The Texan's Baby (Texas Rodeo Barons)

“What?” Nicole’s face changed, too. “What do you mean?”

“What I’m asking is, has AB Windpower been buying up Baron stock? Are you planning a reverse takeover if the merger doesn’t go through?”

Nicole’s face blanked. Lizzie had taken her by surprise, then. Good. She’d either try to cover her tracks or be at a loss, knowing nothing about it. Lizzie watched her carefully. She might not be CEO material, but she knew how to read people....

Except Christopher, a small voice inside her head reminded her. If her suspicions were correct, she’d misread him utterly...

“I don’t know anything about stock purchases or any sort of takeover attempt. Everything that AB Windpower proposes is right there in the document I sent you. If we’d been buying up stock, I’d know about it. Trust me.”

Lizzie asked one more question, hoping to throw Nicole off guard. “Nicole, why are you here instead of your boss? Who is Adele Black and why did she send you?”

And there it was. She covered it well, but for the breath of a second there was fear in Nicole Bennett’s eyes. Lizzie’s curiosity was piqued now. There was definitely more to this company than what she saw on the surface. And there was Christopher, right in the middle of it. Damn it.

“Ms. Black is the head of our company, but unfortunately she’s been ill the past few days.” Nicole’s eyes shifted away to her papers and she tidied them up before looking at Lizzie again. “I’m here in her place. My words stand as her words.”

“Interesting that my father’s illness was just mentioned as weakening our company’s position,” Lizzie pointed out, feeling in control once more. “Of course I’ll be taking this proposal to the board of directors, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high.”

“Thanks for fitting me into your schedule.” Nicole closed her file and tucked it in her satchel. She held out her hand and smiled. “It was good to finally meet you, Lizzie.”

Lizzie shook Nicole’s hand and smiled back. She wanted to keep it impersonal but the truth was she rather liked Ms. Bennett’s style. They were also the same age, both women in the same male-dominated industry and Lizzie suspected they had a lot in common.

She dropped her hand. “It was good to meet you, too, Nicole. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

“You can count on it.” Nicole handed over a card. “I’ll be in town for a couple of days. You can contact me at that cell number if you want to talk further.”

Lizzie knew she wouldn’t. “Can I show you the way out?”

Nicole shook her head. “No, I can find my way just fine. I’m sure you have a busy schedule.”

She left the boardroom and Lizzie followed a moment later after gathering up her file. She wanted to return to her own office to gather her thoughts before calling her dad—she’d need to see him and soon to keep him up-to-date with what was going on. She was just passing the reception desk when she spied Nicole by the elevators, talking on her cell phone.

“Yes, I met her,” Nicole said, holding the phone against her ear as she searched for something in her purse. “And she’s just as lovely as you said she would be. Determined, too.”

Lizzie’s cheeks flooded with heat. God, who was she talking to? Chris? He was the only one she could think of who would have a connection between the two of them.

She went directly to her office. “Emory, I don’t want to be disturbed for a while, okay?” She said the words as she passed by her assistant’s desk.

“Are you okay, Lizzie?” Emory’s head popped up from where she’d been staring at her monitor.

“I just need a few minutes.”

Emory popped up and followed Lizzie to her door. “Is it the baby?” she asked quietly. “Can I get you something? Do you need to lie down?”

Lizzie was perilously close to crying now that the meeting was over and the truth was too close to ignore. “How did you know?” she asked, her voice catching.

Emory’s eyes were sympathetic. “The morning trips to the bathroom were a major clue, along with no more morning coffee runs. And I’ve seen you touching your tummy sometimes when you don’t think anyone is watching.” She smiled gently. “I used to do that all the time when I was expecting Jeremiah.”

Lizzie nodded, her emotions suddenly getting the best of her. “I’m okay. I just need to regroup.”

“I’m going to bring you some tea,” Emory stated. “And something to eat. I’ll hold all your calls until you say otherwise.”

“Thanks, Em.”

“No problem. And congratulations.” Emory gave a small smile and backed out of Lizzie’s office, closing the door behind her.

Lizzie turned away from her desk and went to the small sofa that sat along one wall. She often used it to read over reports and evaluations, but today she simply tucked in her feet and hugged a throw pillow, closing her eyes.

When she had herself together, she’d have to call her dad. And she’d have to admit how much she’d screwed up.