Page 61 of A Cowboy Of Her Own

“It was in research notes on my computer. He says he has access to all the computers and thought my article neededpolishingso he added it without asking. Now Jaxon is hurt and mad at Roark. Then Roark called me and said we were done because I betrayed his trust.”

“You didn’t try to explain? I’m sure he’d listen.”

“No, he won’t. I tried to call him back but he won’t answer. Damn Earl Sanders. Now, I’m out of a job. I’ve lost Roark… and all because Earl thought I wasn’t good enough.”

“Then call Jaxon.”

“I don’t know that he’d listen either.”

“Try.”

“I suppose… I will in a few days. I’m sure he’s too angry at me right now.”

“Well, I’m calling Eric right now.” Jackie stood and reached for her phone.

“Who’s Eric?”

“Eric Fulton. He owns Western Cowboy magazine and I want him to know what Earl is doing.”

“Mom—”

“Hush, Cilla. This needs to be done. Earl can’t do this. He may be the editor in chief but he has no right to go into your files and add something without permission. Didn’t he even use his head that if it wasn’t in the article, it wasn’t supposed to be? It’s very possible Jaxon could even sue the magazine.”

“Wow, I hadn’t thought about that. Earl said he figured I was just in a damn big hurry and that I have no clue how to write for a magazine—” She quieted when her mother put her hand up.

“Eric? It’s Jackie. We need to discuss Sanders. He has done something completely despicable as well as hurt my daughter. I want his balls on a platter.”

For the first time since talking to Roark, Priscilla smiled as she listened to her mother tell Eric about Earl. Once she ended her call, she took a seat beside Priscilla on the sofa.

“He’s not at all happy. Earl has been a pain in the ass lately, according to Eric and this was the last straw. I’m so sorry, honey.”

“I know, Mom. Is there something between you and Earl that I’ve screwed up?”

“Ha! He wishes. No, I met him at a dinner Iattended with Eric. Earl flirted with me but I never gave him any encouragement. I told Eric how much you’d like to write for the magazine so he had Earl call you. Earl had nothing to do with you getting the job. In fact, I suppose he’s been angry with Eric because he made him hire you when he wanted to hire his nephew instead.”

“I hate that man. I know I’m not supposed to hate but he is just a cruel man and now because of his interference, I’ve lost Roark,” Priscilla said then burst into tears.

“Give it a few days then call Jaxon. Start out by apologizing. He’ll listen, I’m sure.”

“Maybe itwasmy fault. If I’d deleted the stuff about Jaxon then Earl wouldn’t have seen it and put it in the magazine—”

“Stop blaming yourself, Cilla. Earl had no right to put that in the magazine. At least, not without checking with you first as to why you didn’t put it in there. It’s his responsibility to verify information too, you know. Call Jaxon in a few days and clear this up.”

Priscilla nodded but couldn’t say anything. What could she say? If Jaxon wouldn’t listen then she’d never have a chance of making Roark understand she hadn’t written that part of the article because he’d never answer any calls from her.

Chapter Thirteen

That weekend, Roark and Reid stood in the back room of the church waiting for the music to start before heading to the altar.

“Are you doing all right, Roark?” Reid asked him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Really? I’m not going to argue with you but I can tell you’re not. I’m sorry about you and Priscilla.”

“It’s your day, Reid. Let’s not talk about me.”

“You’re miserable, Roark.” Reid leaned against the wall and folded his arms.

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