Conflicted (Everlasting Love)(39)

Hawthorne is survived by his daughter Desiree Hawthorne-Rainwater, Rainwater and his three grandchildren Rio, Dakota and Willow Rainwater.

As dictated by family tradition, Hawthorne’s only child, Hawthorne-Rainwater, will inherit the ranch her father poured so much of his heart and genius into. The question on the lips of nearly everyone involved in American horseracing this morning is how will she handle the responsibility? Can she live up to the high expectations set by her father or will she step aside and let Rainwater, her husband of nine years, run the ranch according to his own specifications?

Those closest to Hawthorne-Rainwater believe that she has both the skill and the drive to take over for her father. “Desiree’s been trained for this from the time she was a small child,” comments Brian Willings, an official for the National Horseracing Association. “She is not only willing to take over for her father but also extremely capable and knowledgeable—perhaps even more than he was. Most of us in the business expect great things from Desiree and the Triple H. The next few years should prove extremely interesting.”



Jesse watched closely as Desiree stripped off the black dress and stockings she’d worn to the funeral. He suddenly didn’t know who this woman was—where was the Desiree that had raged when her mother died, the one who had cried in his arms?

This quiet, composed woman who wore duty like a shield wasn’t his wife. He understood that she was in shock—Big John’s heart attack had taken everyone by surprise. But Jesse had expected some kind of reaction, something that demonstrated how much their lives had changed overnight.

“Are you all right?” he asked, crossing the room to lay a warm hand on her shoulder.

“I’m fine.” She shrugged off his support as she slipped a dark purple turtleneck over her head. “I’ve got a ton of things to do.”

He stripped off his own jacket and tie. “The ranch can wait for a day or two, Desiree.”

“Not really, Jesse.” She was polite, remote, a totally different woman than he had held in his arms four days earlier…before her father had died. “There are decisions to be made, people to be contacted. It’s our busiest season.” She pulled on a pair of jeans, reached for her favorite boots.

“People understand, darlin’. Hell, just about everyone in the business was there today.”

“They still expect the ranch to be run properly, Jess.”

“They expect, and understand, that you’ll need time to grieve for your father.”

“What they expect is for me to fall flat on my face, and I’m not going to let that happen.” Her eyes shot fire at him even as her lower lip trembled a little. “Now, get out of my way so I can get to work.”

“Nobody expects you to fail, Desiree.”

Her laugh was harsh, her eyes bright with anger and grief. “Everyone expects me to fail. I’m a woman in a profession where men rule. None of them think I have a chance in hell of running this ranch on my own. I’m going to prove them wrong.”

“Is that what you think? That they’re standing around like a bunch of vultures waiting for you to screw up?”

“Damn right I do. And it’s not going to happen—not now and not twenty years from now.” Her eyes glistened with determination as she stared into his. “There’s never been a Thoroughbred ranch run by a woman before because none of the men in the business think it’s possible. I’m going to prove them wrong. I’m going to make the Triple H the best ranch in the country and I’m going to do it with or without your support.”

He watched, openmouthed, as she left. He finished undressing slowly, hung up his suit and Desiree’s dress, slid into his own jeans and heavy sweater.

With a sigh he headed for the front door, but made a detour to the family room at the last minute. Rio was playing with his Star Wars figures while Willow and Dakota sat on the couch, watching cartoons with Maria.

“Everything okay in here?” he asked, planting a kiss on his daughter’s cheek while he ruffled Dakota’s hair.

“I want Mama,” said Willow, her lower lip stuck out in an obstinate pout.

“Didn’t she stop by before heading out?” he asked the housekeeper.

“No, Jesse. I wouldn’t even have known she’d left if I hadn’t heard the front door slam.”

He reached down and scooped up his three-year-old daughter, tickling her tummy as she laughed delightedly. “Mama will be back later,” he said. “She’s got a lot of stuff to do today.”

“Like what?”

“Like business stuff. Plus she’s pretty sad right now.”

“’Cuz Grandpa went to heaven?” asked five-year-old Dakota.

“Pretty much.” Jesse crouched down in front of the couch, pulling eight-year-old Rio into his arms as he did. “Mama’s going to be kind of busy for a while, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. But she’s taking over for Grandpa and—”

“You mean Mom’s gonna run the ranch?” asked Rio, wide-eyed.

“That’s exactly what I mean. And since it’s a hard job, she might not have quite as much time to play with you as she used to. But you can always come see me if you need anything or ask Maria to call down to Grandpa’s—Mama’s—office if you want her. Okay?”