Hidden Talents

yesterday.”
    “It's not the same thing and you damn well know it.” Roland seethed with frustration. “I should never have let you set up Ventress Ventures. I should have insisted you come back here to Ventress Valley. Everything started going wrong after you went into business for yourself.”
    Caleb shrugged. They both knew that Roland had had nothing to say about the establishment of Ventress Ventures. Caleb had made the decision to go into business for himself long before he had even graduated from college. He had known he was never going to live in Ventress Valley.
    Ventress Ventures was one of the few things that belonged entirely to him. He ran the business his way and was accountable to no one but himself.
    “What do you mean, everything started going wrong?” Caleb asked.
    “It was as if you started drifting away from me after that.” Roland grimaced, anger and frustration plain in his weathered features. “Hell, I don't know how to explain it. When I look back on it, I realize it started even before you created Ventress Ventures. It started the day you left for college, didn't it?”
    “I don't understand what you're talking about,” Caleb said. “Are you telling me that I've neglected my responsibilities to the family?”
    “No, damn it. You still go through all the right moves, but it's as if you're just pulling strings and pushing buttons these days.”
    “That's not very specific,” Caleb said dryly. “Maybe you'd better clarify things for me. Any complaints about how I've handled the family's investments?”
    “Hell, no.” Roland shot him a glowering look. “The family's financial picture has never looked better and you know it. The Ventresses have more money today than they've ever had.”
    “I'm surprised to hear you admit that.”
    “Why should you be surprised? You did what I expected you to do. It's not just the family that's done all right since you started managing our investments. This whole valley has gotten more prosperous because of the new businesses you've helped get off the ground.”
    “Then what, exactly, are you complaining about?”
    “Don't you get it?” Roland waved a hand to encompass the house and stables. “What's the point of having all this if I can't be certain there'll be another generation of Ventresses? I lost my son because of that slut who stole him away from his people, seduced him into giving up his responsibilities. All I've got left is you.”
    Caleb looked at his watch. “Dolores will be expecting us for breakfast.”
    “Breakfast can damn well wait,” Roland muttered.
    “Something's been bothering me for quite a while, and I think maybe it's time to lay my cards on the table. I got a question to ask you and I want an honest answer. I raised you to be truthful, and to the best of my knowledge, you've never lied to me. Don't start now.”
    “What's the question?”
    “You and I both know that you're the only one who can undo the damage that bitch did all those years ago,” Roland said. “You're the only one who can carry my bloodlines on into the future. The question is, are you going to do it?”
    “Don't call her a bitch.”
    Roland looked blank. “What the devil are you talking about?”
    Caleb's grip on the paddock rail was so fierce he was surprised that the wood didn't splinter, but he managed to keep his voice very even. For some reason, he recalled the look of wonder on Serenity's face last night when she had examined the jewelry box.
    “I said, don't call her a bitch,” Caleb repeated quietly. “For better or worse, Crystal Brooke was my mother.”
    Roland was dumbfounded. “What's this all about? Have you taken leave of your senses? You know what she was. I've told you often enough.”
    “Yes, you have. And you may be right. But I'm her son and I don't want anyone to call her bitch or slut or whore again.”
    “Have you gone crazy, boy? What's got into you?”
    “Who knows?” Caleb said. “Maybe the bad blood is finally starting to show in me. Excuse me, sir. I'm going to get some breakfast. Got a long drive back to my new consulting project today.”
    He started walking toward the house.
    “Don't you dare turn your back on me, Caleb Ventress,” Roland shouted. “I'm the man who took you in and raised you. I gave you a home. Put a roof over your head. Taught you the things a man needs to know. You'll show me some respect, by God.”
    Caleb stopped. He turned around slowly and looked at the man he had wasted