Chapter Twenty
CHAPTER TWENTY
Walking into the cabin and sitting on the edge of the cot, Becky stared at her hands and let out a heavy sigh.
“I’m not going to judge you,” Cody said softly putting his arm around her shoulders. “Lord knows I’ve done some pretty crazy things. We all have.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
“At the beginning.”
“The beginning? That was in high school. Looking back I guess he was what you’d call a bad boy, but he was so much fun. After graduation he went off to agricultural college, and when he came back I started seeing him again, but Dad never liked him so I kept it a secret. We’d sneak up here to this cabin, and, oh lord, this is where things get complicated.”
“It already sounds complicated,” Cody remarked, “but not uncommon.”
“It’s also embarrassing.”
“Just keep going.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, sighing again and lowering her eyes. “About six months ago, I—uh—I told him I was tired of all the hiding and suggested we live together. Two of my friends were getting married, and another had just moved in with her boyfriend. I thought it was time.”
“But Roy didn’t think so?”
“Worse, he got mad, I mean, really mad. He started yelling at me, accusing me of trying to pin him down, saying he wouldn’t let anyone clip his wings. I was shocked, and he scared me. I told him we were done and ran out of here. I ended up walking all the way home, but the crazy thing is, after a couple of days, I realized I didn’t miss him at all. I was actually relieved to be rid of him, and I was so much happier.”
“Dammit, the sheriff’s about to arrive,” Cody muttered, hearing the distant sound of sirens. “We need to wrap this up. I assume Roy wanted you back. Is that when the trouble started?”
“Right after dad left for the diner one morning, Roy showed up with a ring. But the point is, I know you think I’m some sweet, innocent girl, but I’m not. I’ve been sleeping with that big hulk out there for two years! Dad thinks I’m so good and so perfect, and when this comes out…shit…it’s just a big mess and I’m just a big fake,” she groaned. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Becky” Cody said quickly, hearing the sirens cut off and knowing the police were now in the parking lot, “compared to some of the things I’ve done, trust me, you’re a saint. You hid your relationship with Roy because you love your father and didn’t want to disappoint him. You’re his world, and that’s a blessing, but I suspect it’s also been a burden.”
“Sometimes,” she murmured, “and I’m afraid to leave him. I’m afraid he’ll be really sad and lonely if I ever do.”
“Or maybe, leaving home will free him up to find his own happiness again.”
She stared at him, her eyes growing wide.
“Shit.”
“Becky…what is it.”
“I’ve been an idiot,” she exclaimed. “Auntie Joan, she’s been our best friend forever, but—“
“You think they’ve been secretly seeing each other?”
“There were times I’d sneak in through the back door and I’d hear the front door close. I always assumed it was dad checking on something, and he often told me he was going out to meet one of his friends for a drink, but he never talked about them, or have anyone over. Oh, my gosh, he must have known about Roy and me all along. He didn’t say anything because he was doing the same thing. Why didn’t he just tell me? I love Auntie Joan. I’d be thrilled if they got together.”
“Apparently he didn’t want to take the chance?”
“But he couldn’t have known I was seeing Roy,” Becky said, shaking her head. “He would have had a fit. He can’t stand him.”
“Clearly he was right,” Cody remarked. “Is there anything else you want to tell me? The sheriff and your father will be here any minute, and I have to get on that plane.”
“You don’t hate me?”
“Stop it. You know I’m crazy about you, even if you can be willful and defiant. ”
“I’m not either of those things.”
“Sneaking out of your house to hook up with a jerk isn’t being willful and defiant?”
“I guess, when you put it like that,” she said, breaking into a grin.
“I’m not worried,” he grinned back. “I can handle willful and defiant.”
“I’ll just bet you can,” she giggled. “Wow. I feel so free.”
“I’m sure, and the first opportunity I have, I’ll be spanking your ass.”
“For what? You said I did what I did out of love.”
“True, but you still feel guilty, and you were willful, dishonest and defiant. You need to be spanked.”
But before she could respond, the door suddenly opened and the sheriff stepped inside.
“There you are!” he exclaimed. “Are you okay, Becky? Where’s Roy? And you are…” he asked, looking at Cody.
“Hi, Sheriff, I’m Cody Cox,” Cody announced, standing up and offering his hand. “Roy’s tied up around the side of the cabin closest to the woods.”
“Is that right?” the Sheriff said, shaking Cody’s hand.
“Cody saved me,” Becky said earnestly. “You should have seen him. He was just like Bruce Lee.”
“I’m not a fan of citizens wrestlin’ down suspects, but thanks, Cody. Becky, your dad will be here any minute. I’ll get Roy out of here and into the cruiser, then I’ll need a statement. Before I go, did Roy hurt you?”
“Besides terrifying me, no, I’m fine.”
“Good to hear,” the sheriff said, then stared at Cody and narrowed his eyes.
“Is there something else,” Cody asked, wondering if the sheriff had recognized him.
“You’re a little guy next to that big lummox. How did you get the better of him?”
“Martial arts,” Cody replied with a smile.
“That would explain it. I’ll see you both later.”
As the Sheriff strode away, Cody sat back down and took Becky’s hand.
“Becky, why don’t I book an extra room for your Auntie Joan. She can join you and your father in Dallas.”
“Cody, that would be great.”
“I’m not finished yet. I’m giving you two instructions.”
“Okay,” she murmured, feeling a flurry of butterflies in her stomach.
“Number one, after the concert in Dallas, I want you to spend the night with me.”
She caught her breath, and the butterflies gave birth to hundreds more.
“Definitely, of course,” she managed. “I’d love nothing more.”
“Number two. I’ll be returning to my ranch, and you’re coming with me for at least a week.”
“I’d love that too,” she said happily, and was about to lean in and kiss him when she heard her father’s voice. “That’s dad, I guess I’ll be having an interesting conversation with him,” she continued, rolling her eyes. “I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. He’s always seen me as a little girl, but I’m not, and I haven’t been for a long time.”
“Becky, all daughters are their father’s little girl, it doesn’t matter how old they are or what they do.”
“Becky!” David exclaimed, bursting through the door before she could comment .“Are you all right, sweetheart?” he asked urgently, racing across to her.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t have been,” she replied, rising to her feet and clinging to him. “Cody came to my rescue.”
“Cody, what can I say?” David declared, releasing Becky and impulsively hugging him.
“I’m just glad I figured it out,” Cody replied, feeling a little uncomfortable in the portly man’s crushing hold. “I wish I could stay and talk, but I have to get to that airfield,” he said, stepping back. “There are at least two people who are going to have my head, but Becky has some good news, at least I hope you think it’s good news.”
“Cody, you’ve been incredible,” she exclaimed. “Thank you so much for everything.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I land in Dallas,” he promised, kissing her quickly on the cheek. “Take care of yourselves and I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Wait! I just realized, you can’t call me. Roy threw my phone out his window on the way here.”
“That bastard,” David growled. “Do you remember where?”
“Yes, I do. It’s not far. At least it went into some bushes so it should be okay. Cody, if it’s not, I’ll get another one and text you the number.”
“Sounds good, but let me know either way as soon as you can, and I’ll see you again before you know it.”
Striding out of the cabin and jogging down the trail to the parking lot, as he neared, he saw a deputy and the sheriff loading Roy into the squad car.
“We need a statement, Cody,” the sheriff called as Cody waved on his way to the Mustang.
“Can I do it by phone, or some other way? I have a plane waiting.”
“Sure, I’ll get all your contact info from Dave.”
“Appreciate it,” Cody replied, and climbing behind the wheel, he drove off and pulled out his phone to call Sam.
* * *
In his office, Sam was doing his best not to get rattled. He had learned to take things in stride, but knowing Cash was delayed because of a crisis didn’t make it easy to be patient. When his cell phone finally rang with Cash’s name on the screen, he took a deep breath and hoped for good news.
“Hey, Cash, is everything okay?”
“Yep, fine,” Cash replied. “I’ll be at the plane in about fifteen minutes.”
“What the hell happened?”
“Becky was literally kidnapped. I just found her.”
“I don’t even know what to say,” Sam exclaimed. “It sounds like quite the story.”
“Yeah, it is. I’ll give you the gory details when I see you.”
“Thank God you’re both okay and you’re getting on that plane. Call me when you land.”
Hanging up the phone, he buzzed his assistant, Helen Anderson, gave her the good news, then told her to call Andrew and let him know.
Barring a pileup on the LBJ freeway or some other mishap, Cash would make it to the press conference on time. Though Sam admired Cash for rescuing a damsel in need, his heroism didn’t mitigate the stress his delay had caused. But Sam would forgive Cash just about anything, and he returned his focus back to the matter at hand.
Marilyn would soon be arriving. He smiled at the thought.
* * *
In a cab on the way to Sam’s office, Marilyn couldn’t imagine what the charismatic manager wanted to discuss with her, but she was intrigued. He had accused her of being bored, and he was right, but she had no idea what he could do about it. The cab stopped outside the office building, and climbing out she felt a tingle of excitement. Perhaps he’d suggest whisking her off to an exotic island, or flying to Dallas for Cash’s last concert. She’d already planned to attend, though she’d left the arrangements to the last minute.
Marching through the impressive, marble lobby, she rode the elevator up to his floor, stepped out, and announced her name to the receptionist who told her to take a seat. Moment’s later, a tall, elegant, middle-aged woman appeared, introduced herself as Helen Anderson, Sam’s personal assistant, then led her down the same hallway Marilyn had walked the night before. She’d been so busy flirting she hadn’t noticed the celebrity portraits gracing the walls.
“Are these all Sam’s clients?” she asked.
“Past and present,” the woman replied.
“Wow, I had no idea.”
They had reached Sam’s office door, and Helen opened it with a flourish.
“Miss Sanders to see you, Mr. Reed.”
Walking past her, Marilyn saw Sam sitting behind his desk. He looked bigger than life, oozing confidence in his perfectly tailored charcoal suit, white shirt and dark olive tie.
“Thank you, Helen. Please close the door after you, and hold my calls.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Marilyn watched her leave, then placed one hand on her hip, and raised the other in an exaggerated pose, bending her wrist.
“Mr. Reed,” she purred, “I believe you were expecting me. Should I lock the door?”
He raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair.
“If you’re not careful, you’ll be bent over my desk getting your ass tanned. Sit down and pay attention.”
“Okay, okay, no need to get your boxers in a twist,” she quipped as she sashayed forward.
“I’m going to get right to the point,” he began as she settled into a chair. “You have no direction and no goals. You wake up every morning having no idea what to do with your day. Is that a fair assessment?”
“Sometimes,” she replied, shifting in her seat, his blunt description making her uncomfortable.
“More than sometimes,” he retorted. “You’re a very bright woman, you’re resourceful and determined, and I suspect you can be relentless when you get an idea in that gorgeous head of yours.”
“Yeah, you could say that,” she smiled, thinking about the men she’d pursued and eventually won, and the expensive items she’d bought for half-price after endless haggling.
“You’re also devious and conniving, certainly manipulative and—”
“Wait a second!” she snapped, cutting him off. “I don’t appreciate that.”
“It’s not a criticism, it’s a statement of fact,” Sam shot back, fixing her with a steady gaze. “You’re all of those things, and don’t try to deny it.”
“Bullshit,” she said emphatically, glaring back at him. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“You also lack self-discipline, and that is a big no-no,” he continued, unfazed by her denial.
“Just tell me why I’m here?” she demanded. “It can’t be just because you want to offer your inaccurate and ridiculous analysis.”
“I haven’t finished. You’re also tough and a keen strategist.”
“Good grief,” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “Why are you telling me all this?”
“I believe I have an answer to your dilemma. Something that will give you direction and goals, a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Something that will eradicate your boredom and provide you with the opportunity to use all your, shall we say, skills, in a positive way.”
“You do?” she said, finding herself suddenly interested in what he had to say. “Like what?”
“I think, with the right training, you could be a terrific asset to this company. You have everything it takes to be a dynamite manager, but it won’t happen over night, and, Marilyn, you will need to be committed.”
“Holy crap! Are you serious?”
“Absolutely.”
“What’s the catch?” she asked warily. “This sounds like one of those too good to be true things.”
“Oh, there is a catch,” he replied, leaning forward. “You have to follow my rules and do as you’re told. I have high-profile clients and I run a tight ship. I can’t have a loose cannon on my team.”
“What kind of rules? I don’t really do rules.”
“I am aware of that, but if you accept my offer, you’ll have to accept rules are part of the package.”
She paused.
Being a part of Sam’s famous company surrounded by celebrities warranted serious consideration.
“What would I be doing?”
“To start, I’d put you with one of my junior managers and you’d follow him around, listening and learning.”
“Not a chance,” she exclaimed. “I will not be farmed off on some junior know-it-all. If I’m going to learn the business I’ll learn it from the best, and that’s you.”
“You wouldn’t like working with me,” he said firmly. “You’d have a very difficult time.”
“You can’t be that bad.”
“Marilyn, believe me, I’m rigid and I don’t tolerate mistakes,” he declared sternly, “and you are—”
“I’m what?” she demanded, interrupting him.
“You are unpredictable, impetuous and as I stated earlier, undisciplined.”
“Are you saying I’m too much for you?” she asked with a grin. “I’m surprised at you, Sam, admitting defeat so quickly.”
Rising from his desk, he slowly walked towards her, then stopped at the side of her chair and crossed his arms.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re attempting to challenge me,” he declared, staring down at her.
A chill rippled through her, and looking up at his steely, grey eyes, her nerve began to falter.
“Are you?” he pressed, “because if you are, I accept. You want to work with me? You think you can live by my rules? Be my guest. That means you’ll do what I say, when I say, and if you don’t...”
His voice trailed off, and leaning forward, he narrowed his eyes.
“If I don’t, what?” she asked, thinking her voice sounded much too thin.
“You might find yourself counting paperclips for two days.”
“What do you—”
“Or cleaning out my desk, or perhaps working in the mailroom for a while,” he declared, cutting her off, then straightening up, he added, “the punishment will fit the crime, and just so we’re clear, there will be no sex attached to this relationship. This is professional. Understood?”
“Will I travel with you?” she asked, thinking about upcoming Cash’s show.
“Not always, in which case you’d be working for Helen.”
“But that would be no fun at all,” she declared.
Sam threw back his head and laughed out loud.
“What,” she demanded, “tell me what I said that’s so amusing?”
“Marilyn, this would be a job. Clock in at 9, or whatever time I tell you to be here, and leave when I tell you to leave.”
* * *
As Marilyn dropped her eyes and studied her hands, Sam moved away and walked to the windows. So far the interview had gone exactly as planned. Telling her she’d be working with a junior had achieved the desired result. She’d demanded she work for him. A few minutes passed, and he grinned when he heard her footsteps clip across the hardwood floor. Again, the desired result. He’d left her so she’d have to follow him.
“Are you saying you’ll let me work with you and not some joker down the hall?”
Turning to face her, he couldn’t help but recall her hands on that same window, her yelps and cries, and the delightful image of her gorgeous ass turning bright pink from the swats of his paddle.
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” he replied, again crossing his arms and glaring down at her, “if you drop that attitude immediately, and apologize for being so impatient, I’ll let you work with me for one month, assuming you last that long. You’ll have thirty-days to prove yourself.”
“I’m sorry, Sam,” she said softly. “I’ll do better.”
“Apology accepted, and yes, you will do better or you’ll be counting those paperclips, or very possibly, out of a job.”