No Ordinary Fortune Read online

  A Fortune by any other name...

  Still means trouble!

  As vice president of Mendoza Winery, Miami transplant Carlo Mendoza knows most of the famous Fortunes. So when sultry Schuyler Fortunado saunters into the tasting room, claiming a connection to the Texas family, naturally he’s suspicious. Which doesn’t stop him from hiring her—or desiring her! The divorced restaurateur has vowed to keep his heart off the menu, but this feisty (faux?) Fortune might just change his mind!

  MEET THE FORTUNES!

  Fortune (?) of the Month: Schuyler Fortunado

  Age: 25

  Vital Statistics: She’s a blonde, bubbly force of nature in a petite five-foot-two package.

  Claim to Fame: You may not have heard of her...yet. But you will. (Hint: Fortunado is not her real name.)

  Romantic Prospects: Robust. Schuyler has always been a man magnet. Just don’t ask her to get serious.

  “I’ve never believed in sitting on the sidelines, or waiting for life to happen. If my father really is a Fortune, that means I am, too. And I don’t intend to wait around to find out.

  “Getting acquainted with the Mendozas was supposed to be a means to an end—a way to meet the Fortune family. But I hadn’t counted on meeting Carlo Mendoza. I have never been so attracted to a man in my life. That’s all it is, though, right? Chemistry? I’m not the settling-down kind. And neither is he. So it’s perfect—as long as our hearts don’t get in the way...”

  THE FORTUNES OF TEXAS: THE RULEBREAKERS: Making their own rules for love in the Wild West!

  Dear Reader,

  I’m delighted to be a part of The Fortunes of Texas: The Rulebreakers. And to make this romance special, it links another Fortune to a Mendoza!

  But Schuyler Fortunado is no ordinary Fortune. She’s also unlike any of my other heroines. She’s only five-two, but she has a big personality—and she has more important things on her mind than romance. She’s always marched to the beat of a different rock band. And as far as her conservative and ultra-wealthy father is concerned, she’s too outspoken and flamboyant for her own good. So it’s no surprise when she sets out to solve a family mystery on her own. Her first stop? The Mendoza Winery offices in Austin Commons.

  Carlo Mendoza, the new VP of the Mendoza Winery, is a dynamic, charismatic guy who doesn’t make commitments. When the story opens, Carlo is in a bit of a quandary. He’s planned a special wine tasting at a downtown hotel, but just before the event is to start, the model he’s hired to hostess calls him and cancels. Fortunately, a lovely blonde arrives just in the nick of time. Carlo assumes she’s the replacement sent by the temp agency, and Schuyler decides to play along with his mistake. That’s when the fun begins—and the chemistry between the two soars. Before long, the man and woman who were both determined to remain single for life have a change of heart.

  No Ordinary Fortune was a lot of fun to write. I hope you enjoy Schuyler and Carlo’s story as much as I did.

  Judy Duarte

  PS: I love hearing from my readers. You can contact me through my website, judyduarte.com, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist.

  No Ordinary Fortune

  Judy Duarte

  Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author Judy Duarte has written over forty books for Harlequin Special Edition, earned two RITA® Award nominations, won two Maggie Awards and received a National Readers’ Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books on her website, judyduarte.com, or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist.

  Books by Judy Duarte

  Harlequin Special Edition

  Rocking Chair Rodeo

  Roping in the Cowgirl

  The Bronc Rider’s Baby

  A Cowboy Family Christmas

  The Fortunes of Texas: The Secret Fortunes

  From Fortune to Family Man

  The Fortunes of Texas: All Fortune’s Children

  Wed by Fortune

  Brighton Valley Cowboys

  The Cowboy’s Double Trouble

  Having the Cowboy’s Baby

  The Boss, the Bride & the Baby

  Return to Brighton Valley

  The Soldier’s Holiday Homecoming

  The Bachelor’s Brighton Valley Bride

  The Daddy Secret

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010002

  To my personal hero, who always has my back, even when I’m spinning around like an ice-skater going for the gold. Sal, I love and appreciate you more than you will ever know.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Excerpt from A Soldier in Conard County by Rachel Lee

  Chapter One

  Schuyler Fortunado had always been a family rebel, and she felt more like one today, as she drove her sporty red BMW down the highway, the back seat loaded down as if she planned to live out of her car for the next several weeks.

  Granted, she hadn’t actually packed the dry cleaning that hung from the rear passenger window or the bag of groceries she’d left on the back seat. She’d planned to drop them off at her condo back in Houston before starting out on her latest adventure earlier today. But she’d been so intent upon solving a family mystery that she’d hit the freeway and hadn’t looked back until she’d stopped in the Texas community of Columbus for gas. The clothing would stay in the back seat, but she’d tossed out the almond milk and smoked Gouda that would go bad without refrigeration. Then, armed with a Venti coffee, she’d taken off again.

  She glanced at the clock on the dash. It was late afternoon, and the traffic had slowed to an annoying rate. When her cell phone rang, she again looked at the dash, where her father’s name was displayed on the screen. Kenneth Fortunado didn’t take time out of his busy day for small talk, so she assumed he’d gotten wind of her latest escapade and wanted to voice his disapproval.

  She was tempted to turn up the volume on the radio and let the call roll over to voice mail, but she answered instead. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

  “I didn’t call to chat, Schuyler. What in the hell are you up to this time?”

  “Not much. Just taking a little road trip and listening to some oldies.”

  He paused for several beats, no doubt reminded that she favored the same music her grandmother used to listen to, along with everything else they’d had in common.

  “Where are you?” he asked, and not very nicely.

  “I’m on a Fortune hunt.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake. I told you to let that go.”

  “Yes, I know. But I can’t ignore the fact that our family is related to the Fortunes.”

  “That’s not a fact, Schuyler. You have no idea who my biological father was, and quite frankly, I could not care less.”

  He’d already made that clear, but Schuyler was determined to uncover the truth. And, contrary to what her father might think, she was nearly 99 percent certain that his mother’s married lover had been Julius Fortune
. It had been an easy conclusion to reach. The dear, eccentric woman Schuyler had called Glammy, thanks to a childhood speech impediment, had all but spelled it out during the many chats they’d had before her death.

  “Daddy,” Schuyler said, “I can’t believe you’re not the least bit interested in meeting your birth father. Or at least getting to know some of your biological relatives.”

  “Forget killing the damned cat, your curiosity is going to be the death of me—and before I get a chance to retire and enjoy life. Can’t you focus on something else? Like going back to that art school or taking another acting class? You could even write that style and fashion blog you told me about.”

  “It’s a vlog, Daddy. Besides, I can hardly concentrate on any of that when I’m so close to solving the family mystery once and for all. And don’t blame this on mere curiosity. This isn’t a personal quest. I’m doing it as a tribute to Glammy.”

  He blew out a ragged sigh that mimicked a grumble. “I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising that one of my six children would turn out to be so much like my mother.”

  He said that as if it was a bad thing, although Schuyler wouldn’t take offense. Glammy had been a little too flamboyant and over the top for the successful, straitlaced real estate mogul, but Kenneth had loved his mom. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Daddy.”

  Out came yet another sigh over the line, this one softer and more controlled than the last. “I didn’t mean that badly, Schuyler. It’s just that I’m not a free spirit like my mother was. Or like you are. So I can’t relate.”

  Both Glammy and Schuyler had embarrassed the poor man on several occasions, although never intentionally. But life wasn’t meant to be boring. Nor were people supposed to be left in the dark about their past. “I’d think you’d be interested in meeting your blood kin.”

  “Even if your assumptions are correct, and I’m not saying they are, you do realize there was a confidentiality agreement in effect.”

  “I didn’t sign anything.”

  “Dammit, Schuyler. Your grandmother did, and that’s good enough for me. You need to let sleeping dogs lie—or you just might end up getting bit in the butt when you least expect it.”

  “Aha,” she said triumphantly. “Sounds like an admission to me.”

  “I’m not going to admit or confirm squat.”

  “Maybe not, but I’d bet my trust fund that your father was Julius Fortune.”

  “Speaking of that trust fund, you’re welcome to get a real job and join us at Fortunado Real Estate.”

  Schuyler could almost see him wince while making that offer, although she knew it was sincere and that he’d do whatever it took to make room for her in the family business. But they both knew that she’d never be a good fit, so she would make it easy on him, as well as herself. “I’m really not into office or corporate jobs, so that would never work.”

  Her father didn’t immediately respond, which was just as well. They’d gone round and round on just what it was that Schuyler might actually be “into.” As a result, he’d created a healthy trust account for her, just as he’d done for Glammy. He’d also threatened to cut Schuyler off on occasion, like the time she’d told him she wanted to move to Italy. He’d assumed she’d wanted to find herself, but it was more than that. She’d gravitated toward her college roommate’s parents, who’d owned a villa there.

  There was good reason for that. Calista’s family not only welcomed her as a guest in their home, they accepted her and appreciated her uniqueness.

  Schuyler wished she could say the same for her own parents. It grated on her to be the only Fortunado who was never taken seriously—and just because she danced to the beat of a different satellite radio network.

  She might pretend as if it didn’t bother her, but at times, disappointment rose up and smacked her in the face, taunting her with the fact that she wasn’t like the others in her family. Yet how could she even try to compete with any of them? One of her brothers was a doctor, for goodness’ sake. And her older sister was so determined to move up the company ladder that she’d become a workaholic.

  None of that mattered, though. Schuyler wanted more out of life than that. Only trouble was, she wasn’t quite sure just what “more” was. But she’d figure it out one of these days. It was just a matter of time.

  A heavy silence strained the line. Finally, Daddy said, “Please don’t embarrass me or the family.”

  Schuyler rolled her eyes. It seemed that her family shouldn’t be so quick to be embarrassed. “Believe it or not, I’ve never set out to do that on purpose. And I’ll be extra careful this time.”

  “I know, Schuyler. But...”

  Again with the silence. Then his intercom beeped in the background.

  “Listen, honey. I’ve been waiting for this call, so I have to go.” As usual, Schuyler was saved by the corporate world in which her brilliant, business-minded father had made millions, all without the help of the Fortune family coffers he might have tapped into—had he been born on the right side of the blanket. “Just remember what I said.”

  “Got it, Dad. Don’t embarrass myself or the family.”

  The call ended without a goodbye.

  Schuyler turned up the volume on the radio dial, just in time to catch the beginning of the Beatles song “Can’t Buy Me Love.” She belted out the lyrics she knew by heart and continued her drive, wishing there was some way she could convince her well-meaning father that he didn’t need to use money to keep her in step—or to buy her affection. He already had it free and clear.

  She didn’t particularly like being so different from everyone else in the family. Deep inside she feared that she’d never live up to their expectations, so as a teenager, she learned to embrace her inner maverick.

  And that’s what she was doing now. As she peered out the bug-splattered windshield, she hoped she didn’t hit any more traffic in Austin. If she continued at this pace, she’d reach the Mendoza Winery offices before they closed.

  If truth be told, she was nearly as eager to meet the Mendozas as she was the Fortunes. There’d been quite a few marriages between the two clans. And from what she’d learned, Alejandro Mendoza, the owner of the winery, had a lot of handsome, single cousins. If Schuyler played her cards right, she’d be able to charm one of them into providing her with the info and the intros she needed.

  Besides, it wasn’t a total fact-finding mission. She’d heard their business was expanding, and she’d like to get a closer look at the inner workings of their company. At least, that’s the excuse she’d give them for showing up today.

  That wasn’t too big of a stretch. If what she’d heard was true, their stock was going to soar in value. So she might be interested in making a personal investment.

  The Houston society papers had pegged her as a ditzy trust fund baby, no matter how many charities she spearheaded. But they were wrong. And she had an impressive financial portfolio to prove it.

  Either way, she hadn’t set herself up for a difficult role. She was a people person, and she’d also taken several improv classes at the local junior college. So how hard could it be to win over the Mendozas and then move on to the Fortunes?

  * * *

  Despite the cool afternoon breeze, Carlo Mendoza had worked up a pretty good sweat as he unloaded the company truck and lugged cases of wine into the family’s distribution center at Austin Commons.

  Six months ago, his cousin Alejandro had asked him if he’d be willing to relocate to Austin, become the Mendoza Winery vice president and take charge of refurbishing the small, on-site restaurant.

  Most of Carlo’s friends had expected him to decline the offer and stay put. At thirty-five, he’d made a name for himself in Miami, working in the food-and-beverage industry. He’d managed several floundering restaurants and, in a short period, had turned them all around. He’d done the same thing with a run-down nightclub,
which was now one of the most popular beachfront nightspots in Florida. But he’d jumped at the chance to become a part of the growing family organization in Texas.

  Within hours of entering city limits, he’d gone right to work, planning the expansion and remodel of the eatery, overseeing the demolition and reconstruction, creating the perfect ambience and then hiring a talented chef who came up with an impressive menu.

  Carlo usually preferred to stick close to the winery, as well as La Viña, the name they’d chosen for the new restaurant. But Alejandro was in the process of expanding the family business by opening a retail shop in Austin Commons. Plans were also under way for a new wine bar and a nightclub, both of which would be located on a popular downtown street. So that meant they all had to pull together.

  Carlo had no more than stacked another case of wine on the cart he would wheel inside when Esteban, his father, stepped out of the distribution center. “Is that the last of it?”

  “Not quite. I still need to unload the chardonnay.”

  After that, he would head for The Gardens at the nearby Monarch Hotel, where he’d scheduled an important tasting this evening for a group of chefs and restaurant owners attending a big culinary conference. This was the Mendoza Winery’s chance to get its best vintages in the right hands, and Carlo had gone all out when setting it up. There’d be tiny white lights adorning the trees, exotic flowers on linen-draped tables and an impressive variety of gourmet cheese, crackers and hors d’oeuvres.

  When Carlo had first come up with the idea of hosting carefully planned tastings, his cousin had given his hearty approval and said, “That’s your baby. Run with it.”

  So Carlo had done just that. And up until an hour ago, things had gone exceptionally well. Then the model they’d hired to pour wine for the tasting called and said she was sick. As soon as the line disconnected, he’d immediately contacted the agency and asked them to send over a replacement. There was a lot riding on tonight’s event. If things went as planned, it would launch the winery into the big leagues.