Texas Pride. Gerry Bartlett

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      “Cassidy, are we thinking that what Daddy did was criminal behavior? Is that why you called in Billy?” Shannon tore her gaze away from Billy when she realized he was smiling at her.

      Cassidy moved out from behind her desk and pulled up a chair. It still gave Shannon a start that her new sister with her dark hair and stubborn chin looked so much like their late father. “I wasn’t sure. I wanted an opinion and Mason thought Billy might be a little more comfortable with this type of case than his brother.”

      Dylan MacKenzie was the lawyer handling their father’s estate and the will. He was also an expert in oil and gas issues. His brother Mason was their evaluator who had to make sure they followed the terms laid out in that will as they worked in the company for the next year, or lose their inheritance. Shannon hated how complicated it had all become. Cassidy had fallen hard for Mason so she seemed to be in her element, running the company and living with Mason now. The way things were shaking out made Shannon wonder if she was going to find herself left out when the year was over.

      “Dylan and I go way back. Went to law school together. But Shannon knows that.” Billy leaned toward Cass which meant his shoulder brushed Shannon’s. “He’s perfect for the kind of paper pushing he does day in and day out, like your daddy’s will. But if you need to get down and dirty, I’m your man.” He actually winked at Shannon. “Shan knows what I mean.”

      “Back off, Billy.” Shannon could smell his cologne. It was so damned subtle. She knew he’d never actually spray on something. He used a special soap. Oh, shit, she should not be remembering him in the shower. He had a masculine body, solid, strong and with moves…

      “Shannon, I’ve told him what we’re up against. Shown him the papers my mother gave me.” Cassidy touched Shannon’s arm. “I know it’s upsetting, but the amount of money it will take to make this right is staggering.”

      “Daddy forged signatures, tricked little old ladies out of their oil rights. Maybe we should suffer now because of what he did.” Shannon blinked as tears filled her eyes. The idea that her father, who she’d put on something of a pedestal, had been a crook was still hard to take.

      “It’s not only your family who will suffer, Shannon. There are stockholders who will too. Me among them. We owe it to them to keep the damage to the company to a minimum.” Billy was taking this seriously now. “Some of the people Cassidy notified have already hired lawyers of their own. What we don’t want is this turning into a class action suit.” Billy patted her hand. “Hiring me puts them on notice that Calhoun isn’t going to lay down and roll over. I have a reputation…”

      “You sure do.” Shannon frowned when he took her hand. She wrestled it away from him. “You represent criminals. So hiring you is almost like we’re admitting we’re just as dirty as the motorcycle gang that shot up that diner in East Texas or that creep who killed his mother and put her in the freezer.”

      “Not true. I won those cases because the boy who put his mother in the freezer had suffered decades of abuse at her hands. And the gang thing was provoked. By stereotyping. Or I guess we should call it profiling. The police overreacted when they saw the Harleys in the parking lot and went in guns drawn. The whole thing got out of hand. But that’s not why I’m here.” Billy glanced at her hand. “Calhoun Petroleum spent decades earning money legally. With an unblemished record. Just because your daddy cut a few corners early in his career doesn’t mean we should give up everything he worked for after that.”

      “A few corners?” Shannon poked him in his expensive tie. “You sound like you’re talking to a jury. I saw those papers. Daddy, with help from my mama, started this company based on theft and deception. How are you going to spin that, lawyer man?”

      “He’s not the only one who’s going to be spinning the truth.” Cassidy had been observing their interaction and frowned. “I hope you can get along with each other because the public relations aspect of this is going to be your responsibility, Shannon. I don’t want Caroline Wilson involved.”

      “It’ll be a nightmare. I just hope we can settle things quietly.” Shannon turned her back on Billy. “As for PR, that’s why I’m here.” Shannon handed her sister the papers. “Look at this. Ms. Wilson told me I’m supposed to cancel all these charitable obligations that Calhoun has always honored. Pull our sponsorships. Talk about bad public relations! It’s a mistake.”

      “Wilson’s doing what I told her to do, Shannon. We can’t be generous with others when we’re barely staying afloat.” Cass shook her head. “Sorry, but you’ll have to make these calls if that’s what she told you to do. It’s your new job.”’

      “Let me see that list.” Billy tugged it from her hand before Shannon had a chance to stop him. “The ballet? Not really my thing but I remember you loved it. Cancer Society, definitely. You remember my mother died of ovarian cancer, Shan.”

      This time Shannon touched him. She did remember. “What are you saying, Billy?”

      “Let me go through this list with you. I can pick up some or most of these sponsorships.” He smiled, that rakish twist of his lips that always pulled her in, before she realized they were so not right for each other.

      “Really? You’d take over the financial obligations?” Shannon thought for a moment. “That’s a lot of money.”

      “Honey, I’ve made a butt load of money.” He flipped the page then glanced at her, his bright blue eyes twinkling. “Since you’ve obviously been following my career, I guess you know that.”

      “I’ve not, I mean…” Shannon glanced at Cassidy, but she’d moved back to her chair and was intent on her computer, meeting over.

      “I have a condition, though. If I take over these things., especially the symphony and the ballet thing.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.

      “What?” Shannon backed up a step. Typical Billy, in her space. Not letting her breathe.

      “You have to be my date for these events. On my arm, looking beautiful. I can talk to the press, have for years. But it’s not my favorite thing. You can be the mouthpiece.” His eyes lingered on her mouth.

      “That’s ridiculous.” Shannon licked her lips and he grinned.

      “No, it’s not. You can play up the PR angle for Calhoun. Explain that it’s a joint effort, the Pagan and Calhoun sponsorship. Obviously, my image needs polishing since I’ve had some negative press lately. This will help, giving to charities. We’ll be partners. My money, but Calhoun gets half the credit. You can spin it any way you want when you make your calls.”

      “Seriously? It will be all your money?” Shannon realized Cass had stopped working long enough to listen. “Calhoun can’t afford to kick in.”

      “That’s okay.” He stroked a hand down her arm. “Nothing adds polish like a beautiful woman on your arm, especially one of those Calhoun women. You can tell the press what a good guy I am, Shan. So…giving.”

      “Strictly business, Billy, or it’s no deal.” Shannon stepped out of reach. Why, oh why did his touch bring back so many memories? Nights in his bed. The way he could make her feel. They always had chemistry, but that wasn’t enough.

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