After Tex (29 page)

“A few,” she agreed. “See you later.”

He handed her a candy bar. “Here, it's on the house. Knowing you, you won't get out for lunch, first day back and all.”

“Thanks. You're probably right. I've got a lot of catching up to do.” If he only knew how much, she thought as she moved on.

As she rode the elevator upstairs, she realized that her day was starting just as hundreds of others had. The greetings were as friendly as ever, but for some reason she no longer felt quite as at home as she had a few short months ago. The excitement had dimmed, too.

Maybe that was because she was dreading the scene that was bound to ensue once she stepped off the elevator. She prayed she could keep herself from going for Micah's pretty little throat. Jake and Evan Porter had warned her again and again not to let on how much she knew.

She drew in a deep breath and braced herself for the show she was about to put on. She stepped out of the elevator with a smile firmly in place. Striding briskly through the offices, she spoke to every single person whose path she crossed.

Were the
welcome backs
a little subdued? Were the expressions a little guilty? Or was her imagination working overtime? Maybe some of each, she concluded as she finally stepped into her suite of offices and met Todd's worried gaze. He forced a smile, but it was clearly for the benefit of Micah, who was standing right beside his desk looking as innocent and complacent as a lamb.

“Megan,” she said brightly. “No one knew you were coming back today.”

“I had a few things here that needed my attention,” Megan said. “Everything okay around here?”

“Terrific,” the traitor said cheerfully. “Well, I'll be in my office if you need me.”

“I'm sure I'll want to talk to you later,” Megan said. “You can catch me up on everything that's been happening.”

Micah left at a leisurely pace. The instant she was gone, Todd shut the outer door and the door to Megan's private office. “Want to bet she's on the phone to Dean Whicker right this second?” he said.

“More than likely,” Megan agreed, dropping her purse and coat onto a chair. When she spotted the Howdy Doody puppet on her desk, she grinned despite the seriousness of the situation she was facing. It was a bittersweet reminder of the kid within, the one she'd rediscovered despite herself back in Wyoming. Somehow she was stronger than ever for having found her.

“So, what have you learned?” she asked Todd, braced for the worst.

“Not a lot,” he admitted with obvious disappointment. “A few of the magazine people have made it a point to stop in this morning and bring me up-to-date on production for the next issue. Either they don't know about the rest or they're covering their butts. I can't tell.”

“And Micah's cohorts in crime?”

He hesitated, then said, “To be honest, I think it's everyone on that side of the operation. They're all looking guilty as sin, except for Micah, of course. I'm just realizing what a terrific little actress she is. She's the one who should have been on a soap. She'd have made a fine villainess.”

Megan sighed. “Todd, I didn't ask you this before
and I should have. You don't have to give me a name, but was it an insider who warned you about what was happening here?”

“No. The tip came from outside.”

“And you're absolutely certain it's accurate?”

He regarded her quizzically. “Why the doubts now?”

“I guess I'm just hoping that you got bad information. I know this is a cutthroat business, but I thought I was working with friends.”

“Megan, I didn't manufacture that call from Dean Whicker.”

“No, I suppose not,” she said wearily. “Wishful thinking, I guess.”

“So, what do we do next? Confront Micah directly?” he asked eagerly. “I can't wait to see her face when she finds out we know.”

“No. I was thinking about this on the plane. I think I should have meetings with everyone on staff. Private meetings,” she stressed. “Don't let anyone know who's being called in next. After all, it would be perfectly normal for me to want to catch up on what's been happening in my absence. I want everyone to think these sessions are just routine.”

“Starting high or low on the totem pole?”

“Low,” she said. “Save Micah for the end, but I want everyone in here before lunchtime so she doesn't have time to run out and get advice.”

“Are you going to let on what you know?”

“Not directly, but I think I will ask some fairly straight questions about the outside studio use. You know, something along the lines of whether our time was cancelled, whether accounting was notified not
to pay any bills for the dates we were out of town, that sort of thing. Maybe someone will crack.”

“Do you want only people from the production side or the magazine staff, too?”

“Both,” she said. “This has to look as if it's business as usual, not as if I'm on a fishing expedition.”

“Got it. I'll have the first person in here in ten minutes.”

Megan kept the ensuing meetings brief and friendly. For two solid hours she took endless, tedious notes on details that were of no real consequence to the issue at hand. When she finally met with the head of accounting, she asked first about the magazine's budget.

“Everything on track? Advertising and circulation revenues keeping pace with expenses?”

“Better than ever on both counts,” Frank told her.

“How about the production side? I know we're overbudget because of the new studio, but I've okayed all of that and gone over it with the outside CPA. Peter's on top of it. Any other unusual expenses?”

Frank regarded her uneasily. “I don't know if you'd call it unusual exactly, but I did wonder about something.”

Megan's heart skipped a beat. “Oh?”

“I was a little surprised when some of the production and studio bills here came in as usual, even though you were out of town. Shouldn't somebody have cancelled the studio time and the crew?”

“Maybe it was a slipup,” she said.

“Probably. That's what Micah said, too. She took the bills and said she'd look into it.”

“When did she do that?”

“This morning.”

Bingo,
Megan thought triumphantly. She would have bet anything that those bills were about to be passed along to Dean Whicker, who would no doubt pay them expeditiously. The extra cost would mean nothing if the show was as profitable as he anticipated it being, especially without the high cost of having Megan's name attached to it.

“Thanks, Frank. I'm sure everything's being handled. Any problems I should know about?”

“Not a thing.”

“Good. Let me know if anything comes up.”

“Will you be around more now?”

Megan didn't know how to respond to that. “That's still up in the air,” she said finally. “Any particular reason you're asking?”

He shrugged. “Things just seem to run more smoothly when you're here. This company is your baby, after all.”

His choice of words left her with an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach.
This
was her baby, but Tess was just as much her responsibility. Megan knew from her own experience how critical it was for Tess to feel secure and loved. How could she measure that against a business? Obviously it was a dilemma that men had been facing for years, with children sadly coming out the losers all too often.

She was still thinking about it when Todd announced that Micah was waiting to see her.

“Send her in,” she said. “Let's get this over with.”

Far from wearing the downcast look of an about-
to-be-discovered traitor, Micah sailed into the room with the confidence of a woman who knew she had a future.

“Tell me what's been going on around here,” Megan suggested casually, as if she were interested in no more than the latest office gossip.

“We've been busy,” Micah said. “Everyone's been trying to take up the slack with you and Todd out of town.”

Very noble, Megan thought but refrained from saying. “I'm glad I could count on you. Next to Todd, you're the one person I can trust to stay on top of things.”

Micah had the good grace to blush at that. “I try.”

“By the way, tell me about those bills Frank passed along to you this morning. He says there was a mixup on the studio cancellation.”

“Not a problem,” Micah said, her expression suddenly tense. “I don't know why he bothered you. I told him I'd take care of it.”

“Did someone forget to cancel the studio time?”

Micah nodded. “Yes. I'm sure that's exactly what happened.”

Megan regarded her solemnly. “That's not like you to let something like that slip through the cracks.”

“I know, but I was in Wyoming, remember? I guess we just got so busy with everyone pulling extra duty around here. I'm sorry. I'll talk to the studio and see if we can't get a credit or something.”

Megan tapped her pen on the desk in a nervous rhythm that normally would have driven her nuts. She was hoping it would have the same effect on Micah. “It's odd, though.”

The woman's head snapped up. “What's odd?”

“That the bills weren't just for studio time we didn't use. There were bills for the crew, too. Surely they didn't go in there and sit around doing nothing.”

“Of course not,” Micah said. “That bill was probably just another slipup. I'm sure I cancelled the crew for that day. Don't worry. I'll take care of it.”

Megan nodded. “Okay. Let me know if there are any problems.”

“Absolutely,” she said, looking relieved to have the discussion ended. “Anything else?”

“I can't think of a thing, unless there's something you'd like to get into.”

“Nope. Not a thing,” Micah said, all but racing for the door. “Glad you're back.”

Megan stared after her. “Oh, I'll bet you are,” she said softly as the door closed behind her.

M
egan experienced the same odd sensation of being out of place when she went back to her apartment that night. She was surrounded by all of the things she had chosen with such care—beautiful art, exquisite porcelain, a one-of-a-kind sculpture, priceless antiques. There wasn't so much as a hint of her western roots in the decor. That had been incredibly important to her when she'd made her choices. Now none of it seemed to matter. Apparently she'd adapted to being surrounded by oak and leather again.

She wandered over to the wide expanse of windows that overlooked Central Park and the spectacular view beyond. Usually she found such peace and satisfaction in knowing that she'd earned the right to look on such grandeur every single day. Tonight she would have given almost anything for a view of a snowy expanse of nothingness and a star-filled sky.

Had she changed so much in a few brief weeks? Had her priorities shifted so dramatically? Apparently so, because the truth was she missed Tess and Jake and even Whispering Wind and the friends who'd come back into her life.

Without realizing it, she'd begun anticipating Christmas, looking forward to filling the house with
the fresh scent of pine, the sparkle of lights, mounds of presents and a host of friends. She couldn't wait to see Tess's eyes widen with wonder when she found everything she wished for under the tree.

Maybe it was foolish, but Megan hoped that by giving Tess her heart's desires, it would make up for the things Megan's mother and Tex had never given Megan herself. Even as she had the thought, she realized that those weren't what mattered. She and Tess had both had Tex's love, and that counted more than all the rest.

And then there was Jake and the steadfast way he'd made a place for himself in their lives. Beyond the extravagant gifts, she realized she could hardly wait until she and Jake were alone together with only the lights from the tree to illuminate the room and the sound of carols as background for quiet talk and the sort of kisses to which she'd become appallingly addicted.

She sighed heavily when the phone rang, but when she heard Jake's voice, her spirits brightened.

“You okay?” he asked at once. “You sound down.”

“Just thinking about home,” she admitted.

Silence fell for what seemed like an eternity before he asked, “Does that mean what I think it does?”

“That I miss you and Tess and the ranch? Yes, I'm afraid it does.”

“You don't sound happy about it.”

“I'm…” She searched for the right word, settled for saying, “Confused, I guess. I didn't expect to feel like this. I thought I'd want to jump into the fray, take
this fight with Dean Whicker to the bitter end, strangle Micah.”

“And instead?”

She chuckled. “Well, I still want to strangle Micah,” she said. “But I don't much care about the rest. There are other syndicators who'll pick up the show. I suppose I want to sue Dean on principle, but I can't work up a lot of enthusiasm for the battle itself.”

“Then allow me to have enthusiasm enough for both of us,” Jake offered. “Nobody messes with Megan O'Rourke while I'm around. I talked to Evan Porter today. He's every bit as outraged as I am. He'll file the papers tomorrow. We're going to take them all to the cleaners.”

“You sound downright eager.”

“There's nothing I like better than a good fight, a worthy opponent and a just cause.”

“It's only business,” Megan said.

Jake seemed to be stunned into silence. Finally he said, “Excuse me? Did I hear you say this was
only
business?”

“I know. I'm as astonished as you are. I must be losing my touch. What's happening back there? Is Tess okay?”

“Tess is safely tucked into bed. She got through the school day without getting sent to the principal's office even once. Flo came for dinner, then spent the evening helping me finish up the legal papers to fax to your guy in New York. She's got a quick mind, even if her typing leaves a lot to be desired.”

“Don't tell me she's actually working out,” Megan said, startled by the tone of approval in his voice.

“As a matter of fact, she is. I owe you.”

“Does that mean that someday she'll be ready to be a full-time mother to Tess again?” Megan asked with an odd little quiver of trepidation in her stomach.

“I think she'll be ready to be a part of Tess's life, but it'll be a long time before she's eager to take on the responsibility of raising a daughter. This arrangement is working out well for all concerned, especially Tess. She's beginning to thrive, Meggie. She's beginning to have faith that she's surrounded by love. Flo is a part of that, but so are you.”

Megan found she was surprisingly gratified by his assessment. “And Peggy?” she asked, realizing that she felt strangely left out after only a day away. “How are things going with Johnny?”

“She's making him jump through hoops. She called him an hour ago—past his very early bedtime, as I understand it—and hinted that she felt a wild craving for mint chocolate chip ice cream. Johnny was here within thirty minutes. They've gone into town. If you ask me, she was just testing to see if he was at home when she called.”

“No doubt it was the first of many such tests,” Megan said. “Is Barbara Sue okay?”

Jake hesitated. “For the moment,” he said finally.

It didn't take much to figure out why he sounded so worried. “Lyle's out of the hospital, isn't he?”

“Oh, yeah. He's at home with Mama and mean as a snake. I'm not at all sure Bryce can handle him. He's got a deputy posted to keep an eye on Barbara Sue, but there's not enough manpower to do that for long.”

“Lyle's been served with the restraining order?”

“Yes, but we both know how much good that will
do if he decides to ignore it and the deputy turns his back for a split second.”

“And Barbara Sue won't even consider taking a vacation, leaving town for a while?”

“Not a chance. Henrietta's backing her up, more's the pity. She thinks it's important for her to finally take a stand. She says it will be a big boost to Barbara Sue's self-esteem that she stood up to him.”

Megan glanced down at the sheet of upcoming topics for her magazine. There were articles on refinishing junkyard furniture finds, making silk flowers, restoring vintage clothes, designing quilt patterns to fit a child's interests. Did anybody really need to know that stuff? she wondered. What mattered were the things going on in Whispering Wind. That was real life. She sighed heavily.

“What's wrong?” Jake asked.

“Nothing. I just have some thinking to do. I'll talk to you in the morning.”

“Okay,” he said, sounding puzzled. “Love you, darlin'.”

“Oh, Jake,” she whispered. “I love you, too.”

For the first time ever, she finally realized that that alone was more than enough to make her truly happy. The rest was all window dressing.

 

Jake perched on a stool at the diner in the morning, sipping a cup of coffee and pondering the odd mood Megan had been in the night before. All the while he kept a careful eye on Barbara Sue, who was waiting tables and laughing with the customers.

“She looks happy, doesn't she?” Henrietta asked as she refilled his cup.

Jake nodded.

Henrietta sighed deeply. “I have to wonder how long that will last.”

“As long as Lyle steers clear of her, I imagine,” Jake said, then caught Henrietta's expression. The color had drained out of her face and she was reaching for the phone.

“What is it?” Jake said.

“Bryce, get over here right now,” Henrietta barked into the phone, then jerked her head toward the window for Jake's benefit. Lyle was making his way toward the diner, limping and in obvious pain, but with a grimly determined expression on his face. Barbara Sue caught sight of him just then. Her order pad slipped from her fingers. Her whole body trembled.

“I'll stop him,” Jake said, heading for the door.

“You get Barbara Sue out of sight. Keep her in the kitchen. Take her out the back door. Just don't let her come out where Lyle can see her.”

Henrietta moved quickly. Jake didn't wait to see if Barbara Sue moved. He headed outside and met Lyle on the sidewalk.

“It's a public place. You can't stop me from going in there,” the man told him, trying to push his way past. He was too weak to shove a toddler, much less a very determined man like Jake.

“That is exactly what I'm going to do,” Jake replied. “Go on home, Lyle. You know you're not supposed to go anywhere near Barbara Sue. Henrietta's already called Bryce.”

Lyle stared at him with bloodshot eyes. Apparently he'd spent the night mixing booze with his painkillers. Or maybe he'd skipped the painkillers altogether.
Before Jake could guess what he intended, Lyle had reached in his pocket and pulled out a gun.

“Either you get out of my way or I'll take you down with her,” Lyle said with blood-chilling calm. “It makes no difference to me. I have nothing to lose.”

“You have your freedom to lose. Any hope of a future,” Jake said, not flinching. He kept his gaze trained on Lyle's face, avoiding so much as a glance toward that wavering gun. He had to stall him until Bryce could get here. Where the hell was the sheriff, anyway?

“My future's over and done with,” Lyle said. “She's ruined my reputation. Do you know Mama fired me from my job over this? She said the customers would stop coming in if I was there. Barbara Sue shoots me and I lose my job in my own family store. Now where's the justice in that, I ask you? You're the big-shot lawyer. You going to represent me, help me get my job back?”

“Either that or help you find another one,” Jake offered. “In another town where you can make a fresh start.”

“Right. I know you're on her side,” he said bitterly. “You'll say whatever it takes to keep me away from her.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw Bryce easing down the street, gun drawn. If he could just keep Lyle's attention, keep him talking, maybe this would end without bloodshed.

“Hey, you said it, Lyle. I'm a lawyer. It's my job to help anyone who needs it. Representing Barbara
Sue wouldn't keep me from helping you get your job back.”

“Nice try,” Lyle said sorrowfully. “But I'm not buying it.”

He lowered the gun, and for an instant, Jake thought he'd gotten through to him. Then, before Jake could even guess his intentions, Lyle aimed for Jake's leg and pulled the trigger. Even as he fell to the ground and the pain exploded through his leg, Jake heard Barbara Sue's scream of protest.

“Stay inside,” he yelled, as another shot rang out and then another. Lyle seemed to fall in slow motion, landing just inches away. He was clutching a gaping wound in his chest.

Then chaos erupted around Jake. The last thing he remembered was the sight of Henrietta peering down into his face and all but commanding him to stay alive. “Don't you dare die,” she said. “If anything happens to you, Megan will never forgive either one of us.”

 

Megan hung up the phone after an illuminating conversation with Dean. He'd been eating crow and backpedaling so fast on his threat to cancel her show it was a wonder he hadn't choked on the words.

“Well?” Todd demanded. “What did he say?”

“He seems to have had second thoughts.”

“Did you tell him he could take his second thoughts and shove them?”

“You were standing right there. Did you hear me say such a thing?”

“I was hoping maybe you were so subtle it eluded me. So, what have you decided?”

“I told him I'd get back to him, that I'd been hearing from other syndicators all morning and I wanted time to consider their offers.” She grinned happily. “He's squirming, Todd. I love it.”

Just then the phone rang. Todd reached across her desk to pick it up. “Megan O'Rourke's office.” He paused. “What? Slow down. Who is this?” A moment later, he handed the phone to Megan.

“Henrietta. She refuses to talk to anyone but you.”

Acid began to churn in Megan's stomach. “Henrietta? What is it?”

The older woman sucked in a deep breath, then blurted, “It's Jake, honey.”

“Jake? What's wrong with Jake?”

“He's been shot.”

Megan's knees gave way. She sank down into her chair. After swallowing hard, she managed to ask, “Is he…?” That was as far as she could get.

“He's alive. It's his leg. I'm at the hospital now. They're taking him into surgery in a few minutes.”

People didn't die from being shot in the leg, did they? Oh, sweet heaven, could there be more? “Henrietta, there's nothing else, is there? He's not going to die, is he?”