by Kit Morgan
They reached the top, were led to their table and got themselves settled. “I don’t believe the two of us have come here before,” Bill commented casually.
“No, we haven’t. But I’ve been here before with Dad. And Mom.”
Bill smiled. “You miss her, don’t you?”
Wendy closed her eyes and stiffened. Occasionally, Bill wasn’t so bad. But she’d die if she had to be his wife. “Yes, I do.” She looked at him, waiting for him to say something more.
Instead he picked up a menu and began to peruse it. “I feel like seafood tonight. How about you?”
Wendy pondered whether or not to hide behind her menu and let him have it. But that would be cowardly, and she was trying to get past that. Hmmm, should she tell him before dinner or after? She was hungry … but it felt dishonest to do that and stick him with the tab, and Bill was the type to feel emasculated if she paid. She sighed as she watched several people file out of the elevator. She could always swing by Whataburger on the way home – best get this over with. “Bill, I was thinking…”
“About the seafood? Excellent choice.”
She took a deep breath. “Bill, I can’t marry you.”
He calmly looked at her. “I’m afraid that’s not on the menu.”
She frowned – he wasn’t going to make this easy. “It is tonight. I don’t love you, and it’s not fair to saddle you with a marriage that can only end in disaster.”
“You seem to be under the impression that we have to be in love to get married.” He peered at her over his menu. “You’re mistaken.” He went back to reading.
Wendy swallowed hard. She hadn’t anticipated this – a tantrum, maybe, but a calm refusal? She needed to step back and think of a new approach. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to use the ladies room.” She tried to keep the quaver out of her voice.
He looked at her and smiled. “Go right ahead. But don’t think to run. That would not be wise. We’re here tonight to discuss our future, and you’re going to listen to what I have to say.”
She scooted her chair back. “And have you heard a word I said?”
“Certainly. I just choose to ignore it.”
She grabbed her purse, stood and left the table. “That man!” she grumbled as she stormed into the restroom and began to pace. She should just leave – screw his threats. She didn’t have to marry him if she didn’t want to. He couldn’t force her. But he might make her life miserable. Though not as miserable as she would be if she married him and his bloated ego …
She paced a few more times before she reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She needed reinforcements.
“Hello?” Jack answered.
“Hi,” she said despondently, slumping against the wall.
“Wendy? Are you all right?”
“The evening’s not going the way I’d hoped. I’m getting ready to leave.”
“Wait a minute – where are you?”
“At Singer Hill. It’s a fancy restaurant here in town … you know, I shouldn’t have called. I’m sorry …”
“Are you there with Bill?”
“Yes, and … and I’ve got a yellow streak down my back a mile wide. I told him I wouldn’t marry him, but he just refuses to listen, let alone take no for an answer. Not that he’s ever proposed! And I have no idea what to do now. Can you believe he said we don’t have to be in love to be married?”
After a stunned silence, Jack replied, “True, I suppose, but callous. I wouldn’t marry anyone who thought that way.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll be right there – stay where you are. Or if you do leave, call me and tell me where you’ve gone.”
“Jack, I don’t need you to come to my rescue. I just wanted to hear your voi–” She was interrupted by a loud, repeating buzzing. “What’s that?” She glanced around.
“Is that an alarm?”
“I don’t know. It’s not a bell – aren’t alarms supposed to be bells?”
“Wendy, it’s an alarm. Find out what’s going on, then get out of there. It might be a fire.”
“Oh dear, oh … this isn’t good. All right, talk to you later, bye.” She hung up and tossed the phone back in her purse. The alarm was loud and annoying, which she figured was the point. She left the restroom and saw the end of the hall was blocked with people. At the other end was a door – perhaps to the kitchen?
Then Wendy heard a woman scream.
* * *
“She’s where?” Charlie asked as they got in the car.
Jack was already getting the directions on his phone. “Some fancy restaurant called Singer Hill … it’s downtown, less than fifteen minutes from here.”
“And there were alarms going off?”
Jack pulled the car away from the curb. “Probably nothing to worry about, but I’ll feel a lot better when I see her.”
“Good thing we decided to spend our last night in Dallas instead of Fort Worth,” Charlie commented. “Well, nothing like a little excitement.”
Jack shook his head. “Let’s hope it’s not too much excitement. Apparently Mr. High and Mighty Bill Reeves wouldn’t take no for an answer. If he has his way, he’ll marry her and make her miserable the rest of her life. She’s just part of a business deal.”
“What? That’s … what a scum-sucking dog!”
“You said it.”
“What are you going to do?” Charlie asked.
“I wasn’t going to interfere because I figured she could handle it – or needed to handle it. But now it’s time to step in and save the damsel. That man and his giant ego are the last things she needs.” Jack downshifted and sped on.
They reached the restaurant to find fire trucks, flashing lights and people exiting the building. They parked, got out and waved down a fireman. “You’d best stay back, gentlemen.”
“Our friend is in there.” Jack pointed at the building. “Is everyone out?”
“I’m afraid not. The elevators are shut down, and the fire’s on the 36th floor. But don’t worry –we’ll get them out eventually by the stairs. Now please get back.”
Jack stared up at the skyscraper as he and Charlie stepped out of his way. More people were exiting the building. He saw orange flames shoot out of several windows near the top and his heart stopped. Wendy was in there, he knew it.
“Jack, get that look off your face,” Charlie urged. “We’ll find her, don’t worry. Let the firemen do their job.”
Jack took one look at him, back at the building, then sprinted toward it.
“Jack!” Charlie went after him.
They’d nearly reached it when Jack caught sight of Bill Reeves. “Oh thank God,” he gasped, then scanned the area around him for Wendy. She was nowhere to be seen.
But he did see Wendy’s father fast approaching, looking concerned. “Bill! Thank the Lord you’re safe!” he said, then glanced around in puzzlement. “Where’s my daughter?”
Bill glanced at the building. “Oh, she’ll be along.”
“What?!” Jack and Mr. Preston said at once. Wendy’s father elaborated: “‘Be along’? Where is she?”
Bill, looking annoyed, rolled his eyes. “She’s coming! She went to the ladies room right before the alarm went off. I’m sure she’s in the third or fourth batch of people being brought down.”
“You left my little girl up there by herself? You didn’t wait for her?!”
“Don’t you realize the elevators have shut down?” Jack added. “That means she’s stuck up there!” He didn’t add, you idiot, but it was clearly implied.
“What are you two so worried about?” Bill said. “These firemen are professionals. They’ll get everyone out.”
Just then a loud boom made them all jump. More flames, white ones, blew out the windows of the 36th floor.
Mr. Preston grabbed Bill’s jacket and got in his face. “You’re not worthy of her. How dare you save your own skin and leave my little girl up there!” He turned to Jack “And you … huh?”
Jack was
already running toward the building again.
Chapter Fourteen
Never run into a burning building. It was the most basic rule of safety and Jack was breaking it. “Hey you – stop!” a man shouted at him, but he ignored it and ran through the lobby toward the door marked “STAIRS.”
As he reached it, it opened and a fireman emerged with a dozen people trailing behind. Wendy was one of them. “Oh thank God!” Jack yelled as he pulled her into his arms. He looked at her. “Are you all right?”
“Other than I’m breathing like a winded horse and probably look like one?” She nodded. “Yeah. But boy, that’s a lot of stairs. At least we were coming down.” She coughed a few times, as did the people around her.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Jack asked again and glanced at the others.
“There was only smoke on the top few floors.” She put her hand to her forehead. “I don’t feel great but I think that’s the stairs more than the smoke.”
He hugged her again and, not caring who saw, kissed her. Wendy melted against him and kissed him back. When he broke it, he held her close. “For a second there, I was about to come unglued.”
“Understandable,” she said as others came out the stairwell door.
Jack wasn’t the only one that had gotten into the lobby. A few others had broken through, seeking loved ones. “Maybe we better get out of here.”
She looked at the door.” Wait, where’s Bill?”
“No need to worry about him,” Jack said. “He’s been outside for a while.”
“What? Oh yeah, I suppose he …”
“… was one of the first ones out? Of course he was. He thought it was no big deal to leave you behind.” He took her in his arms again. “Wendy, I know you don’t want someone else running your life, but please, please do not marry that man.”
“Oh, I won’t.” She rested her head against his chest, coughed once or twice then looked at him. “When are you heading home?”
“When I’m done taking care of business.” With his arm around her, he steered her toward the lobby doors.
After a few moments Jack and Wendy reached the others. “Darling!” her father cried. Jack released her and Mr. Preston pulled her into his arms with a sigh of relief. “Oh thank Heaven, you’re safe!” He stepped away from her and looked her up and down. “You’re all right? Nothing happened? The fire didn’t reach the top floor, I take it?”
“No, Dad, we just inhaled a little smoke coming down. It was a long hike, though – I’m beat.”
Bill stepped forward and looked her over. “Well, I see you’re no worse for wear. Good.”
Wendy took one look at him and scowled. “Bill, shut the heck up.”
Bill’s mouth dropped open. “Y-you can’t talk to me like that!”
“I just did. And I’ll do it again if you don’t zip it. You left me up there. Apparently I don’t mean enough to you to wait for me to come out of the restroom.”
Bill stuck his hands in his pockets and eyed her. “What for? You’re perfectly capable of doing it yourself. You didn’t need to come down with me.”
“And I suppose you were in the first group that went down?” Mr. Preston growled.
“What if I was?”
Mr. Preston was about to wedge himself between Bill and Wendy, but she held up her hand to stop him. “Don’t worry, Dad, I’ve got this.” She looked Bill up and down like she was inspecting a pile of steer manure. “You know, you’re right. I didn’t need you to come down with me. I don’t need you for anything. And I will not marry you!”
“Oh yes, you are! Your father and I have a deal!”
Mr. Preston tapped Wendy on the shoulder. “May I?” He walked around her – and punched Bill squarely in the face. Bill went down in a heap, clutching his bleeding nose, and Mr. Preston added, “And I look forward to spending the next few years driving Reeves & Sons into the ground – how do you like that deal, you dang fool?”
Jack looked at Wendy. “I think it’s safe to say that you won’t have to marry Bill.”
“I think you’re right,” she agreed.
“Darn right she won’t.” Her father stood, hands on hips, looking at Bill as if tempted to kick him a few times for good measure. “She’s not marrying that coward!” He joined them and offered Jack his hand. “Thank you, son, from the bottom of my heart. You showed me tonight what really matters.” He looked at Wendy and opened his arms.
She stepped into his embrace and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, Dad. I tried to tell Bill tonight that I wouldn’t marry him and he just ignored me.” She looked into her father’s eyes. “Would you have let him?”
“No, sweetheart. I know I’ve been a cad, but even I couldn’t swallow that. Rest assured, you won’t have to deal with the likes of Bill Reeves again. You want to marry for love, not to please me, and … and you should. I have a lot to make up to you.” He looked at Jack. “I know it’s been a long time, but I believe I owe you a big apology.”
Jack shook his hand again. “Apology accepted. Forgiveness given.”
Mr. Preston smiled ruefully. “Right now I feel forgiveness is more than I deserve, but I’ll take it. What a fool I’ve been – and what a waste of your life, Wendy. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Yes, Dad, I will,” she said, tears in her eyes.
Mr. Preston took her hand and placed it in Jack’s. “I’ve made a mess of things, I see that now. I hope you two will give yourselves another chance. I’m sorry I ever took it away from you.”
Jack took Wendy’s hand and drew her close. “I think I better take you home.”
“Yes, do that,” Mr. Preston said. “And while you’re at it, why don’t you two go out to dinner? You were man enough to run into a burning building to save her – that’s more than I can say for some.” He looked over his shoulder at Bill, who was still curled up in a fetal position and mewling, then began to walk away
Jack exchanged a quick look with Wendy and called, “Wait!”
Mr. Preston turned. “Yes?”
Jack smiled. “Won’t you join us for dinner?”
Mr. Preston beamed. “Well … don’t mind if I do.”
* * *
Three months later …
“And all that is yours too?” Wendy said in astonishment as she gazed at the endless expanse of pastures and forest.
“Yup,” Jack said. “We’ve been buying up land for the last twelve years as it became available. It helped build the ranch to what it is today.”
“How did you afford it?”
“Honey, we already owned a lot of land, but over half of it was in timber. We began logging parts of it, used the proceeds to buy more bulls, build up our beef herds and acquire extra land.”
“Have you told Dad?”
“What, that I’m almost as rich as he is? I think he knows now. He had my family painted as paupers years ago and didn’t pay attention to what was really happening until recently.”
“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not. I’m a better man for it. Besides, honey, it’s water under the bridge.”
“Am I a better woman?”
“You’ll be even better once you marry me.”
She gasped. “Jack, are you proposing?”
He got down on one knee. “Wendy Preston, you’d make me the happiest man alive if you’d consent to be my wife.”
“For richer or poorer,” she quoted. “But none of that matters – you know I’d marry you no matter what.”
Jack stood, pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and slow. When he broke the kiss, he looked into her eyes and smiled. “Your dad’s changing.”
“And so am I, thanks to you. Because he changed, it helped me a lot. I know who I am now. I really haven’t changed much, just started being myself. Being more independent, more … vocal?”
Jack laughed. “That’s a good way of saying it.”
“I was still in there, just locked in the closet. But I’m out now and I’m whole. Tha
nk you.”
“You keep telling me that, but I really didn’t have a lot to do with it,” he said.
“Yes, Jack, you did. You reminded me who I was. Thank you.”
He laughed again. “You already said that.”
“Well, I’m going to keep saying it. Because it’s true.”
“I love you, Wendy,” he said softly. “I’ve never stopped.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. I never stopped loving you either, not even when I was locked away. I won’t let that happen again.”
“Good,” he said with a grin. “Because I plan on marrying the real you.”
She laughed. “Then you’d better pucker up and kiss me.”
And he did.
The End
About the Author
Kit Morgan has written for fun all of her life. Whether she’s writing contemporary or historical romance, her whimsical stories are fun, inspirational, sweet and clean, and depict a strong sense of family and community. Raised by a homicide detective, one would think she’d write suspense, (and yes, she plans to get around to those eventually) but Kit likes fun and romantic westerns! Kit resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in a little log cabin on Clear Creek, after which her fictional town that appears in many of her books is named.
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