these Indians are very particular about the environment. I’m scared the extra wells Daddy authorized go against Tribal policy. We’re sending them royalties, but it’s not nearly enough as far as I can see. I’m surprised they haven’t snapped to it before now.” He started to refill his glass but Shannon slapped her hand over it.

      “I hope you’re wrong. But it’s not our fault.” She couldn’t believe she was the one sliding the bourbon out of her brother’s reach. “We can’t clean up Daddy’s mess overnight, you know.” She hooked an arm through his. “Come on, bro. I’m tired and I’m sure you are too.”

      “Tired.” He yawned and leaned against her. “Yeah. Staring at a computer screen all day when it’s not gaming is harder than I thought it would be.”

      Shannon laid her head on his shoulder. “You’re doing great. I’m proud of you. Mason can help you if you need him. Or let Billy take a look at what you’ve found. He’s a genius at problem solving.”

      “He’d better be.” Ethan let her take his empty glass and set it on the bar. “Thanks for listening, sis. It’s just that what we owe keeps getting bigger and there seems to be no end in sight. Talk to Cassidy. She actually gave out her email address in the letters she’s sent so far. Now she’s getting hate mail from those people.” He pushed away from her and looked her in the eyes. In the dim glow of the outside security light, she could barely make out his face.

      “More threats?” She’d hoped they were done with that.

      “Not how you mean. More like the kind that could cost us money. People are bitter. Wouldn’t you be if you’d been cheated like they were? Some of them were left to live in poverty while here we are in a fucking mansion, enjoying money they see as rightfully theirs.” His shoulders slumped. “No, we didn’t do it, Daddy did. But I still feel guilty as hell.”

      “Stop it. We didn’t know about any of this.” Shannon grabbed him and shook him.

      “Doesn’t matter.” He wobbled and held her hands. “Face it, Shan. We’re on the Titanic here. If Billy is willing to marry you, grab him. I know he’s loaded from the high-profile cases he’s won. He may be your life jacket.”

      “Oh, please. Like I’d do that to him. Or give up on Calhoun Petroleum so easily.” She steered her brother, who was more than a little drunk, to the elevator. “This is the booze talking. You need to hang in there. Remember, we’ve got Cassidy and Megan to help with this. Just do your research and let’s see where we can go once we have all the facts.” She punched the button to open the elevator then got them both inside. Ethan fell against the back wall.

      “You don’t sound like yourself. All serious and logical. What’s happened to you?” He stared at her and blinked. “You’re sober. And you’ve been with Billy Pagan. Hmm. Guess you got laid.” He wagged a finger in her face. “No wonder I’m depressed. Maybe I need a woman.”

      “There you go. This weekend go out with your buddies and meet someone. Hook up and ease some of this tension.” Shannon grabbed his arm when the doors opened on the second floor and helped him to his room.

      “Ah, the wisdom of old age.” He dodged her pop on his arm, then kissed her cheek before he staggered into his room. “Thanks, Shan.”

      After he fell on his bed, she took pity, pulling off his shoes then throwing a cover over him before closing his door. She still felt a little wired after the night she’d had, but seven came early and she needed sleep. By the time she climbed into her own bed, she’d figured out one thing—she might resent Billy for his high-handed tactics, but he was there when she needed him, there for her family too. She didn’t doubt she could drop some of these problems, including the one with the Indians, into his lap and he’d help her deal with them.

      She fell asleep wishing he were with her, his body warm against hers. Of course, then she wouldn’t be sleeping, would she?

      The mental hospital where Shannon’s mother was staying by court order had strict rules, but her mother had managed to order a birthday present for Shannon—a beautiful red dress for the Ballet Ball. Shannon left her a thank you message and found out her mother was only allowed visitors once a month. It would be strictly supervised and there was a list of rules online. The next opportunity was weeks away.

      It was a stark reminder that this was no fancy rich person’s facility but a mental hospital, her mother’s punishment for trying to kill Cassidy. Cass had agreed to drop charges as a favor to her new brother and sisters, but the judge had overruled the arrangement with the DA and insisted on a harsher punishment, years in the facility. Even the family had to admit it was more than fair.

      Shannon had just settled at her desk in the office with a list of more people to call when a delivery arrived. The woman set a beautiful cut crystal vase on the corner of her desk. “Shannon Calhoun?”

      “Yes.” Shannon admired the cymbidium orchids and exquisite arrangement of lavender and pink calla lilies. There were other exotic flowers as well, dazzling her.

      “Happy birthday.” The woman handed her a card, smiled, then hurried away toward the elevators.

      Shannon opened the small envelope and stared down at the printed signature inside the birthday card. Dinner tonight? Yours always, Billy.” He hadn’t signed his name because he knew she wouldn’t be able to read it. She reached for the phone. His cell went straight to voice mail. Did that mean he was already in court? She called his office.

      “He’s in a meeting in his office, Shannon. There’s yelling so I shouldn’t disturb him.” Mai sighed. “I guess you know what happened to Albert’s motorcycle.”

      “Yes, I was there. Billy defended it, but he was outnumbered.” Shannon leaned over to smell the arrangement. It was like inhaling an island breeze.

      “Albert is furious. But he’ll get over it.”

      “Would you tell Billy I got his flowers? They’re absolutely gorgeous. I’ve never seen an arrangement like this before. Tell him yes, I can’t wait to see him tonight. I don’t know how he knew it was my birthday today.”

      “So he didn’t send you roses? He did something different?” Mai sounded surprised. “I got red roses from Albert. Not that I’m complaining, but he could use some imagination.”

      “I’ll text you a picture of these flowers. I can’t believe them. Oh, here comes my boss. I’ve got to go. Give me your cell number.” Shannon wrote it down, hung up, then took a quick picture and sent the text to Mai’s phone.

      “What’s this? Special occasion?” Caroline Wilson leaned over to smell the arrangement. “You really rate with someone.”

      “Guess so.” Shannon grinned. “It’s my birthday. Turning thirty.”

      “I remember that birthday. It’s a tough one. This would take some pain out of it for me.” Caroline nodded. “Your sister called