Chapter Thirty-Seven
Beau Reese strode out of the elevator onto the executive floor of the Tex/Am Enterprises building. Passing the reception desk, he waved but didn’t head for his office. Instead, he went in search of Millie Whitelaw, Linc’s personal assistant.
He stopped when he reached her desk. “Where is he?”
Millie’s dark head came up from behind the computer screen. The worried look on her face told him what he’d already figured out, that something was very wrong.
“I know he’s in Dallas,” Beau said. “I talked to the pilot who choppered him in—but he isn’t at his apartment. He isn’t answering his cell. What the hell’s going on?”
Millie rose from her desk and led him a few feet away where none of the staff could overhear. “He’s in his suite, Beau. He’s been there two full days.”
“What the hell?”
“It’s Carly. He asked her to marry him and she said no.”
Beau shook his head. “I don’t believe it. I’ve seen them together. She’s crazy about him.”
“I know.” Millie’s eyes filled. She blinked to keep from crying, which sent Beau’s worry up another notch.
“I don’t know what happened,” Millie said. “I’ve never seen him like this, not in all the time I’ve worked for him.”
Beau brushed past her, opened the door to Linc’s private office, then went over to the paneled wall, opened the door and walked into the private adjoining suite.
On the far side of the room, Linc was sprawled on the caramel leather sofa, an empty bottle of Stagg Kentucky Bourbon in his hand.
“What the fuck? I haven’t seen you drunk since before you went to jail.”
Linc groaned as he sat up on the sofa, set the empty whiskey bottle down on the floor at his feet.
“You love her that much?” Beau asked.
Linc’s white shirt, a solid mass of wrinkles, hung open to the waist, and his tie was gone. He’d clearly been wearing the same pair of navy blue slacks for days.
“I love her,” he said, not sounding nearly as drunk as he looked. “Trouble is she doesn’t love me.”
“Bullshit. She loves you. You said something wrong. You did something. Somehow you screwed it up.”
He just shook his head.
“Where is she?”
“Out at the ranch. I told her she could stay as long as she wanted. I don’t care about it anymore.”
“Goddammit.” Turning, Beau started for the door. “Get cleaned up. We’ve got work to do.”
Linc made no reply.
Beau left him sitting there, walked out of the suite, and returned to Millie’s desk. “I think he’s through the worst of it. Give him twenty minutes, then suggest he take a shower and get cleaned up.”
She nodded. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to fix this. I’m not sure how, but I’m going to do my best.”
Millie flashed him a look of hope. “He loves her so much.”
“I know.”
* * *
An hour and forty-five minutes later, the chopper set down on the pad at Blackland Ranch. He’d called ahead and had the Jeep waiting. Ten minutes more and he was pulling up in front of the low brick ranch house Linc called home—or had until two days ago.
He hoped Carly was still there, hoped to hell he could find a way to make things right for her and his best friend.
Praying he wasn’t there on a fool’s errand, Beau took a deep breath and climbed out of the Jeep.
* * *
Carly answered the door, surprised to see Beau Reese standing on the porch.
“May I come in?” Beau asked. With his black hair curling softly over the collar of his shirt and his brilliant blue eyes, Linc’s partner was amazingly handsome. He was tall and lean and fit, the kind of man women drooled over. For Carly, though, no man could compare to Linc.
She stepped back to let him in. “If you’re looking for Linc, he isn’t here.”
“No, he’s in his suite at the office—drunk out of his wits.”
“What?”
“That’s right. You didn’t think it was going to bother him that the woman he loves doesn’t love him enough to marry him?”
Her eyes burned. She’d been crying for the last two days, didn’t think she had any tears left, but fresh drops rolled down her cheeks.
“I love him. I love him so much, I feel like I’m dying.”
Beau reached out and wiped away a drop of wetness. “Jesus.” He led her into the living room and sat down next to her on the burgundy leather sofa. “Christ, Carly, if you love him, why didn’t you say yes?”
She drew in a shaky breath. She wondered if she could make Beau understand. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about it. I suppose I was trying to protect myself.”
“Protect yourself? From Linc?”
She swallowed. “The thing is, Beau, I’m just a woman, same as the rest. Sooner or later, Linc will get tired of me and want to move on. That’s what all men do.”
“Linc isn’t like that. He’s the most loyal man I’ve ever known. You think he didn’t give the idea of marrying again a whole lot of thought before he asked? Linc didn’t become the wealthy, successful man he is today by making hasty decisions. He made a bad call once. I think he married Holly because he thought it was time, something he needed to do. This is different. No way he would ask you to marry him if he wasn’t completely sure it would work.”
She sniffed but made no reply. She had no idea what Linc thought about marriage. They had never discussed it.
“Linc loves you, Carly. I know him better than anyone. He loves you—and he needs you. You understand that, right?”
She shook her head. “Linc’s the most capable man I’ve ever known. He doesn’t need anyone.”
“You’re wrong. Sure, he can take care of himself and damned near everyone else, but that isn’t the same as having someone who cares about him, someone who loves him. He’s never had that. You didn’t have a family, but you had Joe. Linc’s never had anyone.”
Her heart squeezed. She’d never thought of that. That Linc might need her as much as she needed him. She pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed at the tears on her cheeks. “You really believe a man can love a woman forever? You think it could really happen?”
Beau glanced away, stared off in the distance above her head, finally looked back at her. “I loved a woman that way once,” he said softly. “Her name was Sarah. We met in college and we were perfect together.”
“What happened?” she asked gently.
“In her senior year, Sarah got cancer. We fought it together. We thought we could beat it. Sarah had so much to live for.” He glanced away. “But the odds were against us from the start and finally she died.”
“Oh, Beau.”
“I loved her desperately, Carly, beyond all reason. There’s never been anyone else for me. There probably never will be.”
She reached over and covered his hand where it rested on the sofa. “Beau, I’m so sorry.”
“Linc loves you like that, Carly. The way I loved Sarah. If you love him, you have to go to him. You have to tell him.”
Her throat tightened. Was there still a chance for them? “I never should have let him leave. I tried to call him back, but it was too late.”
Beau smiled. “You’re both pretty hardheaded. That’s probably what makes you so good together.”
She stood up from the sofa, wiped away the rest of her tears. “I’ve got a bag mostly packed. I was planning to move home this afternoon. Let me change, wash my face, and comb my hair.”
Beau grinned. “Good idea. You look almost as bad as Linc.”
Carly laughed. God, it felt so good. She was going to Linc and she was going to marry him. If he’d changed his mind, she would just have to change it back.
She threw a few more items into her bag, washed her face, put on some makeup, and brushed out her hair. She looked passable, not great, but it was the best she could do. By the time she’d put on a flirty little blue print dress that came to just above her knees and a pair of high-heels, she was ready to marry Lincoln Cain.
Grabbing a navy blue knit sweater, her purse, and the handle of her rolling bag, she started for the door. A quick stop to grab the blue velvet box Linc had left on the dresser and she met Beau in the living room.
“The helicopter’s waiting,” he said. “But unfortunately there’s been a change of plans.”
Her heart seemed to stop. She was terrified to think what that might mean. “What’s happened?”
“Millie just called. Linc’s brother was wounded in action. They treated him at Bagram Airfield. From there, he’s being medevaced through Ramstein Air Base to Lanstuhl Medical Center in Germany. Linc plans to be there when he arrives.”
“Oh, my God.”
“We need to go, Carly. Linc’s got a G-6 chartered. He’s on his way to the airport right now.”
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Beau gave her a quick once over, flashed a smile of approval. “Linc’s gonna owe me for this. He’s gonna owe me big.” Beau grabbed her bag and started tugging it toward the door.
Beau deserves to find someone, she thought as she followed him out to the Jeep. But the notion slipped away, replaced by thoughts of Linc and concern for his wounded brother.
* * *
A big white G-6 private jet was sitting on the tarmac outside the executive terminal at Dallas Love Field when the helicopter set down.
“I’ll get them to hold the plane and have someone take care of your luggage,” Beau said as they ducked beneath the blades. “You go to Linc. He’s going to need you now more than ever.”
She brushed a kiss on Beau’s lean cheek. “Linc’s lucky to have you for a friend.”
“I’m lucky to have him,” Beau said and took off on the run with her bag.
Carly hurried across the tarmac and climbed the stairs to the cabin of the sleek white jet. It was roomy and elegant, with polished mahogany tables and wide butter-cream leather seats. She spotted Linc in one of them, his head tipped back and his eyes closed. He looked tired and a little worn, and more dear to her than ever.
As she sat down next to him, his eyes cracked open and he sat up in his seat. There wasn’t an ounce of friendliness in his face.
“Carly . . . what the hell are you doing here?”
She started to answer, but Linc held up a hand.
“Never mind, it doesn’t matter. You need to leave. My brother’s been wounded. They don’t know if he’s going to make it. I can’t deal with him and you both—not right now.”
Her chin went up. Gripping the edge of the seat, she stared him straight in the face. “I’m not leaving. I’m staying right here.”
“Bullshit. Get off the plane.”
Her heart raced so hard it hurt. Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God. “I’m staying.”
“You didn’t want to be with me before. Now it’s too late.”
“I wanted to stay, but . . .” Her throat ached. “I didn’t understand, okay? I’m here now and I’m staying.”
One dark eyebrow went up. “Yeah, for how long?”
She swallowed past the ache. “Forever.” Her voice broke, but she didn’t look away. Her hand trembled as she lifted it so he could see his diamond ring, the same marquis-cut stone he had bought her to wear to the gala, reset into an engagement ring. A thin platinum band inset with diamonds accompanied it, perfect to wear to work.
“You love me?” he asked harshly.
Her eyes teared up. “I’d die for you,” she said.
A shudder went through Linc’s big body. Dragging her into his lap, he buried his face in her hair. “Why didn’t you just say yes?”
She held on hard, couldn’t make herself let him go. “I was a coward. You’re way out of my league. I was afraid of getting hurt.”
“I love you, baby. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
She wiped away a tear. “I know. Beau explained things, helped me understand.”
He scoffed. “Beau always was a better salesman.”
“Are you sure I’m the one?”
He smiled at her softly. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Carly.”
She went back into his arms. “I love you so much.”
“You sure?”
“Never more certain.”
With a sigh, he relaxed, settled back in his seat with her still in his lap.
“You heard about Josh?”
“Beau told me.”
“I’m going to Germany. You coming with me?”
She felt the words like a warm caress. “I’m with you all the way, honey.”
Linc kissed her softly. “We’ll get married as soon as Josh’s well enough to come to the wedding.”
Josh had to get well. Linc needed him, just like he needed her. They would both be there to make sure it happened.
“Sounds like the perfect plan,” she said, smiling up at him.
And it was.