He realized that Michael had been saying something as he came out of his reverie. “Oh, sorry, Michael, what did you say?”
Michael punched his arm. “I probably don’t need to go to college now, Jacob. I’m not going to need a job.” Jacob stopped and listened again to what Michael was saying.
“Michael, now you need an education more than ever. Having this kind of wealth is a huge responsibility, and you’re going to have to be a good steward. There are probably employees that are depending on us, families that this empire supports, and charitable organizations that receive help from us and count on it.”
“Oh.” Michael let out a big sigh. “Can’t I just stay here and take care of my horses?”
Carson joined them at the dining room table. The wall behind his chair at the table had a painting of a wild black stallion rearing up in the wind at the top of a mountain. Jacob loved that picture and had a sneaking suspicion that it meant a lot to Carson or that it was Carson. Well, a representation of his spirit anyway. The other walls had pictures of places in Europe. Most of them were landscapes. Raelyn had told them these were places where they had worked.
Jacob remembered what Carson had said about Chad. “Hey, did you ever do any research on Chad? I guess it doesn’t matter now that she’s broken off the engagement, but I just wondered what you might have found.”
“I’m still working on that, Jacob, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we found out that he wasn’t a stranger to this kind of behavior. I think I’ll keep searching anyway.”
“Michael, I do think it would be a good idea for you to stay here for a while anyway. You’re going to be a freshman in college this coming fall, and I’m not ready to see you leave.” When Raelyn looked over at Michael, there was a tear in her eye.
“I agree, let’s see what the lawyers have to say and then make our plans.” Jacob knew Carson was right when he said that the kind of man you are was not determined by how much money you had, but he had to admit he did feel like he was more of a man now. Not that he had more money but that he had more responsibilities, and that gave him more self-esteem. He was excited to meet with the lawyers and see what his future had in store for him.
Olivia walked back to the ranch house, thinking of Jacob’s declaration of love to her. She smiled. She did remember a time when she felt like she was desperately in love with him. She did love him for sure at the time, but Jacob was right: things were different now.
She was an adult for one thing, and so was he. They had both changed. Still, she couldn’t deny the fact that her heart beat faster when he was near, and the whole ranch was a much happier place because he lived here. She imagined that the female guests at the ranch were impressed by the good looks of Jacob and Michael. If anything, they had greatly improved as they became men. The young, boyish smiles freely given were now more guarded with experience. She couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of those guests who probably tried to flirt with them.
She was sure of one thing: she was not going to let him disappear from her life like before, no matter what happened between them.
Chad pushed his way out the door as she was coming up the porch stairs. “Don’t tell me you’re dumping me for that joke?” He pointed over to the stable where Jacob had disappeared earlier. “I can deal with your desires to slow things down, but you have to be crazy to think of taking up with him when you have me here to help you.” Chad grabbed her arm as she tried to walk past him.
“Let go of my arm, Chad, you’re hurting me.”
Henry walked over. “Is there a problem here, miss?” He gave Chad a steady look of steel.
“Listen, why don’t you mind your own business? This is a private conversation.” Chad stepped closer to Henry, standing taller than him by a foot at least.
“It’s not private when a guest at this ranch, particularly a lovely lady, is hurt.” Henry didn’t flinch as he looked up at Chad. “I suggest you back away and let the lady pass.”
Chad scoffed. “What are you going to do about it, old man?”
“Please stop this, Chad, what’s wrong with you?” Olivia stepped in between the two men and looked over to face Henry. “I’m fine, Henry, thank you for coming to my rescue, but I think Chad is just a little overwrought. I broke our engagement this afternoon, and well, you can understand.” Olivia looked over at Chad. “I will sit with you on the porch, and we can talk about it.” She walked over toward the rocking chairs.
Henry moved aside to let Chad pass. “I’ll be right inside this door, miss, if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Henry, actually could we have a plate of those cookies and some lemonade? I’m starved.”
“I’ll send the steward out with a tray.” Henry walked toward the door to the lobby.
“Thank you, Henry.” Libby looked over at Chad as he sat down in the rocker beside her. “What were you thinking, Chad; did you plan to beat up an elderly gentleman?”
Chad threw up his hands. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I can’t understand why you would do this. We have such great plans.”
“Chad, you have such great plans, none of which I have agreed to. That’s the whole point. I need to be able to make plans for my own life.” Olivia was worried and knew his reaction this afternoon while they were out to lunch was too good to be true. The steward brought in a tray and set it on the small table between the rocking chairs.
“What were you doing talking to that friend of yours for so long?” Chad scoffed with a sour expression.
“That, Chad, is none of your business. Jacob is a dear friend of mine, and so is his brother, and what I do with him is my business, not yours.”
Chad got up and threw his glass of lemonade on the table, dumping over the tray of cookies. “I’ll be checking out first thing in the morning. I’ve had enough of your horse ranch. Good luck with your ranch hand. I doubt he knows what to do with fifty dollars, let alone a fortune.” He threw open the door to the lobby and rushed inside.
Libby leaned back, resting her head on the rocker. She sighed, letting all the air out of her lungs.
The steward walked over and started cleaning up the cookies and lemonade. “I can bring you some more cookies, miss.”
“No thanks, I’m sorry for the mess. Could you just hand me a couple of those over there?” She pointed to some lying on the porch.
“I couldn’t possibly.” He looked aghast.
Olivia laughed. “Yes, you can, I’m sure they’re fine. I saw the porch being mopped this morning. We can’t waste Mary’s cookies.” She reached out her hand, pointing to the cookies. The steward bent over, picked up two, and handed them to her.
“Thank you. I just need a few minutes to myself out here.” Libby was upset that Chad was angry, and the way he was acting worried her. It was much better that he leave and try to cool down so there wouldn’t be more trouble with Henry—and for sure with Jacob.
The steward finished up and went inside. She had the whole porch to herself. Looking out to the lake and the beautiful woods behind it was calming. She wondered if she was making a horrible mistake and would regret pushing Chad away. What if she took over her life and made a big mess of it?
Just then, Chad threw open the porch door and walked directly past her, not saying anything. He was dressed in his swimsuit and was walking toward the lake. Surely he doesn’t plan to swim in that lake with the snakes.
Jacob and Michael walked out of the ranch house. “Hey, Libby, what’s up?” Michael smiled at Olivia, walked over to the rocking chair, and picked up a cookie. “Are you throwing Mary’s cookies around?”
“No, it’s a long story. What are you guys doing here?” It was so nice to feel the relief of friends.
“Jacob and I delivered a dehumidifier to the spa. We were helping the staff install it.”
At that moment, they all looked toward the lake. Chad dove in off the dock and started swimming toward the middle of the lake. Both Jacob and Michael looked at each other and started ru
nning toward the lake.
Jacob yelled toward Chad, “Come back; there’s a gator.” They both ran as fast as they could down the lawns and then out on the dock and dove off. They started swimming toward Chad.
Libby ran down to the edge of the lake, and Henry followed with his shotgun. Olivia’s hands were shaking as she got into the paddleboat while Henry untied it from the dock. She knew how dangerous the alligators could be. He stepped over to the paddleboat and sat on the bench as the boat wobbled to the weight shift. On the other side of the lake, Libby saw the gator slide into the water, swimming toward Chad.
“Chad,” Libby screamed. He didn’t hear her.
“Hold the boat steady, miss, I’m going to stand on the back. Try to get me close to the gator.” Olivia slid over to the center of the bench to balance the boat and paddles with one foot on both sides of the rudder control between her knees.
“Okay, miss, just let her glide. I have a shot.” Henry raised his shotgun, aiming slowly, and pulled the trigger. The jolt of the gun pushed him back onto the seat.
Olivia looked over toward the gator who was thrashing, rolling over and over in the water. Chad stopped swimming as he looked at what was in front of him not ten feet away. Just as he began to panic, Michael and Jacob swam up to him, one on each side, and pointed back toward the dock. They swam alongside Chad until he climbed out of the water onto the dock.
Chad looked back into the lake at Michael and Jacob who were still standing in the water. “Let me tell you this place is a vacation from hell. If you want to get beaten to a pulp, lose your fiancée, and get eaten by a gator—all the while breathing stinking horse manure—this is the perfect place.” He turned and walked quickly toward the porch of the ranch house.
Henry and Olivia paddled up to the dock then. “You guys were great. Thank heavens you shouted the warning about the gator.”
Olivia jumped to the dock from the paddleboat with the rope. She bent over to tie it up. “Thank heavens Henry was quick with the shotgun.”
Both Jacob and Michael climbed out of the lake. Their clothes were dripping water. “I guess he didn’t see the sign.”
Henry raised his eyebrow. “That could have ended very badly. Thanks, men.”
Henry turned and walked toward the ranch house just as a taxi drove up. Chad bounded down the stairs with his suitcases and got into the cab.
Libby started to walk toward the cab. “Chad…” But it drove off. “I feel very badly about this. He was quite upset.”
“Well, I’m sure he isn’t happy to see his plans crumbling.” Jacob turned and walked toward the stables.
Michael reached out and took Libby’s hand. “It’s okay, Libby, let’s have dinner together tonight at the ranch house and maybe take a paddleboat ride.” He burst out laughing.
Libby ruffled his hair. “Michael, you’re so funny. Yes, do come for dinner, maybe we can all take a walk around the lake.”
“Okay, see you then.” Michael smiled and headed over to the stables with Jacob.
Chapter 8
Jacob walked back through the stable, stopping to admire the wood grain of the walls. He took in a deep breath and sighed. It had been quite an emotional day. It was a relief to have Chad out of the picture. Libby should be safe now. He sighed; the life he had made for himself here would change. He knew he would miss it. He loved the smell of alfalfa and horses. They kept the stables cleaned daily. The horses normally were free to run in the pasture, but when it was dangerously hot, they were brought in to enjoy the air conditioners that Carson had installed over each stall. The horses that were not used for the guests needed to be exercised and the new horses trained. Each morning, horses were saddled up and kept in the corral close to the outside door for the guests who signed up to ride that day. The tack was kept in excellent condition. The routines of the job were comforting; he was good at it.
He had to admit that he did feel some anxiety as he contemplated his future now. He had the courage to be able to go forward, but he knew the safe foundation that he and Michael felt here was not likely to be found in their new life, at least for a while until they got used to it.
He continued walking until he reached the door to the bunkhouse. Jacob ran his hand over the side of the wood trim. He felt like he was saying goodbye to every aspect of his life here. He stepped inside their room.
“Hey, Jacob, we’re invited to dinner with Libby tonight. I told her we’d come.” Michael sat on the side of the bunk bed and looked over at Jacob. “She still loves you, Jacob, I can tell.”
“Michael, what do you know about girls? You’ve never even had a date, and you’re eighteen.” He laughed.
“Well, how many dates have you been on?” Michael burst out laughing.
“Okay, not many, but I can tell Libby wants to go on with her life now without me. Maybe later, she’ll want to see me.” Jacob walked over to the window looking out toward the ranch house. He could see the guests walking up toward the lobby. People were laughing and patting each other on the back. They all seemed so happy. That was a different lifestyle which he supposed he would be entering one day soon. He was not so sure he wanted to join in.
“You think things will be different if she learns you’re richer than dirt.” This was a phrase that their father used often. To him, dirt was the real wealth, and it was turning out to be true in more ways than one.
“I don’t think it would make any difference. She seems to be sick of men. Would you blame her after that Chad dude? I hope she stays away from him. Carson is still researching the guy.” Jacob brushed off his hat. “We might as well head over for dinner.”
“Jacob, you should at least comb your hair.” Michael dropped his lower lip and raised his eyes. Jacob knew it meant almost as much to Michael as it did to him if he could have Libby with him the rest of his life. They all had such dreams of being a real family. He smiled as they walked over to the ranch house. He ran his hand through his hair.
When they were halfway there, Libby walked out onto the porch. She waved and started walking to meet them. She looked great. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she looked fresh and real. Jacob noticed she wasn’t wearing any makeup and looked like the Libby they knew from years back instead of the Olivia that Chad brought to the ranch. Jacob took a deep breath and exhaled. He was feeling breathless just looking at her and couldn’t seem to fill his lungs all the way. He hoped he could at least carry on a decent conversation at dinner.
“Hey, guys, I thought you’d never get here. I guess you had chores to finish.” Libby smiled that cute, flirty smile she had. This was different.
“You seem different.” Michael touched her arm. “We did have chores, so what’s up?”
“What you see is freedom. I feel so wonderful and unencumbered. I’m a little scared about my future, but at least I make the decisions about it.”
Now that was something Jacob could talk about, since he had to make decisions about his future as well. Libby had no idea how similar their situations were now.
“I would be interested to know how you’re going to go about doing that. Is there a class someone can take?” Jacob would take it if he could.
“Well, I have these financial advisors, and so far, they have been running everything, waiting for me to give some direction. I think you can get training individually about your situation, financially speaking.” She sighed. “There must be people to do that kind of thing.”
“Well, I hope so,” Michael blurted out.
Jacob nodded. “I’m sure lawyers do, and usually, there’s a board running most businesses. I guess there’s a lot of fast learning to be done.”
“Yes, and I’m determined to do it. So you see, I need some space to get my life in order here, finally, and I’m excited to do it.” Libby smiled at Jacob and Michael and stood between them to take their arms. “Take me to dinner, men. I’m starving.” She laughed.
Both Jacob and Michael stood straighter. “Yes, my lady, as you wish.” This w
as good. Jacob felt so much more at ease. The Libby they knew was back, it seemed. He loved her so much he could barely breathe. This Libby, the one he fell in love with, gave him hope of a future together. He would cling to any fiber of hope he could find in her countenance. But he worried she had moved on from the childish love they had years ago. The truth was she was the only love he had ever had. Who had time to pursue girls?
After they ran away, he had a lot of women wanting to be friends with him, but he had a feeling it wasn’t just friends they were after. He saw the way they looked at him. He avoided those women.
The three of them marched up the stairs, and Michael and Jacob nearly ran into each other trying to be the one to open the door for Libby. They were all laughing so hard they could barely make it inside.
Mary met them in the lobby. “Hey there, now that makes my heart happy. You three look great. Dinner is on, but if you want to eat out on the front porch, you’re more than welcome. Just bring your plates out here.”
Libby looked over at Jacob. “Do you guys want to eat out here?”
Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “I’m game if you are. It’s nice to watch the sun go down over the lake.”
“Okay, let’s do it. We can talk more freely out here too.” They walked into the dining room and eyed the buffet that was set out for the evening. The other guests were lined up, filling their plates with all the fixings. The food looked delicious. Mary had outdone herself this evening. They had southern tomato pie and Hatch apple pie—two dishes that you would not find anywhere but the south. The BBQ ribs were tender and falling off the bones. A salad bar was set up with fresh lettuces from the greenhouse, and rather than potatoes, they were served a brown rice pilaf.
Both Michael and Jacob filled their plates. It had been a long day, and they were starving.
Libby followed the guests through the line. “It all looks so delicious I want to try everything.”
They walked outside to the porch, and the steward brought their drinks.
Lost Billionaire Heir: Billionaire Cowboy Sweet Romance (Texas Ranch Romance Book 8) Page 8