Charlene Sands - Fortune's Vengeful Groom

Eliza pursed her lips to keep from lashing out. She’d lost this round with Reese. She couldn’t afford for him to make good on his threat. It had taken several years to live down her last romantic debacle with a man who had aspirations of becoming Sioux Falls’ youngest mayor. She’d been engaged to Warren Keyes for six months and broke off the engagement two weeks before the wedding.

Local news stations and leading headlines in the Tribune had kept a running tally on their breakup for weeks, and Eliza had come out the loser. Her head throbbed as she recalled the pain she’d endured finding her fiancé in bed with his campaign manager. No one knew the entire truth except her family. She’d kept quiet about his infidelity, not out of any concern for him or his campaign but because she hadn’t wanted the public humiliation. Pity was the last thing she’d needed. It was bad enough that she’d suffered public scrutiny, being described as “flighty,” “fickle” and “confused” when she’d walked out on him.

But what she’d really been was hurt, the injury to a young girl’s heart almost too painful to bear. Warren had used her and her family’s name to attain status in the community for political gain.

She’d run away then to Montana and had met Reese Parker. The ruggedly handsome cowboy had swept her off her feet. She’d fallen hard for him, and they’d had a summer affair that led to a quick wedding. Now, if the truth got out about her marriage, the term rebound would take on a whole new meaning.

“Dinner at eight,” he said without compunction. “I doubt you remember my favorite meal, but this really isn’t about food, is it?”

With that, he strode purposefully off the terrace. Eliza watched the glass door slam shut in his wake.

“Pot roast and potatoes with creamed spinach,” she muttered softly.

Then trembled again.

Reese paced his penthouse suite, striding back and forth with suppressed rage. Eliza Fortune Parker, his wife, had tried to cast him off once again tonight. This time he wasn’t having any of it. She’d see him on his terms, whether she liked it or not. And she hadn’t liked it.

No, his appearance at her fund-raiser tonight had put a wrench in her nicely tuned life. Reese could take some satisfaction in that. He’d seen fear in her eyes, and that suited him just fine. Let her fear him and what havoc he could cause her.

She’d caused him enough grief to last a lifetime. Reese shoved his hand into his pocket, coming up with the note she’d written him six years ago, the crinkled, worn parchment he’d been given by a hotel desk clerk a constant reminder to him to succeed in life. Hell, he’d practically used the note as his bible, his guide to never give up. To never let anyone best him again.

He glanced down at the delicate writing, smudged now and bleeding blue ink.

The marriage was a mistake. I’m going home. I don’t want to see you again. Ever.

Ever.

Damn her. He’d stayed away long enough.

He knew every cold, harsh word of that note by heart. It was time to end it all, and too bad if it didn’t fit into Eliza’s plans.

Before his father died last month, he’d made Reese promise that he’d get his affairs in order. With unspoken words, he’d immediately known what his father had meant. Normally, Cole Parker didn’t pull punches. He’d been one up-front tell-it-like-it-is kind of man. But his father had known that Eliza Fortune Parker had been Reese’s one weak spot so he’d trod carefully.

It’s time, Reese, he’d said, almost on his last breath. Take hold of your life, son.

His father had been right. It was time.

But Reese would take his time, making Eliza squirm, upending her perfect little world, showing her that he wasn’t the sweet-natured, bronc-busting cowboy she could tie up in knots, anymore.

God, he’d been a fool thinking that the rich, pretty socialite would be happy with a down-on-his-luck cowboy.

Reese winced and crumpled the note, shoving it back into his pocket.

Man, but he’d loved her. She’d come to Montana and he’d seen something unique in her, something beautiful in her heart. She’d turned him on with that body of hers, wearing clothes that hid her perfection. His imagination had taken wild rides, until he’d known he had to have her. And once they’d made love, it had been better than good. So damn much better than anything he’d ever experienced.

When Reese’s cell phone rang, he checked the number, then smiled. “Hey, Garrett.”

“Where are you, bro?”

“In the Providence Hotel.”

“Top floor?”

“Penthouse.” Reese could picture his brother’s grin. They’d often joked that once they struck it rich, they’d never stay in anything but the best—a result of too many sleazy motels with torn sheets and rodents as bed partners.

“I take it that’s not a Fortune acquisition?”

“Hell, I had to drive across town to find a decent hotel they didn’t own.”

“You’re home early. I take it the night didn’t go well?”

“On the contrary. I accomplished my goal.”

“Which was?”

“You wouldn’t approve, Sir Galahad.”

His brother sighed. “So, how is Eliza?”

Beautiful, sexy, cold as ice. “She hasn’t grown fangs or anything.”

“Ah, still a knockout.”

Reese didn’t answer.

“Hey, I’m on your side, Reese. We’re family. But I liked Eliza from the moment I met her.”

“You only met her one time.”

“True, but I could tell she was crazy about you. I thought you were a lucky man. And Pops, well, he wanted you to sort out your life, Reese.”

“That’s what I’m doing. I plan on getting her out of my life.”

There was a long pause. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

Reese let out a bitter laugh. He knew his brother only meant well, but what option did a man have when his wife walked out on him without any explanation. She’d kept their marriage a secret because she’d been ashamed of him and his status in life and feared her family wouldn’t approve. She didn’t care enough about him to fight for what they had. He’d been broke, making his way through the rodeo circuit and pouring all of his money into his venture. But Eliza hadn’t stuck around long enough to see his dream come true. When she’d had enough, she’d simply walked out. Without taking a backward glance. Well, he’s making her take a good long look now. “I’m sure.”

“Okay,” Garrett said quietly, and Reese knew his brother only had his welfare at heart. “Hey, want some good news?”

“Shoot.”

“We had a blowout in Cinder Basin. A real gusher. Your instincts were right on. That makes seven straight oil strikes, Reese.”

Reese’s mood lifted. “Pops would’ve liked to hear the news.”

“He knows, Reese. He’s overseeing our operation from up above.”

“Yeah.”

Reese had ridden the rodeo circuit to sustain his dream, using his winnings to help finance his venture as a wildcatter. He’d worked long and hard coming up with nothing but dry holes his first three years. The standing joke was that he couldn’t find oil in a gas station. But then his luck changed and his rigs started paying off. He became a respected oilman, hitting five straight blowouts that year, and his success continued to mount every year, his ratio of blowouts to dry holes ten to one. It hadn’t taken him long to form his own company—Parker Explorations being one of the most prosperous oil companies in Montana.

“Thanks for the call, Garrett. I’ll be dreaming of black gold.”

“You’re going to need it with that house you’re building.”

Reese agreed. “Yeah, it’s a money pit, but it’ll be perfect when I’m through.”