Texas Rich

by Fern Michaels

  “Grand!” Sawyer protested, embarrassed by her grandmother’s admonition in front of Riley.

  Riley laughed and put his arm about his mother, escorting her to the family table. “I think half of Texas is here,” he said. “Pap does know how to throw a shindig.”

  “That he does. You should have seen the one he threw in Hawaii. It would have curled your hair.”

  Riley grinned. “Mam, I’ve heard that story so many times I could give it to you verbatim.”

  Billie found herself grimacing. “I think you should start playing the guest of honor and begin to circulate. Mother is here and we can talk for a bit. It’s your party, Riley. Enjoy it.”

  Riley kissed her on the cheek and disappeared into the crowd as Billie took a seat next to Agnes.

  “You outdid yourself, Mother,” she said tartly.

  “Do you think so? I’ve had so many compliments and Seth is more than pleased. Moss said it’s the most colorful affair the club has had in a long time. Riley is delighted.”

  “You can feel proud, Mother. This party will be a smash. Riley will have something to remember.”

  And then she saw him, on the other side of the room. How could she not have known he was here? How could she not have felt his presence? No one had told her. She should have been warned. Of course he would come for something so important. He’d always been fond of Riley.

  Agnes’s eyes narrowed as she watched her daughter, and she tried to focus on the person Billie was staring at across the room. Something was going on—she could feel the tremor that was building in her daughter. “Billie, are you all right? What’s the matter? What’s wrong?”

  Without taking her eyes from the far end of the room, Billie answered her mother. “On the contrary, Mother, everything is fine. Wonderful, as a matter of fact. Excuse me, Mother. I see someone I know.”

  Thad Kingsley, dressed in impeccable navy blues, was searching the crowded room for some sign of Billie when he saw her coming toward him. Her eyes were as bright as stars and her smile was warm and welcoming. Billie. His Billie.

  “Thad! How wonderful of you to come. No one told me. I’m so glad to see you.”

  Thad could feel the trembling in her body when he bent down to kiss her cheek. His hands were gentle on her shoulders and he was stunned when he felt the trembling subside beneath his touch.

  “Billie, you’re the loveliest woman here. Do you realize I haven’t seen you for almost ten years? I should have written I was coming, but I wasn’t sure I could make it. I didn’t want to disappoint you. Besides, I love surprises. Do you?”

  “You know I do. Have you spoken to Riley and Moss?”

  “I’ve spoken to everyone in this damn room. I think the only person I missed is Agnes. Sawyer gave me a hug and called me Uncle Thad. I liked that. Is Maggie here?”

  Why were they talking about family? Surely he had other things to say. “We’ll clear the decks and then I can have you all to myself,” Billie said boldly as she led him over to the family table, where Agnes was sitting with one of her numerous club friends.

  “Mother, you remember Thad.”

  “Mrs. Ames, how nice to see you again,” Thad said, holding out his hand. “It’s been a long time.”

  Agnes froze in her chair. She wanted to tell Billie to wipe that silly smile off her face. When in the name of God had she last smiled like that? When had her eyes been this bright? Somebody should be handling this. She couldn’t do everything.

  “Admiral, how nice to see you. Yes, it has been a long time. Moss didn’t tell me you were coming.”

  “Don’t blame Moss, Mrs. Ames. I let it hang in the air. I wasn’t certain I could make it, but I did.”

  “So I see,” Agnes said tartly. “Moss is over there.” She pointed to a knot of club members.

  “I’ve already spoken to Moss and Seth. Riley and Sawyer, too. Now I’m going to steal Billie away for a while and take her for a walk. All these civilians make me nervous.”

  “I’ll see you later, Mother,” Billie trilled as she tightened her grip on Thad’s arm.

  Agnes watched them leave, then moved jerkily across the room to Moss and whispered in his ear. She was rewarded with a dark look as he excused himself from the cluster of people with whom he’d been talking.

  “Why are you so upset, Agnes?”

  “Don’t you realize how this looks? Moss, I’ve never pried, but the fact that you and Billie aren’t exactly lovebirds is no secret. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if she wasn’t trying to give you a dose of your own medicine, if you know what I mean.” She glanced meaningfully at Alice Forbes. “I told you it was a mistake to invite that woman.”

  “Agnes, I could hardly not invite her; she is a member of the club and everyone else was asked to come.” Moss sighed. “Where did they go?” he asked.

  “Outside, I believe.”

  Moss weaved his way through the throng of guests to the verandah. There was no sign of Billie or a navy uniform.

  “So this is where you are. Too many people inside for you, darling?” Alice Forbes asked playfully as she came up behind him. “My, my, aren’t we glowering this evening? Looking for the little woman? I saw her going down toward the tennis courts with a tall, handsome admiral. . . . Darling, are you upset? I can’t believe it! How long did you think the little lady was going to sit and wait for you to play husband?” She linked her arm through his and smiled up at him seductively. “Now come back inside and enjoy your son’s party.”

  Moss looked at her as if he’d never seen her before, then slowly took his arm away. “You go in. I’ll be in in a minute.” Alice bit down hard on her lower lip. Surely he didn’t still love that little snippet? No, Moss didn’t love anyone but his father, his son, and himself. Immediately she felt better. She and Moss were two of a kind—in fact, the only difference between them was biological.

  Moss sat down on one of the verandah chairs and lit a cigar. Thad Kingsley and Billie! His mind raced back over the years. . . . Why in the goddamn hell hadn’t he seen it? All those letters, all those visits, all those phone calls. His gut churned and the smoke from the Havana made his eyes water.

  Something—an instinct, perhaps—told him nothing had gone awry. Thad was too honorable; Billie was too honest. She would never betray her husband, certainly not with his best friend. They were old friends enjoying each other’s company, nothing more.

  He stubbed out the cigar in a tall urn and went back indoors. This was Riley’s party and no one was going to spoil it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  The moon was full and shining brightly as Thad and Billie strolled arm in arm. Thad was intensely aware of her; her presence filled his senses. She was a heartbeat away, just beside him, beneath his touch. He felt like he was home again.

  “It’s so good to be with you again, Thad,” Billie said, breaking the silence. “I was so sorry to hear about your divorce. I didn’t quite know what to do, so I did nothing.”

  Thad flinched. “It’s over now and we’re each making new lives for ourselves. So many times I wanted to come here, to see you, to touch you, but I couldn’t. I’ve missed you, Billie. Do you realize how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other?” Thad groped for the words. “I tried to make a new life for myself with Kate, but it didn’t work. It wasn’t her fault. She’s the one who told me I was a one-woman man and she’s right. Do you know how long it’s been?” he asked intently.

  “Almost to the hour,” she whispered, not daring to test her voice.

  He laughed, a self-mocking, scornful sound. “We’re so good, we two. We haven’t seen each other for ten years, yet it seems like yesterday. Nothing’s changed for me. I took your advice and it didn’t work. So, here I am. Can we pick up where we left off?”

  “We can work at it, Thad. We have been good people, and for too long. I was writing to you when it was time to leave for the party to tell you I’d come to a decision: I’m going to tell Moss I want a divorce. I can take care of Sawyer and
myself. My business is coming along fine; we don’t need the Colemans for anything.”

  Thad’s heart leaped in his chest. Divorce. After all this time. “Are you certain, Billie? It’s what you want?”

  “It’s what I want. The way things stand now in my life I’m just going through the motions. It’s for me, Thad. What I want for me.” She saw the love and relief in his face. He still loved her, wanted her, but he didn’t want her to suffer the pain of a divorce merely on his account. If Billie reached out for what she wanted herself, she’d find him waiting.

  “I really shouldn’t be telling you this, since I haven’t mentioned anything to Moss. With Riley’s birthday and going back to college, it didn’t seem right to spoil things. But I think it’s time I started thinking of myself and what I want.”

  “Good for you, Billie. If I can help, if there’s anything I can . . .”

  “You’ll be the first I call on.” Billie laughed. “Wish me luck, won’t you?” She reached out to touch his lapel, and his hand covered hers in a warm clasp. This was exactly the way it should be, she thought. He was there and he loved her, and he didn’t need words to tell her. But she knew, without doubt, that when the time came to hear it, to know it, to have it said, he would speak his heart.

  Thad’s eyes misted. He was thankful for the darkness. “I want what’s best for you, Billie. What makes you happy. Be sure in your heart, Billie. Be sure it’s what you want.”

  Billie’s eyes lifted, meeting his. There was a world of tenderness there, bridging the distance between them, waiting to be called upon, needing to be given freely and without reproach. “You’re always kind to me, Thad. It’s time for me to do this. And once I do, I’ll be free and open to all life has to offer.” She drew her eyes away from his, careful not to say too much, to promise too much. But there was joy in her heart and she could feel it emanating from Thad.

  “Now that I’ve unburdened myself I think it’s time to get back to the party before we’re missed. Thad . . . I’m so happy you’re here. I feel whole again.”

  “I love being here,” he murmured in return. It was the closest they dared speak of love.

  Four pairs of eyes were glued to the doorway as Thad and Billie walked back into the room. Seth glowered at them, angry and suspicious. Moss looked almost benign; his smile welcomed them, his best friend and wife, loyal to him and to all the Colemans. Agnes was worried. Did everyone see what she was seeing? Riley saw his mother enter the room with the man he called Uncle Thad. There was kindness and acceptance in Riley’s smile. Mam deserved to be happy, and if Uncle Thad was the guy who could do it, more power to the both of them. “Go for it, Mam,” he muttered. When they smiled at him from across the room, he gestured for them to join him. He felt no disloyalty to his father, only admiration for Billie. Moss had it all. Why shouldn’t Mam have what she wanted?

  They had just joined him when Riley noticed that Sawyer was staring at the front entrance. Maggie had arrived.

  She looked wonderful; her sleek black silk suit was perfectly tailored to her neat shapely figure, her dark hair was stylishly pouffed à la Jacqueline Kennedy, and she even sported the tiniest of evening hats—barely more than a circlet of fabric to match her suit. Her eyes found him, centering on him as she drifted across the room. Beside him, Sawyer fidgeted expectantly. Please, Maggie, Riley implored silently, just smile at Sawyer; even a smile will make her day.

  “Happy birthday, Riley.” She kissed his cheek. “You’re finally getting out from under the Colemans. Good for you! This is a night I wouldn’t have missed for the world.” Then, turning, she looked at Sawyer. “You’re taller,” she said.

  Unable to hide her joy that Maggie had noticed she’d grown, Sawyer pressed further. “Do you like my dress, Maggie? It’s special for Riley’s birthday.”

  Maggie’s eyes flicked quickly over Sawyer’s first long dress. “You don’t even have to tell me who picked it out for you,” she said, glancing at Billie. “It shows in each little ribbon and bow. When I get back to New York, I’ll send you something really nice.” Smoothly, with barely a breath between statements, she turned to Thad. “Is that a new stripe I see on your sleeve? Congratulations,” she said brightly, offering him her cheek for his kiss.

  Billie’s joy at seeing Maggie again was spoiled by the sudden expression of hurt on Sawyer’s face; she put her arm around the child’s shoulder. “Hello, Maggie,” she said quietly.

  “Mother,” Maggie greeted, almost as an afterthought, leaning to kiss the air near Billie’s cheek. It wasn’t until Moss turned and saw her that Maggie’s eyes came to life. It was always like this, Billie thought. Maggie standing as though poised for flight, cheeks flushed, eyes hopeful, waiting for Moss’s attention. She watched as Moss merely nodded and then turned back to his conversation. There it was—the sudden deadening of the eyes, the tiny bitter line around the mouth that so many mistook for sullenness. Now, Billie knew from experience, Maggie would snap at the first person who dared speak to her. Unfortunately, Agnes put herself on the firing line.

  “Maggie! I wondered if you’d make it! It was getting so late.”

  “I told you I’d be here,” Maggie snapped. “Not getting senile in your old age, are you, Grandmother?”

  Agnes deflated like a punctured balloon. But she was at least partly responsible for some of Maggie’s genes and quickly retorted, “I see you’re still an admirer of Jackie Kennedy. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But really, Maggie, for someone who professes such sophistication, can’t you develop a style of your own? Lucky for us that it wasn’t Bess Truman you’d met at the White House!”

  “Very good, Grandmother.” Maggie barely smiled. “Now let’s see, who was first lady when you were my age? Dolly Madison, wasn’t it?”

  “That’s enough, Maggie,” Billie interrupted. “I think you look lovely. You always do. When next I come to New York, will you take me shopping?”

  “Sure. Next time. Riley, why don’t you go get me a drink? Scotch,” she said pointedly, aware that all the others were drinking wine. “Make it a double, won’t you?” When she noticed Billie’s disapproval, she attacked. “You’ll never guess who I ran into as I came in the door. Alice Forbes. I had no idea she was down from New York, did you, Mother?”

  Thad broke in before Billie could answer. “That’s a terrific band Agnes hired and I haven’t danced in years. What do you say, Billie? Are your feet insured?”

  Billie glanced at Sawyer, unwilling to leave her, but the child was already looking around for her friends. As though Sawyer were on the same wavelength, she said, “You go and dance with Uncle Thad, Grand. I see Arlene waving to me. Can I go?”

  “I’ve got a better idea,” Maggie trilled. “You stay here with Grand and I’ll dance with Uncle Thad.”

  “It will be my pleasure, Maggie,” Thad said uncertainly.

  Maggie’s eyes gleamed, challenging Billie. See, Maggie seemed to be saying, anyone can take your men away from you. Alice Forbes, your own daughter, anyone!

  The party was in full swing when Riley looked around in awe at the turnout of people for his birthday. He would have preferred a simple family dinner with everyone in attendance. But that was being foolish; Pap would never allow his only son’s twenty-first birthday to pass unnoticed. All this—the people, the food, the free-flowing drinks, a full orchestra—was an indication that society considered him a man today. Well, he wasn’t certain he was comfortable with the role; he liked being a son, grandson, and brother.

  Where was Maggie? He’d seen her a moment ago. Summer-blue eyes so like his father’s scanned the room and he saw his sister at the bar. He began to weave his way to her side, stopping just long enough to smile, shake hands, thank people for coming. He was nearly there when Moss appeared from a knot of people and tried to draw him into the little crowd.

  “In a minute, Pap. I just spotted Maggie and I don’t want to lose her.”

  “C’mon, boy, this bash is for you. You can alway
s find Maggie later if she doesn’t get skunked and take off. And if she does, it’s no loss.”

  Riley met his father’s burning gaze, knowing he would embarrass Moss if he didn’t obey. Moss’s friends were standing and waiting to see what the “chip off the old block” would do. But before the guest of honor could make a move one way or the other, Maggie was in his arms. “Congratulations, brother! Twenty-one . . . it’s a landmark.”

  Relieved, Riley returned her embrace, murmuring, “Thanks, sis. Things were about to get sticky.”

  “Yeah,” Maggie said softly. Poor Riley. She’d seen Moss deliberately put Riley in the position of having to choose up sides. It wasn’t fair. She looked over her shoulder and saw her father glowering at her. Well, he wasn’t talking to anyone now, and sooner or later he was going to have to acknowledge her.

  “Pap, it’s nice to see you,” she said, and reached out to touch his arm.

  Deftly, he reached up to straighten a tie that didn’t need straightening. “Glad you could come,” he said indifferently.

  You bastard, Maggie thought angrily. She turned back to her brother. “I’ll see you later, Riley. I want to talk to Mam and Uncle Thad. Doesn’t Uncle Thad look terrific? He always looks terrific.”

  Riley gave Maggie a bone-crushing hug and another kiss. “I’ll catch up with you later. Don’t you dare leave until this is all over. I want your promise, Maggie.”

  “You have it,” she said with false gaiety. “Enjoy yourself. This is your party.” She waved once and was gone.

  Riley was aware that Moss had hurt Maggie deeply. His eyes locked with his father’s, and Moss could sense the disapproval. For a brief moment he was ashamed of himself. Then the liquor in his bloodsteam took over and with a wide smile he proudly displayed his son to his circle of friends.

  Billie Ames Coleman filed for divorce on the first day of October, twenty-four years after marrying Moss. She joined Seth and Agnes at dinner to inform them of her action. Moss was out of town on business, but Billie decided to make the announcement anyway. Seth picked up his cane and swiped at the flower arrangement in the center of the table, scattering bits of crystal, flower petals, and emerald leaves. “Over my dead body!” he bellowed.