Secrets in the Sand by Carolyn Brown

            “All right.” Clancy nodded. “I was going to call you next week with my decision anyway—”

            Red held up a hand. “Now hear me out. I’m talking about more than just a job. I figure I’ve got a few years left, and anything I can’t teach you, Angel can. She’s smarter’n me, anyway, but I’m older and I’ve got more experience, so you’re goin’ to learn from me first. Me and Anna had our wills drawn up a while back, and Texanna Red will be yours when I’m gone. All of it, lock, stock, rigs, and barrel. And the time has come for you to start learnin’ how to run it. You’re throwing away that degree in geology and chemistry, as far as I’m concerned.”

            “Red, I can’t let you do that, not when you’ve had a scare like this,” Clancy said.

            “Hush, and let me finish. Patty told me last week about you two. You and Angel can be competitors, or you can be partners. I don’t give a damn if later on down the road you consolidate Texanna Red and Conrad Oil, or if you keep them separate and fight over who makes the most money. I want you to know how to run the company so I won’t cash in my chips worryin’ about some smart woman like Angel takin’ advantage of your lack of knowledge. I’d like to see my two favorite people together before I die.” He closed his eyes and took another deep breath.

            “Red, I’ll work for you, but you don’t have to leave the oil company to me,” Clancy assured him.

            “It’s already done. Now, get on out of here,” Red whispered dramatically. “Come see me tomorrow. First, I have to teach you to run it. Half of the company is yours right now, the rest when I’m gone. Maybe before that day, I’ll get to bounce a grandbaby on my shaky old knees?”

            Angel suppressed a chuckle. “Red, you connivin’ old cuss, you’re not about to run my life, even if you did have a heart attack. You might have grandchildren someday, but it won’t be because you pretended to be sicker than you really were. You’re tougher than shoe leather and buzzard bait combined. I’m goin’ home, and when we get back tomorrow, you better be sittin’ up in bed, unwired from all these contraptions, and makin’ oil deals on the phone. Good night, you old sweetheart.” She kissed him on the cheek and headed out the door, then turned around to wait on Clancy.

            Red opened one eye. “I’m not one bit tougher than you are, smarty pants. And, Clancy, I’m holdin’ you to your word. Call that school and tell them you’re resignin’ before school starts up, and be ready to go to work in your new office on Wednesday. That’ll give you two days to find a place and get moved down here to Denison. I just signed a deal on a new building. Now go catch that girl and make her your bride before she gets away.”

            “It’s not that easy, Red.” Clancy winked at Angel. “I’m not entirely sure she wants to be caught.”

            “Then you’d better hurry up, Son. She’s gettin’ away.” Red talked out of the side of his mouth and closed his eyes again.

            Clancy crossed the room and took Angel’s hand in his. “I wouldn’t want you to get away.”

            “I’m not going anywhere.” Angel sighed. “I really was afraid he’d be gone by the time we got here,” she said as the two of them made their way down the hall to the waiting room.

            “Me too.” Clancy swung open the door.

            Anna stood up and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Did he talk to you?”

            “I start at Texanna on Wednesday morning. If I’ve got a question, and I’m sure I will have many as I learn the business, I’ll just call Angel.”

            “Thank the Lord.” Anna shuddered. “I’ve been around the oil business all our married life. More than forty years, but I don’t know jack squat about any of it. I can throw a party, flutter my eyes, and help talk a deal, but if I had to fill out a single form, I’d probably be signin’ the whole business over to a swindler. I’m glad you’ll be there, Clancy.”

            He took a step back. “Is the new office very far from Conrad Oil?”

            “A block down and across the street. We bought the old bank building. His staff is in there right now moving all our stuff in.”

            “I know exactly where that is. I’ll show you.” Angel let go of his hand and wrapped Anna up in her arms before stepping back. “I’m so relieved. I’m going back in there with him now, but neither of you can know what a burden you’ve taken off my shoulders.”