Page 23 of One Texas Night...
“You might as well pack your things, whoever you are. I think you’ll be moving soon,” she said finally.
Allison regained her composure. “I’m Allison Tyler,” she said.
“I’m sure you know who I am.”
“I’m sorry. Your name is...” Allison couldn’t resist, and then felt guilty for the brief ornery streak that motivated her.
“It’s Dawn. Dawn Rainsford.” She turned and headed back to the limo. “Tell Jared I was here,” she ordered over her shoulder. A chauffeur stepped out to open the door for her.
When the limo pulled away, Allison shut the door and leaned against it, surprised and disappointed. Evidently Dawn Rainsford was not as out of Jared’s life as he had indicated. Allison could not imagine she was out at all if she wanted to be in his life. Dawn Rainsford looked as if she could have whatever and whomever she wanted.
Struggling to put Jared out of mind, Allison returned to her work. Hoping to get as much done as possible and finish her task, she strolled through his home and made notes as she went. By half past three she was satisfied she had done as much as she could until she went over the place with him, which apparently wasn’t going to happen today. She really didn’t care to see him right now anyway.
As planned earlier, she left to drive to her dad’s for dinner. Before leaving Jared’s home, she wrote a note and placed it on the kitchen table.
It was well over an hour’s drive even in four o’clock traffic to her father’s house. She entered through the back door, calling out to him, relieved to escape Jared’s house and talking to him about Dawn.
Tempting smells of roast beef and hot bread greeted her, eliciting a smile. “Dad, I’m here,” she called.
Herman Tyler appeared, a smile causing his wide blue eyes to crinkle at the corners as he held out his arms. She walked into his embrace, catching scents of garlic and onions. “It smells wonderful in here.”
“I made a pot of stew. Come in and tell me about the mansion. You’re doing a good job, and you’ve been correct in your descriptions and notes so far.” He stirred the stew, the delicious smell wafting out from the open lid.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“There are some pieces that are very old and very valuable. Others are just so beautiful, it wouldn’t matter if they weren’t old and rare. How will some of the things look in his Dallas home? That’s a first for you.”
“Yes, it is. I made it clear to him that all I can do is give him my opinion.”
“Well, he knows where you grew up.”
“That’s what he said,” she remarked.
“Let’s go sit in the family room. Would you like a glass of wine with me?”
“Sure, Dad. You sit, and I’ll get it. Your usual cabernet sauvignon?”
“Yep. Haven’t changed.”
She smiled as she got the bottle from the counter. “Mind if I open a white?”
“Of course not. It’s good to have you home.”
In minutes they sat in the family room. She rocked in her favorite rocking chair while her dad talked about the family. “As always, Sloan calls every day to see how I feel. He called about four o’clock today. He always asks how the job is going, and I told him about Jared asking you to see what would fit in his Dallas and Wyoming homes. Your brother was surprised you’re in town. He said he may drop by on his way home from work.”
“He’s usually in a rush to get to his own home,” she said, though she was absolutely certain her brother would appear within the hour. He wouldn’t miss a chance to grill her about Jared.
“Sloan is probably scared now that Jared will ask you out.”
“That doesn’t worry you, does it, Dad?”
“Of course not. I like Jared. I know you were a little angry he left the offer open to buy our business, but he’s a businessman. Actually, it’s nice, because if we should have to sell, or decide we want to sell, I would prefer to sell to him. He’ll take care of the business. As far as your brother is concerned, I know you long ago learned to pay no attention to his worrying over you.”
“Well, it isn’t the end of the world if I go out with Jared, but Sloan should stop worrying about it.”
“That’s like telling the sun to stop coming up in the morning,” her father replied, chuckling. “Nothing can keep Sloan from worrying about us. If he isn’t worrying about me, he’s worrying about you.”
Nodding, she said, “Enough about Sloan. Let’s talk about Jared’s mansion. This is a good job for us, Dad.”
