by Francis Ray
Trent had tried to pay him. Randle had looked affronted and told him to just pass on the kindness if the opportunity ever presented itself.
In Dallas, Trent had found the job market slim. Needing money more than he did a fancy car, he had contacted Randle to see if he knew someplace reliable to sell the automobile. Randle had told him to come see him.
Randle hadn’t been at home when Trent arrived, but his wife, Helen, had. After feeding him his first home-cooked meal in years, she had asked if he knew anything about bookkeeping. He should, he said—he had majored in finance in college.
Before he knew it Trent was living in the former bedroom of their oldest son and working as a sales rep, accountant, manager, and whatever else was needed for H&H Trucking Company. By the end of six months their profit margin had quadrupled.
On their first Christmas together they handed him a large box. He had hardly been able to contain his emotions when he saw the toy truck with Masters Trucking on the side.
They said Masters sounded better than H&H. Besides, Randle had a greedy brother who would try to hit him up if he knew the company was turning a profit. Their children were all grown and had no interest in the trucking business. So, how about it? With the lump in his throat all Trent had been able to do was nod.
Trent had worked harder than ever. They had gone from one eighteen wheeler to two, and eventually to fifteen by the time the Hodges dissolved their partnership three years later.
Randle and Helen said they wanted to enjoy their money, and let Trent buy them out. He had hated to see them go, but wished them well. He had enjoyed talking over decisions with Randle, but as Randle had pointed out with a gap-toothed smile, all he ever did was listen, anyway.
That was ten years ago. Randle and Helen lived near Big Sur in a huge house that easily accommodated their six children and twenty-three grandchildren when they came to visit. They were a noisy, rowdy group when they got together. Trent was looking forward to spending Christmas with them, as he had every year since they first met.
As usual, Helen would ask if he had met a nice woman. Usually he had an answer—not this time. Picking up the pen, he went back to working on the report. It remained to be seen if Dominique was nice or not. The only thing he was sure of was that she played hell with his concentration.
* * *
Dominique was waiting at the bottom of the spiral staircase for Daniel and Madelyn when they stepped into the spacious foyer of their home. As usual she was struck by what a magnificent couple they made. Daniel, handsome as sin, in a charcoal gray, tailored suit that fit his muscular build flawlessly; Madelyn, her skin glowing and classically beautiful in a stylish, lavender maternity dress with a white collar.
Hand in hand, they smiled at each other with an expression that could only be characterized as pure bliss. Dominique’s fingers closed on nothing. Her camera was in her bedroom. She sighed over the loss.
One thing was certain. Higgins had been right about that, at least. They did make her feel as if she were intruding on something uniquely private and profoundly special.
Daniel saw her first, his smile broadening. “Hi, Sis.”
“Hello, Dominique,” Madelyn said, moving closer to Daniel as he released her hand only to curve his arm around her thickening waist.
“Hello.” Dominique came to her feet. “Daniel, if you have a moment there’s something important I need to talk to you about.”
“What’s the matter?” he queried, a frown marring his handsome face.
Madelyn saw the serious expression on Dominique’s face and eased away from her husband’s loose embrace. “I’ll go upstairs and change.”
“That’s not necessary, Madelyn,” Dominique said. “I’d like you to stay.”
Daniel sent his sister a pleased smile and pulled Madelyn back into his arms. She came easily, her head resting against his wide chest as if it instinctively knew it belonged there.
“Perhaps we should go into the study,” Dominique suggested. “Madelyn, you’ve been at work all day.”
Daniel’s frown deepened. “Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down.”
“I’m fine.” Madelyn patted her protruding abdomen. “Better if your son hadn’t played kick all day.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll have a talk with him tonight.”
Madelyn tucked her head and Dominique knew her brother was being playful and naughty—two things she had never known him to be with any of his women friends in the past. Turning, she went into Daniel’s study, then closed the sliding doors behind them.
As soon as Daniel and Madelyn were seated on a small sofa, Dominique repeated her conversation with Higgins on the way from the airport and ended by saying, “I think he’s feeling lonely and a bit left out.”
“I distinctly remember him telling me he was too set in his ways for a woman,” Daniel told her.
“That may be, but seeing your happiness and Mother and Daddy’s has given him second thoughts. Especially when he goes home alone,” Dominique explained.
Madelyn bit her lower lip. “I think Cleve sometimes felt the same way before Matt made him foreman of the ranch after Matt married Shannon. Just taking care of things around the ranchhouse and stables wasn’t enough for his still agile mind, and somehow I think it made him think he was taking charity.”
Distracted, Dominique ran a hand through her long, black hair. “I think Higgins feels the same way. A part of the family and yet separate.”
“Well, it looks like we have to straighten him out.” Daniel stood and dialed Higgins’s number. “Can you please come to the study? Yes, now.”
“Daniel, what are you going to do?” Dominique asked.
“You’ll find out,” he said.
In a few minutes, Higgins knocked on the door. Receiving permission, he entered. His gaze leaped from one person to the next. “You wanted to see me, Daniel?”
“Yes. I need your help.”
Higgins’s expression cleared. “You know I’ll do anything I can.”
“I knew I could count on you. When the contractors start renovating the room next to ours for the nursery, I’d like you to take charge to make sure things are done right,” Daniel explained.
“I thought you wanted to take care of that personally,” Higgins said.
Dominique’s gaze went to her brother. So did everyone else. Daniel had interviewed representatives from five top architectural firms before making a final decision about which one to hire. No one doubted the newest little Falcon would be lavished with love and have the swankiest nursery possible.
Daniel looked straight into Higgins’s eyes. “I could use some help.”
“Please, Higgins. Maybe you can help Daniel remember moderation is good in all things,” Madelyn suggested.
“I took out the sky dome, didn’t I?” Daniel said matter-of-factly.
“Yes, and I love you for it.” Madelyn turned to the elderly man. “You see. I need some help on this. That is, if you don’t think it will be too much trouble?”
“No. Not at all,” Higgins hastened to reassure her.
“You might as well move into the house. I want you nearby. That way we can discuss how things are going when I get home.” Daniel hugged Madelyn. “Then, too, if Madelyn needs something and I’m not here, you’ll be closer.”
“All right.” Higgins appeared dazed.
“You think you can move in tonight?” Daniel continued. “They start in the morning, and Dominique will be too busy packing for her return to Dallas to keep an eye on things. I know this is sudden notice, but I really need you.”
“That doesn’t matter, Daniel.”
Daniel grinned. “Good. I can go help, and then we can eat dinner.”
Higgins took a few steps toward the door, then stopped and looked Daniel straight in the eye. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“And I could kick myself that I haven’t done it before. I’m ashamed to say I took you for granted, but that didn’t mean I valued
you less,” Daniel told the older man.
“I don’t want busy work,” he said, his carriage proud.
Daniel pinned him with a look. “You know how much I love my wife and our child she’s carrying. Does entrusting their welfare to anyone else sound like busy work?”
“No.”
“Glad that’s settled. I’ll help you move.”
Higgins gave Dominique a long level look, then threw his shoulders back. “I can move myself.”
He was at the door when Daniel called, “You can have Dad’s old room. Dinner in twenty minutes.”
The door closed softly behind him, but his shoulders were erect.
Dominique had never been prouder of Daniel. “I’m glad to call you brother.”
He shook his head. Thick, lustrous hair moved. “I only hate I didn’t see it myself.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Dominique folded her arms. “I’d say you had a few other things on your mind. Were you really going to build a sky dome in the baby’s room?”
“No, but it’s a thou—”
“Don’t you dare even think of changing anything,” Madelyn chided, cutting Daniel off. “Poor Mr. Lawrence is about to pull out the few strands of hair he has left now.”
Daniel’s hands circled her rounded stomach from behind. His teeth nipped her playfully on the ear. “If Dominique doesn’t mind telling Mrs. Hargrove there will be one more for dinner, I might let you persuade me.”
“Daniel,” Madelyn admonished, but she was smiling.
Dominique laughed and started from the room. “You might as well give up, Madelyn. He’s a rogue and he enjoys making you blush.”
“I know,” came Madelyn’s reply. “One day I’m going to turn the tables.”
That would be impossible, thought Dominique as she opened the door. Then she glanced over her shoulder to see her brother, a man known to make grown men quake, press his cheek tenderly against his wife’s.
Then again, maybe not. Dominique hadn’t thought Daniel would ever marry, let alone fall so deeply and irrevocably in love. Love changed people. Her face harshened. Sometimes it also made fools of them.
No matter what, she was not going to let herself ever be that vulnerable. Closing the door softly, she headed for the kitchen. She never made it.
“Surprise!”
She whirled around to see her parents and her grandparents on both sides grinning at her. Before she could do more than gape, they had all converged on her. By the time she had gotten the last hug, Daniel and Madelyn were also there.
“You could have said something,” she told them.
Daniel held up his hands. “Mother swore me to secrecy.”
“We just wanted you to know we’re behind you and wish you well,” her mother said, looking elegant as usual in a cranberry colored, silk Dior pants outfit. “Here.”
Dominique took the box and opened it. Inside was a heavy gold card holder for her desk and a monogrammed gold case which held a single vellum business card with Photographs by Dominique slanted at an angle in elegant script.
“As soon as you get your phone and the e-mail address Daniel says you have to have, you’ll have a never-ending supply,” her father proudly told her.
“We thought it best if we had ours delivered,” Daniel told her. “It’s a complete computer setup with your web site.”
By the time her maternal grandparents had given her a beautiful leather portfolio with her single initial, and her paternal grandparents a Mont Blanc pen set and gold-leafed appointment book, her eyes were misty. “Thank you.”
“You haven’t received mine yet.” Higgins handed her a gold bag from an exclusive gift shop.
Inside was a heavy lucite piece inscribed: “Follow your dream, but never forget your heart.”
“Higgins, I didn’t know you were such a romantic,” said her maternal grandmother.
“A man must have some secrets,” he said.
“One of them is how to get out of the sand trap,” her maternal grandfather said. “How about coming back with us to Palm Springs for a little vacation? We could pair up and trounce Murphy and Thomas.”
“I was hoping he’d come back with me.” Felicia took Higgins by the arm.
“Then you come over and we could finish our game of horseshoes,” suggested John Henry’s father.
“And stay for some of my famous pan bread,” added John Henry’s mother.
“Sorry, you’ll all have to wait,” Higgins told them. “I’ve got to make sure the nursery is built right. Felicia, you have John Henry. And before you leave tomorrow, Edgar, I’ll show you a sand trap secret or two. Mary and Leon, I’ll be happy to visit when I’ve taken care of things here. Now, we should probably go in to dinner. Madelyn has been on her feet a long time.” Reaching for the smiling young woman, Higgins led her slowly to the dining room.
Daniel shook his head, but he had a smile on his face. “I think I’ve created a monster.”
“But you’ve made him happy,” Felicia said warmly.
Dominique looked between her mother and brother. “You knew!”
“Suspected,” Daniel confided. “You were the only one he shared his feelings with.”
“Because he was worried about me,” Dominique confessed. “But not everyone needs a significant other to be happy.”
“Maybe not everyone, but I think Higgins is right. You weren’t meant to live alone. One day some man is going to break through that wall you’ve built.”
“I don’t need a man.”
“I didn’t need a woman, but I can’t imagine living my life without Madelyn,” Daniel said with feeling. “Come on, let’s go have dinner. I don’t want to spoil tonight for you.”
“You haven’t. I know what I want out of life, and a man is not it.”
Chapter Four
Camera in hand, Dominique bounded up the stairs to get another roll of film from her room. It was almost ten that evening, yet no one seemed inclined to call it a night. Daniel had tried. He had asked Madelyn if she was tired so many times that when he had done so again shortly before Dominique went upstairs, everyone in the room had answered in unison for her—“No.”
With his usual self-assurance, Daniel had smiled and leaned back on the couch beside Madelyn. His arm around her shoulder, his fingers playing in her hair, he’d said, “Just checking.”
Shaking her head at the memory, Dominique decided to call Janice as promised. There was no telling what time she’d finally come back upstairs. Sitting on the side of the bed she picked up the gold and white phone.
After the sixth ring, Dominique was concerned. After the tenth, she really began to worry. Janice hadn’t mentioned going out. Absently, Dominique tapped the roll of film on her crossed knee. Where could Janice be?
She was about to hang up after the twelfth ring and redial when an out of breath male answered. “Hello.”
Her grip on the receiver tightened. She’d recognize that deep molasses voice anywhere. And if her mind didn’t, her body would.
“Hello,” Trent repeated impatiently. “Look, whoever this is I’m standing here dripping wet from the shower, and I’m not in the mood to play games.”
“What?” Dominique shouted, uncrossing her legs and jerking erect.
“Dominique?” Trent asked. “Dominique, is that you?”
“I wish to speak to Janice,” she answered crisply.
“I hope you’re not thinking what it sounds like you’re thinking,” he said, his voice taking on a stinging tone.
“Don’t flatter yourself. Janice has better taste,” she shot back, and meant every word. She didn’t know the reason for his taking a shower in Janice’s home, but she knew it was innocent. Janice didn’t sneak around, nor was she two-faced.
Laughter flowed through the line. “You sure know how to keep a guy humble.”
She hadn’t expected the laughter or the strange flurry it created in her stomach. Restlessly she shifted on the handwoven bedspread. “I thought you said you weren’t
there very much.”
“I’m not,” came the reply. “I haven’t been home ten minutes.”
She frowned her confusion. “Home? I dialed Janice’s number. I couldn’t have misdialed. I don’t even know your number.”
“Janice had her calls forwarded over here. She had to meet an out of town client at her store,” he explained.
Dominique cast the ornate clock on the bedside table a worried glance. “It’s ten o’clock.”
“The Nelsons could only make it tonight. They’re good customers from Denton and she’s met them at night before. Both teach at Texas Woman’s University and can’t make it until late.”
“I still don’t like it,” Dominique said. She knew how defenseless a woman could be.
“Don’t worry. The street her antique shop is on is filled with shops and restaurants, and well lit. Besides, the Nelsons always arrive first and always follow Janice to the freeway,” Trent told her. “She has her cell phone, and if I hadn’t thought it would be safe I would have gone with her.”
Another thought struck Dominique. “If she had her cell phone, why didn’t she just have her calls forwarded to it?”
“Because she gets so involved in phone conversations she doesn’t watch where she’s going.” Dominique could hear the exasperation in his tone. “After two fender benders, the insurance company and I convinced her the phone should be used for emergency purposes only.”
Dominique pulled her legs under her Indian style. “You do watch over her.”
“I try.”
“Thank you.”
He chuckled, a deep sound that made her entire body tingle. She moistened her dry lips and wished he’d stop doing that. “Twice in one day. Something tells me I might be looking at some kind of record,” he said, a note of amusement rolling through his voice.
She couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face. “You might, at that.”
“When are you coming back?” he asked, then added, “Janice told me to ask you.”
