Samantha’s Cowboy (15 page)

Had his uncle stooped so low as to steal Samantha’s money because Dominick had refused to invest in a risky
real estate venture? Another mark against his uncle—and another reason Wade was glad he’d left the company.

“What happened to the deal?” Dominick asked.

“At the eleventh hour several investors backed out.”

“Why didn’t Charles follow suit?”

“Samantha’s money had already been committed and used to get the project off the ground. The firm is searching for new investors but in all honesty it may be years before Samantha’s money is recouped.”

“If my daughter’s broke who’s been funding her pet project?”

“That would be me, sir.” Wade loosened the tie around his neck. “I’ve cashed in my 401(k).”

“That explains the stupid-ass cost-cutting measures.” Dominick snorted. “Good God, man. Digging a well by hand?”

Wade’s face heated. “That wasn’t my brightest moment.”

“I’d have to agree.” Dominick joined Wade in front of the windows. “I could sue your uncle, bring down his firm and ruin his business reputation.”

“You certainly have that right, sir.” Wade cleared his throat. “I’ve left the firm.”

“You quit?”

“Yes, sir.” He’d spent the past two weeks laying the groundwork to open his own investment firm. He’d wanted the particulars settled before speaking to Samantha again. If she thought he was going to give up on her—them—she didn’t know him well. Struggling not to squirm under the older man’s scrutiny, Wade said, “I’ve transferred the remaining money in my 401(k) into a new account for Samantha and I’ll con
tinue to build her financial portfolio. If it takes the rest of my life, I’ll make sure Samantha is paid back every penny the firm stole from her.”

“I’m not going to hold you accountable for your uncle’s actions.”

“That’s generous of you, sir, but I feel obligated to make amends because it happened under my watch.” Wade detected a gleam of approval in the old man’s eyes.

“You can make amends by opening a new portfolio for my daughter with the money I give you. Then I intend to have a chat with Charles about his business ethics.”

Wade would love to be a mouse in his uncle’s office when the oil baron dropped by for a visit. “What else is on your mind?” Dominick returned to his desk.

A sudden onset of the shakes drove Wade to sit in a chair. Earlier in the morning he’d rehearsed this speech, but for the life of him he couldn’t recall a single argument. “I’m in love with Samantha,” he blurted.

Wade had anticipated a slew of reactions from Dominick, none being a blank-face stare. Maybe the old man was hard of hearing. “I said I’m in love with your daughter.”

“I heard you the first time.” The tap, tap, tap of a pencil eraser against the desk followed the statement.

“I realize this looks bad. If I was in your shoes and a man walked into my office asking permission to marry my daughter after her money had been stolen during his watch I’d wonder if the guy was after my money—of course that’s assuming I had your wealth.” Wade rubbed a hand down his face. “I’m not saying this very well.”

When Dominick didn’t come to his rescue, Wade tried again. “I love Samantha. Luke loves her. I can’t
envision my life without her.” He took a deep breath. “I’d like your permission to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“Why?”

Wade frowned. Hadn’t he just said why he wanted to marry Samantha?

“Why do you love my daughter?” Dominick repeated.

“What’s not to love about her? She’s kind and patient with Luke and she has a gentle, giving heart.” And Samantha was take-your-breath-away gorgeous.

The man’s continued silence unnerved Wade. “I’d also insist on a prenuptial agreement.” Wade didn’t want Samantha’s money—he wanted her.
Damn it, old man, speak.

“You’re not exactly the type of man I envisioned my daughter marrying.”

“I’m not much of a cowboy or a roughneck, sir. I can’t ride a horse. I don’t have experience with cattle, crops or digging oil wells. But—”

“You love my daughter, faults and all,” Dominick interrupted.

“No woman is more perfect than Samantha.”

Dominick rolled his eyes. “It appears I’m destined not to have a son or son-in-law who appreciates oil as I do. But…You have a healthy respect for money made from my passion for oil. I guess you’ll do.”

“Then you don’t object to me proposing to Samantha?”

“Nope. Give it your best shot, young man.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Wade paused at the door when Dominick called his name. “Yes, sir?”

“Good luck. You’re going to need it.”

S
AM PARKED HER TRUCK
in front of the Lazy River ranch house and took a deep breath. She’d put off this meeting with her father long enough. She didn’t relish having to break the news of the loss of her trust fund, but she’d rather discuss money than her failed relationship with Wade.

For the past week Wade had left messages on her cell phone asking to meet with her. The first time he’d called, he’d wanted to take her out to dinner at a swanky restaurant in Tulsa. The second time he’d offered to drop by the ranch during the day. The third time he’d suggested meeting her at the Lazy River. The rest of his messages she’d deleted because listening to his voice had become too painful.

She entered the house through the kitchen door, then padded down the hall to her father’s office and rapped her knuckles against the doorjamb.

“It’s about time you showed up.” He set the paper in his hand aside and motioned her into the room.

“I have something to tell you.” Sam took a seat on the leather sofa along the wall.

Her father removed his reading glasses and grinned. “I’ve been waiting for this news.”

What was up with the smile and what
news
was her father referring to? “Wade—”

“Cut to the chase, daughter.”

Confused, Sam stared.

“What was your
answer?
”

“Answer to what?” she asked.

He waved a hand before his face. “Never mind. Tell me in your own words.”

“Wade informed me that my trust fund has been wiped clean. It’s gone. Every last penny of it.”

“What else did he have to say?”

“But—”

“Wade already broke the news to me.”

Her father’s calm demeanor dumbfounded her. “You’re not mad? Furious? Irate?”

“I’m more interested in hearing your answer to his question.”

Sam had trouble following the conversation. “What question?”

“Good God, daughter. Have you forgotten already?”

Panic raced through Sam as she struggled to recall the details of her talk with Wade at the pond.

“He asked you to marry him, didn’t he?”

Her mouth dropped open.
We’re not finished, Samantha. Not by a long shot.
But…but…Sam’s throat ached so badly she couldn’t speak.

“He didn’t propose?” The question thundered through the room.

“No.” Wade had been calling her to set up a time so he could propose. “He’s phoned but I haven’t returned his calls.” Could it be true? Did Wade really love her? Despite Luke almost…She swallowed hard, unable to finish the thought.

The wall clock ticked off a full minute before her father spoke. “Wade told me about your missing trust fund and then asked for my permission to propose to you.”

The tears Samantha had tried to hold at bay the past week dribbled down her cheeks.

“You don’t love Wade?” her father asked.

“I love him more than anything, Daddy.”

“Then what are you afraid of, honey?”

Be honest.
“Myself.”

Her father left his chair, sat next to her on the couch and held her hands.

“I love Wade, but I’m afraid I’ll slip up and forget a detail that will put him or Luke in danger.” She sniffed. “Or make them not love me anymore.”

“You’re talking crazy, daughter.”

“What if Wade and I marry and we have a baby? What if I’m at the mall with the baby and I walk off without the stroller?” She sucked in a ragged breath. “Wade won’t be able to trust me with our own children.”

“It’ll never happen, honey.” Her father hugged her. “You know why? Because you’ll love your baby and husband so much that your heart won’t ever let your brain forget them.”

Samantha listened, eager to believe her father’s words. “I’m to blame for Luke falling in the well. Wade left him in my care and he almost died.”

“That wasn’t your fault. The boy disobeyed you and broke the rules.”

Was the situation really that straightforward?

“You have so much love to give and—”

“There’s a man who desperately wants your love for himself.”

Samantha’s gaze swung to the doorway where Wade stood.

“I’ll start a pot of coffee.” Her father left the room.

Lord, she must look a wreck. Samantha wiped her face.

Wade stepped into the room and Sam fought the temptation to launch herself into his arms. “You’ve been avoiding me, Samantha.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “I have.” For your own good. And to protect my heart.

“I’m not going to stop fighting for you. For us and the future I believe we deserve together.”

“But—”

“I love you and I don’t intend to live my life without you.” He took her father’s place on the couch, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers trailing across her damp cheek.

“You make my head spin, Samantha. Before I knew what had hit me, you’d crept beneath my defenses one smile…one touch at a time. Then the way you made Luke feel special and important sealed the deal for me.”

Wade threaded his fingers through hers. “Most women look at me and see a geek. But in your eyes I’m sexy and desirable.” He leaned in and whispered against her ear. “When we made love, I felt like a real cowboy in your arms. Since then all I’ve ever wanted to do was find a way to sweep you off your feet.”

“Oh, Wade…”

“When Luke fell into the well, I realized my priorities were all screwed up. All that I believed important—a promotion at Dawson Investments and my uncle’s respect—became meaningless when I faced the possibility of a future without my son and the woman I’d come to love more than life itself.” He drew in a deep breath.

“But Luke could have died because of me.” She’d been here before—this exact scenario with another man—and the words of reassurance had lasted only a day before he’d changed his mind and hit the road. “And I can’t promise that it will never happen again.”
She blew out a slow breath and stared Wade in the eye. “You aren’t the only one who’s kept a secret.”

“I doubt it’s as bad as—”

She pressed her fingertips against his lips. “I suffered an accident years ago that—”

“Samantha, I know about your memory lapses and trouble concentrating.”

“Who told you?”

“My uncle. He said you’d gotten kicked in the head by a horse shortly after our visit to the Lazy River all those years ago.”

“Now you understand what a liability I am.” Samantha sprang off the couch and paced.

“Luke learned a valuable lesson that day about the consequences of not following rules and listening to adults. Parents aren’t perfect. They make mistakes whether they’re forgetful or not. In this case, Samantha, you didn’t make a mistake—Luke did.”

“I’ll always pose a risk, Wade. No matter how many notes I write or how hard I concentrate, I’ll end up forgetting, which could result in serious consequences.”

“If that happens we’ll handle it. You’re not alone in this, Samantha. You’ll have me, Luke, Millicent, your father, friends and family who’ll always watch over you.” He pulled her into his arms. “What matters most is that your heart never forgets it loves me.”

Wade was right. Since he’d entered her life she’d overlooked little things here or there but she’d never forgotten how Wade made her heart sing. How he made her feel complete, whole and perfect.

He caressed her cheek. “You do love me, don’t you?”

“With all my heart.”

Wade dropped to one knee and clasped her hand. “Samantha. Will you marry me?”

Her own happy-ever-after was really happening. “Yes, Wade. I’ll marry you and I promise my heart will never forget how much it loves you at this very moment.”

He slipped a simple platinum band with a single solitaire diamond onto her finger, then stood and kissed her until her toes curled. “When I’m old and crotchety I’ll become absentminded and you’ll have to remind me why I put up with you and that black notebook you carry around.”

“You won’t get mad when I have to make a note to remind me when to show up at the church for our wedding?”

Wade chuckled. “Not if you don’t mind me leaving sticky notes all over the house, requesting your presence in our bedroom.”

Sam flashed a sexy smile. “That’s one sticky note you’ll never have to leave for me. There’s no other place I’d rather be than in your arms.”

They kissed again—a perfect kiss. One smacking of a new beginning, of burying old fears…of fairy-tale endings.