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Dex’s jaw stiffened and his eyes hardened like ice. The urge to tell her father where he could go—in not so nice words—was on the tip of his tongue, but he hesitated. He wasn’t that heartless. Besides, Caitlin sounded scared and he heard the pain and anguish in her voice.
“What’s wrong with your old man this time, Caitlin? The last time I saw him he wasn’t doing so hot, either. If my memory serves me correctly, it was the news of our sudden marriage that sent him to the hospital with a heart attack. Have you decided to marry again and Daddy Dearest can’t handle it?”
“Dex, please. Don’t. My—my father is dying of cancer and wants to see you.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. However, he and I aren’t the best of friends. What’s this all about?”
“I don’t know. But he wants to see you. Please come see him. P-please.” Her tearful plea came through the phone lines.
A tightness squeezed Dex’s chest and instead of his anger intensifying, he found his heart losing some of its hardness with her plea. He loathed himself for allowing her to get next to him after all this time—after she had turned her back on him and his love. But something was happening to him he hadn’t counted on, something he didn’t understand. Even after four years of hurt, she could still arouse a degree of protectiveness in him.
A natural instinct to protect her from any type of pain kept his bitterness in check. Her words penetrated his mind. Her father was dying? Then he could just imagine the depth of her agony. He, of all people, knew just how much the old man meant to her. He hesitated briefly before answering. “Where is he?”
“Baptist Memorial Hospital, the eighth floor.”
Dex took a deep breath. “I’m on my way.”
After hanging up the phone he let his head fall back against the pillow. He stared at the ceiling. Could he handle seeing Caitlin again? He didn’t love her anymore, but the pain she’d caused him was like a wound that wouldn’t heal. Her decision to end their marriage before giving it a chance was an act he could never forgive her for.
His heart felt like it was ready to explode in his chest. In a short space of time she had become his life, his very reason for existing.
He should never have let it get to that point. After all, he had seen firsthand what falling head-over-heels in love with a woman could do. His best friend, Greg, had taken his own life over a woman while they were in college at Morehouse. Dex had vowed never to become a victim of love to that extreme. And he had kept his vow—until he had met Caitlin.
His mind reflected on their first meeting. He’d fallen in love with her the first time he’d seen her that day in the restaurant. Her beauty had nearly taken his breath away. She had eyes the color of dark coffee. Her face, burnished bronze in color, had sharp, high cheekbones, a perfectly shaped mouth and a flawlessly aligned nose. Silken strands of jet-black hair had fallen in soft curls around her shoulders. Each attribute had added radiance to her warm unblemished features.
The timing had been awful. He was to leave the country within three weeks. Besides, she was young—eleven years his junior. But those things hadn’t kept him from wanting her, from loving her.
In the beginning, for the first couple of days after she’d come to work at his uncle Jake’s ranch, he’d kept his distance. Then Clayton had arrived and had immediately set his sights on their uncle’s newest employee.
Convincing himself he was saving Caitlin from the clutches of his womanizing younger brother, Dex began pursuing her himself. It was only later that he’d discovered Clayton had somehow picked up on his intense but unacknowledged attraction for Caitlin, and had played devil’s advocate, propelling Dex into action. What followed had been a whirlwind romance between him and Caitlin.
After spending time with her, he had felt that although she was eleven years younger than him, she was a young woman who knew her mind. She had acted more mature than her twenty-one years. The more time he had spent with her, the more he became sure that he wanted her as the woman in his life—forever. He couldn’t handle the thought of going to Australia and leaving her behind. There were a number of good universities in Australia where she could obtain the additional education she wanted to pursue. When he had asked her to marry him, she had readily accepted.
Within two weeks they were married in a rushed ceremony at Whispering Pines ranch with just his uncle and Clayton present. It was only when they were on their way to meet each other’s families, that he had an opportunity to dwell on her reluctance to notify her father about their marriage.
Although surprised by his unexpected marriage, his parents and siblings accepted Caitlin into the family with open arms. But nothing, Dex thought, could have prepared him for the horrible scene they’d encountered upon arriving at Caitlin’s home and announcing their marriage and her plans to accompany him to Australia.
Halston Parker had gone into a rage, which subsequently doubled him over clutching his chest. After he was rushed to the hospital, Caitlin had been told he’d suffered a mild heart attack.
She had been upset and besieged with guilt. Dex had spent his last day in the States pacing the waiting room of the hospital with her. He’d somehow managed to convince her to come back to the hotel with him. Once there, she had found comfort in his arms. He’d made love to her to erase her fears. The next morning he had felt her withdraw from him, and wondered if their newfound love could withstand the external pressures.
Before catching a cab for the airport, he had literally begged her to join him in Australia as soon as her father recovered. She had promised him she would.
As the weeks passed and she’d begun avoiding his nightly phone calls, he’d made arrangements to return to the States on an emergency leave. The day he was to depart, he received the divorce papers and Caitlin’s wedding ring. She wanted out of their marriage.
According to the brief letter she’d enclosed with her ring, she claimed she loved him, but her father needed her more and she couldn’t leave him. She thought it best they end their marriage.
The impact of her decision had hurt deeply. Deeper than any pain was supposed to hurt. He had always known and understood the internal war he had fought since Greg’s suicide. He had waged such a fierce battle against ever falling in love that when it happened, he had been totally consumed by it. Caitlin had been everything he had ever wanted and desired in a woman. And when he had fallen for her, he’d fallen hard. No one, and that included his family, had understood the depth of his bitterness after his breakup with Caitlin. Considering her age when they had married, and the brief period of time they had known each other, Caitlin’s actions, as far as his family were concerned, had not been surprising.
Unfortunately he did not share their reasoning. The way he saw it, Caitlin had said her vows and had made promises, and neither was meant to be broken.
Sighing deeply, Dex reached for the phone and began dialing.
“Hello?”
“Clayton, I’m leaving tonight for San Antonio.”
Chapter 2
T he antiseptic smell of the sterilized facility stung Dex’s nostrils the minute he walked into the hospital’s lobby. Stepping into the elevator, he punched the button for the eighth floor.
It seemed like an eternity before the elevator door finally opened. Stepping out, he dismissed the interested looks he received from a couple of nurses and walked over to the nurses’ station. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter with her head bowed, reading a patient’s chart.
“Excuse me. I’m here to see Halston Parker.”
The woman lifted her head and smiled at him kindly. “Are you a member of the family?”
The question was a common one to ask, but Dex couldn’t help but flinch. “No,” he answered curtly. “I’m not, but I was asked to come here by Caitlin Parker.”
The woman gave him a bemused glance although her smile continued to be friendly. She glanced down at the chart she pulled from a nearby rack. “Caitlin Parker?” she questioned.
“Yeah. Caitlin Parker. Halston Parker’s daughter,” he replied, glancing around the nurses’ station.
“You must mean Caitlin Madaris.”
Dex’s head whipped around sharply. “What did you say?”
“I said Mr. Parker’s daughter is Caitlin Madaris.”
“I’ll take care of this, Diane,” a deep voice said behind Dex.
Dex turned around and came face-to-face with a man he remembered as being Halston Parker’s physician.
“Mr. Madaris, welcome back to San Antonio.”
Dex nodded tiredly and rubbed his temples. The nurse had referred to Caitlin as Caitlin Madaris? Why was she still using her married name? His name? Why had she kept the name when she’d rejected the man who’d given it to her? He stared into the doctor’s face. It had aged considerably in the last four years. “This isn’t a pleasure trip, Doctor,” he said, shaking the hand the man offered.
Dr. Flores nodded his head. “You’re right, it’s not. Did you have any problems getting here?” he asked politely.
“No. I caught a cab from the airport.”
The older man lifted a brow. “Your luggage?”
“I didn’t bring anything but what you see here,” Dex said, indicating the overnight bag he carried. “I don’t plan on staying long,” he added in a clear, firm voice.
Dr. Flores looked at him for a moment. “Oh, I see. Did you know that Caitlin isn’t living here in San Antonio, Mr. Madaris? She moved to Fort Worth six months ago.”
Dex looked at the older man in complete surprise. “No, I didn’t know that.” Heat stained his cheeks and his eyes narrowed “But then I haven’t had a reason to keep up with my ex-wife over the past four years. Where she lives is no concern of mine.”
The doctor appeared slightly flushed. “I’m sorry, my mistake.”
Dex nodded. “No sweat. We all make them.” He glanced around. “Where’s Caitlin?”
“She’s resting. I gave her something to relax her. It’s been a very trying time for her. I’ll go get her now.”
Dex grabbed the man’s arm when he turned to walk off. “Don’t bother. Whatever Halston Parker has to say, he can say to me alone. There’s no need to involve Caitlin.”
The older man shook his head. “Halston wants to speak with both you and Caitlin.”
Dex studied the doctor for a moment. “Do you have any idea what this is about?”
“Even if I did, I’m not at liberty to say, Mr. Madaris. If you would like to wait in a private waiting room, I’ll get Caitlin.”
In the waiting room, Dex stood at the window looking down at the smaller office buildings below. His body tense, his senses alert, he knew the exact moment Caitlin quietly entered the room. He turned slowly to face her.
Their eyes connected immediately. Dex dragged his gaze over her. Even with tired lines etched around her eyes, her hair in disarray and her dress slightly wrinkled, as far as he was concerned, she still looked utterly beautiful. His heart felt like it was about to explode in his chest. How could he find her desirable after the hell she’d put him through? He resented the fact that his strong attraction to her was still there. His reaction to her sparked his temper.
“Hello, Dex.”
“Caitlin,” he acknowledged curtly. “I’d like to see your father as soon as possible, so he can say whatever it is he wants to get off his chest.”
“We can go see if Dad’s awake now. If you don’t mind coming with me,” she said, opening the door.
“You go ahead. I’ll catch up in a minute.” He needed time alone to regain his composure. Seeing Caitlin again had brought a greater reaction than he had expected. Unwanted memories had coursed through him.
Caitlin nodded and closed the door behind her. A shiver passed through her body. The memories she had carried of her ex-husband were nothing in comparison to the masculine, virile reality she’d just seen. Strength and power emanated from him. He was still the handsome Texan she’d fallen in love with four years ago. His features were rugged and strong, and his nut-brown skin had darkened to a coppery-brown from hours undoubtedly spent in the sun. Dexter Madaris was still the most attractive man she’d ever seen. A sudden feeling of dread washed over her when she remembered something else about him. He was a man who didn’t forgive easily. She’d discovered that the hard way when he had not responded to her letter.
Her hands were numbed with cold when she found Dr. Flores at the nurses’ station. They were as cold as Dex’s attitude had been toward her. “Dex wants to see Dad now, Dr. Flores. Is he awake?”
The older man searched her eyes. “Are you all right, dear?”
She swallowed hard before forcing a smile. “Yes. I’m fine. Can we see my father now?”
“Yes.”
They turned upon hearing footsteps approaching on the tile floor. Dex came to stand before them. “I’m ready.”
Dr. Flores gently placed his hand on Caitlin’s arm to restrain her when she turned to leave. “Please keep in mind at all times how much your father loves you, Caitlin.” He then walked off.
Caitlin frowned, pondering the doctor’s words. Did he know why her father had summoned Dex?
“Let’s get this over with.” Dex’s biting words intruded into her thoughts.
“This way,” she said, leading the way to her father’s room. She wished she could ignore Dex’s obvious signs of anger, but he was definitely a brother with an attitude. When they reached her father’s room, without a single word, Dex pushed the door open and walked into the room past her.
Dex sucked in his breath. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of the man he saw lying in the hospital bed. The shriveled-up man caused a sick feeling to engulf him. Halston Parker was almost unrecognizable.
He stood back and watched Caitlin square her shoulders and approach the bed. Her face didn’t reveal a flicker of emotion, but her eyes did. The pained look in them was unmistakable. Losing her father was affecting her more deeply than she was letting on. He knew she would have done anything to prevent that kind of loss. He continued to watch as she drew her hand across the bed, smoothing the wrinkles in the hospital blanket. She bent over the frail body and whispered, “Dad. Dex’s here.”
Dex was suddenly filled with compassion when he could no longer retain his distant attitude. He was again confused by the betrayal of emotions he had held in check for so long. As if by some connective power, Caitlin’s pain became his. He was suddenly struck with a return of the urge to shield her from what she was going through. More than anything, she needed support. Support from family, friends or someone who cared, but right now she was all alone. All alone except for an ex-husband who wished more than anything he was someplace else.
With a heavy sigh, he leaned against the back of the closed hospital door and continued to stare at her. Could he somehow find it within himself to give her the support she desperately needed after what she’d done to him? Could he put all his bitterness aside and reach out and give her someone to lean on? Forgiveness wasn’t one of his strong points. His family had told him countless times that he could hold a grudge longer than anyone they knew.
“Dad, did you hear me?”
Dex noticed the head of the frail body in the bed nod. Caitlin looked up at Dex, her dark eyes misty with tears, assessed his expression. Coming forward, he nodded his understanding. Looking down into the deathlike face, he watched as Halston Parker’s eyes slowly fluttered open. For a brief second he stared up at the both of them, seemingly in tremendous pain—both physically and mentally.
“Caitlin. Dex. You’re here,” Halston Parker whispered hoarsely, a weak smile touching his lips. “I have the two of you back together again.”
Caitlin could feel a sudden sharp chill in the air from her father’s words. “Dad, Dex can’t stay long,” she rushed in. “You wanted to see him, and he’s here.”
Halston Parker’s eyes shut for a moment. He reopened them and stared intently at Dex. “Legally, Caitlin’s still your wife.”
Caitlin stared at the deathlike face lying against the white pillow. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Dad. Dex and I aren’t married. Don’t you remember? I filed for a divorce a month after he left for Australia. The papers were sent to him and he signed them.”
Halston Parker nodded, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Yeah, he signed them and your attorney got them back a couple of months later. But I told him you’d changed your mind about the divorce and not to file them with the courts. I’ve had them in my possession ever since. They’re in a trunk in the attic.”
Caitlin’s glance flew to Dex with her father’s revelation. His chin twitched. His eyes darkened. He gazed speechlessly down at her father. She could feel the anger radiating deep from within him. When he spoke, his voice, although low, conveyed blatantly all the anger he felt.
“You had no right to do that, Mr. Parker. You had no right to interfere.”
Halston Parker’s breathing became labored. “I did what I thought was best, under the circumstances.”
“That doesn’t make sense. You didn’t approve of my marriage to your daughter. Why would you stop our divorce from becoming final?”
The older man tried responding, but couldn’t. It was a brief moment later before he found the strength to speak. “In the beginning, I was only thinking of myself. I didn’t want to lose her. I didn’t want to be left all alone. Please try and understand, son, she was all I had. I couldn’t let you take her away. I know I was wrong, and I’ve asked you here for your forgiveness and to set matters straight. I know you could have taken advantage of Caitlin four years ago, but you didn’t. You did the honorable thing and married her. But at the time, I couldn’t accept the difference in your ages. I thought she was too young for marriage, especially to you. I didn’t want to see her get hurt.”
A number of questions flooded Dex’s mind. He still didn’t understand why Halston Parker had stopped their divorce. He watched the older man try to raise his hand up to him. Dex knew the attempt was draining on him, so he took the frail hand in his.
“Regardless of whether the divorce is valid or not, it was Caitlin’s decision to end our marriage, Mr. Parker, not yours. You didn’t do anything to me personally so there’s no reason for you to ask my forgiveness,” Dex replied harshly.
Halston Parker shook his head weakly. “I made her choose between the two of us, and I never should have done that. I used her one weakness, her love for me, to turn her away from you. Don’t you understand? I pressured her.”
“But the decision was still hers, not yours,” Dex stated sharply. A part of him hardened at the man’s words. What was Caitlin’s father driving at? Why was he attempting to find excuses for the decision his daughter had made? As far as Dex was concerned, there was no acceptable excuse.
Halston Parker removed his hand from Dex’s and offered it to Caitlin. She tenderly took his outstretched hand. She had been standing quietly by Dex’s side as tears streamed down her face. “Will you forgive me for being so selfish and for thinking more of my happiness than of yours, Caitlin?”
Caitlin’s breath caught her in throat, making speech difficult. “Dex’s right, Daddy. It was my decision, so don’t ask either of us to forgive you. I love you very much.”
“And I love you, baby-girl. I don’t want to leave you alone,” he said, his voice taut and thick with emotions and worried concern.
“I won’t be alone, Dad. I have Jordan.”
A lone tear fell from the older man’s eye as he slowly nodded. “You’ve been the joy of my life. Every man should have a daughter such as you to love. No man should be cheated out of that.” He turned his attention back to Dex. “Promise me you’ll take care of Caitlin. Please take care of my baby for me. Promise me.”
Dex had not been prepared for this request and his gaze quickly flew to Caitlin. She refused to meet his eyes, and he couldn’t help but see the way she was clenching her teeth to keep from crying out. Her body began trembling as silent tears continued to stream down her face. This was an enormous ordeal for her. How would she feel if he were to make a promise like that to her father? And who on earth was Jordan? Was he a new man in her life? If so, why was her father asking him to come back into her life when it appeared she was involved with someone else? Was Halston Parker trying to manipulate his daughter’s life even now with one foot in the grave?
Dex gazed down into the older man’s face. Glassy eyes watched him, waiting for his answer. He didn’t have to be a doctor to know the man’s condition was going downhill and fast. He was fighting just to keep his eyes open. The man lay facing imminent death, and more than anything he needed the assurance that his daughter would be taken care of.
