The Texan’s Bride(78)

“We’re not heartless.” George Pettibone put in his two cents. “We’re thinking about the company.”

“Cadde’s done a great job since Roscoe left us.” J. T. Hardeson spoke up for the first time.

“I’ve never had a problem with Cadde,” Hank Parker added.

“Me neither,” Hub Gillespie said.

“You’re losing the gist of the conversation. Cadde’s not here anymore.” Hooter was nudging Hub like he always did.

“Yeah, that’s right,” Hub veered in Hooter’s favor as Hooter knew he would.

“Okay. It comes down to a vote.” Chance continued in his easy, smooth-talking way.

“Wait a minute,” Kid interrupted. “You’re all fond of Jessie. Just remember you’re going to eventually have to look her in the eye and explain your vote.”

Someone coughed and a chair scraped the floor.

“I make a motion that we ignore the resignation letter and leave Shilah as is.” Chance brought everything to a head.

“I second that.” Kid followed suit.

Jessie had had enough. She walked in and “Jessie” echoed around the room as the men got to their feet.

“Jessie, honey, how are you?” Hooter asked.

“I’m fine. At least I was until I heard the conversation outside the boardroom door. You will not take control of my father’s company.”

“Now, Jessie, you know you mean the world to me.”

“Yes, that’s why I called you when I was so depressed.”

“I was happy to help.”

“I should have listened to you, but I was out of my mind with grief.”

“Don’t worry about it, honey.”

“I’m not.” She reached across the table, picked up the letter and tore it in half. Throwing the pieces in front of Hooter, she said, “Cadde Hardin remains as CEO of Shilah and he will come back as soon as he chooses. In the meantime, Chance and Kid will run the company. Is that understood?”

She looked straight at the man. She’d manipulated Hooter, just as her father had manipulated people. So she didn’t blame Hooter for her actions. But if he thought she owed him any favors, he was sadly mistaken.

“Yes. I understand,” Hooter replied, working the cigar in his mouth.

“Any objection?” She looked around the table and everyone shook their heads. “Do not call Cadde,” Jessie whispered to Chance. She and Cadde had to talk without interference.

Walking out, she heard Kid say, “I think that’s what you call a slam dunk, boys. Kaput. It’s over.”

Jessie took the stairwell, not wanting to speak to Chance or Kid or anyone on the board. Cadde was the only person she wanted to talk to.

She headed out of Houston toward home. She had no idea where her suitcase was. It was probably somewhere between New York and Houston. She’d check on it later. Her focus was now on Cadde and his welfare. She wasn’t quite sure why she’d asked Chance not to call Cadde but they had to meet again with unguarded hearts and deal with all the pain inside without any warning, without time to think. Their emotions had to come from within.

Driving the small Chevy into the garage, she noticed her Suburban. How did it get here? She remembered leaving in it. Her fever had been so high she didn’t remember much after that. Evidently, Cadde had been looking for her. How she wished he’d found her, but, like Margaret and Teresa, she had to find her own peace and forgiveness first.

When she walked into the kitchen, Rosa dropped a plate and it shattered on the tile floor. “Miss Jessie. Oh.” Rosa stepped on the broken pieces and grabbed her in a bearlike hug. “My niña,” she cooed.

Jessie hugged her back. “I’m fine, Rosa.”

Rosa leaned away and searched Jessie’s face. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.” She kissed Rosa’s cheek. “Where’s Cadde?”

“In the living room.” Rosa clicked her tongue. “So sad. So sad.”

Jessie avoided the broken pieces and made her way through the dining area to the living room. She paused in the doorway. Cadde sat on the sofa, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped tightly between them. A dead Christmas tree stood in the window where they’d planned to put it and the baby ornament hung high on the top. Her throat closed up and she struggled for breath.

Her eyes centered on Cadde. He looked tired and haggard. What had she done to him? What had they done to each other?

“Cadde,” she murmured, stepping farther into the room.

He jumped from the sofa, his eyes wide. “Jessie.”

The moment he said her name, tears rolled from her eyes and sobs racked her body. He gathered her into his arms, stroking her hair. “Shh, shh.”