The Reluctant Heiress

by Sara Orwig

  He hurt for the loss. While he hadn’t known her long, it had seemed as if she had become a permanent part of his life.

  He shook his head and swore again. The familiarity and closeness had been pure delusion. For her to become so furious with him, he must have meant nothing to her.

  He couldn’t stop glancing at the picture even though he knew the futility of longing to see her. Wasn’t going to happen. He ran his thumb over her smiling image. Tonight would she think over what he had said? Or was she almost as angry with him as she was with Argus? Garrett missed her far more than he would have dreamed possible.

  There was no going back, no setting aside the Delaneys and having something with Sophia. He might as well start trying to move on with his life.

  * * *

  Sophia painted until six, knowing she was merely going through the motions until she had to get dressed for some appointments. Her anger was overshadowed by pain over the break with Garrett and the deceit he had practiced. She couldn’t believe it— Argus Delaney was still causing her pain even after his death. Garrett’s arguments nagged at her, but she didn’t want to think about them or consider them in the least. He had completely betrayed her trust—in more ways than one.

  She didn’t believe for a second that the Delaneys wanted to meet her and would still want to after the deadline had passed. They had to be just like their father and after more money. She was certain greed ruled their lives.

  When she went to her closet, she barely glanced at her red suit that she had worn with Garrett. Pulling out a black suit that matched her mood, she stepped out of her robe and began to dress. She tried to put last night out of her mind as she got ready to go to the gallery.

  She called Edgar and they agreed to meet for lunch. Friday was the anniversary of the opening of his first gallery and he was celebrating with an open house. He had planned to send invitations to clients with a listing of the artists who would be present, including her. Now she wished she could cancel so she could go to Santa Fe and try to forget Garrett, the Delaneys and everything that had happened since Garrett had come into her life. She wouldn’t do that to Edgar, but it was a tempting thought.

  At her gallery, she tried to get things done as quickly as possible so she’d be ready to leave Houston as soon as she could. Also, she found that the gallery held memories of being with Garrett.

  She had to rush to meet Edgar on time. Standing beside their table, he smiled as she approached.

  “Oh, my,” he said as soon as she was close. He held her chair for her. “Something is wrong. I take it this is not just a fun lunch.”

  “You’re too astute, Edgar,” she said lightly. She sat and picked up a menu although she ate there often with Edgar and knew what she liked. She just needed a moment behind her menu before she told Edgar the whole story. It wasn’t going to be easy. Their waiter came and they both ordered. As soon as they were alone, she met Edgar’s curious gaze.

  “I’ll give you a clue. When you’re upset, you always fasten your hair up in a tight knot,” he said.

  Startled, she glanced at him. “I don’t,” she replied and he shrugged. She could tell he didn’t want to argue, but he was probably right. “I didn’t even realize.”

  “We don’t notice ourselves sometimes. So tell me—what’s the problem?”

  “I would really like to go back to Santa Fe. Will it be too big an inconvenience for me to cancel my appearance at your anniversary party? Have you already sent invitations with the names of the artists who will be present?”

  “Actually, I have. But if you need to miss, you may be excused.”

  “I can wait until after the party and then go.”

  “Is there an emergency?” Edgar asked, looking at her closely.

  “No, not at all. I just wanted to get away.”

  “Taking Garrett Cantrell with you?” Edgar asked and she sucked in her breath.

  “No, I’m not,” she snapped and then wished she had not answered so abruptly. “It’s over with him, Edgar. He’s from Dallas and he was sent by the Delaneys.”

  “So how did you learn this bit of information?”

  “He told me. He was sent to get me to talk to them. I told him how I felt about the Delaneys, particularly my father. I don’t want the inheritance. I don’t want to meet my half brothers. Garrett tricked me and I never want to see him again,” she said.

  “Seems as if he didn’t trick you if he told you that they sent him.”

  Just as she opened her mouth to answer, their waiter appeared with lunches. She had no appetite for her tossed salad. She sipped water as she watched the waiter place chicken salad in front of Edgar.

  “Edgar,” she said as soon as they were alone, her curiosity growing. “You don’t sound offended and you don’t sound surprised.”

  Edgar sighed. “Garrett told me, Sophia. I knew why he was here.”

  “Why on earth didn’t you warn me?” she asked, aghast at another betrayal from a man she had trusted all her life.

  “You know why, Sophia,” Edgar stated, putting down his fork and gazing at her intently. “You and I have been over this and I dropped it because it is your decision, but since it has come up again, I’ll make another plea. I hate to see you hurt yourself. And you will be hurting yourself in a huge, lifelong manner that I think you will come to regret. You may be hurting yourself terribly in losing Garrett. He seemed like a good man, Sophia.”

  “Edgar, I’m shocked. You’re my friend. Why did you side with the Delaneys on this? When did you turn against me?”

  “Far from ‘turning against you,’ I want what’s in your best interests and I was thankful when Garrett told me why he was here. Sophia, stop being a wounded child about this.”

  Edgar’s words stung. He had always been a mentor, her champion, always supportive and helpful until this argument about the Delaneys and even then, until now, he had backed off and kept quiet.

  “Edgar, you know how Argus Delaney hurt Mom and me.”

  “That has nothing to do with your brothers.”

  “They’re grown men and probably just like their father. They’re half brothers, and they’re strangers to me.”

  “You know there is a grandchild. A little girl who looks very much like you.”

  “Edgar, these people are worth billions. They’re all going to be just fine.”

  “You don’t really enjoy money the way some people do. But you do know how to help others with it. You could put it to so much good use. And what did you do—send Garrett packing?”

  “Yes, I did. And he deserved it.”

  “Sophia, I got the impression that he cares for you deeply. Don’t throw everything away because of his mistake. Someday, you might look back with enormous regrets that you may not be able to live with. You can take this inheritance and help so many others who have never been as fortunate as you.”

  “Edgar, I’m shocked that you and Garrett talked and you didn’t tell me. I’m finished here. I don’t want to argue this with you. I’ve had enough arguing with Garrett.” She stood, tossed her napkin into her chair, grabbed up her purse and left. She couldn’t believe Edgar had known why Garrett was here. Another betrayal that cut deeply.

  Tears stung her eyes, adding to her anger. She rushed outside the restaurant.

  “Sophia—”

  She turned as Edgar appeared. Startled he had caught up with her, she stopped. “Leave me alone, Edgar,” she snapped, wiping her eyes.

  His blue eyes narrowed. “I daresay those tears are not over me. We’ve known each other too long. You’re crying over Garrett.”

  “I am not,” she blurted, knowing as she said the words that Edgar was right.

  Edgar bent down slightly to look into her eyes. “I think you’re in love with him.”

  “Edgar, you’re not making me feel any better.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. You’re making a mistake and you’ll be miserable. Sophia, don’t mess up your life this way. Life can be harsh,
cold and lonely. You’re tossing away opportunities and family with both hands. And maybe tossing away love.”

  “I have to go and I don’t want to hear this.”

  “You may not want to hear it, but you know I’m right,” he said gently. “I told Garrett that I hoped he succeeded not just because you need to accept your legacy, but because it’s time you let someone love you.”

  “Goodbye,” she said, turning away.

  “Sophia.” Edgar’s commanding tone was so unusual she stopped instantly and turned to face him.

  “I’ll be here if you want me. I suspect Garrett would be, too, if you let him.”

  She rushed to her car, climbing in and locking the door while tears poured down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop her crying. It took several minutes, but finally when her emotions were more under control, she started the car and drove carefully.

  When she got home, she changed and went to her studio, losing herself in paints, brushstrokes, colors. As she worked, she thought of the things both Garrett and Edgar had said to her about the Delaneys. You’re harming yourself as much as you’re hurting them.… You can’t select your parents and you didn’t pick Argus.… Why are you doing this to the brothers?

  Garrett’s gray eyes had been dark as he’d spoken. His words had cut, yet she couldn’t deny that there was truth in them. Was she making mistakes she would regret the rest of her life? Should she take the inheritance and then distribute it to worthwhile causes?

  Should she let these brothers—these Delaney men—into her life?

  She stopped painting to clean her brushes and then continued cleaning tables and doing housekeeping tasks she had put off. It was all she was suited for at the moment. Her concentration on her painting was poor with her thoughts continually returning to her conversation with Garrett. His words rang in her ears. I don’t want to lose you.…

  But he had lost her. She didn’t think there was any way she could forgive him for not telling her his purpose from the start. He had been as intimate as a man could be without revealing the truth about himself. That was what hurt most of all. It was the first time she had trusted totally, let go of her caution and doubts, and then found that the whole time she hadn’t known the truth about him or why he had wanted to meet her.

  Take the money and give it to charity. Do some good with it. You don’t have to keep it or live on it.

  Edgar had said the same in his own way. But she couldn’t see that she was hurting herself— She had no real need of the money.

  You’re being stubborn and unreasonable about this—spiteful and hurtful for no reason.

  Stubborn and unreasonable, spiteful and hurtful. Both Garrett and Edgar had accused her of being selfish.

  She washed her hands and put away her brushes, going to her room to look at the letter from the Delaneys’ attorney.

  You are not getting back at your father.

  Was she wrong and both men were right? Would she have huge regrets?

  She rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on. Everything had seemed so clear to her when it had first come up, but now she was beginning to wonder.

  “Garrett,” she whispered, angry with him and missing him all at the same time. Garrett had caused her to rethink her feelings about relationships. Was she about to rethink the whole Delaney situation because of him? She rubbed her hands together in anguish.

  Had Garrett gone back to Dallas now, to his life there?

  Had there been a woman in his life already? Had his declaration that there wasn’t a woman been the truth—or another deceitful statement?

  She spent a miserable, restless evening with little sleep that night. The next day, she got out the information from the Delaneys and their attorneys, and the copy of her father’s will, which told of the bequest and the conditions.

  She sat at her desk and read, studying the legal documents in her quiet house, weighing possibilities that she thought she never would have considered.

  Edgar always had her best interests at heart. He had backed Garrett, hoping Garrett could persuade her to take her legacy.

  What she longed to do was see Garrett and talk to him. Facing the truth, she was shocked by her wish. When had Garrett become so important in her life? Could she forgive him? At the moment, she felt no inclination to do so. And even if she did, was he still angry with her? Garrett might not be forgiving. Her spirits sank lower. The pain of her argument with him was not only monumental, it kept growing.

  She had never felt so lost in her entire life.

  * * *

  Friday night, for Edgar’s anniversary celebration at his gallery, Sophia dressed in a plain, long-sleeved black dress. The neckline dipped to her waist in the back and the skirt ended above her knees. Her hair was looped and piled on her head, held in place with combs. She remembered what Edgar had said about when she wore her hair knotted on her head, but she didn’t care. Tonight she felt better with her hair secured and fastened high.

  Feeling numb, barely aware of what she was saying or the people present, she greeted old friends, talked briefly with people about different paintings and was pleased for Edgar that he had a good turnout.

  Edgar appeared at her elbow in a gray suit with a pale blue tie that brought out the blue in his eyes. He looked his usual friendly self, as if their last conversation had never occurred.

  “To anyone who doesn’t know you, you look as if you’re having a good time,” he said. “To me, you look as if you’re hurting. Sophia, you’ve made an appearance. You don’t have to stay.”

  “I’m fine, Edgar. Thanks, though, for telling me I can go.”

  “Have you thought over what I said to you?”

  “Of course.”

  “I won’t ask your conclusions. Have you seen Garrett?”

  “Not at all. I haven’t talked to him or seen him this past week, which is what I told him I wanted. Whatever I do, Edgar, I do not intend to pursue a relationship with Garrett,” she said, thinking her words sounded hollow and false to her own ears.

  “That decision is solely yours and I have no comments to make. I don’t usually interfere in your life.”

  “No, you don’t, and I appreciate that as much as I appreciate the comments you make concerning my paintings and the art world.”

  “Good. We’re getting another good turnout tonight.”

  “You are. The flowers are beautiful,” she said, glancing around the room at baskets of flowers that held anniversary cards.

  “Lots of people accepted my invitations and responded. We’ve sold two of your paintings and the evening is quite early.”

  “That’s gratifying.”

  “Are you still going to Santa Fe?”

  “Probably, but I haven’t made arrangements yet.”

  “Good. I think you should stay here this time of year.” He glanced around. “The crowd is growing. I’ll go greet the new arrivals.” He moved away and she walked along, greeting people she knew.

  As she made her way through the gallery, she glanced toward the front door and her heart skipped. She looked into Garrett’s gray eyes and it was as if they were alone in the gallery. All noise, surroundings, people—everything faded from her awareness except him.

  Seven

  Without breaking eye contact, Garrett walked through the crowd toward her. In a dark suit and tie, he looked as handsome as ever and every inch the part of the wealthy, commanding executive. The closer he came, the more her heart pounded. With an effort she looked away, turning to gaze at a painting and keeping her back to him.

  Her emotions seesawed from joy at the very sight of him to the familiar anger she had borne for nearly a week.

  “Sophia.”

  His deep voice sent electricity racing over her nerves. She turned to face him.

  “Why are you here?” she asked. In spite of her simmering anger, her voice held a softer tone she couldn’t hide.

  “I knew you’d be here. I received an invitation a while back from Edgar.”<
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  “We have nothing to say,” she said stiffly and turned her back. Garrett stayed beside her.

  “I have something to say. Have you thought about our conversation?”

  “Of course I have. I’ve thought constantly about all of it, about what you said and what you did.”

  “You can’t blame the Delaneys for trying to meet you. All they ask is a chance to talk with you. Frankly, they’re curious, too, about their half sister.”

  “I have no curiosity whatsoever about meeting them. Particularly if any of them would remind me of my father,” she said, yet her words sounded hollow and empty. She clung to her old argument out of habit, but it was beginning to lose strength. Garrett had stepped in and changed her life.

  “They’ll all remind you of him, just as you’ll remind them of him.”

  She shot him a look as anger welled up. “That wasn’t what I wanted to hear.”

  “Sophia, let go of your grudges and just give them a chance. You can give yours away and after a year on the Delaney board, if you still feel the way you do now and don’t like them, you can go on your way and never see them again. But if you give them a chance, I think you’ll find a family that you will grow to love.” He stepped closer and she turned away slightly.

  “I sent you some brochures and annual reports. You’ll see all the good the Delaney Foundation is doing. That all started when Will stepped in. Argus built that fortune, but Will and his brothers are the ones who have put Delaney money to many good uses. If you cooperate, more wealth can be poured into charitable causes, good causes that Argus never gave a dime to. That is sweet revenge right there, Sophia.”

  She looked up to meet his gaze.

  “Spend Argus’s money in a manner he never did,” he urged.

  Without commenting, she moved on to look at another grouping of pictures and was aware that Garrett followed, moving close beside her. She detected his aftershave, a scent that triggered unwanted, painful memories of being with him. Memories that tormented her.