How To Seduce An Heiress. Heidi Betts

The Reluctant Heiress

      SARA ORWIG lives in Oklahoma. She has a patient husband who will take her on research trips anywhere from big cities to old forts. She is an avid collector of Western history books. With a master’s degree in English, Sara has written historical romance, mainstream fiction and contemporary romance. Books are beloved treasures that take Sara to magical worlds, and she loves both reading and writing them.

      Many thanks to Stacy Boyd and Maureen Walters.

       Prologue

      “I don’t have a clue why I’m here,” Garrett Cantrell, company CFO, said at the family gathering in the Dallas office of Delaney Enterprises.

      “Because Sophia Rivers is our father’s child. She’s as stubborn as Dad ever was,” Will Delaney stated, combing his fingers through his black hair.

      “We won’t give up. There’s too much at stake,” Ryan Delaney added, resting one booted foot on his knee. “We can be as stubborn as she is. There has to be a way to reach her.”

      “We need to outsmart her instead of the other way around,” Zach Delaney grumbled.

      “Right,” said Will. “That’s why I asked Garrett to join us.”

      “I’m sure finding out you have a half sister at the reading of your dad’s will was a shock,” Garrett said, “but you should face the fact that she doesn’t want to meet any of you. I’d say give it up.”

      “If we don’t get her on the board of the Delaney Foundation, we can kiss our inheritances goodbye,” Zach snapped. “Also, she’s family. We have a sister—all these years.”

      “I agree,” Will added. “She’s part of our family and we’d all like to know her.”

      “Even if she doesn’t want to know you?” Garrett asked.

      “I think that’s because of Dad and not anything we’ve done. We just want to unite this family and we don’t stand a chance if she won’t speak to us,” Will said. “Each of us has tried and failed to make contact with her. I think the next thing is to send someone neutral.”

      Garrett straightened in his chair, his good humor vanishing. “Go through your dad’s lawyer. She communicates with Grady.”

      “Her attorney communicates with Grady,” Will replied drily. “Grady has never met the lady.”

      “The bottom line is, we want our inheritances,” Ryan stated. “She’s costing each of us four billion dollars. Too much to blow off.”

      As Garrett looked at the Delaneys, he reflected on how his life had been tied to theirs from the day he was born. His father’s life had been closely linked with the family patriarch, Argus Delaney. Besides ties of work and family, Will Delaney, the Delaney CEO, was Garrett’s best friend. Garrett had been raised to feel indebted to the Delaneys, just as his dad had felt obligated. As he thought about what they were about to ask of him, his dread grew exponentially. “I suggest the three of you try again to meet her,” Garrett said.

      “C’mon, Garrett. You can contact her because your name isn’t Delaney. Spend time with her, get to know her, find out why she’s resisting, and we’ll take it from there,” Will said. “Just open the door for us. Go to Houston. You have a family business and a house there. It’s a perfect plan.”

      “I own the property management business in Houston—I don’t work there. Give it up, guys. Don’t ask me to do what you can’t do.”

      “We think you can do this,” Will argued. “You’ve been our spokesperson many times. We’ll make it worthwhile for you. Help us get her on the board and it’s another five hundred million for you.”

      Garrett was already wealthy— He didn’t care about the money. But he couldn’t turn down the brothers because his obligation to the Delaneys ran deep. He sighed as Will handed him a manila folder.

      Garrett looked at a picture of a raven-haired, brown-eyed beauty. Maybe their request isn’t so bad after all, he thought.

      “If she cooperates, she will inherit three billion dollars. It’s not like you’re trying to cause her trouble,” Ryan pointed out.

      “How can she turn down that kind of money?” Zach asked, shaking his head.

      “She must be angry as hell,” Garrett remarked. “That kind of anger isn’t going to change easily.”

      “We have to try,” Will stated. “Will you do it?”

      Garrett glanced at the picture again. He had just inherited three billion from their father. Will was his closest friend. How could he refuse to help them now?

      “Garrett, we’re desperate. And we have a time limit,” Ryan said.

      “All right,” Garrett replied reluctantly. “I can’t say no to any of you.”

      There were thanks from all and a high five from Will, who grinned. “Everything’s going for you. You’re not a Delaney.”

      “I might as well be one,” Garrett grumbled. “I don’t think your half sister will be one degree happier with me than she was with any of you.” Garrett shook his head. “Meeting Sophia Rivers is doomed from the start.”

       One

      Sophia Rivers sipped champagne and gazed beyond the circle of friends surrounding her. Her small Houston gallery was filled with guests viewing her art and helping her celebrate the second anniversary of her gallery’s opening. The crowd was the perfect size, and she was completely satisfied with the turnout.

      “Sophia, I have a question.”

      She turned to see Edgar Hollingworth, a father to her and a mentor, as well as a man whom she and her mother had been friends with before she ever moved into the art world. “Excuse me,” she said to the group around her, and stepped away.

      “Edgar, what can I do for you?” she said to the tall, thin man.

      “You looked as if you needed rescuing,” he said quietly. “You also look ravishing. The black and white is striking on you, Sophia.”

      “Thank you,” she replied, shaking her long black hair away from her face.

      “Shall we at least act as if I’ve asked you about a painting?” Edgar motioned toward the opposite side of the room and she smiled as she strolled with him. “You have a sizable crowd tonight. I’m glad you were able to make it. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

      “I hadn’t planned to come until about three hours ago. I’ve been in New Mexico, painting. Who’s the couple ahead to our right?” she asked.

      “The Winstons. They’re probably on your guest list because they bought a painting recently.”

      “Now how do you know that?”

      “I sold it to them,” he said, smiling at her, causing creases to fan from the corners of his blue eyes. “I still think you should move your gallery nearer mine. Our galleries would complement each other.”

      Sophia smiled at the familiar conversation that always ended with her saying no. “I do appreciate your gallery carrying my art. You were the first and I’ll always be indebted to you for that.”

      “You would have been in a gallery anyway whether it was my place or another’s. You have a fine