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  “Jax Perry, this is Eric Sinclair. His company is the one I’ve been telling you about. Jax’s company handles all of our marketing, plus works with several development firms. Excuse me while I say hello to someone.” Keith walked off, leaving the two alone.

  Eric let his gaze wander over the stunning beauty. Tall and slender, she had an almost exotic air about her in a black, tight-fitting short skirt, low-cut royal blue silk blouse, which matched her eyes, and jet-black hair pulled back at the knap with a silver clasp. Her skin seemed translucent, like a glazed piece of ivory colored porcelain.

  “Keith tells me he’s been running you all over the city to look at land.” Jax sipped her martini, watching him over the rim of her glass. Her body’s response to Eric had been immediate and intense.

  “Running is a good description. He had two pages of properties, plus the pertinent data on each. It took two days to pare it down to four.” He couldn’t seem to look away. “Would you care to dance?”

  “I’d love to.” Jax set her glass down and walked with Eric onto the dance floor. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d wanted to grab a man’s hand and walk out right then and there, find the nearest bed and spend all night in it. She guessed herself to be three or four years older, which worked well for her—great looking guy, good times, no strings.

  They danced twice before returning to pick up their drinks and find a table.

  “Is this your first trip to Austin?”

  “It is. Most of my time is spent between our headquarters in Arizona, plus sites in Colorado, Utah, and Montana. We’ve made the decision to include Texas in our plans.” Eric watched her cross her long legs and worked to control his response to her. He noticed she didn’t wear stockings even though the nights had turned chilly and the party was held outside. “Have you lived here long?”

  “I’m a native, although I did attend college in Florida. I worked in Miami, then Dallas before returning home. I’ve known Keith since high school. He’s the one who suggested I return and start using my marketing skills to help others. His wife and I have been friends for years. Where are you from?”

  “Born and raised in California. I moved to Arizona to accept the position with MacLaren Enterprises.” He looked around for anyone who might be looking for her. “Are you married, Jax?”

  Her throaty laugh filled the air. “No. And you?”

  “Single as they come.” Eric could already tell where this was headed. He had to make a decision soon whether to go with whatever happened or spend another night in his hotel room, alone.

  “Tell me what you’ve seen so far? Have you found what you’re looking for?”

  Something about her stare told him she wasn’t talking about land.

  “Possibly.” He nursed a gin and tonic, a habit he’d gotten into when attending social events. One drink could last him all night.

  Other than a brief relationship months before, he preferred an occasional liaison, making certain the woman knew nothing would come from it.

  He’d been foolish when younger, giving his heart to his high school sweetheart and making plans during his junior year of college to marry after they both graduated. She’d walked out with little hesitation when offered an opportunity out of state. His whole world had slipped away when she left, bruising not just his heart, but his self-respect and confidence. It had taken his roommates months to get him out of the apartment they shared and longer to date. In retrospect, they weren’t so much dates as they were hook-ups—a pattern he preferred even years later.

  “Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private and talk about what you’ve seen? Perhaps I can help you sort through the options and come to a decision.” Jax’s mouth curved into a slight, knowing smile. She’d watched him check her out, more than once, her instincts screaming they would both be open to spending time together—such as one steamy night.

  Eric swirled the drink and then brought it to his lips, finishing it in one swallow before setting it on a nearby table. “I’ll follow you.”

  Chapter Two

  Fire Mountain

  “Welcome back.” Annie MacLaren hugged Brooke and Kade, who’d just returned from their honeymoon in San Diego. “You don’t have to tell me how much fun you had, I can see it on your faces.”

  “It couldn’t have been better.” Brooke laced her arm through her mother’s. “I’m glad we took the full month. I think we should do it often.”

  “Agreed. Every time we get married,” Kade joked, grabbing their bags and heading toward the car. “How’s everyone here?”

  “Good. Eric is checking on some property in Texas and will be back tomorrow. Cam and Lainey will return from Cold Creek late tonight, and Cassie is settling into her training role at the office. Same old stuff.” Annie slid into the driver’s seat. “How about a stop at the ranch house before you head home?”

  “Sounds good.” Kade draped an arm over Brooke’s shoulder, pulling her close.

  “Rafe is supposed to be here next weekend.” Annie wanted to give Kade a heads-up his father would be in town, staying with her and Heath. A father he knew of but had never met until a few months before. They were working on building a relationship and each visit showed progress. Although Kade occasionally used his birth surname of MacLaren, most of the time he still preferred Taylor, the name his mother had taken after his birth. Perhaps in time Kade would be able to let go of the resentment he still felt when he saw Rafe. He didn’t believe there was any way he’d ever be able to call him father as Rafe wanted.

  “Is there something special he’s coming in for?” Brooke asked. She’d been supportive of both Rafe and Kade, hoping they’d someday find common ground and her husband would embrace the love his father offered. She also hoped Kade could build relationships with his stepbrothers and stepsisters, who’d all made the trip to attend their wedding. The oldest, Mitch, had recently moved to Fire Mountain to work at the headquarters for several months to learn the business.

  “A board meeting, plus Heath and Jace want him to meet the newest member of the staff.”

  “The new marketing director?” Kade looked forward to meeting the new man on the team.

  “Yes. Apparently she’s found a place to live and you’ll all meet her on Monday.” Annie turned into the long drive signaling the entrance to the ranch.

  “A woman?” Kade asked.

  Brooke turned to glare at him. “Something wrong with that?” With a Ph.D. in management systems, she could’ve been offered a job with numerous private companies, as well as a teaching post at several colleges. She’d elected to go with Heath and Jace’s offer, and until the new hire, had been the sole female on the management team. Another woman was welcome news.

  “Nope. Just surprised. Not too many women have the experience Jace said they wanted. I don’t have to tell you how specialized their businesses are and how few people understand what’s needed. I watched Jace toss aside one résumé after another as he poured over them a few months back. I’m just glad they found someone.”

  “Heath said the same. They got it down to four and she was the lone woman.” Annie came to a stop in the wide parking area in front of the house.

  “Have you met her?” Brooke asked.

  “I don’t know her name or anything else about her. Of course, I haven’t asked. They’ve always done a fine job without my interference.”

  ******

  “I still can’t believe I landed the job.” Amber held the phone between her shoulder and ear while preparing a salad between sips of white wine. “It’s a dream position.”

  “Don’t rub it in.” Dana, Amber’s closest friend, still worked at the same company in Denver where they’d met. She’d grown up in a small town in Wyoming, leaving to attend college north of Denver. She knew every inch of the sprawling city. Her graphics design job and Amber’s in marketing brought them together during Dana’s first week, a few months after Amber started. Both were single and on the fast track.

  “I know you lov
e Denver, but I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open for possibilities out here. You’ve never seen this part of Arizona and it’s nothing like you’d expect.” Amber popped a crouton in her mouth and grabbed a fork, not bothering to put the salad in a smaller bowl. She’d power it down in one sitting.

  “Perhaps I should come out for a visit. I’ve got over a week’s vacation coming.” Dana switched screens on her computer to her calendar. “Maybe in March.”

  “Let me get settled, earn some time off myself, then definitely. Be prepared, though. You’re going to want to stay once you see Fire Mountain. I wish I could’ve been there to help with your move into the new apartment. Timing couldn’t have been worse.”

  “Don’t worry about it. An opening came up in a new complex in downtown Denver and I jumped on it. I hired a truck and a couple of the guys in the sales department helped me move. I think I was out of the old place before any of the neighbors realized I was gone. And it’s got space enough for my car and bike.”

  “Sounds perfect. Don’t forget to text me your new address,” Amber reminded her.

  “Will do. Now, tell me who you’ve met so far. Anyone fascinating?”

  “Not unless you count the buff Marine who lives below me, handles security for a company in town, and drives a hot sports car.” Amber dumped the remnants of her salad into the sink, poured another glass of wine, and settled onto the sofa.

  “Wow! Sounds promising.”

  “He’s fifty-one and married.”

  “Oh.” Dana’s deflated voice made Amber smile. “Isn’t that just the way of it? Neither of us have had anyone special since…well, since…”

  “It’s all right, you can say it. Years. It’s been years since either of us has had more than a couple dull experiences with mediocre outcomes, but I believe my life is about to change. I can sense something big will happen to me now that I’ve made this move.”

  Dana’s voice quieted, becoming thoughtful. “Do you still think about him? And don’t ask who.”

  “Sure I do. I wonder what he’s doing, where he lives, if he ever got married. None of the wondering does me a bit of good. He answers my two emails a year with one short sentence, if I’m lucky. You’d think if someone took the time to wish him a happy birthday and Christmas greetings, he’d at least share some information, but nothing. Well, I’m through trying to reach out.”

  “I sense a new Amber is ready to emerge. It’s about time.” Dana wasn’t much better. She’d had a couple of casual relationships in the years since her boyfriend met someone new and moved out of the apartment they shared.

  “There’s something about this place, as if it holds possibilities for me beyond what I’d expected. I know the new job is most of it, but I believe the move has helped pull me from the disillusionment I’ve carried for too long. It’s time to move on and be open to new opportunities.”

  “You mean new men,” Dana prompted.

  “I mean new people—new friends and experiences. Well, it’s getting late and I have some reading to do before my first day. Wish me luck.”

  “Always. Sleep well.”

  ******

  “Tell him to come into the board room as soon as he arrives.” Heath hung up the phone then turned to the others. “Eric’s plane landed. He’ll be here in about five minutes. I’ll bring in the newest employee once he arrives.”

  “Are you going to tell us about her or make us wait?” Cameron Sinclair asked. The oldest of Annie Sinclair MacLaren’s children, Cam was the president of their bucking bronc stock company in Colorado.

  Heath took a few minutes to provide the essentials—her experience, education, reasons for leaving her last job, ending as the door opened and Eric walked in.

  “Apologies. Last night’s plane was cancelled and the one this morning was delayed for weather.” He nodded at everyone and took a seat next to his sister, Brooke. “Did I miss anything?”

  “A review of the new employee’s background. I won’t repeat it, so you’ll need to get it from her yourself.” Heath hit the intercom. “Phyllis, please send her in.”

  The conversations continued around the table for a few minutes before the door opened. Heads turned to see a striking young woman walk into the room. She smiled at Heath and Jace, then let her gaze move from one person to the next until the brilliant smile she’d first worn faded as she landed on one person.

  Heath stood. “Everyone, this is—”

  “Amber!” Brooke pushed from her chair and almost ran to wrap her arms around the friend she’d lost contact with years before. “You’re the new hire?” She pulled back, then the full impact of what was happening hit her. “Oh my…” She turned her head to the others.

  Cam stood and walked around the table, giving Amber a hug. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Hello, Cam. Yes, it has.” The perfect job had turned into the perfect nightmare in the span of a few seconds.

  Heath cocked an eyebrow and looked at Jace, whose blank stare indicated the confusion he felt.

  “I’m guessing you know my stepson, Cam, and stepdaughter, Brooke.” Heath’s eyes narrowed on Amber.

  “Uh…yes, sir. I’ve known the Sinclair family for several years, however, we lost touch when I moved from California to New York.” She summoned her courage and looked at Eric, this time holding his gaze and deciding the best approach would be to hold her ground. She could see his jaw work, the beautiful golden brown eyes she remembered glaring at her with what she guessed to be total contempt. “I didn’t realize the Sinclair’s were part of the business or I would’ve mentioned it to you.”

  “Then you must know my stepson, Eric, as well.” Heath walked toward her, stopping next to Eric’s chair.

  The pain in her chest felt like a vice, squeezing until she couldn’t breathe. She tried to suck in air and remain calm. She needed this job, wanted it, and no prior life mistake would cause her to lose it.

  “Yes, I know Eric.”

  Heath glanced at Jace, then back at Brooke. “I’d like to make a suggestion. If everyone will excuse us for a few minutes, I want to speak with Eric, Jace, and Amber. We’ll resume the meeting in a few minutes.”

  Amber found she couldn’t seem to move as if she were anchored in place, held tight by some invisible force. She waited until the others had filed out, Brooke giving her an encouraging look as she passed. The sound of the door closing jolted her into looking up.

  “Amber, why don’t you have a seat here?” Heath motioned to a chair next to him, across from Eric and Jace.

  She nodded and let him pull out the chair, an old school, gentlemanly habit, which she welcomed. “Thank you.” Her hands automatically stilled in her lap, her fingers laced, almost painfully.

  Heath looked at Eric. “You have yet to say anything, Eric. If there’s something you want to get off your chest, I’d suggest now is the time.”

  ******

  Eric’s weekend had gone better than planned. His night with Jax pulled him from his recent pattern of takeout meals, dinner meetings, and long days. She’d been fun and everything he’d thought when he’d made the decision to follow her home. He hadn’t intended to spend the night, but her relaxed manner, sense of humor, and no strings attitude made him feel connected, if just for one night.

  He’d left her house Sunday morning after breakfast to meet Keith and visit the two best sites, not making any plans to see her again. If they ran into each other, fine, although he did invite her to contact him if she were ever in Fire Mountain.

  Eric’s Sunday night flight had been cancelled and the first plane on Monday delayed by weather. He’d called Heath, then sat back and relaxed in the High Flyers club, rehashing the night with Jax, a smile playing across his face. He’d kept in good humor all through the flight home, feeling the normal stress melt away. Now this.

  He’d done a double take when Amber walked into the room. When Brooke jumped up and hugged her, he knew his vision hadn’t betrayed him. His ex-fiancée, the woman who’d sucked the
life from him when she’d left for New York, stood at the head of the table, looking more stunningly beautiful than he remembered. And the punch of it was, his body responded instantly, as if all the years they’d been apart hadn’t happened. As if she hadn’t ripped his heart from his chest, leaving an open gap which never healed.

  Of all the people Heath and Jace could’ve hired, it had to be Amber Anderson. And she’d be his peer, someone he’d see each time he worked in the office, at staff meetings, and during company events. Could he deal with it and not let the past affect him? He honestly didn’t know.

  He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table and clasping his hands before clearing his throat.

  “Amber and I planned to marry before she left for New York. We haven’t seen each other since. To be honest, I don’t know how to react, or even what to say.”

  So this was Amber, Heath thought. Of course it had never come up during the interviews or background check. She wouldn’t know Eric Sinclair lived in Fire Mountain, held a position as a director at MacLaren Enterprises, and was Heath’s stepson.

  “It appears we have a dilemma. We need to figure out if it can be solved, which means consensus from all four of us.” He shot a pointed look at Eric then Amber. “You need to know, Amber, Eric is vital to the future of MacLaren Enterprises. He’s done an outstanding job and we can’t afford to lose him.”

  Amber nodded, knowing no matter how much she wanted this job, she had to find a way to graciously exit. No one would win if she held tight to a position where she couldn’t succeed.

  “I understand, Heath. It’s been a pleasure meeting you and Jace. Perhaps in the future, if the situation changes…” She glanced at her hands, then back up at Heath as she started to rise. “Well, I suppose I should—”

  “Perhaps I wasn’t clear,” Heath interrupted. “We reviewed a truckload of résumés, interviewed four outstanding people, and offered you the job. You got it because you have the skills, background, personality, and drive to succeed at MacLaren. You just need to know that Eric isn’t going anywhere, so the burden of making this situation work may fall more on you than on him. It may not seem fair, but that’s the way it has to be.”