Montana Boss: Montana Cowboys

by Hildie McQueen

  Elliott waved his hand dismissively. "That's neither here nor there. It takes a long time to learn every part of the business, build relationships with the clients. It's not something that comes natural to you…" unlike Adam was left unsaid. His father was right of course, but the knowledge didn't lesson the sharpness of the ache. "I understand."

  "The cattle will be delivered and your mother and I will come to the ribbon cutting ceremony, of course. Show our support. It is important we look united on this. Damage control."

  His hand came down on the tabletop. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Damage control, really, Dad?"

  Through clenched jaws his father spoke. "Yes, you go and buy a subsidiary and name it something not Emerson. It's imperative the board understand you are still part of our team." He leaned forward. "You are leaving the family business, for all intents and purposes and starting a new venture without giving any thought to how it looks. If Adam were here--"

  "But he's not." Drew put his cloth napkin on the table next to his plate, no longer planning to continue eating. "I am not doing this as an affront to you or Emerson. I am doing it because I want to make my own way. You had an heir and until Adam died you never cared what I did. Now that he's gone, I--"

  "You need to man up," his father interrupted. "Simple as that."

  They would never agree on anything and Drew was tired of trying to make his father understand.

  "I should get going. Get back to Longview."

  "Your mother said you were staying the night."

  Drew pushed back from the table. "I’ve changed my mind."

  Chapter Eight

  "Pick the second one, not the one by the lake, it's too small," Shannon chided the couple on the television screen who were sharing their house search experience on a house hunting show.

  Her doorbell rang.

  Pizza.

  She tightened the drawstring of her sweatpants to make sure they didn't drop, then grabbed money out of her wallet and went to the door. Not wanting to miss which house they picked, she kept her eyes on the TV and thrust a twenty-dollar bill forward. The couple picked the one by the lake. "Idiots," she mumbled and turned to the pizza delivery person.

  "Ack!"

  Drew Emerson looked much more delicious than a pizza. "I don't charge," he said and peered at the money with a crooked grin.

  Shannon looked over his shoulder. "I was expecting pizza." Then realizing he was standing there and someone could see him and spread gossip about an evening visitor, not that it mattered at the moment, but still. She moved back. "Come in."

  Something was wrong. His head was bent forward and shoulders rounded. Maybe he'd come to fire her for sleeping with him?

  "Would you like a drink? I don't have any wine or beer, but I have lemonade and tea." God what was she going to do without a job?

  "Lemonade is good," he replied jamming his hands in jeans pockets and following her to the small kitchen. "Nice place by the way. I didn't have a chance to tell you last time. It's homey."

  Ick, it sounded like he was describing her grandmother's place. She accessed the grayish blue paint and the small white retro-refrigerator, which matched her stove. On the counters, a pale blue coffee maker and toaster. Topping the windows were blue gingham and lace curtains. Okay, so it did have a grandmotherish feel to it. "Thank you."

  He took the glass of lemonade and placed it on the counter. "I'm sorry for dropping by, I'm not sure why I did."

  Not firing her. Yes! She shrugged. "Not a problem. Come on, let's watch people make stupid house buying decisions." They went to the living room and he lowered onto the couch next to her, lemonade in hand.

  Moments later, the pizza arrived and he refused her offer of a slice, stating he'd just eaten at his parent’s, and then took one later while they disagreed over which house a handsome gay couple should choose. Shannon couldn't keep from studying Drew when he concentrated on the show taking his choice of which house they'd pick quite seriously. He'd relaxed since arriving, his long legs stretched out now.

  "So your parents live close by, huh?" she asked. Drew stiffened, his expression hardening.

  "Outskirts of Billings," he answered not taking his eyes from the television.

  "I bet they're glad you're moving closer."

  "Uh huh."

  Not a warm fuzzy there. Why was he at her place? Had they not decided it was best to keep their tryst as a one-time thing?

  "Oh, I was right!" Shannon cried and pumped her fists in the air. "They picked the stucco with the studio. Woot."

  His lips curved up and she could not keep from staring at them. "It's a bad choice."

  "Maybe, but people make bad choices all the time. Especially on this show. I bet it's hard to think clearly with the pressure of TV cameras and …" she finished weakly when he slid closer.

  "I want to kiss you right now. Is it a bad choice?" He was so close his warm breath fanned over her face.

  "Not really," Shannon replied and swallowed. "I want you to."

  Heat emanated from his body as he moved in, his lips covered hers in a soft warm kiss full of promise. There would be no going back if she responded, but damn if her body listened. Next thing she knew her fingers threaded through his hair and kissed him back.

  The weight of his body over hers excited and calmed her. He'd be hers once again. Sure it was a huge mistake they were making, but at the same time why not. It wasn't as if sleeping with him twice made things any more complicated. What if they did?

  What if it would make her start to like him more than she should.

  Not that she didn't already.

  Shannon pushed him up and he looked down at her with a confused expression, his brow crinkled. His still moist lips and heavy breathing was hot. "I can't...I mean..."

  His lips curved. "Let's go to the bedroom."

  "It's a bad idea."

  "People make them all the time."

  The alarm sounded and Shannon reached for the snooze. The bed dipped and Drew loomed over her. Ah shit. Was her hair a mangled mess?

  He looked perfect of course, already showered. "I have to go. See you in a couple hours."

  "Oh. About that. Do I pretend I never met you?" She attempted to finger comb her hair, which she was sure, stuck out in all directions.

  "Do you think it will work?" His expression gave no hint of what he thought.

  "Not really, especially since my brother works there."

  He leaned over the bed and kissed her. "Don't worry about it."

  "Right." And pigs could fly.

  At the sound of the front door closing Shannon fell back on the bed and moaned. "Don't worry about it." What the hell was it supposed to mean?

  Time to take control. She was going to talk to Drew at the first opportunity and let him know he could not come over any more. She wasn't going to be the CEO's dirty little secret.

  Not that her entire family didn't know already. So technically it wasn't a secret. Or dirty. Well maybe a little dirty. Shannon smirked.

  But her family did not know he was the new owner of the biggest employer in Longview. Not yet anyway.

  Her cell dinged.

  Gonna pick up donuts for the new CEO. I hope he's nice. C U in a bit.

  A text from Katie, her dear clueless friend.

  The atmosphere at the office was tense. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, their eyes darting to the front entrance frequently. Shannon walked past Gary's office, which was strangely empty. She threw her purse on her desk and searched out Katie.

  Her friend was in the small conference room, skin flushed. The reason--Gary was the only other person in the room, his attention on his cell phone. "Hey guys," Shannon greeted to earn a double 'hey' back.

  Katie walked to her, grabbed her arm and tugged her to the hallway. She leaned in. "I don't know what's going on. Isn't it strange? Gary's in there. He never attends any meetings."

  "Yes it is. Where's Havers?"

  Voices carried as the employees spoke up in gre
eting, then Mr. Havers and Drew appeared at the end of the hall.

  "Holy shit," Katie muttered. "Is that the new owner?"

  "Yes...I mean I think so," Shannon stuttered, her attention on Drew in a dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt and red tie walking toward her. "He's..."

  "Super hot," Katie whispered.

  "Yeah."

  "Ladies." Mr. Havers gave them his best attempt at a smile. It looked more like he was in pain. "May I introduce Andrew Emerson, the new owner of Longview Ranch Supply?" He looked to Drew, his arms extended as if presenting the prize of the day. "Katie Monroe is my administrative assistant and Shannon Aldean does our payroll and HR representative." Mr. Havers pointed at them while managing to look down his nose. "They have both worked here since the beginning."

  Andrew shook Katie's hand then took hers. "Hello."

  "This way, Mr. Emerson," Havers interrupted his arms waving to the small conference room. “The others will be here shortly.” If he kept this up, Havers would be sore from all the arm exercises.

  "Will you both be in attendance?" Drew asked, his eyes on Shannon as a hot damn flush traveled from her chest to her face.

  "Yes, of course, if you wish," Mr. Havers replied. He made sweeping motions with his arms to the doorway when Drew nodded.

  After they sat, Drew at the head of the table, the only others to arrive were Trace and another man from the production team. Trace's eyes widened at seeing Drew. He lifted a brow at Shannon, but was smart enough not to say anything.

  Shannon closed her eyes. This was the perfect time for an outbreak of a rare monkey disease that forced everyone to be quarantined in separate states.

  Drew began telling everyone his plans for expansion as well as potential for promotions. Katie took quick notes, and everyone ignored the donuts, unheard of, too intrigued by what he said.

  Shannon was mesmerized by Drew's deep voice and how clearly and precisely he outlined the company's mission plan, which included ten acres of land next to the company to be used for cattle grazing and testing of new products.

  When someone asked questions, he became animated, the excitement contagious.

  An hour later he'd removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He leaned over the table pointing at portions of the schematic while explaining the expansion proposals.

  It was great to see Trace interact and share his ideas for increasing production. He surprised her with his grasp of the business and a surge of pride filled Shannon when Drew commended him on the ideas assuring they would be incorporated into the development strategy.

  At the same time she wondered why she'd been included in the meeting. Other than her workload increasing with more employees once they grew, things for her would remain pretty much the same.

  "I've decided to triple our workforce to over a hundred and twenty," Drew told them. "That includes another person in payroll, Miss Aldean." He looked to her and once again the wave of red threatened. Shannon nodded. He went on to outline where the workforce would grow. Mostly in the production area.

  He cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, Gary will be leaving us."

  Katie dropped her pen and everyone turned to Gary who grinned at Drew. "Yep, I'm a goner." He shrugged and reached for a donut.

  "Gary is my close friend who has his own ventures to look after. I owe him a great deal of gratitude," Drew explained. "Thanks, pal." Drew patted Gary's shoulder ignoring the gasps.

  "I don't understand," Katie spoke up then ducked her head. "Sorry."

  "It's all right. I should explain better," Drew replied easily. "Gary agreed to work here for two years until I could take it over. You see Gary is my business partner and part owner. He's also the mastermind and CEO of True Gamer Inc., the maker of the video game Combat Destroyer."

  Mr. Havers choked on his coffee, spewing liquid across the table. Trace pounded his back. Katie paled, her eyes wide and mouth forming an "O."

  "We certainly were not aware," Mr. Havers recovered enough to talk between softer coughs. "Interesting."

  Shannon always wondered why she never cut a paycheck for Gary. He told her his paycheck came directly from Emerson Corporation. Now she knew. She turned to Katie who kept her eyes downcast, hair blocking her face.

  "Any other questions?" Drew looked to them with an expectant expression.

  "Yes," Trace spoke up and Shannon's stomach pitched. "How do we go about applying for management positions?"

  Drew exhaled. "The reason you are all in here, with the exception of Katie, is because you're all promoted effective immediately." Katie looked up and met Shannon's wide eyes. "Katie you will receive a significant pay increase of course," Drew finished.

  It was not a long look, but Trace's eyes narrowed at Shannon just enough to convey a silent message. How exactly did you earn this promotion?

  Even with the knowledge that she'd slept with Drew not knowing who he was, she squirmed in her seat.

  Maybe it was time to leave Longview.

  Chapter Nine

  "He's leaving. I never got to tell Gary how I felt," Katie slumped ignoring her sub sandwich. They sat in the small employee lunchroom. Since it was after one in the afternoon, only she and Shannon were there. "Now I can't say anything, he'll think I'm after his money."

  Shannon blew out a breath. "Yeah, I suppose your right. I told you many times to ask him out."

  It was sad to see the usually peppy Katie looking so glum, almost on the verge of tears. Shannon couldn't stand it. "What if I say something? I mean it's a well-known fact you've had the hots for him forever. Everyone knows...well, except him. Men can be so dense."

  "Really? You'll do that?" Katie brightened, her quivering lips attempting a smile. Then she exhaled and looked down. "I don't know, it may come across as too high school. Goodness, Shannon, I just googled him. He's like totally rich, way out of my league."

  A predicament Shannon totally understood. As soon as she spoke to Gary, she planned to find Drew and tell him she was not accepting the promotion. Head of HR, what a joke. It meant she would supervise Katie and Brenda, an older woman, who worked part-time.

  A few minutes later she walked to Gary's office. He glanced up at her, his eyes shifting to the corner of the room and then back. "Hey, Gary, I need to speak to you in private. It's personal."

  "Should I leave?" She jumped at the voice. Drew sat in the corner, totally at ease legs stretched out in front of him, chair tilted back, his hands behind his head. He didn't look as if he planned to move so Shannon shook her head.

  "Uh, no it's not that personal." She turned to Gary who looked at her with expectation, his easygoing grin making her just a bit more comfortable.

  "What's up, Shannon?" Gary was handsome in a boyish sort of way, his messy mop of blond hair adding to his charm. He had the brightest blue eyes she'd seen. And now she was staring at him trying to decide what to say.

  "I wanted to ask when you planned to leave, and umm well, it's just that..." Oh boy, she should be better at making things up on the fly. She looked to Drew for help, but he too watched her, his eyebrows up. "Anyway, I think you should speak to Katie. She's wondering if you want to...um"

  "Oh yes, of course," Gary nodded and Shannon relaxed. Maybe he did know how Katie felt. "I owe her several expense reports and she's probably wondering if I finished the program which will help track them," the moron finished.

  "Er, yep, she didn't want to pressure you about it personally." Shannon looked up at the ceiling before looking to Drew. "Mr. Emerson, I cannot accept the promotion. I'm turning it down. But thank you." She turned on her heel and rushed out, glad not to have stumbled. Then practically ran to her office. One out of two things accomplished, she'd have to help Katie later.

  The phone rang. Caller ID showed “Mom.”

  "Shannon, this is an emergency. I'm about to have a heart attack," her mother sounded anything but weak. "Your sister has lost her darn mind."

  After rolling her eyes, Shannon replied, "What happened? Cold feet?"
<
br />   "Worse than that," her mother said letting out a long sigh. "She said she's changing the wedding colors. It's three days before the wedding. We have to go to Bozeman now and talk her out of this nonsense."

  "How about I call her? I'll call you right back." Shannon hung up and speed dialed her sister.

  Meagan answered on the first ring. "Hey Sis."

  "Are you really changing the wedding colors?" Shannon asked without preamble.

  "I hate brown," Meagan replied as if it explained anything. The current colors were green and blue.

  "It's a good thing since neither of your colors are brown," Shannon told her keeping her voice even.

  Meagan exhaled and Shannon pictured her biting her bottom lip. "I am not happy with all the brown on the tables."

  "Honey, you wanted miniature trees, most trees have a brown trunk and branches. What's really bothering you?"

  Meagan burst into tears. "I don't know. It all looks so tacky all of a sudden. Brad's mother is going to hate it." Shannon heard her attempts to breathe. "I want it to be beautiful and magical."

  "It will be. I tell you what, I'm coming there as soon as I get off work today and we'll work it all out okay?"

  "How?" She didn't sound convinced.

  "We can spray paint the tree trunks gold or silver, won't it be beautiful?" Shannon pictured herself covered in silver paint looking like those living statues after spray-painting fifty little trees, but she kept her voice calm. "Or maybe even switch them out for flower arrangements."

  "I like the idea of silver trees," Meagan admitted with a sniff. "I hate all this."

  "No you don't, you're just nervous because your in-laws are snobs. But they love you, Meagan. You are so lovable."

  "And you're the best sister ever. Don't forget to remind Drew to get his tux." She was back in bride mode. "Tell him everyone is getting theirs tomorrow."

  It turned out she didn't have to find Drew to deliver the message. All six foot two of sex appeal walked into her office after she hung up with her placated mother.

  He closed the door and lowered into her only other chair. The small space instantly shrunk and flashes of him nude, his broad chest and washboard abs slammed into her mind one after the other. When she lifted her eyes to him, he seemed to be reading her thoughts by the sly smile and cock of eyebrow. "Why did you turn down the promotion?"