The Texan's Baby (Texas Rodeo Barons)

She wasn’t sure what to feel at this moment. Anger and frustration at Mark, who’d promised to let her talk to Brock on her own time but had gone ahead anyway, not trusting her. Relief that things were okay, and a surprising amount of pride at her father’s validating words.

“You never asked me about the stock.” She met his gaze. “Why?”

“Because you were handling it. Because I kept trying to run things from home instead of trusting you. Julieta made me see that by doing that, I was undermining your confidence and abilities. I decided to let you take the lead on this one.”

“Or you gave me enough rope to hang myself,” she added ruefully.

He laughed. “If I’d needed to step in, I would have.”

“Dad...” Unexpected tears gathered behind her eyes and clogged her throat. “I... Thank you for that.”

“Baron’s been in capable hands. It hasn’t always been easy to accept. A man likes to think that things might fall apart in his absence. It’s not a good feeling to not be needed.”

She reached across the table and took his hand. “You’

ll always be needed. You know that.”

He squeezed her hand back. “I hope so. So, what’s your next move?”

“I called a board meeting for this afternoon. Do you want to stick around for that, or are you heading home?”

He slid his hand away from hers. “It’s all yours. I have physio at one-thirty and if I ever want to get permanently out of this chair I have to do what they say. Besides, you know what you’re doing.”

The unequivocal support was surprising and it buoyed her up more than he could possibly know. “I’ll call you tonight with an update.”

“That sounds good. Now, about Christopher...”

“Dad...” She wasn’t sure she really wanted to take advice about her love life from her dad.

“Maybe you should talk to this Nicole about it. Did you get the impression that she’s a straight shooter?”

She thought back. She’d liked the other woman even if they’d been on opposite sides of the table. “Yeah, I did.”

Brock hesitated a moment, then leaned forward a little. “I know I’m your dad and I don’t usually get into this sort of stuff, but...do you love him, Lizzie?”

She felt like crying. “I did.”

But Brock shook his head. “No. If you really loved him, you couldn’t turn it off like that. It takes time to get over someone you love. And you mask the pain with anger and hate until it’s bearable.”

“Like you did with Mom?”

He gave a start at the mention of Delia. “Yes, like your mom,” he admitted, looking away for a moment. “What I’m saying is, if you love him, be sure you’re ending it for the right reasons and not because you’re afraid.”

“What would I be afraid of?” she scoffed.

“Of being left again,” he said gently. “Of not being the one in control. I’ve seen you growing up, Lizzie, whether you think I noticed or not. I see how you keep people at arm’s length, how you always try to do the right thing and take on the responsibility of the family. But when I saw you with Chris at the ranch that night, I saw a different Lizzie. There was a light in you that had been missing. Be very, very sure before you throw all that away, okay?”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “Okay, Daddy.”

She got up and went around the table, bent down to give him a hug. “Thank you for trusting me with this.”

“I just want you to be happy, Lizzie. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for all my kids, even though I know they don’t always believe it.”

“I think we know that, deep down.”

He patted her back. “I told Julieta I wouldn’t aggravate you for long. And I expect you want to prepare for the meeting.”

“Yeah, I do. I’ll take you down to her office if you like.”