Texas Heir. Linda Warren

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      “I’ll get these to Mr. Ortell.”

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

      Nor was she ever likely to now.

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

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

      After George left, her mother called.

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

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

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

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

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

      “Good. That would make him happy.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      “Be sure and let Cari know.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      “You can stop worrying.”

      Richard walked around the desk and patted Reed’s shoulder. At six feet, Reed stood a little taller