“Investment?” Her lungs ached and she wanted the floor to open and engulf her.
“Your daddy signed a contract, girly. He had one year to pay me in full or I’d take all his livestock as payment. Yeah, it’s a mighty cruel deal, but it is what it is.”
Her mind grappled around the man’s words and her heart thudded. “How much does he owe you?”
“Fifty grand. I was kind enough to only add ten percent interest. Better than any bank, I do declare.”
Her mouth fell open and she quickly closed it. Get a grip, Sam. “Fifty grand?”
“I can pass along the contract for you to look over, or possibly your attorney, to make sure you see that it’s legally binding. I know times are rough for all Colton folk. Unfortunately, no cattle can be sold from the herd here at Tanner until Lucas pays me in full being that the livestock is my investment. Now that you have a prized stud, Torment it is, right? I’ll be willing to strike up a deal. A fair one because that’s how I roll. You give me two hundred head of cattle as well as the first-born calves from the stud, and I’ll rip up the contract.” A victory smile sealed his mouth. He thought he had a deal.
Although she knew little about cattle ranching, she did realize Reed had her backed against a wall—probably his plan. As the temporary boss at Tanner, she needed to still be strong. This was her first real test. “I’ll want to see the contract.”
A sliver of surprise crossed his features, but quickly passed. “I didn’t bring it with me, but I’ll have a messenger bring it to you first thing in the morning. I’ll also have another contract drawn up with the new stipulations so you’ll be clear on what I’m asking. I would suggest taking your time, but time is money and well, I don’t think you have a lot of that right now.” He rubbed his palms together as if excitement rolled through him. “I’ll give you seventy-two hours to sign the new agreement.” He tipped his hat and stepped toward the door.
“I’m confused. Why would you make this deal with my daddy? You can’t possibly need our livestock when you must have triple the number of cattle that we do.”
“I’m a business man, Miss Tanner. This is purely business. Nothing more. Your ranch might be sinking fast but you still have some of the best breeding cows this side of Texas. Now that your breeding virgin heifers with a Jericho prized stud, it only makes things sweeter.”
“Oh, so now this has become leverage against the Jerichos? Tanner Ranch doesn’t own Torment, Mr. Reed.”
“Yes, but you’ll own the calves. Am I wrong?” He lifted a brow.
What could she say?
There was that shit-eating grin again. “I’m sure after you’ve had time to think about the offer, you’ll see it’s your only choice, unless you have fifty grand. You shouldn’t worry too much. You can go back home and take your daddy with you.” He winked and left, leaving a cold draft behind him.
Sammie stepped over to the couch and dropped onto the cushion, wrapping her arms around her waist. Things just kept spiraling downhill.
She wanted to wait up for her daddy, wanted to question him, but she knew it was all true. He’d put their ranch on the line and they had no choice but to sell if they lost their livestock. They were doomed, unless she could come up with fifty grand. That could be a million right now because she didn’t have anywhere close. She certainly knew they couldn’t get blood from a turnip, and that just happened to be Tanner. What had Lucas been thinking?
Needing to gather her thoughts, she went to bed and woke early. Her daddy had come home sometime around midnight, and Wes hadn’t reached out to her. By now he would have read her note.
As promised, the messenger delivered two envelopes, one with the current contract and another with the new, unsigned copy. Not wanting to do anything impulsive, she faxed over both contracts to her attorney.
In the meantime, not in the mood to be around people, she went down to the stables at the same time the other hands were starting their chores. She greeted anyone she saw with a quick nod and they must have sensed her frustration because none, not even Braise, stopped to talk.
Digging the shovel into the soiled straw inside the horse stall, Sammie carried it to the half full wheelbarrow and dropped the load in with the rest. She hadn’t slept more than an hour or two last night and her mind and body showed the signs of restlessness. This morning she should be on a post-orgasmic high after making love with Wes.
What would he think after she made things tougher between he and Ashley?
She’d have to face him eventually.
Shoveling more dirty straw, she robotically dumped it and went back to the stall.
In fact, she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t seen Wes yet. Was he staying away from her? Angry?
He had every right to be. She shouldn’t have stuck her nose where it didn’t belong. This was a doozy of a mistake.
With a burdened sigh, she continued to lift shovel after shovel until the wheelbarrow was almost overflowing. Sweaty and tired, she dragged off her gloves and tossed them onto the work bench and reached for an ice-cold water from the cooler.
Dropping onto a bale of hay and leaning against a beam, she felt a strong urge to break down in tears. How would she save Tanner? She should offer to sell the ranch to Reed? Or the Jerichos? Give them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Yet why didn’t that entice her like it should? Why did it make her stomach turn and her chest ache?
Because she didn’t like being cornered by a snake like Reed. Sure, he was a businessman, but seeing his conniving smile and perfect row of fake teeth had ripped through her. Some people liked to prey on the weaker folks and he’d decided that she and her father fit into that role.
She waited for her attorney to call her, but she already knew what he would say. Where could she get enough money to pay back the loan? She could empty her accounts, but it still wouldn’t be enough. All her money was wrapped up in her business…
Her heart fluttered.
The business she and Brady had built was lucrative, worth three times more than when they opened the doors to the design company. Worth five times more than paying off Tanner’s debt and having enough left over to get the place back in shape. All she’d have to do is sell her business.
Her stomach twisted. Her fingers tingled.
It all came down to either giving up the ranch or giving up her life in Chicago. The horses scratched at the stall doors as if they sensed her dilemma.
Was Chicago and the design business still her dream? Since coming back to Texas she’d looked forward to getting up each morning and working the land…seeing Wes. And Brie. The child had worked herself inside Sammie’s heart. Wes had never left. Clearly.
She looked down at her empty ring finger. He’d asked her to marry him, become a permanent part of his life, and although she hadn’t said no, she hadn’t said yes either, which he’d taken as a rejection. Why hadn’t she said yes? She was in love with him. Loved his daughter.
In a small part of her heart, if ever he was to ask for her to marry him, she wanted to hear that he loved her. Does he love me? He did say he’d bought her a ring nine years ago, but a lot had changed. They were different people.
Yet, lying in his arms, she felt whole again. Loved. Cherished.
Something snapped inside of her. A light clicked on.
On her phone, she clicked a familiar number. “Hi, Brady. I have a solution to our problem. You up for listening?”
“Why aren’t you back? I hope your solution includes realizing that you have a job here.”
“I’m not coming back. You can buy me out.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
After hanging up with Brady, Sammie raced up to the house, opened the front door and stopped in the foyer. “Daddy? Are you in here?”
“In the kitchen,” he called. Hurrying in, she found him sitting at the table eating his lunch. “What’s all the ruckus about? Did you win the lottery?”
She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. “Guess who came to see me last
night.”
“The tooth fairy,” he grumbled.
“Marshall Reed.” The creases around Lucas’s eyes deepened. “Now you’re not so high-spirited, are you?”
His eyes widened. “What’s he doing coming here and talking to you?” He pushed away his half-full plate.
“Oh, maybe he thought I needed to know that you borrowed money from him and what was at stake if we don’t pay it back. Daddy, why? How could you make a deal with the devil? Is this why you’ve given up?”
“I couldn’t tell you.” He swiped a shaky hand down his cheek and sat back in the chair. “I was in trouble and he made it seem like the easiest route. At the time, I didn’t think I’d have any problem paying him back.”
“Oh, for goodness sakes, this has to stop. If we’re going to run this place together then we need to be on the same page.”
He started to open his mouth, then stopped as if he finally heard her. “Running it together?”
“I’m staying, daddy. I’m selling my business and getting this place back where it needs to be. I’ll have enough to pay off Reed while making the necessary renovations, hiring new staff, painting, renovating, everything.” Her mind was running at a new speed.
“I-I don’t understand. What about Chicago?”
“I’m not going back. I can’t leave…” She paused. “I can’t leave Colton, but there are some rules.”
“Now wait a minute here….” He held up a knarled hand.
“With all due respect, you should listen first and respond later.”
His shoulders slumped and he nodded. “Maybe I should.”
“I’m not pushing you out of running this place, only asking that we make important decisions together. We’ll go back to the way things were done years ago, but with a modern twist. Growing cotton, breeding cattle, and I want to do something that I love…have always loved. I want to raise and breed horses.”
After a long second, he nodded. “That’s fine. Whatever makes you happy.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Do I have a choice?” There was a sliver of a smile.
“There’s something else. We need to mend the bridge between us. I guess none of this can happen if you don’t want me here.”
There was a mysterious moisture in his eyes. She’d only seen her dad cry one time and that was when her mother died.
“I’m a grumpy old man who says things and regrets it. Will you forgive me for making you think that I didn’t want you here?” He patted her hand.
“I can forgive you because I love you. But here’s another thing…you must take care of yourself. Go to the doctor as needed. This place needs you. I need you.”
“I guess it’s time I realize that my girl is all grown up and capable of handling things around here just fine. No need for a husband to make that happen either.”
“Well, I don’t need a man to make things happen…but…maybe it’s time I admitted to myself that although I don’t need one, I want one.”
He snickered. “Well, well. It’s about time Weston made things official. He thought I was foolish enough to think he was just coming around here because he liked my company.”
She laughed. “How’d you know it was Wes I was referring to?”
“A dad just knows. I remember when I fell in love with your mother. I was a stubborn fool and almost lost her before I realized where I belonged. Don’t let the second chance run away from you, darlin’. Reach out and grab life.”
She jumped up from her chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Can you find it in yourself to forgive me for leaving?”
He patted her arm. “Already forgiven. After all, I didn’t make it easy for you to stay.”
*****
“And you don’t see how I can win this custody issue?” Weston eased back into the chair across from his attorney.
The older man looked above his glasses, his jaw tight. His curly, salt and peppered brows looked stark over the thin frames. “My job is to tell you the truth, Wes. I’ve been your family’s attorney for years and you know I’m always looking out for your best interest, but as I said to you before, the court here in Texas looks favorably upon both parents being involved in a child’s rearing, especially mothers. Children deserve a mother and father when both are wishing to be a part of a child’s life.”
“Even if the mother abandoned the child when she was a baby?”
Marty leaned his hands on the desk. “She’s married now. She has a child on the way and step children. She’ll plead to the judge that she is established as a parent and can give Brie the things that you—” he suddenly stopped. “Just the things that a mother can help a child with.”
“You mean because I’m a man and a girl needs a mother?” Weston shifted angrily. “No one thought any differently when I changed all her diapers. Stayed up with her all night long as we treaded through colic and colds. Teething. Her first words and steps. And the first day she started kindergarten.” His eyes blurred and he blinked back the tears. He’d always been a man who was calm and collected, but when it came to his daughter, he was a weak man and wasn’t too proud to admit it.
“I’m sorry, Wes. I’m only telling you what I’ve learned from other cases, and my experience dealing with custody issues. It’s not fair, but the court wants to look at things from the child’s best interest. Do you know what Brie wants? Have you asked her? Her mother is offering to get to know her first through supervised visitation if necessary. She’s even said she will come to the ranch and visit. There’s leeway here and let’s use it to our advantage.”
“Will the judge do supervised visitation?”
He shrugged, then shook his head slowly. “Probably not if we leave the ball in his court. The mother has never been in trouble. She has a good life. However, we could set something up if she’ll agree. Start with a few weekend visits and build up to longer periods of visitation until Brie has settled—”
“Longer visitation? You mean until I no longer see my daughter? Hell no!”
“I understand your anger, Wes. I do. As a divorced man who only sees his three kids every other weekend and holidays, I know the grief. I’m playing devil’s advocate here so listen to me. This is what a judge will see. You’re a single father who spends seventy-eighty hours a week working two businesses. You don’t have an established nanny and Brie spends a lot of her time being shipped around from her uncles and aunts.” Weston started to speak, but Marty held up a hand. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with Brie having a large support system, but she also needs stability at home. Schedules and predictability. The mother is offering to send her to private school. They’ve bought a house just an hour away. Terrific location.”
“Whose side are you on, buddy? And what is wrong with public school? I attended. My brothers did too. Hell, even you did.” Realizing how rough his words were, he sighed. “Sorry. I know you’re only telling me what I need to hear. I do want what’s best for Brie.” He rubbed his hard jaw.
“Brie’s mother is married. She stays at home. She’s offering stability and the opportunity for your daughter to be involved with her siblings. Are you thinking this wouldn’t be best for Brie? Do you ever foresee yourself marrying and giving her a step-mother?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but then Sammie’s beautiful face washed through his mind. “So now I must be married?”
“Have you thought about the personal things a girl goes through? How you’ll speak to her about maturing?”
Really, to answer honestly, Weston had no clue.
Marty blew out a long breath. “Look, I’ll do whatever you want me to do, but this can get expensive. I’ll cut you some slack, but it’s still going to cost you. The mother has hired a three-hundred dollar an hour attorney who is good at what he does. If anything, they’ll make sure they drain you, and your business, dry.”
“That’s my family’s business.”
“And I’ll do my best, but you have to realize that it might not change the outcome.
”
Weston stood. “Give me a few days. Okay? I need to speak to Brie before I make any decisions.”
Marty laid his palms on the desk. “Two days, Weston. They’re breathing down my neck.”
Weston left the office feeling that he’d had another one-hundred-pound weight placed on his shoulders. Instead of driving home to an empty house, he drove the opposite direction toward the local bar. He deserved to drown himself in a beer or two. No decision needed to be made tonight. He had to prepare himself to speak to Brie who was clueless about what was going on.
He sat down at the bar and ordered a beer. Although it was still early evening, there were more patrons filling the room. They were having a live band playing later and people always gathered early in anticipation. Weston hadn’t drunk in a long time, but considering that Brie was with Pippa who was taking her to dance class and then for a manicure, he could stay until some of the pain left his bones.
Johnny, the bartender, opened the bottle and set it in front of Weston. “There you are, my buddy. Hope it goes down smoothly.”
Weston nodded and reached for the bottle, bringing it to his mouth only to have it spill on his crotch when he was jostled by someone bumping into him. “Shit! Watch where—”
He turned to find Roman smiling from ear to ear. “I was running an errand and saw your truck parked out front. This ain’t like you.”
“Okay. I’m here. You can be on your way and leave a man to his beer.” He swigged the drink, which tasted pretty damn good. Weston wasn’t in the mood for company.
“Can I grab a soda, Johnny?”
The bartender gave him a thumb’s up and Roman swiveled on the stool to face his brother’s profile. “Whatever the hell is soiling your undies, this won’t help. You know that.”
Weston placed his empty bottle down on the bar with a crack and ordered another. “Thank you for the lecture, but I don’t need it, bro.”
“Well then, go ahead and get wasted, but I’ll stay here with you and drive you home.”
Weston's Trouble (Saddles & Second Chances Book 3) Page 17