Texas Heir

“I don’t feel like going to the Maxwells’ for dinner,” he said, testing the waters. The Maxwells were her ballet friends and they bored him to death with endless chatter about the next greatest dancer to grace Lincoln Center.

When she frowned, he quickly added, “I just got off the phone with Clyde Harwood. He and Muriel are planning an engagement party for Reed and Daphne. They would like a list of guests by the end of the week.”

“So.” She lifted a finely arched eyebrow. “An evening with friends isn’t going to delay the list. Admit it, you just don’t want to go.”

“Maybe. I’m all keyed up about Reed’s engagement and I would prefer to stay home. Our son has made an excellent choice. Daphne is a charming, sophisticated young lady who will do the Preston name proud.”

“Yes, Daphne will make Reed an exceptional wife.”

Richard stood. “I was worried he’d fall for Cari Michaels.”

“Cari’s a nice girl and a very good friend to Marisa.”

“But she’s not suitable as a wife for our son.”

Vanessa sighed. “Oh, Richard, haven’t you learned your lesson? We almost lost Marisa and I will not tolerate you doing anything to jeopardize Reed’s happiness.”

“That’s what is so wonderful. Reed made the perfect choice all on his own.”

“I don’t know. Marisa seems to have reservations and I trust her instincts. I just hope Reed is as deeply in love as our daughter.”

“He is. You can see it.”

Vanessa nodded. “They make a lovely couple. Marisa is very fond of Cari and I think she’s more disappointed Reed and Cari didn’t get together than anything else.”

Richard smiled at his wife. “That’s it. Reed made a choice without pressure from Marisa or me. That’s why I’m so excited and would rather stay home to go over the guest list. It will be the party of the year.”

She lifted an eyebrow again. “Maybe. Get your jacket. You’re going tonight. We have something to celebrate.”

“Vanessa…”

A tap at the door stopped him. Winston, the butler, stepped in. “Sir, there’s a gentleman here to see you, a Mr. Darin Avery, a representative from the regional office of the National Transportation Safety Board.”

Richard frowned. “What does he want? Is there a problem with the plane?”

“I don’t know, sir. Would you like for me to send him in?”

“Yes.”

A balding man with a worried expression walked in. “Mr. and Mrs. Richard Preston?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. “What’s this about?”

“I regret to inform you the Dalton jet went down at 1439 hours somewhere in west Texas.”

Richard felt a blow to his chest. “What?”

“No!” Vanessa screamed and Winston rushed in.

“As soon as the weather clears, we’ll have planes in the air searching for the wreckage. I just wanted to let you know before the story broke on the news. You have my deepest regrets.”

“My son…my son, is he alive?” Vanessa asked, holding on to Winston.

“We don’t know, ma’am, but—”

“Don’t say it,” Richard shouted. “My son is alive. He has to be.”

“I’ll be in touch, sir.” He laid a card on the desk. “If you need anything, you can reach me on my cell.” He walked out.

“Richard…”

“Vanessa, just stay calm.”

“Calm!” she screeched. “Our son has just gone down in a plane. I can be as emotional as I want! I have to call Marisa. I need Marisa.”

She reached for the phone as Winston handed her a glass of brandy.

Richard sank into his chair, refusing to believe his son was anything but alive. He had to be. His whole future was waiting for him.

A future Richard had precisely planned.

CARI REMOVED THE TOWEL from Reed’s head. A cut zigzagged across his left temple and a dark bruise spread from his ear to his hairline, but the bleeding had stopped. Since she didn’t have anything else, she wrapped the blood-caked towel around his head again.

Soon someone would come.

Reed’s sun-browned skin was so pale, and she checked his pulse. A faint beat trembled against her fingers.

“Reed!” she shouted in joy. “Can you hear me? Reed!”

A low moan escaped his throat and she cupped his face. “Reed.”

The moan grew stronger and his eyelids fluttered. Excitement ran through her. He was alive! She continued to call his name until his eyes slowly opened.

“Ca-ri.”

“Yes, yes!” Without thinking, she kissed his cheek. She was just so glad he was alive.

“Wh-ere are we?”

“The plane crashed and I’m guessing we’re somewhere in west Texas.”

“Wh-ere’s Fletcher and Melody?”

When she didn’t answer, he sat up and groaned, grabbing his head.

“Take it easy.”

He caught sight of the pile of twisted, burned metal. “Is…is…that…?”