Page 41 of Texas Temptation

“To think it’s been in your family for so long and after you, there’s no one.”

He looked startled, then pensive.

“Not in the direct line, but I have cousins. My grandparents are their grandparents and great-grandparents who owned the land, too. They’re family.”

She nodded in agreement, afraid she’d spoken out of turn. The love he had for his home shone through when he spoke of it. It might rival his love for business, but nothing would dislodge it. How sad to have no children to leave the legacy to. No one to share in the love of the land that had been part of their family for generations.

They were more than halfway to LA when he turned the tables and asked her about her life in Florida.

Jordan wasn’t sure how much he really wanted to know, so glossed over many things, telling him about working at Joe’s Fish Tacos, and about Caleb’s love for the ocean.

“Your friend Julie’s name comes up frequently, when you talk,” Cade commented at one point. “But no man’s. Do you have a special male friend? Or are you still waiting for Caleb’s father?”

Jordan shook her head.

“No time nor inclination for men—new or old.”

“Why not? You’re young and pretty. I’d think the young men in South Beach would flock around.”

“I’ve never had a flock,” she replied quietly. “And dating a single mother isn’t as glamorous as dating a swinging single with no attachments in a beach town.”

“Their loss.”

She smiled, warmed by the comment. For several seconds, her eyes locked with his. In another time, another place, would they have found they had anything in common? Would the attraction she felt flare whenever he was around grow into something shared by both of them? Should she even mention she no longer thought of Caleb’s father except to let him know he had a son? Why would Cade care?

Wishful thinking. She’d tried happy-ever-after with the man she had once known as Cade Cullen Everett. He was nothing like the real thing. She didn’t know who he had been, or where he was now, but she was grateful she’d had the chance to meet Cade.

“We’ll go shopping when we reach LA Rodeo Drive has some nice stores.”

“Rodeo Drive.”

Even she had heard of the ritzy, trendy thoroughfare renowned through the world for expensive luxuries.

“I think a more traditional department store would suit better,” she said.

“Since the need for clothes is business related, the company will pick up the tab,” Cade said casually.

“I can’t let you buy my clothes. You’ve already done so much with Caleb.”

“Don’t argue, Jordan. It’s a business related expense, all right? You wouldn’t need anything if you weren’t helping me with the work here. I don’t care to discuss the matter any more.”

Several hours later, when they finally checked into the Innsbrook Hotel, Jordan was tired, hungry and secretly elated with the selections she’d chosen. The suit would be perfect for job interviews, if she followed through when she returned to Florida. There were three separate tops to wear with it, two in cream and one in flaming red.

And the dress Cade had insisted she needed for the dinner meeting planned was daring and darling. She’d never owned anything so glamorous, yet the salesclerk continued to call it a subdued little black dress that would go from work to date with a few accessories, which she then sold as a package complete with shoes.

“I’ll order a snack for us from room service while you change,” Cade said when they entered the lavish suite. “As soon as we’re done, we’ll head for the office—before the traffic gets any worse.”

“The traffic could get worse?”

“When it’s rush hour, they open the shoulders as another lane and it’s still backed up for miles in every direction. Wear the suit tomorrow. We’ll be having dinner with the Wilsons and the Turners. We’ll probably work through dinner tonight, order something to be delivered to the office.”

Jordan took her time dressing, wanting to make sure she looked the part of a competent personal assistant to Cade Everett. When she stepped from her room into the sitting area, she felt more sophisticated than ever before.

Cade frowned when he looked at her.

“Doesn’t it suit me?” she asked.

“You look remote, older. Not like at home.”

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