Wildest Hearts

thousand dollars to the Eckert Museum during the past year.”

    “Oh.” Annie sat back in her chair. “I guess that lets me out.”

    “Oliver is invited,” Valerie said grudgingly. “He made a sizable contribution this year. As his wife, you're also welcome. But don't hold your breath. Oliver almost never attends that kind of thing.”

    “We'll see,” Annie said, feeling optimistic. Oliver was proving cooperative lately. “What did you want to talk to me about, Valerie? I told my assistant I'd only be gone for an hour.”

    Valerie continued to hold Annie's eyes for a moment and then she broke the contact. “I'm sorry you had to witness that scene between Oliver and me the other evening.”

    “These things happen in families,” Annie said sympathetically. “I've got an older brother, too.”

    Valerie shot her a quick, curious glance. “Oliver says you think your brother is still alive even though everyone else believes he's dead.”

    “Not quite everyone else believes that. His fiancée, Joanna, thinks he's still alive, too.”

    Valerie's expression held a degree of understanding. “This must be a hard time for you. I know how I'd feel if Oliver disappeared. As arrogant and overbearing as he can be, I still can't quite imagine the world without him.”

    “Brothers are like that, I guess. You get used to having them around.”

    “All of us are definitely used to having Oliver around. He was always there for the rest of us,” Valerie said quietly. “Even before Dad left, Oliver was the one we turned to after Mom died. Oliver was the one who took care of things. Do you know what I mean?”

    “Yes, I know what you mean.”

    “After Dad was gone, Oliver was all we had left. We depended on him. Oliver is very, very dependable.” Valerie suddenly slammed the pencil down onto the desk. “I love him, but I swear to God, he can be a real bastard at times.”

    “I know.” Annie smiled slightly.

    Valerie gave her a sharp glance. “How long, exactly, have you known him?”

    “Long enough to know he's got a domineering streak a mile wide. But I feel he's trainable. He's basically a good man. I think, given a little time, that I can work with the raw material available.”

    “Is that right?” Valerie flashed her an annoyed look as she got to her feet. “What do you intend to do with Oliver? Mold him into a sensitive, sweet, lovable teddy bear?”

    Annie grinned. “I didn't say I could accomplish miracles. Oliver reminds me of the golden jaguar in that poster, an interesting blend of savagery and sophistication. But I'll see what I can do with him.”

    “Lots of luck.”

    “Thanks.”

    “He's so damned stubborn,” Valerie sighed.

    “He's very concerned with being in control,” Annie explained. “It's easy to see how he got that way. Sheer willpower and incredible self-control are what made it possible for him to hold your family together and recreate the Rain fortune.”

    “I suppose so, but they also create a lot of problems.”

    “I'm aware of that.” Annie glanced surreptitiously at her watch.

    “I know you're in a hurry.” Valerie went back to her desk and sat down. “Look, I'll try to make this short and coherent. I asked you here today because I wanted to know if Oliver said anything to you about that argument I had with him.”

    “Why do you want to know?”

    Valerie closed her hands into fists. “I need to know what he's thinking. I need to know if there's any way I can reach him, make him listen to reason. Did he say anything at all?”

    Annie picked her words carefully. “Not much. Just something about not liking the man you're currently dating.”

    “He doesn't even know Carson,” Valerie said tightly. “He's never met him. Oliver hates Carson's father because of things that happened years ago. It's a feud that has nothing to do with Carson and me. But Oliver can't separate Carson from his father.”

    “I understand.”

    Valerie eyed her. “I've usually done what Oliver wanted me to do. We all have. To be perfectly honest, most of the time he's right about things. But he's wrong about Carson.”

    “How did you meet Carson?”

    “He teaches art history at the university. I consulted with him on a couple of exhibitions. We got to know each other. His family has a tradition of supporting the arts.” Valerie tapped one mauve nail on the desk. “In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Shore are hosting their annual benefit for the arts on Friday