Forcing himself to take a deep breath, Beau turned to find a woman he had never seen before standing in the open doorway. Late twenties or early thirties, a notepad in one hand, a pair of half glasses perched on the end of a very nicenose, she was a striking brunette with a stunning figure. Dressed business professional: a russet skirt suit, printed cream silk blouse, and high heels, she had a heart-shaped face framed by the cloud of dark curls that fanned out around her shoulders, big green eyes, and a porcelain complexion. She was lovely.
Beau flicked a glance at his father, who cast him a look that saidSee? You’ve made a fool of yourself again.
The senator sat back down in his chair. “Cassidy, this is my son, Beau. Beau, meet Cassidy Jones, my personal assistant.”
Beau’s eyes went back to the woman but his anger didn’t cool. Surely his father wouldn’t bring one of his mistresses into the house.
But there was more than a very good chance he had.
The senator smiled. “My son and I were merely having a discussion. Nothing to worry about. Was there something you needed?”
“I heard loud voices. I just . . . I wanted to be sure there wasn’t a problem.”
“No problem. Everything is fine.”
“I’m sorry to bother you,” the woman said. “Nice meeting you, Beau.”
He managed a barely polite reply. The brunette walked out of the study and closed the door.
“Tell me she isn’t one of your women,” Beau said.
“What she is or isn’t is none of your business. Now if we’re through here, I have a meeting in—”
“Screw your meeting. I want to know if you’re going to sit back and ignore your own child.”
“It wasn’t my fault, dammit! The girl practically threw herself at me. If you want me to write a check—”
“I didn’t come here for a goddamn check! I just thought you might want to be involved. Apparently you’re going toignore your own flesh and blood. Wait a minute—why does that sound so familiar?”
“I hardly ignored you. I gave you the best of everything: clothes, cars, sent you to the finest schools.”
“You gave me everything except the father I needed. Now you have a second chance, an opportunity to do it right.”
Stewart sighed as if he were talking to someone with a learning disability. “Be reasonable, son. I’m not interested in starting another family. The girl should have gotten an abortion as I suggested. I would have been more than happy to pay the expenses.”
Beau clamped hard on his temper. “I’m taking care of the girl and your kid. You don’t have to worry about it. In fact, I’d prefer you didn’t involve yourself. It would be better for everyone concerned.”
“Then you have your wish. Now if you don’t mind . . .”
Beau’s hand fisted. The more he thought about it, the better the idea sounded. He didn’t trust his father—a master manipulator—not to wait a few years and decide it would be good for his image to involve himself in raising the child.
“The more I think about it, since we’re all in agreement, why don’t I go ahead and have papers drawn up granting Missy Kessler sole custody of the child? That way you’ll be kept out of it. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
“Fine. Do whatever pleases you. You always have.”
True, and in this case it pleased him to do what was best for his little sister.
“Expect to see me tomorrow,” Beau said. “I’ll have the paperwork done and be back for your signature sometime in the afternoon.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked out of the study.
As he strode down the hall, he caught a glimpse of Cassidy Jones walking in the opposite direction. At least his father’slatest kept woman was old enough to know better than to get herself pregnant like poor Missy.
As he made his way outside, Beau slammed the front door harder than he intended. One thing he knew for sure. In the months since he had last seen his father, nothing had changed.
Chapter Two
Cassidy Jones walked out of the main house, down the path to the guest house where she was staying. The winter day was chilly, but being a Texan, she enjoyed the break from the relentless summer heat.
As she neared the front door, her mind returned to the scene in the study and her brief encounter with Beau Reese. She had wondered when she would meet him.
