The Texan’s Bride(8)

Kid frowned. “You mean those little creatures who crawl around and slobber all over themselves?”

“If Shay and I have a child you’re never holding it,” Chance told him.

“I didn’t ask to,” Kid fired back.

Cadde got up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over Houston. It was a magnificent view and he swore he could see Galveston in the distance. But it was only an illusion. He was having a hard time with fact and reality today.

His thoughts turned once again to his father. Cadde was in the oil business because of him. Chuck Hardin roughnecked his entire life, but he’d said his sons would do better. They’d get an education and work their way up the ladder into a position of power.

Cadde had worked toward that one goal and now it was within his grasp. Somehow, though, it was tainted by the betrayal of his father. The man who’d taught him about family values and honor was a phony. Cadde didn’t want any son or daughter of his to think that of him. He wanted to be in his child’s life one hundred percent of every day. And he didn’t want a baby conceived as part of a business deal.

Damn Jessie!

“Cadde,” Chance prompted again.

Cadde swung from the window and walked back to his desk. “Are you two through arguing?”

“Yeah,” Chance replied. “We decided Kid’s an ass and left it at that.”

“We did not!” Kid protested.

Cadde held up his hand. “Enough. I have some important things to discuss with you.” He glanced at the document. “The day that Jessie gives birth she’ll sign over a share of her stock to me…giving me control of Shilah.”

“Hot damn, now we’re talking.” Kid jumped to his feet in excitement and then stilled. “What’s wrong? I can see something is by the look on your face.”

Cadde remained silent, having a hard time explaining the situation to his brothers. But they had a stake in Shilah, as well.

Chance leaned forward. “What you’re saying is that you and Jessie haven’t had a real marriage and she wants to make it real in every way possible.”

“That’s about it,” Cadde had to admit.

“So what’s the problem?” Kid wanted to know. “You’ve worked your ass off for Roscoe for years and now it’s time for the big reward you’ve been waiting for. Jessie’s handing it to you on a platter. All you have to do is get her pregnant. Easy as pie.” Kid’s eyes narrowed on him. “You’re hesitating. Why?” Before he could form a reply Kid added, “You’re not impotent, are you?”

Chance slapped Kid’s shoulder. “Shut up, you idiot.”

“I’m not shutting up!” Kid yelled. “I have a stake in this business, and if you hit me one more time I’m gonna knock you on your ass.”

“Just try.” Chance faced him—two brothers, same height, same build, both angry and neither afraid to fight.

“Cut it out, dammit. I don’t need you two at each other’s throats.”

“Hell, Cadde, that’s what we do best—fight with one another.” Kid was back to his usual cheerful self. “Just tell us why you’re finding it hard to accept Jessie’s offer.”

“Because it’s a business deal. I never planned on my firstborn being part of a negotiated legal document.”

“So?” Kid pressed. “It gives you control of Shilah. That’s what you’ve wanted.”

Cadde eased into his leather chair. “I keep thinking about Dad.”

“Oh, God.” Kid closed his eyes. “Let’s not go down that road.”

“When we were boys,” Cadde went on, as if Kid hadn’t spoken, “he was a good father. I thought there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. I hung on his every word, but in the end he tarnished all of those childhood memories with his betrayal. I don’t want a child of mine to have bad memories of me.”

“Why would he or she have anything but love for you?” Chance asked.

“Because Jessie wants full custody.”

“Oh, my God.” Clearly, Chance was shocked. “She’s asking you to give up your flesh and blood?”

“She says I can see the child whenever I want, but basically I’d be trading the baby for Shilah.” His eyes swung to Kid. “Now do you understand my hesitation? Imagine how that child is going to feel about me later in life. I don’t want any kid of mine to have bad feelings about his father.”

Kid looked straight at him. “Then do something. You’re a wheeling-dealing gambler just like Roscoe. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Remember that little old lady in Midland who said she’d die before she’d lease her land? Even I couldn’t sweet-talk her, but you mentioned her kids and how the money would benefit them. You had her eating out of the palm of your hand. You have to do that now. Find a way around this business deal. Make it work for you and Shilah.”