Her Prada Cowboy: McCulloch County Series #1 Read online

  “Shannon Davis.”

  “So formal, doll face. Is there someone with you?”

  “Jay … I didn’t expect you to call again.”

  “You should have, honey. I do not take lightly to you runnin’ away from me.”

  “I … did not run away.”

  “Really? Did you say goodbye, doll face?”

  “I left a message with Rosa.”

  “I’m afraid that was not good enough … What are you doin’?”

  “I’m in bed.”

  Jarrod gripped the phone harder.

  “What are you wearin’?”

  “Jay …”

  “Tell me.”

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re … naked?”

  “Yes.”

  He was silent for so long, Shannon wondered if they got cut off.

  “I can be there in forty five minutes, doll face.”

  “What do you mean, forty five minutes?”

  “I have a chopper.”

  “You … you … you have a chopper?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You … mean to say you could have brought me to Houston the same day my car broke down?”

  “I guess I could have.”

  “You guess … you bloody guess!”

  “I was busy, doll face. I can’t just drop everything and run around to Houston.”

  “You are nothing but a … a womanizer! A libertine! Do me a favor and … and … go and jump off a cliff!”

  “Now don’t twist your knickers in a knot, doll face. I had a …”

  “Ooeefff!”

  Shannon ended the call and in frustration picked up the receiver of the phone on the bedside table and slammed it down a few times. It was the one negative aspect of a cell phone. You could not slam it down in someone’s ear.

  Her phone beeped and she opened the text message.

  We’re not done yet, doll face. Not for a very, very long time to come! Save my number, honey. You are going to need it soon.

  “Yes … the day that pigs can fly!”

  “I do apologize for the delay, Miss Davis. Mr. Parker has unfortunately been delayed and cannot be here. He will be joinin’ us via Skype. Please follow me. We will set everythin’ up in Mr. Parker’s boardroom. He has a direct link to that room.”

  In the end they had to wait another thirty minutes before the big flat screen television on the wall flickered on and he joined the meeting. He was sitting behind a desk with his back to the window. The sharp sunlight darkened his shape and only his silhouette was visible. The only thing Shannon could establish about Mr. Parker was that he was tall with broad shoulders. His voice was raspy when he spoke, but the line had a lot of static and was not very clear.

  “My apologies for keepin’ you. I had a … crisis to sort out first. Miss Davis, Mr. Stuart, thank you for takin’ the time to come all the way to Houston to do the presentation.”

  “It is our privilege to be here. I do hope your crisis have been resolved?”

  “Not quite, it will take another few hours, but sometimes it is a price a person is willin’ to pay. Chris, please send me a link to the presentation, and then you can begin, Miss Davis.”

  Chris, the Operations Director, leaned over Shannon’s shoulder to send the link to Jarrod and he clenched his teeth. He needed to have a serious chat with that wayward cousin of his! Mr. Parker confirmed that he had a shared view and Shannon rose to start the presentation.

  She started with a very brief background of the Company and her and her teams’ ability to make a success of the project. The presentation was thirty minutes long and quite detailed. They were briefed in full as the expectation was to be presented with the PR project plan and what the expected outcome was going to be.

  Chris had a number of questions throughout the presentation which she handled very efficiently. She even had analysis and statistics on hand that she shared with them. Mr. Parker was quiet and she noticed he drank quite a lot of water during the presentation.

  “We are taking a holistic approach with our proposal. We wish to reach a wider sphere of architectural groups, rather than only the main groups. I did a cost study and a time period profit analysis, should the small to medium sized companies be interested in investing in the specialized Architectural Software.”

  “How do you propose the small to medium sized companies pay for the product, Miss Davis? It is highly specialized and required high level networks and hardware.” The till now, quiet, Mr. Parker questioned.

  “True, but there are sectors of the program that could be segregated for the smaller companies. If you are prepared to tweak it very slightly. It would allow them to stay abreast with the development in the Architectural industry. You, would be seen as the trendsetter for future generations. More so, your Company would be revered as the one that drives the development of all Architects across the Globe, not just the major ad principle groups.”

  “It has merit.”

  “To make it exciting to the smaller groups, we could offer a design competition using those sectors of the program. The winner … receives the full package with hardware as prize.”

  Chris took a deep breath and glanced at his cousin, who seemed extremely relaxed.

  “That would be quite a prize, Miss Davis. What guarantee do I have I will reap any benefits from such a competition?”

  “Everyone has to purchase the sector that we segregate specifically for the smaller groups. I have already put out some feelers. I have not come across one firm, big or small, that is not excited about the release of your new systems. The teaser campaign we have been running for the past two months, has caused quite a stir in the Industry. The de facto is, you being seen as the one that share his passions and skills of Architecture with everyone.”

  She has been walking back and forth in front of the desk as she spoke and winced every time she turned around. The man on the screen cleared his throat. His voice even raspier than before.

  “Are you okay, Miss Davis? You seem to be in pain? Do you need a pain tablet by chance?”

  She cursed, feeling the dark blush spread over her cheeks. Drat the man! Hopefully he could not see the effect his question had on her.

  “Ehm … I’m fine, thank you.”

  He asked a number of questions, specific to the advertising campaign, which areas she proposed to segregate and her cost projection.

  She showed him detailed spreadsheets and another presentation she prepared specific in regard to the segregation. She wanted to be prepared if he was interested in pursuing it. Now she was glad she did.

  Jarrod was immensely impressed with Shannon. She was thoroughly prepared and was clearly a specialist in marketing campaigns of this nature. Her knowledge on the overall software program impressed him the most. The areas she suggested they segregate were exactly the ones that flashed through his mind when she first suggested it.

  She was most definitely a lot more than just his doll face!

  “Who do you propose will head up the project here in Houston, Miss Davis?”

  “Damien here, is the sector manager and he will be in charge.”

  “Hmm … that might have to change.”

  “I can assure you he is more than capable.”

  “I am sure he is, but you need to understand, Miss Davis. This is a multimillion project we are discussin’ here and I want the best.”

  Shannon sat down with trepidation running down her spine. She was afraid she knew what was coming.

  “I am well aware of that, Mr. Parker, but with my assistance from LA, Damien will be …”

  “Is there a reason why you can’t do it yourself, Miss Davis?”

  “I … ehm … I live in LA and head up the Global division. I can’t possibly drop everything and move here for a year. But again …”

  “I understand. I need to think about this. My understandin’ from your CEO was that all my requests will be given serious consideration. I want you runnin’ the campaign from here. I suggest y
ou start considerin’ that possibility.”

  “I … you want me to do it from here?”

  “Yes. David, please ensure I receive the full proposal and files Miss Davis just discussed. You and I can discuss this further in the mornin’. I’ll be there around ten. Mr. Stuart and Miss Davis, thank you for your time. I appreciate all the work you have put into the project to date. I trust it was not all in vain. I expect a phone call from your CEO before the end of the week, Miss Davis.”

  The veiled threat was clear. Either she moved here and head up the project, or they lose the opportunity.

  Damn the man! I have responsibilities and a job that entails running an International Division.

  Shannon, let’s not forget that just this morning you had thoughts about being willing to give up just that for a certain Prada Cowboy!

  This is different!

  How exactly?

  Shannon seriously considered firing her conscience. She was becoming highly annoying.

  Chapter Six

  Shannon went directly to the airport after the meeting. Still highly annoyed at the damn Billionaire, Jarrod Parker. The audacity of the man. He reminded her of one certain Cowboy that annoyed her to no end as well.

  She took a seat in the first class lounge and sighed when her cell phone rang. She took it out and looked at the flashing name with a wry smile.

  “You are becoming an annoyance!”

  “So much so that you saved my number.”

  “Only so that I am prepared.”

  “I assume the meetin’ did not go as planned.”

  “Let’s just say I came across another demanding, self-absorbed Texan! He reminded me quite a lot of you.”

  “Parker can be quite demandin’.”

  “I see you left yourself out.”

  “Me self-absorbed? Never! Besides, I am not a full blood Texan … nor is he for that matter.”

  “You seem to know a lot about him.”

  “Ehm … our paths have crossed once or twice.”

  “Don’t you have some cows to milk or something?”

  “Cows?”

  “Or … cattle?”

  “On a horse breedin’ farm?”

  “Well don’t you have some horsey thing to do instead of wasting my time?”

  “Nuhuh … I am sportin’ a slight headache this mornin’. Can’t seem to stand the sun.”

  “You mean you have a hangover?”

  “You are damn clever, doll face.”

  “So … did you also indulge in some other … activities?”

  “Such as?”

  Shannon gnashed on her teeth. Anger shivered down her spine. She still battled to walk normally and he was already going around …

  “Where did you go?”

  “I took Noah and Dan out for some grub and we ended belly up at the bar.”

  “Noah is a very nice man. You should send him my regards.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because I ask you to.”

  “Like hell I will. He’ll up and suppose you have the hots for him … then I’ll have to box his ears for him.

  “Why?

  “Because the only one you are allowed to have the hots for, is me, doll face.”

  “You do realize I am at the airport on the way back to LA?”

  “Yeah, I figured as much.”

  “Therefore I sincerely doubt we will be seeing each other again.”

  “Oh, doll face. I have no doubt in my mind that you will be back … and a whole lot sooner than you think. Enjoy the flight.”

  Shannon stared at the phone. Two men who seemed to think they have the right and moreover the ability to pull the strings of her future.

  I have news for both of them! I am a city slicker, a Corporate chick and I will not be bullied by two … burly Texans!

  A week later, Shannon was not so sure anymore. She knew that Gregory Bart, the CEO of Global Media received a phone call from Jarrod Parker earlier in the day. She has seen the Operations, Communications and Human Resources Directors go to his office immediately thereafter. They only left two hours later.

  She sighed and forced her attention back to the discussion her team was having on the project plan for Perfecto Architects. They were in the middle of a debate on the time span for the next teaser shot, when Daphne, Gregory’s executive assistant walked in.

  “I am sorry to interrupt. Shannon, Mr. Bart would like to see you now, please.”

  She excused herself and walked briskly to his office. Her face and body tense. The fact that it was the CEO and not her immediate Communications Director that called her, gave her a fairly good idea on what was coming.

  “Shannon, I am sorry for interrupting your meeting, but this is very important.”

  She nodded and took the chair he waved her to. He cleared his throat and looked down at some notes on his iPad.

  “I want to thank you once again for the fantastic job you did at Perfecto Architects. Jarrod Parker was very impressed and is prepared to sign the contract. He … has some provisos however. He said he already made it clear to you that he wanted you to head up the campaign in Houston. Why did you not mention it to us?”

  “Because I was hoping he would change his mind after he worked with Damien for the week.”

  “Well, he hasn’t. He has now made it a definite condition on signing the contract.”

  “You are not serious?”

  “I’m afraid I am. We’ve had a very long discussion around this issue, Shannon. It is not something we would ever give in to, but you know yourself, it is a multimillion dollar contract for us. He is even prepared to add an additional clause for an extension every three years.”

  “What are you saying, Mr. Bart?”

  “We want you to transfer to Houston permanently.”

  “Permanently! Why?”

  “With this contract, it will open many new doors for us in that area. We have not managed to service the whole of Texas from our Dallas offices. We want you to open and head up the Houston office for us.”

  Shannon stared at him with a gaping mouth. Good Lord! She never thought to reach such a level in her career at her age. She was only twenty eight. In the Media industry that never happens until you’re close to forty!

  “What happens if I don’t agree to head up the project?”

  “He’ll find another agency.”

  “But that is ridiculous! We are the best and he knows it. That is why he approached us in the first place.”

  “Yes, and now he wants the best Campaign Specialist to head it up. It is not that uncalled for, Jarrod Parker did not get where he is today by sitting on his laurels waiting for success to come to him. He is a hard, but highly professional business man. Anyone that ever had dealings with him knows, you either give him what he wants, or you lose out. He does not ask. He demands.”

  “May I ask you this Mr. Bart? Had he not demanded I head up this project, would you have considered offering me a Regional Branch Manager position at this stage?”

  Gregory Bart pressed his lips together. Shannon Parker was a brilliant Campaign Manager. She was very clever and thought out of the box. Every single project she has ever worked on has been a success and brought them millions. He sighed heavily.

  “Shannon, I am going to be honest with you. This business is hell out there, even for the best of us. You are brilliant at what you do and have added tremendous value to this Company over the years. Could I honestly say I believe you are ready to start up and run a region? No … not yet. Purely because you have not had the exposure to full operations as yet. I know once you do, given a two or three year’s mentorship, hell yes. Then I would not hesitate. But we need this now, and I am willing to take the change.”

  “But I am not.”

  “What are you saying, Shannon?”

  She sighed and ran her hand through her long, loose hair.

  “I know I am not ready, Mr. Bart, even though I would have loved the challenge. I am not prepared to take tw
o steps back in my career should I fail.”

  “If you say no to Jarrod Parker, we lose the contract, Shannon.”

  “I … am not saying no … yet. May I please have tonight to think about this? You are asking me to uproot my whole life. Leave my family and friends behind to go and live thousands of miles away.”

  “Of course, but he expects an answer tomorrow before the end of business.”

  She nodded and walked back to her office in a haze. She expected to be asked, she never expected to be forced to go! She read between the lines of what Gregory Bart said very, if they lost the contract because she refused to relocate, they would have no further need for her.

  Shannon went home just after four. She stopped at her sister’s on the way and was delighted to see her four month old baby girl. She cooed and played with her and as always, longed for one of her own. She was nearing thirty, had no man in her life, might either be jobless or heading to Houston - where she knew no one. The chance of having a baby of her own anytime soon, appeared bleak.

  “What’s the matter, Nonnie?”

  Shannon smiled when she used the same name Rosa called her. Dear, sweet Rosa. Rosa whose boy Jay has stopped calling her. The last call she had from him was when she was at the airport. It seemed he found someone else he had the hots for. A band squeezed around her heart and she bit her lip. Who knew it would hurt so much? She hardly knew him … scrap that … she did not know him … at all!

  “I might be permanently transferred to Houston.”

  “What! No! You can’t leave! Not permanently!”

  “I’m afraid I might not have a choice. Apart from that, it is a terrific opportunity.”

  She quickly filled her in and Sheila was angry alongside her. They have always been very close. Well, that was no surprise. Twins usually were. They were not identical twins, but they had similar features, were the same height and built, but Sheila was blond with green eyes.

  “Have I told you that Mom now lives somewhere in Texas?”

  “No, I did not know that. Sheila, you know I have not seen or spoken to Mom since we turned … eighteen.”

  “But I though … she always talks about you. How much she misses you! The two of you need to sort out your issues! It is ridiculous that you fought over a break-up with a boyfriend.”