When he drew back, she looked guarded, and he feared he’d been too presumptuous with the kiss. Before she could ask, a knock came on the door.
It was Janelle with the wine and glasses on a tray.
Rafe invited her in, feeling honor bound to share her contribution with Gina.
“Janelle designed a logo for us,” he told Gina as the young woman set up the glasses and opened the bottle.
“I’m using it as credit for a college course I’m taking.” Janelle deftly pulled the cork, allowing the wine to breathe for a few minutes. Meanwhile, he brought up the logo on his laptop. His hostess had used the same basic elements as RCW but replaced the R for Rafe with a Y for Yeoh, creating the Yeoh-Cortez-Williams YCW Sweethouse brand. “Come take a look.”
Both Gina and Janelle joined him at the screen.
“That’s incredible,” Gina said, smiling at Janelle. “You are so talented.”
“Thanks. But I really can’t take all the credit. Rafe came up with the YCW idea, and Mrs. Yeoh suggested Sweethouse as a play on Steakhouse.”
“This is totally going to work,” Gina said with conviction.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Janelle replied. “And I can’t wait for us to get going on this!”
Rafe would have preferred to get going on the bottle of wine with Gina, but he knew better than to interrupt this level of enthusiasm.
* * *
Squaring her shoulders, Gina marched into her father’s Edmond Organization office, determined to force him to listen. Behind his big desk he was glaring at his computer screen, a deep scowl on his face.
“This is ridiculous!” he ground out before she could say a thing.
She was used to his outbursts, and it was usually best not to probe for details. “Dad, I have something important to—”
“Have you seen it?” he asked, voice elevated, eyes smoldering with rage.
“Seen what?”
He spun his screen. “Today, yesterday, the day before. That liar just won’t stop.”
Gina scanned over a list of social media posts that had thousands of reactions and responses. Billy was still out there ranting about Rusty’s dishonesty, about Ross’s disloyalty, about Asher not even being a real Edmond and all about how unfair his life was now and had always been. There were also posts that said the Edmonds owed him everything, and he was going to get revenge on them all.
She’d seen some of these rants before, but it was definitely getting worse. “Can the police not track him down?”
Rusty’s eyes were still ablaze. “You don’t think I’ve asked?”
“So they can’t.” She realized this was a bad time to propose her business idea. Her father wasn’t about to say yes to anything in this state.
Ross came into the office, focused on his cell phone screen, this thumb scrolling. “What about another private investigator?” He looked at Gina. “Did you read these?”
“Just now,” she answered. “I don’t understand how he can be that active and still stay hidden.”
“He’s smart enough to ping through a whole raft of countries. We should try a bigger firm,” Ross said to Rusty. “Maybe go international. He could be in Mexico or Canada, or may have even chartered a jet overseas. He’s probably got money hidden around the world.”
“Yes!” Rusty said to Ross. “Do it now. I want this over and done with.”
Gina wasn’t convinced that finding Billy would end anything. Sure, the rat could end up in jail, and they might even get some of the money back. But fissures in the family had been revealed through Billy’s crimes, and it was going to take them a very long time to recover from those.
And when they did, the family dynamics were going to be different. Rusty and Ross and Asher didn’t know it yet, but she intended to be an active participant in running the Edmond Organization. She had an equal ownership position with her two brothers, and she wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines and play nice anymore.
“I’ll set it up,” Ross said and turned to go.
Gina took the opportunity to follow him out the door into the executive reception area, out of the line of Rusty’s fire. “Can I talk to you?”
“Sure,” Ross said, tucking his phone away. “About the wedding?”
“No.”
He looked puzzled. “Oh. I thought you and Mom were working on that.”
“We are, and it’s coming together.”
“I hope so, since it’s a week from Saturday.”
“You did the tux fitting?” She followed him into his office.
“I did. I’ll be perfectly dressed to escort Mom down the aisle. I heard you picked a cake.”
“We did. The cake is going to be incredible.” She shut the door behind herself. “But that’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh?” He took a seat at a table for four and pushed a stack of reports out of the way.
Gina sat next to him and turned her chair to better face him. “Ross.”
He looked intently at her. “Gina.”
“You know I work here, right?”
“Well, you have an office right across the hall, an expense account and we pay you every month. So, yeah, I know you work here.”
“I want to really work here. And I have an idea...”
He looked a little wary. “Okay.”
“Don’t look like that.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“You haven’t even heard it yet.”
He gave a shrug, but his phone buzzed in his pocket, and he glanced down. His expression told her she was already losing his attention.
“Tell me your idea,” he said, reaching for the phone.
Her hand shot forward, stopping him from reaching into his pocket. “I want you to listen.”
He let his hand drop. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“Methane,” she said.
“What about it?”
“You know there are new technologies out there, right? Techniques to capture methane from the wells and generate energy.”
“I do know that.”
“Good. I’ve been looking at ways we can make use of the methane energy for our field operations.”
Ross blinked silently.
“I’ve written a report. It’s good. It’s solid. And I want your support when I take it to Dad.”
It took Ross a moment longer to speak. “You’re writing a report on the utilization of methane power conversion technologies for Edmond?”
“Exactly.”
“You have an engineering degree I don’t know about?”
“I can read, Ross. I talk to experts. I can understand complex systems.”
He furrowed his brow. “Exactly what does this have to do with marketing? You are still in the marketing department, right?”
“Don’t be condescending.”
He held up his palms in surrender as his phone buzzed again.
“Don’t touch that,” she warned.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“In two years, five years, ten years...it’s going to matter. Dad might not be thinking of it right now, but oil companies that are more environmentally friendly are going to have an advantage in the future with both shareholders and customers for starters. Plus, it’s the right thing to do, and ultimately, it will save us money.”
“It’s a miracle?” he asked with an edge of sarcasm.
“No. It’s good technology and smart business.”
His phone buzzed again.
“Gina,” he said, pointing to the phone. “It might be important.”
“This is important. All I want is your support. If I can’t make the case, I can’t make the case. But I need Dad and you and Asher to give it a fair look, a serious look. Just don’t blow me off this time.”
“We don’t—”
“Okay,” he finally said. “Okay. I promise I’ll give it a fair read.”
“And?” she prompted.
“And I’ll support you with Dad.”
She couldn’t help but smile in both relief and gratitude.
“Now can I answer my cell?”
“Yes. Thanks, Ross.” Her heart lifted with hope as she left his office.
Ten
Despite everything that had happened between them, Rafe felt awkward calling Gina for what was essentially a date. It was impossible to pin a description on their relationship, impossible to even call it a relationship, even though he would be her escort to her mother’s wedding.
He did have a good excuse for this particular invitation, and it was more of a double date really. Staring at his phone, he decided he was probably overthinking this. He pulled her number from his contact list and placed the call.
“Rafe?” She didn’t sound elated to hear from him. But she didn’t sound annoyed, either. She sounded more puzzled than anything.
“Hi,” he said, ridiculously happy to hear her voice.
“Hi. What’s going on?” The background sound said she was on the move.
“Where are you?”
“On my way into the Edmond building, why?”
Rafe glanced at his watch to confirm it was barely nine. “On a Sunday morning?”
“I’m working on something.”
“Yeah?” He was interested.
“Polishing up the methane proposal.”
“You got right on that.”
“I already had a bunch of the information indexed. And the industry contacts have been fantastic. They’re really excited about their recent tech progress.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Gina.”
“It’s going well.” She sounded satisfied.
The background sounds changed, and he knew she was inside.
“Can you take a little time off?” he asked.
“When? Why?”
“Tonight. Matias wants me to have dinner with him and Anastasia, and I thought—”
“Anastasia’s still in Royal?”
“Yes.”
“But her ticket to Boston was for Thursday.”
“She’s still here. I suggested you—”
“I didn’t change it.” Gina was clearly baffled.
“Maybe Anastasia changed it.”
“On the Edmond account?” she asked. “How would she do that?”
“Maybe she missed the flight. Maybe Matias bought her a new ticket.”
“But that would be—”
“Gina. The plane ticket is not the point.”
“And what is the point?”
“I suggested Anastasia might like to meet you, too.”
She didn’t respond.
“Tonight,” Rafe said. “With me. At dinner.”
There was another beat of silence. “I can’t believe she’s stayed this long.”
“That’s not an answer. Dinner?”
“Yes. Sure. Of course. I can wrap things up here whenever you like.”
Rafe liked her reaction—a lot. Like it was no big deal and a foregone conclusion that they could casually do a dinner together.
“Can I pick you up at seven?”
“I should change.”
“I meant from your house.”
“Oh.” There was a clear hesitation in her voice.
“Is that a problem?” Was she reluctant to have him show up at the Edmond home?
“No.” She quickly backtracked. “Not a problem. I’ll be ready.”
Rafe ordered himself to quit scrutinizing his relationship with Gina, to quit looking for pitfalls. They might not have talked about themselves as a couple, and so far, they’d kept their personal life a secret. But she’d agreed to come out with him tonight. Sure, curiosity about Anastasia had to be part of the draw. But she was coming out as his date.
He was slightly early pulling into the ridiculously expensive tiled roundabout at the Elegance Ranch. Without the crowds this time, the place was beyond imposing. Its multistory peaked roof rose to the sky, while marble pillars bracketed two oversize glass-adorned front doors. It boasted huge bay windows on either side of the wide porch, with balconies above on the second floor overlooking the sweeping majesty of the front lawn.
He left his SUV in front, expecting to be in and out quickly.
His ring of the bell was answered by a neatly suited middle-aged man, obviously a staff member.
“May I help you, sir?”
Rafe was glad to be well dressed himself in a favorite steel-gray suit with a pressed white shirt and a burgundy tie. People didn’t look down on him when he was dressed like this. “I’m here for Gina.”
The older man moved back and widened the doorway. “Please come in.”
“Thank you.” Rafe stepped onto the gleaming marble floor for a second time. It was hushed inside today. The decor was impeccable, the airy hall spotless, and the two wrought iron railed staircases were impressively glorious. The Edmonds sure knew how to build an entrance.
“Your name, sir?”
“Rafe Cortez-Williams.”
“I’ll let Ms. Edmond know you’ve arrived. Feel free to wait here, or in the library if you’d be more comfortable.”
“I’m fine here.”
As the man disappeared up the stairs, Ross appeared at the far side of the hall, coming around the corner from what Rafe knew was the great room. He had a heavy-bottomed highball glass in his hand, half full of something amber. Rafe guessed bourbon but possibly whiskey or a single-malt scotch.
“Hey, Rafe.” Ross walked forward. The curiosity in his eyes told him Gina hadn’t talked to her family about their date.
“Hi,” he answered.
Ross came to a halt. “You’re here to...”
“Auction follow-up,” Rafe said, in case Gina wanted to continue being completely circumspect. “We’re having dinner with one of the winning bidders.”
“You and Gina?”
“Yes.”
The man’s gaze narrowed for a second. He took a contemplative sip of his drink. “So, you gave up your Chamber of Commerce funding.”
“I did.”
“That’s a lot of money. Any particular reason?”
Rafe tried to figure out where Ross was going with this. “Valencia will make good use of it.”
“Simple as that?” Ross’s skepticism was clear.
“Simple as—” Before Rafe could finish speaking, Gina appeared on the staircase, and his breath was momentarily taken away.
Her dress was shimmering black, a halter top with a beaded V-neck that showed off her shoulders and dipped between her breasts. It was snug over her slim waist, while the skirt was full and flirty. But the part that practically left him gasping was the bright red satin lining visible under the asymmetrical hemline.
Her shoes were black, too, open-toed with a criss-cross around her ankle and red sole that flashed as she walked. Sexy didn’t begin to describe the outfit.
“Where exactly are you guys going?” Ross asked, taking another sip of his drink.
“The Bellamy,” Rafe answered, his gaze not leaving Gina.
She smiled as she stepped off the staircase, and his chest went tight in reaction.
“The restaurant, right?” Ross asked.
“Very funny,” Gina said, making a face at her brother. “We’re meeting Matias and his auction purchaser. She’s from Boston.”
“Trying to impress the big-city folk?” Ross asked, taking in her outfit.
“Exactly,” Gina answered. Then she linked her arm with Rafe’s. “Read
y?”
“Absolutely. Bye, Ross.” They turned for the door, and Rafe could feel the other man’s speculative gaze on him as they left.
“You look fantastic,” Rafe said as he opened the SUV door for her.
She had to grip the handle and step on the running board to get into the high vehicle. For a moment he wished he had a sports car instead. Gina would look incredible in a Porsche.
“You okay?” he asked as she got settled.
She looked confused. “Fine, why?”
“The seat’s a little high.”
She waved away his concern. “Don’t let the outfit throw you off. You know I’m a perfectly capable woman.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “I know that very well.”
* * *
Gina immediately liked Anastasia.
They’d been seated at a white-draped table with a pretty flower centerpiece near the atrium and with a view of the gardens. Ballerina-thin, Anastasia wore a dusty-rose dress with a beaded mesh bodice, spaghetti straps over her creamy shoulders and a full chiffon skirt that accentuated her shapely legs.
When they’d walked in, her movements were smoothly graceful.
“Do you dance?” Gina asked her after they’d ordered cocktails.
“Ballet when I was a girl.”
“I took a little ballet,” Gina said. “Switched to modern pretty early.”
“My parents were traditionalists. Classical ballet three times a week.”
“You must be good.”
She gave a little shrug. “It was more for them than me.”
“Ahhh, parents.”
“Yes.” Anastasia’s gaze wandered to Matias, who was talking with Rafe.
“You must like it here in Royal,” Gina ventured, probing for a little information.
“I know you were part of the plot to keep me here.”
“I...” She was embarrassed to be called out.
But Anastasia laughed. “Don’t worry. I don’t mind that Matias was a little crafty, and I admire that you and Rafe supported his brother.”
Gina didn’t know what to say to that.
“I’m an only child,” Anastasia explained. “I always wanted siblings. They would have been a friend, and would have taken some of the parental intensity off me. Do you have brothers or sisters?”
Bidding on a Texan Page 14
