Claude and Catherine Hedley, Danielle introduced. This is Travis Jacobs. Travis is from Lyndon Valley, Colorado. Hes a friend of Caleb Terrell, Active Equipment, one of my major clients.
Catherine Hedley gave a warm smile. So nice to meet you, Mr. Jacobs. Are you attending the conference?
Travis stepped forward to gently shake the older womans hand. Please, call me Travis. Im not a lawyer, maam.
Randal piped up. Hes a bull rider.
Claude Hedley looked surprised by the revelation.
Im a rancher, sir. Travis held out his hand to Claude. Our spread is next door to Calebs in Lyndon Valley.
And he won first prize last night, Odette put in helpfully.
Caleb diversified into Active Equipment many years ago, Danielle elaborated, obviously trying to make up for the social gaffe of being acquainted with a bull rider. While the Jacobs family has gone into politics, the arts in New York, and a fast-growing international brewing company.
The brewery is my brother-in-law, said Travis, unwilling to push the spin too far. I just take care of the cattle.
Claude Hedley shook his hand. Call me Claude. It sounds like your family is up and coming.
His sister is Katrina Jacobs, said Astra. The ballet dancer.
Travis glanced at her in surprise.
Ive got internet, said Astra.
Danielle, your friend should join us for the reception, Catherine Hedley put in. Then she looked to Travis. Were touring the Van Ostram Botanical Gardens.
Randal obviously couldnt hold his tongue. Im sure Travis has plans with the rodeo crowd.
As a matter of fact, said Travis, glancing at his watch. I just had a meeting postponed.
That settles it, said Catherine with another smile. You know, I do believe Ive seen your sister dance.
Shes been with the Liberty Ballet for several years now.
That makes sense, then.
We can catch the limos out front, Claude offered, stretching out an arm to invite them to proceed.
Randal swiftly sidled up to Danielle. They were slightly ahead of Travis as the group began to move.
What are you doing? Randal hissed at her in clear annoyance.
What do you expect me to do?
Get rid of him.
How would you suggest I do that?
Travis couldnt tell whether Danielle thought getting rid of him was a good idea or not. It didnt really matter, since he wasnt going anywhere except with her. Randal might be able to snow Danielle about his intentions, but Travis was on to him, and he was going to force the man to show his hand.
You need their support, said Randal.
Theyve already made me an offer, Danielle countered.
Getting through the door is only the first step.
Catherine invited him, not me.
Everything the man says and does tonight will reflect on you.
Travis bit his tongue. He was tempted to tell Randal hed do his level best not to spit and swear in front of the Hedleys. But he didnt want Randal to know he could overhear.
The group was forced to split up, taking two of the black Escalade SUVs. Randal jockeyed hard, but ended up with the Hedleys and Odette, where he politely, if reluctantly, offered to clamber into the third-row seat.
Travis intended to do the same in the other vehicle, but Nadine insisted that she, Astrid and Danielle could fit in the middle seat, and Travis should ride up front. The driver slanted a covetous glance at the three beautiful women in his rearview mirror and gave Travis a discrete thumbs-up as they pulled away.
When Astrid expressed a desire for breath mints, Travis asked the driver to stop and hopped out to buy them for her. He took enough time to be certain the Hedleys group would have headed into the reception by the time the second Escalade arrived at the gardens.
Travis tipped the driver and helped each of the women out of the vehicle. The trees at the entrance were lit with tiny white lights. Glowing orange lanterns illuminated a stone walkway, while colored spots gave a fantasy aura to the leafy plants and flowering gardens.
Danielle moved up beside him as they passed a glowing, purple pond. What exactly are you doing?
Travis considered a range of answers and decided to be honest. Im making him stark raving mad.
Why? Im sure you had far better things to do tonight than hang out with a bunch of stuffy lawyers.
Youre not a stuffy lawyer.
You know what I mean.
Hes going to show his hand, Danielle. He cant stand the competition, and hes going to make a pass at you. And then youll know.
Know what?
Travis counted off on his fingers. That hes willing to cheat on his girlfriend. That this was never about a job. That he wants you back in his life, back in his bed.
She went silent for a long moment. Its not true.
Yes, it is.
Why do you even care?
The question stopped Travis. It took him a minute to collect his thoughts. I care because hes lying to you.
They walked a bit farther in silence, beneath a canopy of oaks, green, red and blue spots glowing up their trunks.
Finally, she drew an audible breath. What youre doing doesnt make sense, Travis.
Why does it have to make sense? Even as he said the words, he knew she was right. He had absolutely no reason to meddle in her life.
Everything has to make some kind of sense, she countered.
Maybe to a lawyer. But cowboys operate on instinct.
She paused at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the pavilion, turning to face him. Astrid and Nadine were several yards ahead.
And, whats your instinct telling you? she asked.
He gazed down at her. His instinct was telling him to kiss her, and kiss her hard. But he couldnt do that here. Not that he could do it anywhere.
Its telling me hes no good for you, Danielle. Hes no good for you, and Im the only guy around to stop him.
I am a grown woman, Travis. I can stop him all by myself.
Travis smiled at that. In many ways it was true. But his way was faster, and he didnt like the odds that shed end up getting hurt. Hes too sneaky, and youre too kind.
What do you mean Im kind? I fight with you all the time.
Its safe for you to fight with me.
She tilted her pretty head sideways, and he couldnt help but think it was the perfect angle to kiss. Your instincts telling you that, too? she asked tartly.
Yep. And theyre infallible. He offered her his arm to walk up the staircase.
* * *
Inside the reception, Danielle left Travis to his own devises. She quickly found herself swept up in a whirlwind of introductions and conversations with the whos who of Nester and Hedley. It seemed they were interested in her South American experience. Brazil and Columbia were rising on everyones trade radar in D.C., and their expertise was weak for the region. They saw an opportunity to get in early on this new wave, and they wanted Danielle to head up an entire division.
It was a genuine, exciting offer that didnt appear to have anything to do with Randal. In fact, shed barely seen him since they arrived. The senior partners seemed to know her entire professional history, even details of Calebs Active Equipment activities and challenges in Columbia.
It was a genuine, exciting offer that didnt appear to have anything to do with Randal. In fact, shed barely seen him since they arrived. The senior partners seemed to know her entire professional history, even details of Calebs Active Equipment activities and challenges in Columbia.
It was close to eleven when, throat raw from talking over the music, and feet sore from her high shoes, she pushed her way up to a bar stool and asked the bartender for a soda and lime.
Hes watching you, came Traviss deep voice from behind her left ear. He took the stool next to her.
Hes barely said a word to me all night long. Honestly, the only person creeping me out here, is you.
Hes known where you were every second.
She angled toward him. First, I dont believe you. Second, Ive been talking with his bosses. Theyre the ones who have his attention, not me.
Travis reached for a handful of the snack mix on the bar. Keep telling yourself that.
I will, thank you very much.
The waiter set her drink down in front of her and looked to Travis for his order.
Are you hungry? Travis asked her. Those little crab puffs and cheese squares didnt do it for me.
Im not leaving yet.
Ill take a beer, Travis said to the waiter. Whatever youve got on tap.
Its by the bottle, sir.
Danielle couldnt help but grin as she stirred the ice in her soda and lime.
Anything from DFB?
Mountain Red?
Sounds great.
The waiter turned to the glass-fronted refrigerator.
This isnt a honky-tonk, Danielle pointed out.
Are my country roots showing?
She realized how snobby she sounded. An honest mistake. No big deal.
The waiter returned with an open bottle of Mountain Red and a chilled pilsner glass. Travis handed him a tip, and Danielle realized she was the one who lacked class.
Hows it going? Travis asked her as he tipped the glass and poured in the amber liquid. It foamed slightly at the top of the flared glass.
They seem serious, she answered, gazing at the bubbles in her own drink. They know a lot about me.
Yeah? All good?
She smiled to herself. They think its good. They know what I did for Active Equipment and a few others, and they want me to head up a South American division.
She couldnt help replaying the conversations in her mind. If Claude Hedley was to be believed, shed be on the cutting edge of a global wave of interest. The earning potential would be massive, and shed be in a position to set her own priorities and parameters.
You going to take it? asked Travis.
Im thinking about it, she answered honestly. Then it suddenly occurred to her she was talking to a close friend of Calebs.
She quickly turned to take in his expression. But...uh...
He caught on quick. You dont want me to tell Caleb.
Her hand went reflexively to his forearm. Id never ask you to lie. But it would be better for me if you didnt mention it to him right away.
He took a reflective drink of his beer. Your secrets safe with me.
Thank you. Im sorry to put you in that position.
I know you didnt do it on purpose.
I really didnt think this through. Where had her common sense been yesterday when shed mentioned this to Travis.
Unusual for you? he asked.
Very.
Hes coming over.
Who?
Randal. Who else. Traviss gaze went down. Youre touching me, and he feels threatened. Hes about to stake his territory.
She immediately realized she hadnt taken her hand from Traviss arm. Then she realized his arm was warm, hot actually under her fingertips. He was solid, strong and alive. She didnt want to pull away.
Dont panic, Travis muttered in an undertone. But Im going to touch your hair.
Wha
Before she could finish the word, he gently brushed the back of his knuckles along her cheek, smoothing her hair back over her ear.
She froze, every nerve ending in her body focusing on the gentle touch. Pings of awareness and desire shot out, sending signals of desire to every corner of her body.
Dani, boomed Randals voice. He wrapped a hearty arm around her shoulders and gave her a pat. It looked like things went well?
Traviss hand fell away. Hello, Randal.
Oh, Travis. Randal pretended hed just noticed him. Howre you holding up here?
Managing just fine, Travis responded.
Randal turned his attention back to Danielle. What did they say? More importantly, what did you say?
She hasnt made up her mind yet, Travis put in.
Randal sent him a glare. I asked Dani.
Well, Dani told me first.
Travis, Danielle warned.
He was entitled to whatever theory he concocted, but that didnt give him the right to pick a fight.
Randal drew back his shoulders, lifting his chin. She did, did she?
They offered me a South American division, she quickly told Randal.
Thats great. His shoulders relaxed. Im going to head up Europe, starting in September. Wed be at exactly the same level, on the partners floor. I dont have to tell you, thats an impressive way to enter the firm.
You dont have to tell me, Danielle agreed.
The expense account is unlimited. The benefits are top-drawer, and the work is some of the most intellectually stimulating
Randal? she interrupted.
Yes?
Ive been listening to the sales pitch all night.
Travis stifled a chuckle.
Randals attention immediately flew to him. You got something to add here?
Not a thing, said Travis, polishing off his beer. Youre doing just fine all by yourself.
Randal glared a moment longer, but then something caught his attention across the room. Theres old man Nester. He squeezed Danielles shoulder, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial level. Give me three minutes to break into the conversation, then come over and join us.
He walked away.
Travis looked at Danielle, and she stared back.
Well? he asked.
She was all schmoozed out. Her feet were swelling. Her makeup was about to crack. And the last thing she wanted to do was humor the wheezy, narcissistic Edger Nester through what shed heard tended to be half-hour-long discourses on the flaws in judicial procedure. If she took the job, shed have to put up with it. But she wasnt there yet.
Im out of here, she told Travis.
His hand went immediately to her elbow, helping her down from the high stool, before turning them to a nearby side exit.
They came out into the gardens, quiet in the late hour. The breeze had picked up, cooling the air, and Travis quickly shrugged out of his suit jacket, draping it around her shoulders. They started down a winding flagstone walkway.
That was a quick decision, he noted.
Ive only met Mr. Nester once, but Ive heard tales of his boring orations, and Im tired. She reached down and peeled off her sandals, moving to the soft grass at the side of the path. My feet are killing me.