Page 22 of Montana Born

Chapter Nine

“I’m glad you cleared things up with the young man.” Her mother poured soda into a cup and lowered to sit next to Elle on the wicker loveseat at her mother's screened in porch. “I wondered how long before you bumped into each other.”

Elle let out a breath. “I am looking forward to our date. We seem to get along very well, but I still worry about all the women. He seems like a serial-dating-gigolo.”

Margie laughed. “I doubt he’s a gigolo. He’s very wealthy, so Sully doesn’t have to sell the goods.”

“Oh my God, Mom!” Elle laughed. “The goods?” She chuckled and her mother nodded.

Her mother patted her hand. “It’s all about grace dear. You shouldn’t judge based on perception. Let his actions and words speak to you, not what you hear or read about him. That’s where people go wrong all the time, allowing others to influence how they feel or see things.”

“You’re so right Mom.”

They were going to see an action movie and then have a drink at a small pub Elle loved. Much to her amusement, he’d suggested the latest chick flick, which she wanted to see, but feared sobbing in front of him.

“Hopefully I won’t show up on the society pages as his latest conquest.” Elle flicked at a fly. “Shoo.”

“Did you hear? Your cousins are on dating sites. It’s going to be a hoot hearing what they’ve gotten into. I can’t wait for tonight.” It was family night at the Mexican restaurant and, of course, her aunt had already called to remind them.

“I have to agree with you on that one, Mom. It’s definitely going to be interesting.”

*

The office loomed and Sully hurried into the building. There would be a roomful of people waiting for him, partners surrounding the large conference table and secretaries fretting over whatever was demanded of them that morning.

Sully exited the elevator unable to keep from smiling at the rush he always felt when facing the prospect of a day filled with work and problems to deal with.

“Mr. Cole,” a young man neared. “I am Phillip, Sharon Logan’s assistant. She is here and requests a word with you in private before the meeting.”

Sully glanced at his watch. “I don’t have time. Will barely make it in time...” He stopped midsentence at seeing the woman stood in his office.

As usual, everything about Sharon was attractive. Her long hair fell in waves past her shoulders. In a power red dress and black heels, her slim figure perfectly accentuated.

“Good morning, Sullivan. I just need a minute of your time.”

“Sharon. As you know, we have several execs waiting in the other room. I don’t want to waste their time. Perhaps after.”

“No now.”

“What is so important that it cannot wait?”

“I’m pregnant.”

His stomach clenched. “That’s not possible. We used precaution. And it was that one time about a month ago. Are you sure?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’m going to keep the child.”

Immediately, his thoughts went to Elle and how he’d not have a chance to get to know her now. There was no way he’d allow a child of his to grow up without him in his or her daily life.

“We’ll get married.”

“Of course.”

She waltzed out of the office, not waiting to discuss anything further, leaving Sully reeling. His life had just taken a turn he’d not expected. No matter how shrewd or aloof Sharon was, he knew she’d not lie about something that could be easily tested.

The woman was as rich as he, if not wealthier and owned one of the biggest horse breeding programs in Montana.

“Sully, the meeting is about to start.” His assistant, Stacia, gave him a curious look. “Are you all right? You are pale.”