Callaway Country

WHO CAN RESIST A TEXAN…OR A CALLAWAY?

Clay Callaway was suddenly facing his biggest challenge—the one woman who haunted his midnight memories. Pam might have gotten the last word all those years ago, but Clay’s heart was forged with steel now. And things would be different this time around.…

Pamela McCall never would have agreed to take on this case if she’d known her partner would be the one man who despised—and secretly aroused—her. She’d loved him long ago, but in one bittersweet moment she’d been forced to let him go. Maybe this time she’d hold on…forever.

Katie Callaway was a model mother, an unforgettable woman—and a killer? Suspicions swirled around the disappearance of her evil ex-husband and fingers were pointing at her! This Callaway damsel needed a man who believed in her.…

Lieutenant Colonel Sam Carruthers always put duty before desire. But no one had ever tempted him with such passion. Could this military hero unravel an intricate revenge scheme and save Katie…the woman he loved?

“Annette Broadrick’s one terrific writer.”

—Award-winning author Diana Palmer

ANNETTE BROADRICK

believes in romance and the magic of life. Since 1984, when her first book was published, Annette has shared her view of life and love with readers all over the world.

In addition to being nominated by Romantic Times Magazine as one of the Best New Authors of 1984, she has also won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best in its Series for Heat of the Night, Mystery Lover and Irresistible; the Romantic Times Magazine W.I.S.H. award for her heroes in Strange Enchantment, Marriage Texas Style! and Impromptu Bride; and the Romantic Times Magazine Lifetime Achievement Awards for Series Romance and Series Romantic Fantasy.

Fascinated by the complexities found in all relationships, she continues to write about life and love, joy and fulfillment, and the bountiful gifts that are bestowed upon us as we travel along life’s path. Readers have enjoyed over fifty love stories penned by this talented author. Annette currently lives in the hill country of her native Texas.

Sons of Texas

Callaway Country

Annette Broadrick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This novel is dedicated to

Dr. L. J. Moore

who gave up a secure position in the business world

to follow her dream.…

WAY TO GO, LINDA!!

CALLAWAY FAMILY TREE

Dear Reader,

When my editor suggested that I write a sixth Callaway story, I was curious about the possibilities. Whose story would I tell? My last book in the series, Sons of Texas: Rogues and Ranchers, gave us the story of Cole Callaway’s twin sons, Clint and Cade, as well as one of Cameron’s adopted sons, Matt.

Several fan letters have asked about Cody and his family. Others have been curious about Cole’s daughter, Katie. Eventually I decided to tell two love stories in one—catching readers up on Katie’s life and exploring Cody’s only son, Clay, and his adventure with love.

This, dear reader, was not an easy story to tell. Once Clay and his fiery first love, Pamela McCall, were reluctantly reunited, they became so willful that no one was going to tell them what to do, including me! For an author, when your very own creations assert such independence that you’re simply waiting to see what they’re going to do next…well, it’s frustrating when they back themselves into a corner—and pure magic watching them wriggle their way out.

Thank you for making the SONS OF TEXAS series so popular. I’ve been very touched by your response to the Callaway family.

And now…on with the story.…

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Epilogue

Prologue

Racing black clouds streamed across the sky, blotting out the little light that came from the sliver of moon. A moisture-laden silence hung over the small Texas border town, occasionally interrupted by the desultory bark of a bored dog.

The narrow streets were empty of traffic. No one stirred outside the tiny houses clustered along the bluff overlooking the Rio Grande, the river that separated Texas from Mexico.

A sudden explosion ripped through the somnolent atmosphere, shattering the sleepy peacefulness of the small community. Fire tore through a huge factory-warehouse on the edge of town. Flames colored the night with an orange glow.

The people poured out of their homes and raced to see what could be done to save the only business in town, a business that had kept the local population from starving. They soon realized there was nothing they could do but watch the business, along with their futures, go up in billowing clouds of black smoke.

At the same time that the factory on the border was destroyed, other explosions occurred—in an office building in downtown Dallas, on an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and in an oil equipment warehouse in east Texas.

There was only one thing these locations had in common—they were part of Callaway Enterprises, a conglomerate owned and operated by members of the Callaway family.

The message was clear. Someone had declared war on the Callaways.

Chapter 1

When the family decided to throw a party, they went all out, Clay Callaway thought as he paused just inside the doorway of the Grand Ballroom of the Anatole Hotel.

It was the Texas way, after all.

Everything glittered, from the giant chandeliers with their dazzling crystal pendants to the multitude of diamonds and other precious gems draped around the necks and wrists of the glamorous women who were attending the gala benefit in Dallas, Texas.

This little shindig would let the world know that there was solidarity in the family. Whenever trouble struck, the Callaways circled their wagons and unloaded their arsenal.

Tonight was the first salvo.

The melody from the song “We Are Family” kept running through his head as he spotted various members of the clan strategically placed at tables around the mammoth room, brushing elbows with the nationally elite in social, business and political circles. There were more than a few famous faces from the entertainment field, as well.

Clay wasn’t supposed to be there, but someone with a great deal of clout had managed to get him pulled off his overseas assignment with his Special Forces unit. Yesterday, he’d received orders to come to Texas and to be available for this evening. He’d barely managed to get here in time for the benefit and was a little annoyed at the abrupt change in his assignment.

It wasn’t that Clay didn’t want to help out whenever and wherever he was needed. Once he’d been informed of the problems the family was having, he was willing to do whatever he could to resolve the problem.

What ate at him was the fact that circumstances had conspired against him, forcing him to return to his home state. He’d successfully managed to avoid the area for years. Too many memories were triggered whenever he returned home, memories he’d been able to avoid until now.

Clay mentally acknowledged his cowardice in making certain that he did not arrive at the party alone.

“Quite a collection of friends your family has,” his date laughingly said in a seductively low voice.

Clay glanced down at Melanie Montez and grinned. She had no idea how grateful he was that she’d accepted his last-minute invitation to meet him in Dallas tonight.

She was one delectably sexy woman without any effort on her part—and her efforts tonight had his body humming. Granted, he’d been without a woman for much too long, but Mel would have a monk questioning his celibacy vows…and he sure wasn’t a monk.

She glowed with excitement and anticipation. He wished he could feel the same way. Although his appearance tonight was a command performance, he had to admit that Mel would be an enticing consolation prize at the end of the evening.

Clay had met Melanie two years ago in Istanbul during one of his weekend liberties. She’d been there because she’d had a small part in a movie being shot in Europe that summer. They were staying at the same hotel. Once they discovered they were both Texans far from home, the two of them had struck up a conversation that had evolved into a friendship he’d grown to treasure.

Because his available time was limited—as was hers—it was a rare treat for him to be able to see her. As soon as he’d read his orders, he’d called her agent to find out where she was. After he’d finally managed to track her down, he’d been relieved that she seemed eager to be there.

The public who knew her image would never believe that Melanie could have a platonic relationship with a man. She had made it clear to him from the very beginning that she wasn’t interested in a casual affair. She had no desire to live up to her public image in her personal life.

He enjoyed her company—her intelligence, her dry humor and her ability to laugh at her public persona while at the same time using her sexy image to build her career.

He hadn’t been interested in a casual relationship, either, and his spare time when not on duty was too limited to be able to offer any woman a stable relationship. However, when he’d offered to get them a suite at the hotel for the weekend, Melanie had readily agreed to stay with him, which was a first.

Clay knew that he was finally ready to take this relationship a step further. He took her presence there to mean that she wanted to move forward, as well.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world, you know,” she added, her eyes sparkling.

“Glad I could tempt you into coming,” he responded with a grin.

She turned and stroked his cheek. “You’re all the temptation I’ve ever needed, something I should never admit to you. You’re cocky enough.”

He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, then carefully kissed each fingertip, nibbling on the smallest one.

Something caught her attention and she looked past him. “Isn’t that Cole Callaway?” Melanie whispered, nodding toward the tall, silver-haired man greeting new arrivals near the door.

Clay was amused at the awe in her voice. His uncle had that effect on people. “Yes, ma’am, it certainly is. Uncle Cole is the head of the clan. The petite lady beside him is his wife, Allison.”

“That is Allison Alvarez, the famous sculptor? She looks too young to have made such a name for herself for so many years.”

“She’ll be pleased to know you think so,” he replied. He took her hand and led her over to the line of people waiting to be greeted.

Melanie’s infectious laugh rang out, causing a few people to glance their way. “Don’t you dare embarrass me by telling her, Clay. You promised to be on your best behavior!”

Clay attempted his innocent look but knew she wasn’t buying it. “You are aware, are you not,” he drawled, “that you will be meeting my parents tonight? My father will definitely demand to know your intentions toward me.”

She blinked her wide green eyes, her long lashes quivering, and replied in a throaty voice, “Well, honey, I’ll just have to explain to him that they are—and always have been—very dishonorable.” She almost purred the last word, which caused him to burst into laughter.

The couple just ahead of them moved away and Clay was face-to-face with Cole. His uncle grinned. “I’m pleased to see you’re already enjoying yourself, Clay.” He shook his hand. “Glad you could make it tonight.”

Clay nodded in response. “Oh, I don’t think there was ever a doubt about that, was there?”

He had no idea how his uncle had managed it, but Clay had no doubt the man in front of him had something to do with his being there tonight.

Cole smiled. “We need to get together a little later this evening—if you can spare the time,” he added with a sidelong glance at Melanie.

“Of course, sir. I’m looking forward to it.” He drew her closer to his side and said, “I’d like you to meet Melanie Montez. Mel, my aunt and uncle, Cole and Allison Callaway.”

Allison smiled and took Melanie’s hand. “I’m delighted to meet you. I believe I read that you’re originally from Texas, is that right?”

Melanie nodded. “Yes, from a small town in south Texas that nobody’s ever heard of.”

“I’m so pleased that you were able to join us tonight,” Allison said. “I understand you have a new movie coming out in a few weeks.”

Clay watched as his aunt managed to charm yet another person into opening up and sharing her life. Allison never ceased to amaze him. Cole was lucky to have her.

He slid his arm around Mel’s bare shoulders and said, “I’m starving. Let’s find a table somewhere and hit the buffet.”

Allison chuckled. “I believe your mother expects you to sit with them tonight,” she said, nodding to a table across the room from the entrance.

“Great,” he said, slowly moving his hand along Melanie’s shoulders and down her arm to her hand. Taking it in a firm grasp, he said, “Let’s go meet the folks, gal. Hope you’re up for this.”

He started across the crowded room with the sound of Allison’s laughter ringing in his ears.

Melanie said, “If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were nervous about seeing your folks tonight.”

“Not nervous, exactly. It’s just that they’ve been trying to get me to come back home for years and I’ve never made it until now. I generally meet up with them somewhere during their travels.”

“Ah. So they’re going to be surprised to see you here tonight?”

He knew his laugh sounded a little hollow. “It seems I’m the only one who’s surprised,” he said, glancing back at Cole. “Sometimes I forget the kind of power this family can wield.”

Cody, Clay’s father, stood when he spotted them approaching the table. His grin lit up the room. “Glad you could make it, son,” he said, grabbing Clay in a bear hug. “Somehow I expected you to show up in your uniform.”

“I took time to shave and change into my tux at the airport. You wouldn’t have wanted to see what I looked like coming off that plane this evening.” Then he leaned over and hugged and kissed his mother, Carina. “I swear, Mom, you get younger-looking every year.”

He introduced Melanie to his parents.

Carina said, “Clay’s sisters will be thrilled to death to meet you, Melanie. They should be arriving any time now.” She gave Clay a quick glance that spoke volumes. “We had no idea that Clay knew you.”

With commendable poise, Melanie chuckled and said, “I’m just one of his many deep, dark secrets, don’t you know?”

Clay thought it was time to change the subject. “Have you two been to the buffet yet?” he asked his parents.

“Actually, we thought we’d wait until the line thinned down a little,” Carina replied.

“Obviously you haven’t skipped as many meals as I have getting here,” Clay said. He looked at Melanie. “How about it, Mel? Think you can force yourself to eat something?”

She held up her fist in a mock threat before turning to his parents and saying, “Let’s see if feeding him will calm this unruly beast, shall we?” She led the way to the buffet, giving Clay the opportunity to admire her figure, showcased in a flaming red dress that clung to every curve.

As soon as they reached the line in front of the buffet Clay caressed the small of her back. “Have I mentioned how exotic you look in that dress?” he whispered in her ear.

She leaned against him slightly and glanced over her shoulder at him. “I was beginning to think you hadn’t noticed,” she replied with a saucy grin.

“I may be suffering from severe jet lag at the moment, but I’m not dead.”

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, causing her body to enticingly rub against him. “Mmm. So I notice.”

He laughed outright. “How long has it been since I last saw you?”

“Not that I’m counting, but it’s been close to eight months…four days…and, oh, six-and-a-half hours?”

“Unfortunately it’s going to be several more hours until I can get you alone, I’m afraid. I have no idea how long this meeting will last tonight.”

“It must be important for him to have it this evening.”

“Oh, it’s important, all right. Otherwise he wouldn’t have gone to the trouble to get me here.”

The line moved ahead of them, and Melanie straightened and picked up a plate. “I’ll be waiting for you whenever you can get away.”

He smiled at her, placing his fingertip lightly against her bottom lip. “I’m counting on it.”

Pamela McCall sat at one end of the ballroom watching the milling crowd, wishing she were anywhere else but at this big benefit bash. It felt a little strange to be back in Texas socializing with many of her father’s constituents. She’d made a point of avoiding the political life he’d embraced for years.

However, she’d responded to the invitation out of a sense of loyalty toward the Callaways, particularly Cody and Carina Callaway. Her childhood would have been dismally lonely if Carina hadn’t stepped into her life and filled in the empty space left when Pam’s mother had died.

Pam knew that it was time for her to attempt to repay part of the debt she owed them, despite her personal feelings in the matter.

Ostensibly the party tonight was a benefit to raise money for various charitable causes, but anyone who knew the Callaways was aware this gathering was a bold statement made by the family: Don’t Tread on Me.

Her father, a U.S. senator from Texas, had sent one of his staff members, Adam Redmond, to be her escort for the evening. Pam had made her own way in life and jealously guarded her independence from her domineering father, but she saw no reason to be rude to Adam, who was a nice guy. He was tall, dark, handsome and charming…and only those close to him knew that he was gay.

He was also a dear friend.

She glanced at Adam and smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here, Adam. I can’t imagine anything worse than coming to something like this alone.”

Adam looked around the room before he said, “I thought you knew some of these people, especially the Callaways.”

“Oh, I do. In fact, I was practically raised with Cody and Carina’s children from the time I started grade school. Their daughters are like sisters to me.” She continued to scan the room. “Speaking of whom, I haven’t seen them yet. I—oh, no,” she murmured.

“Is something wrong?”

Pam tried to make light of the moment. “Not really. I just hadn’t expected to see him here tonight,” she said, deliberately turning away from the room and facing Adam once more.

Adam chuckled. “Him? He doesn’t have a name?”

She attempted to hang on to her sense of humor as well as her emotional balance. “Sorry,” she said with a forced smile. “His name is Clay Callaway, the only son of Cody and Carina.”

“Why wouldn’t you expect him to be here? You’re the one who pointed out earlier that the Callaways had turned out in force tonight.”

She shook her head. She didn’t want to discuss Clay Callaway with anyone. Not even with a man as understanding as Adam. She should have expected him to be here, but as the years had passed without hearing anything about him, she’d managed to put him out of her mind. Or so she had told herself.

The twelve years since their last meeting seemed to have vanished as she noted the changes in him.

He’d been a nineteen-year-old boy back then.

He was all muscular, mature male now. She closed her eyes briefly. Seeing him again after all this time would not be a problem. She would not let it be a problem.

When Pam didn’t say anything more, Adam asked, “Which one is he?”

She nodded to the buffet table. “See the man standing next to the blond bombshell in red? That’s him.”

“Hmm. They make a very attractive couple,” Adam said amicably enough.

She watched Clay and his date leave the buffet line with loaded plates and thread their way through the crowd to a table she hadn’t noticed before. Cody and Carina were there, which meant she’d have to go over there some time tonight to say hello.

She took another sip of champagne and decided to postpone that particular meeting for as long as possible.

“Are you ready to get something to eat?” Adam asked several minutes later.

With a renewed determination to enjoy herself, Pam smiled gratefully at him and said, “Sure, let’s go.”

After eating more than was strictly comfortable, Clay could feel himself relaxing into a mellow mood. The drink that kept getting refilled also contributed to his overall sense of well-being. He and Melanie danced several times before someone came to the table to ask her to dance.

Clay smiled his acquiescence and moved over a chair so that he was now next to his mother, who had just returned from the ladies’ lounge.

“You look upset,” he said in a low tone. “Anything wrong?”

She shook her head. “Oh, not really. I just get so angry sometimes at the way things work out.”

“Such as…?”

“I happened to see Katie in the lounge. You know that louse, Arthur Henley, is still giving her a bad time, even though the divorce has been final for over six months.”

“Are you talking about Cole’s daughter, Katie?”

“Yes.”

“I hadn’t heard about the divorce. What happened?”

“She finally found out about all his extravagant spending, the other women, his many mistakes at work. Once she filed papers against Arthur, Cole fired him because so many of his management decisions had ended up costing the company a bunch of money.

“Arthur blamed Katie for losing his job, of course. I think he considered himself invincible, from the way he liked to live, throw his weight around, and in general be totally obnoxious. Your dad said the joke in the company for several years was that Arthur was only a divorce away from bankruptcy. I guess it never occurred to him that eventually Katie would get her fill of his behavior and toss him out on his ear. From what she was telling me just now, he’s doing anything he can either to harass and annoy her or to play on her sympathies.”

“Why’d she marry him in the first place?”

Carina smiled. “You know Katie. With her exuberance for life and her need to take care of everyone she meets, she fell headlong into the idea of helping Arthur meet his full potential. Let’s face it, the man is very charming when he wants to be, as well as highly intelligent. He played into her need to be needed, portraying a courageous man working to overcome his impoverished background. I swear he wanted to make Katie feel it was her fault that he’d come from such a poor family. I remember how she used to make all kinds of excuses for him, based on his miserable childhood. Eventually, even our optimistic Katie had to give up. I say that, sooner or later, a person has to take responsibility for himself, instead of looking for others to blame.”