Straight From The Hip

“Screw ’em.”

The coffee was delivered. When the door closed and they were alone again, Jed leaned toward him.

“Garth, I have a proposition for you.”

Victory, Garth thought, feeling a bone-deep sense of satisfaction. If not today, then soon. Jed was running scared. His visit here was proof of that. The plan was working.

“Which is?”

“A partnership. This has been a good game. You’ve given me a run for my money and I respect that, but we’re talking business. Why waste the resources?”

“Because I have money to burn.”

Jed’s gaze sharpened. “So do I, but it’s not necessary. Here’s what I’m offering. I’ll bring you in as president of Titan World with a generous salary. I’ll gift you a truckload of shares. The rest you’ll vest over time so that when I’m gone you’ll have controlling interest in the company. I mean the whole company. Not just a piece here or there. I’ll also cut my daughters out of my will. You’ll get it all. You’ll win.”

It was an offer made of desperation, Garth thought, pleased and a little disappointed. He hadn’t thought Jed would cave so easily and he sure wasn’t ready for the game to be over.

“What makes you think I don’t want your daughters to get anything?”

“You’ve gone after them plenty. Look, Garth. I’m impressed and proud as hell. This is a onetime offer. What do you say?”

“That I’m not interested in working for you. I’ve built my own business.”

Jed glared at him. “It’s nothing compared to Titan World.”

“It’s getting there. Give me another year. As for the stock, I already own nearly ten percent. I plan to take you down the old-fashioned way.”

Jed visibly relaxed. He leaned back against the sofa. “You want to play rough.”

“Absolutely.”

“I respect you coming after me. You have a bone to pick and maybe I earned it. But my girls are different. What you did to Izzy is just plain wrong. It’s also against the law.”

“I didn’t have anything to do with the explosion. I might be interested in having a little fun with my sisters, but I’ve done nothing to hurt them. I don’t know what happened on that rig, but it wasn’t me.”

Jed shook his head. “At least admit you did it.”

“If I had, I would. But I didn’t.”

Which left the same question on the table. Who else was after Jed? Who else had so much on the line that he would blow up an oil rig?

His gaze returned to his father. Had he been set up by Jed? Would Jed do that to his own kid, just to make Garth the bad guy? Why not? Jed was ruthless.

Garth stood. “I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. I don’t need to work for you to control Titan World.”

Jed came to his feet. “You won’t win, boy. I’ll crush you.”

“You’ll try. There’s a difference. But in the end, I’ll have it all.”

“Then I’ll see you in hell.”

Garth shrugged. “You first.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

IZZY SAT IN THE SUN, taking in the chaos around her. She could smell the meat on the barbecue and the sweet scent of lemonade, hear the multiple conversations, the clink of ice in glasses and hum of insects. It was a perfect September Saturday and most everyone she cared about in the world was around her.

Lexi was there with Cruz and his daughter, Kendra. Skye had brought Mitch and Erin. Rita and her husband had come, as had Norma, whose “date” was an Australian Shepherd who kept trying to herd everyone into a central spot. Aaron had brought his boyfriend, Steve. Izzy felt the love and support all around her but the one person she was most interested in hadn’t come out of the house yet.

She was annoyed both by his tardiness and by her desire to have him next to her. Being totally blind was hard and having Nick nearby made it easier.

Familiarity, she told herself. It had nothing to do with how she felt. It couldn’t. Talk about a disaster.

“How are you doing?” Dana asked as she came and sat next to Izzy.

“Okay. Still blind.”

“I can see that. The bandages are a nice reminder.”

“You like them? I think they’re going to be on all the spring runways.”

“Like I’d know what that means,” Dana grumbled.

“It’s a fashion thing.”

“I don’t do fashion.”

Izzy grinned. “Or the whole mani-pedi experience. Do you even own mascara?”

“I did. Once. Maybe.”

Dana was a wonderful friend and a lot of fun, but she was the opposite of girly.

“It’s probably best you didn’t go into retail,” Izzy teased.

“You think?” Dana sighed. “Everyone here has someone but me. Even Norma brought a dog.”

“Do you want a dog?”

“No. I’m just saying.”

“You want a guy.”

“Maybe.” Dana sounded almost angry. “Let’s change the subject.”

“Why? You could date.”

“Thanks. I was waiting for your permission.”

Izzy laughed. “At least now you have it. Look. You’re great and pretty and sexy and guys love that. But you’ve always picked safe, boring men who don’t challenge you. Then you dump them because they’re safe and boring. You need to try a different type.”

Dana didn’t say anything. Izzy suspected it was because her friend was afraid to try a different type. She didn’t want the challenge. Izzy suspected there were secrets in Dana’s past she’d never talked about and it would be impossible to-

The skin on the back of her neck prickled. She couldn’t say why-she hadn’t heard anything. But the sensation wouldn’t go away. Seconds later, a strong, warm hand settled on her shoulder.

“How are you holding up?” Nick asked.

“Good. This is nice. Thanks for having everyone over.” She felt oddly nervous to be around Nick and most of her family. As if she were afraid they would figure something out.

This was all Rita’s fault, Izzy thought grimly. If Rita hadn’t made that stupid comment about marrying Nick, she would feel completely normal. But noooo.

Just as awkward was the conversation she’d had at her doctor’s office the previous day. She’d been in for a bandage change. One done in a nearly totally dark room with her eyes closed, so she still didn’t know if she could see or not. But Dr. Greenspoon had lifted her physical restrictions. Meaning she could now go riding. Or, more important, make love with Nick.

Only she hadn’t told him. Her! A woman used to taking whatever she wanted. A woman who gave as good as she got in bed, as well as everywhere else in life. She’d felt awkward and shy. Almost confused. And she hadn’t said a word.

“Sorry I’m late,” Nick said. “I was talking to a social worker about a couple of kids.”

“You didn’t miss much,” Dana told him. “Skye’s daughter, Erin, and your friend Aaron can’t get over the fact that they have the same name, only it’s spelled differently. The joke is hilarious to them, but getting old for the rest of us.”

Izzy laughed. “You’ll have to forgive Dana. She’s a little cynical.”

“Sounds like your kind of people,” Nick said.