Denim and Lace by Diana Palmer Page A

I won’t let you get involved with him, Bess. He’s the last man on earth for you. He’d break your spirit as easily as he breaks horses. I absolutely forbid you to see him, do you understand?”
    â€œI’m twenty-three years old, Mother,” Bess said uneasily. “I won’t let you arrange my life.”
    â€œDon’t be silly,” Gussie laughed pleasantly. “You’re a lovely girl and there are plenty of rich men around. In fact,” she began thoughtfully, “I know of a family right here in San Antonio with two eligible sons...”
    Cade had been right. Bess stared at her mother in astonishment. “You aren’t serious!” she burst out.
    â€œIt doesn’t hurt to have contacts,” Gussie was saying. “I’ll phone them tonight and see if I can wrangle an invitation for us.”
    â€œI won’t go,” Bess said doggedly.
    â€œDon’t be silly. Of course you’ll go. Thank God we still have some decent gowns left.” Gussie waltzed out of the room, deep in thought and deaf to Bess’s protests.
    Bess didn’t sleep. Gussie had upset her to the point of depression, and she was only beginning to realize what a difficult life it was going to be. Shackled with her flighty mother, there would never be any opportunity to see Cade again unless she fought tooth and nail. Not that Cade would try to see her. He was right in a way: there could never be a future for them with Gussie’s interference. But it broke her heart.
    At least Cade could keep Lariat now, she thought sadly. She’d done that for him, if nothing else.
    The next morning she went out early to start looking for a job. She put her application in at two ad agencies and one magazine office, but her lack of experience was a strike against her and her typing skills were almost nonexistent. She and Gussie didn’t have a typewriter for her to practice on and she couldn’t afford to buy one. Perhaps she could rent one, she thought, and practice at night.
    When she got back to the apartment at lunchtime, Gussie was in bright spirits. “We’ve got an invitation to dinner with the Rykers tonight,” she said gaily. “They’re sending a car for us at six. Do wear something sexy, darling. Jordan is going to be there. Daniel couldn’t manage, he’s in New York for a business meeting. Anna said she’d be delighted to see us both. You don’t know her, of course, but she and I were at school together.”
    â€œWho is Jordan?” Bess asked warily.
    â€œJordan Ryker. Anna’s eldest son. He’s president of the Ryker Corporation. They make computers and that sort of thing. You’ll like him, he’s very handsome.”
    â€œI will not be railroaded into a blind date.” Bess put her foot down.
    â€œDon’t start being difficult. We can’t afford pride.”
    â€œI can,” Bess said shortly. “I won’t go.”
    â€œYou most certainly will.” Gussie turned and glared at her. “After what you did with our pearls, you owe me one little favor.” She saw that belligerence wasn’t going to work, so she changed tactics. “Now, darling, you’ll enjoy yourself. I’m not trying to throw you at Jordan. It isn’t even a date. We’re just having dinner with old friends.”
    It couldn’t be that simple, not with Gussie. Bess sighed wearily, knowing she was going to give in. She didn’t have the heart to fight anymore. She’d lost Cade, and he was the only thing in life she might have cared enough to fight for.
    â€œAll right, Mama,” she said. “I’ll go.”
    â€œLovely!” She held up a bracelet. “Isn’t this adorable? I bought it today.”
    â€œWhat did you pay for that?” Bess asked, aghast at the gold bracelet.
    â€œJust a few hundred—”
    â€œGive it here.” Before Gussie realized what was