Page 54 of A Lone Star Love Affair
Tony shook his head. “He’s angry that we learned the truth,” he repeated. “He should be apologizing all over the place for what he did and trying to make it up to you.”
She nodded. “I thought so, too. He didn’t like getting caught. Mom is angry about Dylan, saying I’ll never be happy. I’m not marrying someone to please them. Anyway, thank you again for your huge gift to us. We’ll get along without the inheritance. That doesn’t matter as much to me.”
“I don’t know that I can understand or agree, but I want you to be happy. You know if I ever do inherit, I’ll share it with you.”
She smiled at him. “That’s the future, Tony. I wouldn’t be concerned with it now. You can’t possibly guess what will happen.”
“True. I haven’t talked to Dad yet. I don’t think I should until I can cool down enough to hang on to my temper.”
“He’s probably embarrassed to see you. He knows he’s lost some respect from both of us even though he won’t acknowledge it. He told me he tried to get Dylan out of my life for my own good and that later I would thank him.”
“Damn, Sydney, of all my friends’ fathers who were so interfering and controlling, I think Dad turned out to be the worst for his actions with you.”
“I doubt if I’ll see much of them for a while.”
“Can’t blame you. They brought that on themselves.”
“I need to go, Tony. I just wanted to let you know. You’ve made the break so much easier for me.”
He stepped outside to walk with her to her car and held the door for her while she slid behind the wheel. “I’m glad I can. And I’m glad you’re back with Dylan, if that makes you happy,” he said, thinking about Isabelle and feeling a knot of anger and loss.
“Hopefully, they won’t try to interfere with you seeing Isabelle.”
“No problem there. Isabelle and I aren’t seeing each other, any way.”
Sydney frowned. “None of my business, but I’m sorry because I liked her a lot. I thought maybe you did, too.”
“Isabelle wants to get married. That’s not in my agenda.”
Sydney smiled. “Ah, my stubborn brother. Well, as long as you’re happy and don’t miss her, okay.” Her eyes narrowed and she slanted her head. “Tony, is that why you look as if you’ve had a case of the flu? Because Isabelle is gone and you don’t want her to be?”
“Sydney, I’ve been working,” he said in a clipped tone, wishing he could sound more casual and less annoyed. “Don’t start on me.”
She studied him. “You’re my brother and I love you, but you can really be mule-stubborn sometimes. You don’t look happy.”
“Tell Dylan hello for me.” He closed the car door and she started the engine.
“All right. I’ll be quiet. Now that I know Isabelle has walked out, to me you do look like a man in love. I’m going,” she added hastily, revving the engine.
Relieved, he stepped away from her car.
He watched her drive away. Thinking about Isabelle, he returned to the house to continue working. Annoyed by Sydney’s remarks, he walked along the hall with his thoughts on Isabelle. He hated to admit it even to himself, but he missed her more each day instead of less and he hadn’t expected that to happen.
Marriage? It was impossible to lose sight of his goals. Marriage definitely wasn’t in his best interest. If he didn’t acquire more wealth and power, he would be back fighting with his father over every big issue in his life.
“Dammit,” he said. Sydney hadn’t made him feel better. He was glad she was happy, but he didn’t need to hear he looked like he had the flu.
When he walked into his office his attention went to the phone on his desk. He wanted to reach for it and call Isabelle.
He shook his head. He needed to get a grip and focus completely on his goal and the business at hand.
Within the hour he gave up and went to his room to change for a run, hoping to shake thoughts of Isabelle and lose himself in physical activity, reassuring himself that within weeks he wouldn’t care that she was out of his life.
Isabelle was busy in her new job. She still hurt and missed Tony badly. Whenever she saw a tall man with black curly hair, her heart thudded and she had to look twice to convince herself it was not Tony.
Tralear Hotels had just bought out another hotel chain. They had built a new seven-story office building and Isabelle was instantly busy and working overtime to get brochures, invitations and the graphic art work done for their grand opening reception and celebration. Isabelle was thankful to be constantly busy, hoping all the work would distract her from her misery.
One afternoon when she was getting a haircut, she picked up a local magazine to see Tony’s picture and an article about a contribution his family was making to a local museum. Her heart missed a beat as she looked at his picture. So familiar, yet far out of her life.
