How To Seduce An Heiress: The Reluctant Heiress / Pride After Her Fall / Project: Runaway Heiress

“Too bad she’s not one of those people who wants to be reunited with her long-lost relatives.”

“Work with your lawyer. Beyond that, I can’t think of any way to reach her.”

“Thanks, Garrett. I know you tried. I still say you might hang around in case she has a change of heart. Miracles happen and you had a chance to say some good things about us.”

“Will, I couldn’t say anything about you, much less sing your praises.”

“You surely did a little tonight.”

“I didn’t have much of an opportunity. I’ll wait a few days but it’s hopeless as far as I can tell.”

“Okay, I’ll let the others know,” he said, and paused. “Damn, thanks seems inadequate if the two of you had something going and then this killed the relationship.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Hang in there, Garrett. And keep in touch.”

“Sure. Sorry, Will. I’m damned sorry,” Garrett repeated.

He told Will goodbye, then raking his fingers through his hair, he swore. As bitter as Sophia had been and as stubborn, he couldn’t imagine her changing.

He looked at his phone and pulled up the picture he had taken of her. His anger transformed to pain as he stood mesmerized by the picture of the moment that remained magical in his memory. She looked breathtaking, happy, sexy. He remembered reaching out to pull her into his arms and kiss her, and he longed to feel her against him now. Even though he was angry with her stubborn refusal to open her mind a little, he was torn with guilt about making love to her when he had been deceiving her. There were reasons he deserved her anger. He wanted to hold her right now.

He hurt for the loss. While he hadn’t known her long, it had seemed as if she had become a permanent part of his life.

He shook his head and swore again. The familiarity and closeness had been pure delusion. For her to become so furious with him, he must have meant nothing to her.

He couldn’t stop glancing at the picture even though he knew the futility of longing to see her. Wasn’t going to happen. He ran his thumb over her smiling image. Tonight would she think over what he had said? Or was she almost as angry with him as she was with Argus? Garrett missed her far more than he would have dreamed possible.

There was no going back, no setting aside the Delaneys and having something with Sophia. He might as well start trying to move on with his life.

Sophia painted until six, knowing she was merely going through the motions until she had to get dressed for some appointments. Her anger was overshadowed by pain over the break with Garrett and the deceit he had practiced. She couldn’t believe it— Argus Delaney was still causing her pain even after his death. Garrett’s arguments nagged at her, but she didn’t want to think about them or consider them in the least. He had completely betrayed her trust—in more ways than one.

She didn’t believe for a second that the Delaneys wanted to meet her and would still want to after the deadline had passed. They had to be just like their father and after more money. She was certain greed ruled their lives.

When she went to her closet, she barely glanced at her red suit that she had worn with Garrett. Pulling out a black suit that matched her mood, she stepped out of her robe and began to dress. She tried to put last night out of her mind as she got ready to go to the gallery.

She called Edgar and they agreed to meet for lunch. Friday was the anniversary of the opening of his first gallery and he was celebrating with an open house. He had planned to send invitations to clients with a listing of the artists who would be present, including her. Now she wished she could cancel so she could go to Santa Fe and try to forget Garrett, the Delaneys and everything that had happened since Garrett had come into her life. She wouldn’t do that to Edgar, but it was a tempting thought.

At her gallery, she tried to get things done as quickly as possible so she’d be ready to leave Houston as soon as she could. Also, she found that the gallery held memories of being with Garrett.

She had to rush to meet Edgar on time. Standing beside their table, he smiled as she approached.

“Oh, my,” he said as soon as she was close. He held her chair for her. “Something is wrong. I take it this is not just a fun lunch.”

“You’re too astute, Edgar,” she said lightly. She sat and picked up a menu although she ate there often with Edgar and knew what she liked. She just needed a moment behind her menu before she told Edgar the whole story. It wasn’t going to be easy. Their waiter came and they both ordered. As soon as they were alone, she met Edgar’s curious gaze.

“I’ll give you a clue. When you’re upset, you always fasten your hair up in a tight knot,” he said.

Startled, she glanced at him. “I don’t,” she replied and he shrugged. She could tell he didn’t want to argue, but he was probably right. “I didn’t even realize.”

“We don’t notice ourselves sometimes. So tell me—what’s the problem?”

“I would really like to go back to Santa Fe. Will it be too big an inconvenience for me to cancel my appearance at your anniversary party? Have you already sent invitations with the names of the artists who will be present?”

“Actually, I have. But if you need to miss, you may be excused.”

“I can wait until after the party and then go.”

“Is there an emergency?” Edgar asked, looking at her closely.

“No, not at all. I just wanted to get away.”

“Taking Garrett Cantrell with you?” Edgar asked and she sucked in her breath.

“No, I’m not,” she snapped and then wished she had not answered so abruptly. “It’s over with him, Edgar. He’s from Dallas and he was sent by the Delaneys.”

“So how did you learn this bit of information?”

“He told me. He was sent to get me to talk to them. I told him how I felt about the Delaneys, particularly my father. I don’t want the inheritance. I don’t want to meet my half brothers. Garrett tricked me and I never want to see him again,” she said.

“Seems as if he didn’t trick you if he told you that they sent him.”

Just as she opened her mouth to answer, their waiter appeared with lunches. She had no appetite for her tossed salad. She sipped water as she watched the waiter place chicken salad in front of Edgar.

“Edgar,” she said as soon as they were alone, her curiosity growing. “You don’t sound offended and you don’t sound surprised.”

Edgar sighed. “Garrett told me, Sophia. I knew why he was here.”

“Why on earth didn’t you warn me?” she asked, aghast at another betrayal from a man she had trusted all her life.

“You know why, Sophia,” Edgar stated, putting down his fork and gazing at her intently. “You and I have been over this and I dropped it because it is your decision, but since it has come up again, I’ll make another plea. I hate to see you hurt yourself. And you will be hurting yourself in a huge, lifelong manner that I think you will come to regret. You may be hurting yourself terribly in losing Garrett. He seemed like a good man, Sophia.”

“Edgar, I’m shocked. You’re my friend. Why did you side with the Delaneys on this? When did you turn against me?”

“Far from ‘turning against you,’ I want what’s in your best interests and I was thankful when Garrett told me why he was here. Sophia, stop being a wounded child about this.”

Edgar’s words stung. He had always been a mentor, her champion, always supportive and helpful until this argument about the Delaneys and even then, until now, he had backed off and kept quiet.

“Edgar, you know how Argus Delaney hurt Mom and me.”

“That has nothing to do with your brothers.”

“They’re grown men and probably just like their father. They’re half brothers, and they’re strangers to me.”

“You know there is a grandchild. A little girl who looks very much like you.”

“Edgar, these people are worth billions. They’re all going to be just fine.”