Tracie Peterson - [Desert Roses 01] by Shadows of the Canyon Read Free Book Online Page B

it.
    When the time was right, when everything was in its placeand Joel was the one holding all the cards, he’d make his voice known. He let the world know exactly what had happened. Joel fully intended to return to his father one day, wealthy and powerful. And then he would crush the man, just as he’d crushed Joel on that night so long ago.
    “Ah, Valerie has chosen to join us,” Winthrop declared, bringing their attention to the young woman across the room.
    As women went, Valerie was a beauty—there was no doubt about that. But to Joel she was cold and unfeeling. She knew her father intended them to wed, but she made her own demands in order to condition her cooperation. She wanted her freedom until she was twenty-five years old. Freedom to play the field, to travel, and to do what her socialite friends were doing. Joel was a patient man. He kept close to Winthrop, protecting him from unwanted attention, while biding his time for Valerie to turn twenty-five. Now his time of waiting was over—her birthday had been last month and the day marked his victory.
    He watched her cross the room, working it as she came. She stopped to talk to the older women who commented or called to her as she passed. She presented a lovely picture of health and beauty in her cream-colored dress. Joel had no notion of who the designer had been, but his ability to tuck and mold a dress to Valerie’s willowy frame was sheer genius. He loved it that she chose expensive clothes and jewels. He loved it because it told every other woman in the room how much she had to waste on babbles and gowns. In turn, those very jealous matrons would tell their husbands, and they would quickly realize how very powerful and wealthy the Winthrops truly were.
    Still, there was something more to his feelings for Valerie than simply her ability to show off a pricey piece of fashion ware. He wouldn’t say he loved her, but he loved her possessions, and that was close enough. Not only that, but she held great sway over her father. The senator listened to his daughter, trusting her instincts and wisdom. Joel needed herto be his ally at best, or at worst to be so afraid of him that she did as she was told. He’d be satisfied either way.
    Valerie appeared oblivious to his study. Her bobbed brown-black hair gave her face a waiflike quality that suggested helplessness and innocence. But Joel knew she was neither helpless nor innocent. The men got to their feet as she approached the table.
    “Daddy,” she said, leaning close to kiss the old man, “I do hope you didn’t wait supper on account of me.”
    She smiled sweetly at Rufus Keegan and then turned her charms on Joel. “My, but don’t you look handsome tonight, Mr. Harper.” Her southern belle simper was perfect.
    “Might I return the compliment, Val darling,” he said with an emphatically possessive tone.
    “We’re soon to announce their engagement, don’t you know,” Winthrop told Keegan with great pride. “I’ve found Joel a most beneficial man to have in my corner, and now I’ll make him family as well.”
    “Relatives can be dangerous to trust,” Keegan said, taking his seat with the others. He eyed Joel with a serious expression. “Besides, I thought you had an eye for my daughter.”
    “We’re very progressive, Mr. Keegan,” Valerie said, batting her eyelashes coyly. “No sense in settling for one pair of shoes until you’ve tried several pairs.”
    Keegan grinned and leaned forward. “And even after you’ve bought the shoes, there’s no sense in wearing the same old pair day in and day out, eh?”
    “Exactly,” she said as if to encourage him further.
    Joel had seen the editorial cartoon with Keegan’s likeness, and it was apparent he believed in having full range of the playing field. It seemed he thought this might extend to Valerie as well, but Joel had no intention of being made the fool at their table.
    “Men make the rules and, therefore, men may break them,” Joel said,