Page 58 of A Fortunes of Texas Christmas (Fortunes of Texas)

For months, he’d made a point of denying any biological link to the other man. In his core, he believed that Gerald was a dishonest, womanizing cheat who betrayed everyone he got close to—and Amersen never wanted to be that kind of man. So, the farther he withdrew, the less chance he had of ever being compared to the one man he had grown to hate above all others. Even before he knew of his biological father’s identity, he knew enough about the quality of man he was—married and unable to remain faithful. A consummate liar. A man who promised everything and delivered nothing. A man who left a trail of emotional destruction in his wake. That was why Amersen never let himself feel anything other than desire in his relationships and why they were brief and ended before he was in too deep. No investment—no possibility of leaving that same trail of destruction and pain. Absolute proof that he was nothing like the man who had given him life. And the knowledge that no one would be hurt. Including him. Especially him.

The realization made him laugh to himself. For so long he had kept people at a distance. He had success and wealth and fame and everything he’d ever dreamed of. Except the one thing that really mattered...complete and utter emotional surrender to another human being.

Until Robin.

“You look like you’ve just had some kind of revelation,” Olivia said quietly, and he saw that she was smiling.

It occurred to Amersen that he liked her. His sister. His blood. “I think I just did.”

Her mouth twisted slightly. “Well, maybe it’s not me you should be admitting that to?”

He let out a long and weary breath. “She left me.”

“Because you were a stupid jerk,” Olivia said and smiled. “You know, don’t be offended when I say this—but you really are a lot like him. You’re both driven and innovative, and you both clearly attract women like flies to honey. But,” she said when he went to protest, “that doesn’t mean you have to be him. All I’m saying is, learn from his mistakes. You know, when Robin called the vineyard this morning and asked me to come here to speak with you, she knew you would be angry. But she did it anyway. That should tell you all you need to know.”

“She shouldn’t have—”

“People do stupid things when they’re in love,” Olivia said and laughed. “Just ask my husband.”

“Robin doesn’t—”

Olivia waved her hands, cutting him off. “You know, for a smart guy, you’re pretty stupid.”

Amersen had taken all the insults he was prepared to take from his half sister. “She’s not in love with me.”

Just saying the words hurt him through to his bones.

“Of course she is,” Olivia said quickly. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t have called me. What did she have to lose? Only everything,” Olivia said, answering her own question. “If that’s not love, I don’t know what is. And you’re in love with her...only you’re too stubborn and proud to admit it.”

His head reeled.

“I’m not in love with her.”

“Sure you are,” Olivia said and laughed. “Now go and tell her that.”

Amersen’s feet felt as though they were stuck in cement. He didn’t want to admit anything his sister was saying to him was the truth—that he was stubborn, that he was foolish, that he was anything like Gerald Robinson...or that he was in love with Robin.

But denying it would have been the biggest lie of his life.

“I will tell her,” he said and grabbed his keys. “But there’s something I have to do first.”

It was time he faced his father.

* * *

Robin believed she knew what a broken heart felt like. But nothing had prepared her for this.

Not even an hour spent with Butterfly could soothe the ache in her soul that reached right down to her bones.

Someone I hardly know...

That was what he’d reduced their relationship to. Nothing. She hurt so much she was all out of tears. Everything had turned out exactly as she’d suspected it would from the beginning. The coldness in Amersen’s expression spoke volumes. The man had ice in his veins. He didn’t deserve any tears or her broken heart.

“Mom called.”

She turned her head and spotted Evan standing by the doorway. “And you raced over here?”

He shrugged. “She said you broke up with the Frenchman.”

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