The Last Cowboy Standing (12 page)

Danielle knew it was time to tell him the truth. She turned to face him, screwing up her courage.

“I’m sorry.”

“You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. You’re an adult, and—”

“Oh, no. Not that.” She felt her face heat. “Travis is angry because I told him I was taking the D.C. job.” Nervousness gripped her stomach. “I’m sorry about that, Caleb. The opportunity is just too good to turn down.”

He smiled understandingly. “It’s your decision, Danielle.”

“I hate that I’m leaving you,” she confessed. “I love working with Active Equipment. And this new project with Pantara. It’s going to be huge, Caleb. You know that, don’t you?”

He nodded. “I know it’s going to be huge. I’d truly love to have you there with me.”

For a second, Danielle was afraid she might tear up. She could barely speak. “I’m sorry.”

“And I’m sorry Travis upset you. Your decisions are yours alone. He’s got to respect that.”

“That’s what I told him.”

“Good for you.”

Caleb was such an understanding man, such an incredibly professional business owner, her behavior with Travis in Vegas suddenly seemed worse than ever. She felt like she had to explain.

“Travis and me,” she began.

But Caleb shook his head. “Is none of my business.”

“But I was there working for you. And he’s your brother-in-law. And—”

“Stop talking, Danielle.”

She pressed her lips together.

“My advice?” he asked.

She was a little afraid to hear it. “Sure.”

“Go back tomorrow and talk to him.”

Before Caleb was even finished speaking, she was shaking her head. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand that you’re upset, and that’s not good. Knowing Travis, he said something stupid. But he’s a hothead, he blows up fast and cools down faster. I’m betting he wants to make it better.”

She swallowed convulsively, tears threatening once more. “It’s not that simple.”

It wasn’t just that she was angry with Travis. She was afraid of her own emotions. She didn’t want to leave him. In his kitchen this afternoon, she’d come dangerously close to making a career decision based on a man. She couldn’t do that,
wouldn’t
do that. The thing between her and Travis was tenuous and fleeting. The Nester and Hedley offer was concrete. It would last. She couldn’t afford to make an illogical decision that would affect the rest of her life.

Caleb gazed at her for a long moment. “Okay. You’re right. You know what’s best for you. You do whatever you want.”

She gave a rapid nod. “Thank you.”

“I am sorry to lose you,” he told her. “But I’m genuinely happy that you have this opportunity.”

“You’re an incredible man, Caleb Terrell.” She meant it with all her heart.

Nine

C
aleb marched into Travis’s living room, smacking his hands down on the back of a brown, leather armchair in obvious anger. “What in the hell did you do to her?”

Travis came to his feet. “Huh?” He did a double take of Caleb’s icy expression. “You mean Danielle?”

“
Yes,
I mean Danielle.”

“I didn’t do a thing to her. She got ticked off and left.”

“She was practically in tears. Do you have any idea what it takes to make Danielle cry?”

Guilt clenched Travis’s stomach. Not that he’d done anything wrong. Randal was the bad guy here. Travis was trying to help. “I told her the truth,” he defended.

“What truth?”

“The truth about Randal Kleinfeld. Did she tell you she’s taking the D.C. job?”

Caleb gave a sharp nod.

Travis felt his nostrils flare. “It’s a mistake. A big mistake. This whole thing has been orchestrated by Randal Kleinfeld, and he’s trying to get back with her. I warned her in Vegas, but she wouldn’t listen. Oh, sure, later, when he showed his true colors, she admitted I was right. But does she remember that now? No. She thinks he’ll back off. She thinks she can handle him. But he’s pond-scum. He’ll hurt her. And she can’t be around him.”

Caleb’s expression had moderated. “Is that what you told her?”

“Not in so many words. I reminded her that he had ulterior motives.”

Caleb moved around the armchair and sat down.

Travis followed suit on the sofa across from him.

“Did you try to talk her out of it?” he asked.

Caleb shook his head. “It’s her choice, her career. I can’t hold her back.”

“You wouldn’t be holding her back,” Travis pointed out. “You’d be saving her from a big mistake.”

“It’s a hugely prestigious law firm,” said Caleb.

“One in which Randal is well and thoroughly entrenched. What do you think will happen if she refuses to date him? He’ll get revenge. He’ll try to undermine and discredit her. And he’s the one with the contacts and relationships in D.C., not her.”

“And if she does date him?” Caleb asked.

Travis felt his blood pressure go up a notch. The thought of Danielle in Randal’s arms made him want to put his fist through a wall.

“That’ll make it even worse,” he told Caleb. “He’ll trap her, and her entire world will be tangled up with that jerk.”

Caleb was silent for a moment. “It’s still her decision.”

Travis gazed at his brother-in-law, grappling inside his head. He shouldn’t say what he was about to say, but he had to say it.

He spoke softly. “You can stop her.”

Caleb immediately refused. “No, I can’t. And even if I could, I won’t. I’m not going to guilt-trip her into staying with Milburn and Associates.”

“Not Milburn and Associates.” Travis had a better idea. “Active Equipment.”

Caleb drew sharply back. “We’re not a law firm.”

Travis drummed his fingertips on the arm of the sofa, composing his arguments. “But you could use a staff lawyer. I’ve heard enough about the business to guess you could use Danielle full-time. Pantara and South America alone would keep her busy.” He paused. “Make her an offer. Make it a good one. Keep her for yourself.”

The grandfather clock ticked off seconds in the corner of the room. Travis could feel his heart beating in his chest. His body temperature rose a degree, and sweat began to form on his skin while he waited for Caleb’s answer.

It was a full minute before Caleb spoke. “What’s going on here, Travis?”

Travis knew he had to be honest with Caleb. “Randal can’t have her. I can’t let that happen.”

“You want to keep her in Lyndon Valley.”

“Yes.”

“You want to keep her with you?”

Travis swallowed. He didn’t understand why, and he didn’t know how, but every instinct he possessed told him to keep her close and protect her. “Yes.”

Caleb’s hand rose to his chin, and his eyes took on a faraway look.

“What happened to all the fighting?” he finally asked.

“We still fight,” Travis admitted.

Caleb seemed to digest that. “See, trouble is, I’m not convinced you’re not Active Equipment’s very own Randal.”

Travis nearly came out of his seat. “I’m not some pretentious fake. I’m not going to hurt Danielle. I am
nothing
like him.”

“Can you swear to me you’re looking out for her best interests?”

“Yes.”

“That you’re not going to hurt her?”

“Yes.”

“You nearly made her cry already.”

Travis did come to his feet. “That was over Randal. He’s the only thing we fight about now. I like Danielle. I don’t want her hurt. I don’t want her stuck in D.C. with a scheming shyster who’s out to get her.” He drew a breath. “You know you want to keep her, Caleb. This is a perfect solution. It might not be exactly what she’d planned, but she could have a fantastic career with you. Active Equipment is going to be a global conglomerate. You’re going to need people you trust. She’s been with you since the beginning.”

Caleb stood. “Seth isn’t the only Jacobs who should have gone into politics.”

“I’m not spinning you a story,” Travis said with complete conviction.

“If you are, you’re doing one heck of a good job.”

Travis clamped his jaw to keep himself from overselling the idea. He realized he cared more about Caleb’s decision in this than he’d cared about anything in his life.

The silence stretched.

“I can offer,” said Caleb.

A powerful rush of relief thudded through Travis.

“But I doubt she’ll say yes.”

“Convince her,” said Travis with mounting enthusiasm.

“I’ll lay out the facts, but that’s all I can do.”

“Offer a high salary, a good title, maybe vice president. Give her a bonus structure. Make sure you include dental. You’ve got dental at Active Equipment, right?”

“You want to take over on this?”

“No, no.” Once again, Travis forced himself to stop talking.

“She’d be a valuable executive, and I have no problem making her a top offer. But I’m not a D.C. law firm, and that may be a deal breaker.”

Travis forced himself to recognize the truth in Caleb’s words. Danielle might not take the offer. There was nothing to indicate she’d even consider being a corporate lawyer. Truth was, there might not be a single thing he could do to keep her out of D.C.

* * *

Danielle’s bag was packed and waiting by the front door. She was in the office, putting the initial Pantara files in order for Caleb and whoever took her place. She needed to get back to Chicago today and give her notice in person before she called Nester and Hedley to accept their offer.

She’d transferred all of the attachments from her email account to Caleb’s computer. She’d taken copies of her Pantara emails, and she’d filed all of her legal research by country. From what she could see so far, Pantara had some financial challenges, but nothing critical. What they seemed to be looking for from the merger was access to Active Equipment’s customer base. It was becoming well known across international markets that Active Equipment was supplying superior products and top-notch after sales service to its clients in construction, resource extraction and heavy industry.

Satisfied that everything was well under control, Danielle closed her email box, shut down the file program, and rose from her desk chair. She lifted her bag, slipped it over her shoulder, and took a last look around the room.

It was a quirky, little office with a sloped ceiling and a small window overlooking the hay barn, the fields and mountains beyond. Danielle couldn’t help but smile at the thought that she was likely the only lawyer at Milburn and Associates who had a view of cattle from her office window.

Crossing to the window, she experienced a bit of nostalgia, realizing she’d never see this particular view again. Though she and Caleb had formed a quasi-personal relationship over the years, she was under no illusion that they’d see each other socially.

She’d certainly never see Travis again. The thought brought a familiar ache to her chest. She knew it was crazy to feel this way, and she’d spent most of last night fighting it. She wasn’t going to miss him, at least not long term. Theirs wasn’t that kind of a relationship. Theirs wasn’t a relationship at all.

Still, she was sorry they’d fought yesterday. In fact, when she woke up this morning, she’d been half tempted to go to him and apologize. He might have been belligerent and meddlesome, but she hadn’t needed to lash out at him. He didn’t know Randal the way she did. Randal wasn’t going to be a problem.

In fact, after the few nights with Travis, she wouldn’t be looking twice at Randal ever again. She knew the difference now between mediocre physical intimacy and true lovemaking. Travis had made love to her, and she’d never again settle for less.

“Danielle?” came Caleb’s voice.

She turned to face him, banishing her melancholy thoughts and squaring her shoulders. Her decision was made, and it was time to move forward.

“Everything’s filed,” she told him. “It should be easy for someone else to take over.” She moved toward him, determined to make this a professional, succinct goodbye. “But call me if you need anything, anything at all.”

“Do you have a minute to talk?” he asked, his expression quite serious.

She paused. “Yes. Is something wrong?”

He gestured to the desk chair. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Good.” She hesitantly sat down, perching on the edge.

He braced his butt against a side table. “I’d like to make you an offer.”

She waited a moment, trying to figure out where he was going. “An offer for what?”

“A job.”

“You mean keep you as a client?” She had to be honest with him. “That’ll depend on Nester and Hedley. But I’m not sure Active Equipment will fit in with my new portfolio. Of course, the firm overall would be thrilled to have you come over. But you might not be assigned to me.”

“I wasn’t talking about Nester and Hedley.”

“Oh.” Then she was stumped.

“I want you to work for Active Equipment. Full-time. As a corporate attorney. Your title will be Vice President of International Affairs.”

Danielle slumped back in the chair, blinking at Caleb in confusion. “Uh, could you repeat that?”

“Vice President of International Affairs.”

“I don’t understand.”

He cocked his head sideways and smiled. “I don’t want to lose you. You know as well as I do how far we’ve come, how much potential we have going forward. I need smart people around me that I can trust. You’re an incredibly smart person, and I know I can trust you. Money won’t be a problem, you can name your price. And we have dental.”

Danielle gave a helpless laugh. “Dental?”

“Does that sweeten the pot for you?”

“I still don’t understand.” She’d never thought of any career path other than a law firm. She didn’t understand what Caleb meant by Vice President of International Affairs.

“You’d be doing all the things you do for Active Equipment already, plus, well plus whatever else you want to do. I know you, Danielle. I can point you in a general direction, and you’ll figure out how to help me.” He braced his hands on either side of the table. “You said yourself you weren’t looking to leave Chicago, that the Nester and Hedley offer had come out of the blue. Well, here’s another out of the blue offer for you. I hope it’s something you’ll consider.”

She didn’t have the first idea of how to respond. She loved working with Caleb, with Active Equipment. She was certain they had a huge future ahead of them. But to abandon her entire career plan, to take a complete left turn like that? How could a person make that decision?

“I’m already packed,” she told him, realizing how silly it sounded even as the words came out. Who cared about an overnight bag down in his foyer?

“Do you have any questions?”

“I don’t know. My brain seems to have shut down.”

Caleb laughed. “I’m torn between telling you to go away and think about it and giving you a thorough sales pitch right here and now.”

“I have a flight booked to Chicago,” she pointed out, glancing at her watch.

“I have an airplane,” he countered.

Her mind ticked through the possibilities. She could stay in Chicago, take on a whole, new exciting venture, and she wouldn’t have Randal to worry about. She wouldn’t be the new person on the totem pole. She’d have flexibility, autonomy. The sky was the limit for Active Equipment. And,
and,
if she did want to move to a law firm at some point in the future, a vice president position at an international conglomerate would look very good on her resume.

And then there was Travis. She’d be in Chicago, but she’d still have her connection to Lyndon Valley. She was certain she’d be back, possibly often. Intellectually, she knew that was probably a bad thing. But emotionally, she wasn’t ready to let him go. If she said yes to Caleb, she’d get to see Travis again.

For a second, she heard her mother’s voice inside her head, warning her to never, never,
ever
make a career decision based on a man. But she shoved it away. It was a good job offer. It was a great job offer. Travis was incidental. She’d make certain he stayed incidental.

“I feel like I should negotiate something,” she told Caleb.

A grin stretched across his face. “There’s nothing to negotiate. Just tell me what it’ll take.”

“You’re just going to hand me a vice presidency, on a silver platter?”

“You’ve earned it.”

“I’m not sure about that.”

“Well, I’m sure about that. And I’m the one who counts.”

Danielle grinned.

Caleb came to his feet. “What do you say?”

She rose. “I think you’ve just made me an offer I can’t refuse.”

Caleb stuck out his square, callused hand. “That was my plan.”

She reached out to shake it.

His expression was warm, his tone deep and sincere. “Welcome aboard, Danielle.”

* * *

It took Danielle a week to clear things up at Milburn and Associates. She would have stayed longer, but they were clearly annoyed with her for leaving, doubly annoyed at losing Active Equipment as a client, and things in the office were tense. By midmorning Friday, she was walking out the door. By noon, she was on the corporate jet winging her way back to Lyndon City to meet Caleb.