Rex Read online

  “He’s lost without you.” Mildred crossed her legs at the ankle. “When I come into the office in the mornings, I catch him staring out the window with the saddest expression on his face. He sits like that for hours. He avoids taking calls, and he cancels appointments. Thurgood can’t retire as long as Rex is in this shape.”

  Mildred’s words tore at her heart.

  “I’m sorry for that,” Sophia murmured.

  “Maybe if you knew more about Rex’s background, you’d better understand why he did what he did.”

  “You don’t have to make excuses for him, Mildred.”

  “I’m not making excuses, Sophia. I’m giving you the facts.”

  “All right,” Sophia said. She leaned back against the sofa and waited for her to continue.

  “The Barringtons weren’t always wealthy. In fact, at one time they were quite poor. But Thurgood had dreams and ambitions. When Rex was five years old, Thurgood bought a small chunk of land in the Permian Basin, and he struck oil. Over the years, there were many moves as Thurgood chased oil booms and grew his wealth.”

  Sophia listened. In her mind’s eye, she could see Rex at age five. She imagined that even then he possessed a killer grin.

  “Rex had a hard time leaving his grandparents and home behind. As a studious young boy, he was quite shy and did not make friends easily. Thurgood was gone so much; he rarely saw his sons. Rex became very close to his mother.”

  Sounds like me as a kid, Sophia thought, surprised to discover they had a lot more in common than she thought.

  “Soon the business mushroomed, and Thurgood became wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. He showered gifts and toys on Mark and Rex to make up for not being there for them.”

  “Rex must have felt abandoned by his father.”

  “Yes. Thurgood missed so much of his sons’ early years. He didn’t attend baseball games or spelling bees. He missed birthday parties and Boy Scout meetings. He was too busy building his empire. To Thurgood, amassing a fortune for his sons’ futures was more important than playing catch in the backyard. It was only later that Thurgood realized what precious moments he’d lost.”

  Money.

  It was as much of a problem as a solution. For the first time, Sophia realized she’d had something money could never buy. Her mother’s constant love and attention.

  “Kids wanted to be Rex’s friend only because he had so many toys. It wasn’t long before

  Rex began distrusting everyone’s motives,” Mildred continued. “Then, when he was a seventeen,

  Rex rebelled. He and Thurgood had a big argument over Thurgood’s workaholic ways, and he took off on his motorcycle. He bummed around for a while, and then he met Erica.”

  “Who was Erica?”

  “A scheming little gold digger. But Rex didn’t realize she knew who he was and had set

  herself up to marry him. He fell deeply in love.”

  “What happened?” Sophia asked, her chest squeezing tight. It did explain a lot. Why Rex had gone undercover in his own company. Why he had thought her a gold digger. Why he hadn’t trusted her enough to let her get to know the real Rex Barrington.

  “Rex eventually found out about Erica when he caught her with his best friend, and he broke things off. At about the same time, they diagnosed his mother with cancer. It was heartbreaking.” Mildred cleared her throat and blinked. “His mother made Rex promise to mend fences with Thurgood. He did it, of course. I suppose he decided that since he’d lost everything he’d ever loved, he might as well throw himself into the business. It helped him deal with his grief, but it hurt him, too. He’s kept himself buried in work for too long and became a carbon copy of his father.”

  “Thank you for telling me this. I do understand Rex better, but it changes nothing. Honesty is important to me, and he lied.”

  “Are you really so unforgiving, Sophia?”

  Mildred’s question took her by surprise. “I...”

  Was it true? Was she like her mother, holding a grudge when she should forgive?

  “I understand sticking to your guns and being true to what you believe in, but Rex is such a good man,” Mildred continued. “He’s got so much love inside him; he’s just afraid to give it. That’s why he’s always driven himself so hard. To avoid his emotions. I think he feels if he ever slows down, he’ll realize how empty his life has become. He needs you, Sophia. More than you can ever know. Give him another chance. For both your sakes.”

  Mildred’s plea touched her. Sophia had never heard the stoic executive assistant beg anyone for anything. But she wasn’t making the request for herself. She was doing it for Thurgood, and Rex.

  “I don’t know.” How she wanted to say yes! But she couldn’t get her hopes up only to have them dashed again. It hurt too much to hope.

  “At least talk to him, Sophia. What could it hurt? Rex knows he’s in the wrong, but he fears you’ll reject him again if he comes to you. Go to him, Sophia. You owe it to yourself to find out if he could be the love of your life.”

  Sophia could barely contain her grin as she slipped into the outfit she’d rented at a costume store. It was a handywoman outfit, complete with a pink toolbelt and pink-handled tools.

  Her heart thudded a mile a minute. She changed clothes in the ladies’ restroom in the lobby of the Barrington building. Pulling the cap that said Handywoman down low over her brow, she picked up a large cardboard box of air filters she’d brought with her and carried it to hide her face.

  Taking deep breaths to calm her jangled nerves, Sophia took the elevator to the fifth floor. The same elevator where she and Rex had spent their last night together. She glanced at the floor, recalling their passionate embrace. The memory washed over her, tightening the lump in her throat.

  It scared her. A lot. Going out on a limb for love wasn’t for cowards.

  But she loved Rex.

  And Mike!

  Yes, she loved both sides of him. The hardworking, sensible provider and the fun-loving, motorcycle-riding wild man.

  She got off the elevator and walked past Mildred’s office.

  “Wait just a minute, miss, you can’t go in there.” Guard dog that she was, Mildred got to her feet.

  Sophia turned, met Mildred’s steady gaze, and winked. The look of surprise crossing the older woman’s face dissolved into delight.

  “Go right on in.” Mildred grinned.

  Shouldering the box higher, completely blocking her face from Rex’s view, Sophia pushed open the door to his office and peeked around the package.

  His chair swiveled facing the window and his back was to her. He cradled the back of his head with his palms, his elbows poking out. She lowered the box a little.

  “I’m here to change out the air filters,” she drawled, trying hard to imitate the pace of the voice he’d used while playing the role of Mike the handyman.

  “Come back later,” Rex said without even turning around.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Gotta have everything shipshape for the upcoming inspection. I need to get to those A/C vents, sir.”

  “Oh, for crying out loud.” Rex grunted, spun around in the chair, and got to his feet.

  She moved toward him. He still hadn’t looked her in the face. Her mouth went suddenly dry. Her breath hung in her lungs. Sudden doubt filled her. What if her costume angered him?

  Don’t be ridiculous. Sophia had never seen him get angry, either as Mike or Rex. Still, she felt self-conscious and uncertain.

  “Give me the filter,” he said. “I’ll change it.” His fingertips grazed her hand as he reached for the box of filters.

  Awareness shot through Sophia like an electrical shock.

  “Hey,” he said. “What gives?”

  “Yes?” Her heart jerked.

  “The facility inspection isn’t until January.” That’s when he finally looked at her face.

  Sophia raised her eyes to meet his gaze. Those dark-brown e
yes pinned her to the spot. Her hands trembled with excitement and anticipation.

  “Sophia,” Rex whispered and dropped the box on his desk.

  Sophia grinned and adjusted her hat. “No,” she said. “I’m Sadie the handywoman.”

  His grin matched hers. “How handy are you?”

  “Very handy,” she teased. “But don’t get too used to me being around. I’m footloose and fancy-free. Never in one place very long.”

  “Hmm.” Rex stroked his chin with a thumb and index finger. “I’m not sure I believe you. You look a lot like my former assistant, Sophia Shepherd.”

  Sophia waved her hand. “Oh, her? No, she’s gone forever. Too judgmental. Too unforgiving.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “It’s true.”

  “I think you’re Sophia.”

  “Nope. Not me.”

  “There’s only one way to know for sure.”

  “How’s that?” she breathed.

  “I’m gonna have to kiss you.”

  Could it be? Had Sophia returned to give him another chance? Hope leapt in his chest.

  Rex reached out and took both her hands in his and drew her closer. “Let’s see if we can find out what happened to my Sophia.” Gently, he removed her hat. Blond curls tumbled free, cascading about her shoulders. She was so beautiful; she took his breath away. And the comical way she’d dressed in a pink handywoman costume—how clever.

  “You look like Sophia.”

  “I’m not.” Sophia notched up her chin. “She’s too insecure.”

  “No, she’s tough and strong. A woman who has high principles and sticks to them. Let’s see if you taste like Sophia.” Enjoying the game, Rex hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her face.

  Tentatively, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. Instantly, sparks flared through him.

  Ah. Chemistry.

  “Mmm, you taste like Sophia.”

  “Coincidence.” She breathed heavily, just as he was.

  Rex buried his nose in the curve of her neck, smelling the scent of sun and flowers. “You smell like Sophia.”

  “A common perfume.”

  “You’re telling me you’re a different person?”

  “Absolutely. I don’t care what kind of job a man has as long as he loves me.”

  “Really?” Rex scarcely dared to draw breath.

  “Really.”

  “Oh, Sophia.” He crushed her to his chest, then rained kisses on her eyelids, her nose, her cheeks. “You don’t know how I’ve longed to hear you say those words. Tell me the truth. What made you change your mind and come here?”

  “Mildred,” Sophia said. “She showed me the letter of recommendation you wrote. She told me about your childhood, the things that formed you. That’s when I began to understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  “That you were only trying to protect your heart. You were afraid of getting hurt. Of marrying someone who didn’t love you. But I love you, Rex. Both sides of you.”

  “Sweetheart, I love you more than words can say. Thank you for saving me from myself. Because of you, I took a long hard look at my life. You were right. I led an empty life.”

  “You just wanted to succeed.”

  “No, I used success as a cop-out. I made it the most important thing in my life when people are what should take center stage. You showed me so much, Sophia. Because of you, I’ve learned honesty is the best policy. I’ve learned to trust people until they prove themselves unworthy, not the other way around.”

  “You taught me a few things, too.”

  “Oh, yeah?” He smiled.

  “Yeah.”

  “Like what?”

  “You can’t judge a book by its cover. But I learned something even more important.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Money can’t buy happiness. Work can’t buy security. Things can’t buy safety. Only love and belief in yourself can bring peace of mind.”

  “We’ve got enough love to buy a lifetime of happiness,” Rex whispered. “You and me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you willing to put up with me for the next eighty years?” He brushed a lock of hair from her eyes.

  “What are you asking me, Rex?”

  “I think you know.”

  Effervescent bubbles foamed inside her. Everything she’d ever wanted was coming true. She had a man who loved her. A man who would stick by her through thick and thin. A man who would put his love for his family before everything else.

  “I love you, Sophia. Will you marry me?”

  “Look inside the box.”

  “You want me to get out a filter?”

  “Open it and see.”

  With one hand around her waist, Rex leaned over and stripped the heavy brown tape from the box. He flipped back the lid and peered inside. His laughter filled the room as he grabbed handfuls of notes and tossed them in the air.

  A hundred slips of paper fluttered around them, drifting slowly to the floor. Written on every one were the words Mrs. Rex Michael Barrington.

  Epilogue

  “Do you, Sophia Denise Shepherd, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

  The words Sophia had waited a lifetime to hear rang joyfully in her ears. The scent of roses and orchids wafted up from her bouquet, enveloping them in a heavenly aroma. Trembling, she squeezed Rex’s hand and their gazes melded. Looking deep into his dark-brown eyes, she saw love so pure and lasting that tears threatened to stream down her face.

  “I do.” She spoke with no uncertainty in her voice.

  For she had found her place at last in the arms of a man who truly loved her. He was everything she had ever wanted, and more. So much more! Nothing could compare with the happiness surging through her chest, filling her with a warmth that promised to linger throughout the years ahead. Through bad times and in good. Through sickness and in health. She knew that no matter what happened, she could always count on Rex, for both fun and stability, to provide financially for their future children and to meet their emotional needs.

  Together they would find a happy balance between work and play. Together they would create the best marriage they could. A marriage born of chemistry and attraction, love and mutual respect, honesty and trust.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  And then Rex was kissing her in front of all their friends and family to the accompaniment of cheers and applause.

  As they left the church, Sophia paused on the steps to throw the bouquet. She saw her friends gathered, her mother and Stanley, Amber and Heath with six-month-old Nathaniel. Sienna and Jeff. Polly and Liam. In the crowd, Sophia caught Mildred’s eye. Winking broadly, she tossed her the bouquet.

  Deftly, Mildred snagged it. Blushing, she turned to show her prize to her boss, Thurgood.

  “Looks like my father is headed down the aisle.” Rex chuckled near Sophia’s ear.

  “He and Mildred both deserve to be happy.”

  “As do we,” he said, taking her arm.

  They reached the bottom of the steps, and it surprised Sophia to see the Harley-Davidson parked beside a stretch limousine.

  “Which shall it be tonight, my love? Rex and champagne or Mike and beer?”

  “On our wedding night? Do you even need to ask?”

  Rex grinned. He didn’t have to ask. He knew his bride as well as he knew his own name.

  With a parting farewell, they climbed aboard the motorcycle and drove off into their dazzling and happy future.

  Dear Reader,

  Readers are an author’s life blood and the stories couldn’t happen without you. Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed Dan, I would so appreciate a review. You have no idea how much it means!

  Clay, is the next book in the Texas Rascal series. You can preorder here.

  I have also teamed with author Liz Alvin to write a brand new series, Handsome Devils. Please turned the page to read an e
xcerpt from Handsome Rancher, the first book in the Handsome Devils series. You can order it here.

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  To check out my other books, you can visit me on the web @ www.loriwilde.com.

  Much love and light!

  —Lori

  Excerpt: Handsome Rancher

  As she studied him, standing near the entrance to the city council room, Megan Kendall couldn’t help thinking what a handsome devil Chase Barrett was. Everyone in the small town of Honey, Texas, thought so as well. With his drop-dead gorgeous looks and his handsome-devil smile, women fell for him like pine trees knocked down by a powerful tornado. Even Megan couldn’t claim to be immune. She and Chase had been good friends for over twenty years, and he still didn’t know she was madly in love with him.

  Yep, he was a handsome devil all right.

  “Picture him naked,” Leigh Barrett whispered to Megan.

  Stunned, Megan turned to stare at Chase’s younger sister. “Excuse me?”

  Thankfully, Leigh nodded toward the front of the room instead of in her brother’s direction. “The mayor. When you’re giving your presentation, if you get nervous, picture him naked.”

  Megan slipped her glasses down her nose and studied Earl Guthrie, the seventy-three-year-old mayor of Honey. When Earl caught her gaze, he gave Megan a benign, vague smile.

  “I don’t think so,” Megan said to Leigh. “I prefer to think of Earl as fully clothed.”

  Leigh giggled. “Okay, maybe that wasn’t such a hot idea after all. Let me see if I can find you someone else for you to think of naked.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’m not nervous.” Megan flipped through her index cards. Her argument was flawless, her plan foolproof. She had nothing to be nervous about. Besides as the head librarian of the Honey, Texas, Library, she knew every person in the room. This presentation would be a snap.

  But with puppylike enthusiasm, Leigh had already stood and was looking around. She hadn’t spotted her oldest brother yet, but Megan knew it was only a matter of time before she did.