Texas Temptation

“I have an obligation to Arloco Oil, Mrs. Stone,” Annie said tightly. “Whatever decision I make will be based on facts, not emotions.”

“Of course it will, dear.”

Fingernails on a blackboard would be music compared to the words that came out of Myrna’s mouth. Jared spotted a steel cable a few feet away. It was just about the right size—

Myrna faced Annie, oblivious to Jared’s murderous thoughts. “It must be so awkward for you, though, considering the circumstances and all.” She placed a hand on her chest and looked up. “I mean, working here, right where poor Jonathan fell. How will you ever deal with that?”

Jared felt Annie go rigid beside him. Nothing that Myrna said or did should shock him anymore, but for a second he felt as if he’d been punched in the chest. He also suddenly realized how tightly he was holding on to Annie’s arm. He let go and felt her draw in a slow breath, then cursed himself when he saw the imprint of his hand on her smooth skin.

“This is my job, Mrs. Stone,” Annie said with a patience that amazed Jared. “My personal feelings have no place here.”

Myrna sighed. “Yes, well, I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. It’s only been eight months since J.T.’s been gone, and I just can’t imagine—” her lower lip quivered and she blinked several times “—well, I just loved him so much. I hope someday I’ll be able to get over his death as bravely as you have Jonathan’s.”

That was it. Jared had had enough. He’d just use his bare hands. That would give him more pleasure, anyway. He took a step toward his stepmother. “Myrna—”

Annie laid her hand on Jared’s arm. “Bravery has nothing to do with death, Mrs. Stone,” she said quietly. “We have no choice but to accept it, no matter how deep or how black the pain. It’s also the one thing in life that no one escapes, the one thing that makes us all equal, no matter how different or how special we might think we are.”

Annie turned to Jared then, and he saw a tension in her eyes that belied the calm expression on her face. “I still have some questions on cost estimates, Jared. When you’re finished here, I’ll be in the office.” She faced Myrna again and nodded. “Mrs. Stone, it’s been a real...pleasure.”

* * *

Eight hours later Annie sat in a booth at the Cactus Motel Café, staring intently at the menu a perky waitress with short platinum hair had thrust into her hands after reciting the nightly specials. The smell of grilled steak and onions wafted deliciously on the air, reminding Annie that she’d forgotten lunch in her hurry to not only finish her report, but to call in a report to the manager at Arloco and ask for verbal authorization for approval.

It was a go.

She’d only heard an hour ago, and the excitement that had been building inside her was bubbling over. Jared would be here any minute, and she couldn’t wait to tell him the good news. She’d already ordered wine to celebrate.

Even recalling her run-in with Myrna earlier in the day hadn’t dimmed Annie’s pleasure. There’d been a cool distant look in Jared’s eyes after the woman had finally left that made Annie uneasy. He’d apologized for his stepmother, but Annie had shrugged it off and insisted that whatever the woman said or did had no bearing on the project.

But there had been that one moment, she realized, that one second when she’d looked up at the rig, and doubt had shivered through her....