Imperious. That’s the word for it.

Bess was the grande dame of the Decker empire and all that was left, except for my brother Ryan and me. She’d outlived her three children, including our father. And by the tone of her voice, she wasn’t going to be kept waiting any longer…

“Joseph!” Her voice cut through the warm air. “Tea, now. And don’t go running off. I want a word.”

I took the tea tray from Maria and headed out to the patio. The housekeeper shot me a look of gratitude and turned for the kitchen. It was her job, not mine, but I could hardly blame her.

“Grandmother,” I said cheerfully, setting the tray down in front of her. “You’re looking well this morning. Picture of health.”

“Hhmmph,” she replied testily, as she poured and handed me a steaming cup. “Damnably hot for spring,” she muttered, her voice surprisingly strong coming from such a tiny old woman. White-haired and wrinkled, her eyes were as bright and clear as they’d been in her youth. They were Decker blue, brilliant and flecked with violet. She was still a startlingly attractive woman, even in her eighties.

“You’re heading in later than usual.” It wasn’t a question.

“I am,” I replied. “The managing editor took the morning meetings. I had some details to tie up late last night on the Fairfax shootings.”

She shifted and blew into her cup. “Well, just don’t make a habit of it. I didn’t make you executive editor just for show, just because you were the eldest… the next in line after my poor Davis.” Her eyes always misted over when she thought of my dad. He’d died only two short years ago. The wounds were still fresh.

I patted her hand comfortingly as she sat up straighter. “I’ll make him proud, Grandma Bess. You, too. TexStar has already added a dozen new dailies and another channel. We’re bigger and better than ever.” I stood, and put down my china cup. “And I need to get moving… now, what with the weight of the family empire on my shoulders…”

She chuckled, pleased. “We’ll see,” she said. “It’s not as if you’re the only Decker heir. There’s always your brother…,” she threatened.

She knew goddamn well I’d keep my promise. I’d always kept my promises, even though taking control of TexStar Newsmedia had pretty much been the end of my career as a photojournalist. I’d given up the camera for a big corner office and the backbreaking burden of leadership. And I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that something was missing… Maybe a sense of purpose… maybe the passion I’d felt when I was looking through the camera lens. But I was damned good. Even better than my father. And Bess knew it.

I dropped a kiss on her dry forehead and turned to leave.

“Joseph?”

I turned back to see her twisting her hands. Hesitation wasn’t like her. I stood, intrigued… waiting…

“Be at the… bus station at two.” She looked like the words tasted sour on her lips. “One of those charity children is coming back for a brief stay in the cottage. I’ve given her my permission.”

“One of…” Maggie. Oh, my God… Maggie… For a moment, I forgot my grandmother’s disdainful tone. I forgot everything around me. I could still see Maggie’s pale coppery-blonde curls and the tears in her big brown eyes. That poor little kid, with her dirty toes and her broken heart...

“Maggie’s back?” Little Mags…

“Was that her name…? It’s the girl, I know that much.” Bess patted her skirts. “I received a message that her car didn’t make the entire trip back from Kansas. She was picked up by one of those… passenger buses, and will be arriving this…”

I interrupted, making her blink. “I’ll collect her,” I said firmly, forcing down my own irritation. “I know you never cared for any of their family, Bess. But Dad made them a promise.” It was my turn to sound imperious. “The Decker family owes the Blake’s, and I’m going to make damned sure we honor it. Have Maria make a special dinner tonight. Little Maggie’s going to have a proper welcome home.”

I left Bess with her thin lips parted, speechless for once, and headed out to the garage. I selected a black sports car for the day… it was the least pretentious of the lot. It started with a soft growl and I was on the road minutes later. It would take the better part of half an hour to get from Southlake to Dallas-Fort Worth. I stepped on the gas, driving on autopilot, as the memories flooded back. It was the first time I ever remembered being grateful for the drive…

* * *

Fifteen years ago

“They’re not leaving the guest house, and that’s the end of it, Mother.”

My father’s voice was loud with anger, still louder from the scotch in his hand. I was passing by in the hall and paused at the door. It was unheard of, in this house, to oppose Grandma Bess.

“Blake is a known drunkard and those children…” Her voice was as loud as Dad’s, and shrill. “I won’t have their kind living a stone’s throw from my own family. If you won’t think of me, or your wife, think of your sons, Davis. I believe in kindness and charity for those in need. I’ll write them a check… a generous one.” She shuffled around in a desk drawer. “But I won’t have them in my own backyard anymore. Mixing with my grandsons… influencing them…

“I wasn’t asking your permission, Mother. And I’ll thank you to keep your outdated opinions to yourself.” I heard her gasp as he continued. I was glued to the doorframe, amazed… and impressed.

I listened to my father as he continued. “War brings out the best… and the worst… in men… And John had my back when it counted. The least I can do is give him a place to stay while he pulls himself together. They’ve only been here for two years.” I heard my grandmother huff. “You don’t know what it was like in the war,” my father went on, his voice suddenly sounding as distant as the past. “Nobody does…”

I heard a clatter in the hall behind me and moved away from the door. I hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but I was glad to hear Dad standing up for himself. And for the Blake’s. He’d been doing less and less of that for years, as his health had started to fail.

Just outside the kitchen doors, I ran into Blake’s son, Dean. He was fifteen, one of my best friends, and already taking after his father.

“You want a beer? I scored a six-pack from the back of the fridge. Dad’ll never miss it. He’s got vodka.” Dean smiled slyly and motioned for me to follow him. The guesthouse was settled into the wooded area, just beyond the sloping grass hill behind our estate.

“Nah, I’m good.” I slapped Dean’s back. “I got a shitload of chem homework. Gotta keep a clear head.”

Dean laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, the old lady’s already got your college tuition paid up. You fuckin’ better not disappoint her.” He paused as we reached the split rail fence that surrounded the little cottage. “I’d hate to have your life, Joey. All mapped out before you’re even officially eighteen. Where’s the fun in that?” He opened the front door and his little sister’s face poked out. She was seven and small for her age. She had big brown eyes that always seemed too large for her face.

Mags had followed me around since the day they’d arrived. She’d been five then, with no mother and a father who rarely remembered she was around. She was a quiet kid, but she had moments when she could be bossy, demanding even. Mostly she was sweet, and there was something about her that kinda’ broke my heart.

“There’s a party Friday night at Teresa’s,” Dean said. “You in?”

“Maybe… we’ll see.” I watched as he shrugged his shoulders and headed inside.

“Gonna be a good one. One of the last, before you’re on your way to Brown.” I heard the fridge door slam shut. “You better show up.”

“What’s Brown?” Maggie asked, letting the door click shut behind her. I’d been putting it off for as long as I could, but I knew I had to tell her. Probably better sooner than later.

“It’s a school I’m going to, after I graduate high school. It’s a big university and I’ll be living there soon.” I watched as her big eyes got bigger.

“You’re leaving me?” Her voice was faint and her lip had started to quiver. I sat her down beside me on a wooden bench and put my arm around her thin shoulders. Big, silent tears rolled down her cheeks, and I took out my handkerchief and made her blow her nose.

“I have to go to school, Maggie, just like you do. But I’ll be home for vacations.” I took her little hand and led her to the old wooden swing. I picked her up and helped her into it. “We’ll still see each other. And you’ll have so many friends, you’ll forget all about me.”

I watched as she stared up at me, her eyes red-rimmed, but as bright and serious as any adult’s. She set her lips, stubbornness wrinkling her forehead. “Push me,” she ordered. I gave the swing a little shove. “Higher,” she demanded. “Push me all the way up to the sky.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, letting the rushing air dry her cheeks. “I’ll never forget you,” she called out. “And someday I’ll be just as grown up as you.” Her little girl voice was suddenly bold. “Will you marry me when I’m big, Joe? You’ll keep me safe… won’t you?”

I let the swing slow to a stop and she climbed off, wrapping her skinny arms around my neck. “Then you won’t ever leave me… Promise me,” she said next to my ear. “Promise me you will…”

I wrapped my arms around her, sick at the thought of abandoning a little kid who had no one who really cared for her. What the hell was going to become of her? What kind of future did she really have?

“Sure,” I said as kindly as I could. What could it hurt to tell her a little white lie?

“You’ll always be my best girl, Mags. Of course, I will.”