Free Whispered Promises by Brenda Jackson Page B

office at Malone Land Developers. More than once over the past few months, he’d cursed the day he’d decided to bring his deceased brother’s son into the business. Walker Malone had proven to be irrational, short-tempered and something of a hothead. The only reason he had kept him on was because, like it or not, he was family.
    Duncan pushed himself away from his desk and stood. “What is it, Walker?”
    Walker Malone quietly closed the door behind him. “I just received word, Uncle Duncan, that Halston Parker has died.”
    â€œHe did what?” Duncan asked with disbelief etched on his face.
    â€œI said…”
    â€œNever mind, don’t repeat it. I heard you.” He sucked in his breath sharply. “How did he die?” Duncan’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as he looked at his nephew. He knew Walker had been putting the squeeze on the old man by trying to scare him into selling. He wasn’t all that keen on the use of scare tactics, but Walker had assured him that no one would get hurt. “I asked how he died.”
    â€œHe died of cancer.”
    â€œCancer? You mean to tell me the man was terminally ill, and we didn’t know it.”
    â€œApparently not too many people knew it.”
    â€œWell, it’s part of your job to know everything, Walker,” Duncan replied as his jaw tightened, his hands doubled into fists and his eyes burned with rage. “I’ve already told Remington Oil that Parker was willing to sell. If we’ve lost the chance to get that land, I’ll—”
    â€œWe haven’t. According to my sources, Parker’s survived by a daughter. His death may be a blessing for us. She may be more cooperative than he was.”
    â€œAnd if she isn’t?” Duncan asked tersely.
    The younger man’s face was perfectly calm when he spoke, but his eyes had a look that was chilling. “Then we’ll have to convince her otherwise.”

Chapter 5
    C aitlin glanced around the room. Most of the people had left. She’d tried as best she could to prepare herself for the continued flow of condolences from those who had dropped by the house after the services.
    Her gaze found Dex. He stood across the room talking to Mr. Burke, the man who owned the drugstore located next to her father’s printing shop. Mr. Burke and her father had been good friends for a number of years. Undoubtedly he was sharing some fond memory with Dex.
    Caitlin found herself staring at Dex, fascinated by his clothing. It was the second time she’d ever seen him dressed in a suit. The first time had been at their wedding. And now, like then, she couldn’t help but admire what she saw. The dark suit he wore made him even more handsome.
    She couldn’t help noticing the interest he drew. At first, she’d been unsure how she should introduce him to everyone, but he had taken the decision out of her hands by simply introducing himself as her husband. When he’d met her gaze evenly, it reminded her that legally he could be just that.
    At least now there was a face to go along with the name Dexter Jordan Madaris. Caitlin knew deep down some people had seriously doubted she had ever married. There were a few who had not easily been convinced, and believed her marriage had been fabricated to give her daughter a name and to retain her respectability.
    A flood of heat suffused Caitlin’s cheeks when she realized, while her thoughts had momentarily taken her miles away, Dex had been watching her. She blinked self-consciously under his concentrated gaze, but continued to hold his stare. His eyes had lost the coldness they had acquired over the past couple of days, and now appeared warm and caring. Not once had he left her side during the entire service. He’d been there for her just as he had promised her father.
    She watched as Dex excused himself from Mr. Burke’s company and headed her way. She couldn’t help