The Bachelor Bid

Likely, Wyatt McCauley’s steady perusal of her was motivated by curiosity at discovering a woman in his waiting room clutching twenty-four roses to her bosom, or by the fact he simply had nothing better to do at the moment. It would be presumptuous of her to read any special interest into it.

“Sixteen hours difference, Mr. McCauley,” said Frances.

“Thanks. Again, sony for the interruption,” he said to Cara.

Her reveries now under control, Cara snapped to attention. She couldn’t believe she’d frittered away precious minutes in slack-jawed adulation instead of taking advantage of the perfect opportunity to pitch the auction. Fortunately it wasn’t too late to rectify her lapse.

She shoved the flowers toward him. “Actually, you weren’t interrupting. These are for you. I’m Cara Breedon.”

Obviously taken by surprise at having been waylaid by the very person who’d hounded him for weeks, Wyatt’s hands closed reflexively around the bouquet and he stared at it for a second.

“I’m sorry, Mr. McCauley,” Frances said. “I told her you weren’t available—”

“It’s okay.” Wyatt transferred the flowers to Frances. “Put these in some water. I suppose I can spare a few minutes,” he said resignedly. “Since Ms. Breedon’s gone to so much trouble.” He motioned Cara to join him in his office.

As she entered, she noticed the breathtaking view of Town Lake from his wall of windows, then the beautiful office itself. Functional—computer on the right side of his desk, multi-button phone on the left, open briefcase overflowing with documents resting on the credenza behind. And decorative—southwestern artwork displayed on two walls, a lifelike wood sculpture of cowboy boots standing in a corner, and a goldleaf framed photo of two smiling Irish setters next to the briefcase.

Closing the door, he commented, “Perhaps I should recruit you for my sales force. I doubt I’ve met anyone, male or female, with as much tenacity.”

“Somehow I suspect that wasn’t meant as a compliment. Please be assured I’m not trying to be annoying, Mr. McCauley,” Cara said in what she hoped was a soothing tone.

His cagey look said she didn’t have to try to be annoying, still he offered her a chair. Cara sat down and Wyatt propped a hip on the corner of his desk, one long leg straightened in front of him to bear his weight. The fact that he didn’t take a seat sent an unspoken reminder: Don’t squander another second.

“It’s just that Brooke Abbott and I strongly believe in the Rosemund Learning Center and what it’s doing with kids,” Cara began. “Because the Center receives no government funds, it’s totally dependent on the goodwill of people like yourself. The bachelor auction is the major fund-raiser.”

Wyatt reached across the desk, and retrieved a checkbook. “No argument here. I’ve read a lot about the organization and I agree it’s making a difference. I’ll be happy to—”

“You’ve already sent a check.”

“Obviously more is needed. Or you wouldn’t be here.” He pulled a pen from a gold pen and pencil set and started scribbling, signing his name with a flourish.

“I’m not here for another check,” Cara protested. “It’s the auction that’s on my agenda.”

He slapped his thigh in frustration. “What part of my refusal didn’t you understand, Ms. Breedon? Are you dense or just pathetically stubborn? Any idiot should have figured out by now that hell will freeze over before I go parading around in front of an audience of man-hungry women admiring my tush.”

“Admiring,” he’d said, as if it were a given. He was right, of course—everyone would be admiring. Undoubtedly he was used to approval, not just of his backside, but from any imaginable angle.

For a few moments there in his anteroom, she’d been pretty appreciative herself. After his outburst, however, all idolizing had drained away, victim to his insolent refusal. She felt no more remorse for bothering him either. At that moment all she felt was aggravation at this galling display of ego.

“I can see it now,” he quipped. “A group of us guys prancing around like performers in a male strip joint My turn comes. I strut my stuff until a voice cries out, ‘Five bucks for the guy in the purple briefs.’ ”

“Purple briefs—you?” Cara taunted, raising one eyebrow. For a second, her brain reeled off a picture of Wyatt in purple underwear—dollar bills stuffed in the waistband as he danced before a bunch of screaming, applauding women.

Her thoughts were cut off by Wyatt’s terse, “No comment. Neither you, your boss, nor anyone else connected with that auction will find out, because I intend to hold on to every atom of my dignity.”

“You disappoint me,” Cara said.

“Why? Because I’m not willing to be part of your beefcake parade?”

“No, because you haven’t done your homework. It’s not a strip show. The participants wear tuxes, not skimpy garb. And you needn’t worry about your monetary value being bounced back and forth for all to hear. It’s a silent auction.”

“I’m not a bit worried, and it doesn’t matter what kind of show you’re promoting, because I don’t intend to be there.” He rubbed the back of his neck wearily. “Listen, lady, I’ve been hit on about this for the last three years and my answer has always been the same. Why don’t you people give it up?”

Cara sidestepped the question with a question of her own. “Don’t you want to be known as the most eligible bachelor in Austin?” She was losing steam here, but wouldn’t give up without a fight.

“A few people have already tried to label me with that tag. All it means is that I’m over twenty-one, single, and have money in the bank. Big deal.”

“Only a few?” Cara sniped, then caught herself. What was she doing? It wouldn’t do her cause any good to irritate this man further. Not when he already saw her as a major nuisance. Her only hope was to get back on course—mature, businesslike. Even though anxiety had her ready to climb the walls.

Surprisingly he smiled, as if he found her retort amusing. But his resolution was firm. “Like I said, I’m happy to make a contribution—of money, not my body.” He tore off the check he’d written and dangled it toward Cara.

“I don’t want another check, darn it. I want you!”

Wyatt lay the check down. He gave her a long appraising stare potent enough to raise the hairs on Cara’s neck. “That sounds promising,” he drawled.

“You know I didn’t mean it that way, that I...I was referring to the auction.” Cara seldom blushed, but she felt her face flushing to a scarlet hue. She fantasized about diving under McCauley’s big oak desk, or better still, sprinting out of here at full throttle.

The saving buzz of the intercom provided her a moment’s respite from flushes and fantasies. “Sure, I’ll take it,” Wyatt said. “Just ask him to hold on a second.” He pressed off the intercom button and turned his attention to Cara. “This has been... pleasant, Ms. Breedon, but I’ve got an important call coming through.” He stood up and pushed the check toward her. “By the way, thanks for the tie.” He fingered it casually. “Also the food and the flowers.” He paused. “And if you change your mind about wanting me...for anything other than the auction...”

Cara snatched the check. At least she’d come away from this encounter with something for the kids. But she couldn’t allow Wyatt’s remark to go unanswered. “Just to set the record straight, Mr. McCauley, I’m not the one who wants you. It’s my boss, Brooke Abbott. She’s convinced the auction is doomed without you. I may disagree...” Cara’s expression suggested that in her mind his involvement was about as important to the children’s future welfare as chicken pox. “But Ms. Abbott’s chairing the auction this year and she sees you as the pièce de résistance, a cinch to generate sky-high bids.”

“Then relay this to your boss,” Wyatt said, “and you can quote me. It doesn’t matter if the bids are projected to reach a million dollars—I’m not going to do this.” He stood up. “And that’s my final word on the subject.”

When he took her arm and ushered her toward his door, tingles ran through Cara’s body. The closeness, the feel of his warm fingers against her skin, made her long for something she couldn’t name. As the door closed behind her, she felt unaccountably empty, disillusioned—defeated. “Hemlock cocktail, anyone?” she muttered.

“Pardon?” Frances asked, observing Cara carefully.

“Nothing...sorry.” Cara quickly exited through the frosted-glass doors and headed toward the elevator, wishing she could drive directly home and jump into bed with the covers over her head, rather than go back to the office and Brooke’s displeasure.

She’d just pushed the down button when Frances Peters walked up behind her. “Don’t give up hope,” the woman whispered. “Maybe he’ll have second thoughts.” Without another word, Frances swept down the hall and disappeared into the ladies’ room.

Fat chance, Cara answered silently. I know a lost cause when I see one.

Twilight had long gone before the day’s business dealings came to a close. Lifting his eyes from the computer screen, Wyatt saw it was dark outside, his scenic view replaced by the spangled glow of city lights. He rose from his leather desk chair, stretched, rolled down his shirtsleeves and grabbed his jacket. Time to go home. Briefcase in hand, he opened his office door.

Frances was still at her computer. Wyatt glanced at his watch disapprovingly. “Gad, woman, it’s eight o’clock. Why in blazes are you still here?”

“Most bosses complain that their assistants leave too early. Mine grouses because I work too late.”

“Well, you’re stopping right now. I don’t want you in the building all alone,” Wyatt told her. “Get your purse and I’ll walk you to your car.”

Frances smiled agreeably, closed the document file, and shut down the computer. As she circled her desk, she bent to smell one of the yellow roses Cara Breedon had brought earlier. They were now arranged in a Waterford vase. “Pretty, aren’t they? Sure you don’t want to take them home, enjoy them over the weekend?”

“You take them, if you like. For all I care they can go in the trash.”

“Such a shame.” Frances picked up the vase and cradled it in her left arm. “It’s not like you to take out your bad moods on some lovely—”

“Don’t push it, Frances,” Wyatt growled as they started toward the elevator.