by Skylar Hill
“Yeah,” he said. “That’s… that’s exactly it.”
“I feel that way every day with my job,” she said. “Except my people, they’re not waiting to catch me. The men in the boardrooms, the ones like your father, the Big Dogs, they’re all waiting for me to fall so they can kick me even more when I’m down.”
“You’re not the type to ever fall,” he said, and she squeezed his arm again.
“Neither are you, Rhett,” she said.
Eight
Rhett
The next morning, he was wide awake at four before his alarm started blaring. He had barely slept after Nat had left to go back to her room. Tossing and turning all night, his mind going in circles, he kept trying to figure out why the hell Timothy Durbin wanted his water rights.
Even if the easement was taken from him, a majority of the spring was on his property, and so was all the infrastructure that kept the waters moving to the bathhouse and other areas of the property. The only thing that Durbin had on his property was the ancient water tanks, which hadn’t been used since the fifties. He’d installed all up to date ones when he’d opening the bath house.
He didn’t say anything to Molly when he got to the clinic, just downed his coffee and disappeared into his cramped office. He preferred to spend most of his time with the animals or in the exam rooms and he already had such a big office up at the lodge, it had felt like a huge waste to have a big place here at the clinic, too. Especially when he could add an extra exam room instead.
He could hear Molly outside, feeding the animals and going through the morning routine, and he made a note to give her a day off later this week as thanks for taking over. He was not the kind of man who shirked on his chores, but his head was killing him from the lack of sleep and stress from his brother’s impending visit.
He lost himself in paperwork and the other minutiae involved in running the refuge. For what seemed like the hundredth time, he thought about hiring an assistant to deal with all of this, but then immediately discarded the thought. He really preferred to be hands on.
Because you’re a control freak.
Okay. Maybe he was. A little. But he called it being organized. You had to run a tight ship when you were responsible for so many mouths to feed—both of the human and animal variety. River Run was a big employer in the area—one of the biggest during the peak vacation season months—and the refuge’s new educational programs were drawing more and more people for day trips.
There was a knock on the door of his office, and he glanced down at his phone, realizing it must be Jace.
“Come on in,” he said.
His middle brother was a tall man—like all the Oakes men—with golden hair and the same honey-colored eyes they all had in common with their father. But that’s where the similarity between the two stopped. Where Rhett was bearded and his hair dipped messily into his eyes, Jace was clean shaven, never had a hair out of place, wore Hugo Boss suits like it was his mission in life, and the cufflinks he had on probably cost more than all the horses’ feed for a year—and Rhett gave them the best.
“You called, little brother?” he asked with a grin.
“Hi, Jace,” Rhett said, gesturing for him to sit.
“Is it my imagination, or has this office gotten smaller since the last time I was in it?” Jace asked, sitting down.
“Very funny,” Rhett said. “You got all the stuff I faxed over?”
Jace nodded and Rhett could practically see his brother switch from ribbing Rhett mode to terrifying lawyer mode. “This guy is smart, I’ll give him credit for that. Easements and water rights in this area are a mess because there were tons of handshake deals in the thirties and forties between neighbors, and a lot of people never got stuff in writing.”
“But Gramps did,” Rhett said. “Durbin’s going after me because I’m not married.”
“I’m aware,” Jace said. “That’s why he’s being smart. It’s a perfectly legal way to approach the situation.”
“So he can really just cut me off from my water, make it illegal for me to use it, until we get this bullshit in front of a judge?” Rhett asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Jace said. “And it’s because of those damn water tanks.”
“What about the water tanks?”
“The wording of the easement directly refers to them,” Jace explained. “Gramps got an easement from O’Reilly’s dad to build the holding tanks on his property. I guess it was easier or something. But because the easement directly refers to the water tanks and makes it look like a quid pro quo, Durbin does have some claim on the water. It’s literally sitting on his land in those tanks.”
“But we don’t even use them,” Rhett said. “They haven’t been used by anyone but the deer as a water hole in years. Since even before I put in the new piping system and windmill.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Jace said. “We need to get all of this in front of a judge and argue our case. If we get someone sensible, it’ll be no problem. No judge is going to want to be labeled as not friendly to local businesses, and that’s exactly what would happen if he denied you rights to your own damn water.”
“Okay, how long is that going to take? Can we get an emergency injunction or something? Don’t look at me like that,” Rhett said when Jace shot him an amused glance. “This is disastrous, Jace. It’s not just the bathhouse that’s effected. The entire refuge’s plumbing system is hooked up to the little artesian spring that runs along the hot springs. If I can’t get that water, my animals are screwed. I could deal with losing the money if I have to shut down the bathhouse, but I’m not gonna let this bastard fuck with my animals.”
“Look, this is tricky,” Jace said. “Durbin could get the cops involved. He could get you arrested.”
“But how long?” Rhett asked.
“A few weeks, minimum, and that’s with pulling as many strings as I can,” Jace said.
“Fuck,” Rhett said, leaning back in his chair. “This is… this is ridiculous. I am so pissed. I’ve got half a mind to go over there and kick that slimy bastard’s ass.”
“Don’t you dare,” Jace warned him, shaking his head. “A guy like this is used to getting his way by any means necessary, Rhett. He wants you to do something like that. He’s counting on you being a hayseed with no know-how, all brawn, no brains. So don’t give him the ammunition to shoot you dead when he’s just wounded you.”
Rhett sighed. “I appreciate you going through all this for me,” he said.
“I’m kind of surprised,” Jace confessed. “But I’m glad you did,” he added. “I know…” he sighed. “I know you felt left out, growing up. I feel shitty about it, because I was the one closest to you in age. I should’ve done more with you. But I hero-worshipped Heath so much and it just… it was hard. After mom died, Rhett. I know you don’t remember her well, but it was…” he pressed his lips together. “Dad was a wreck,” he finally said.
“I know,” Rhett said quietly.
“I want to do better,” Jace said. “With you and me. I know I’ve been shitty. When we were kids and when you were talking about opening this place. I was on you about wasting money, and I was an idiot. What you’ve done with this place is incredible. I advise clients to vacation here all the time, and every single one of them comes back raving to me about it. Gramps would be really proud of you. And so am I. And I am not gonna let this Durbin bastard fuck with you.”
“He already is,” Rhett said, feeling hopeless, already running the numbers of how much revenue they were going to lose—and God, all the refunds—if they had to shut down the bathhouses. So many people would cancel their visit. Not to mention with the reduced occupancy, he’d have to tighten staff hours. He’d just hired two new housekeepers and a new prep cook for Henry.
“Okay, I’ll make sure he doesn’t mess with you further,” Jace said. “You just need to follow the rules. Don’t contact him. You’ll be receiving a legal order to shut down water usage within a few days. You’ll need
to shut down the bathhouses. Can you bring portable water tanks in for the refuge?”
“For drinking water for the animals and stuff, sure,” Rhett said. “But this is a medical facility. We need running water, Jace. I perform surgery in here. I’m gonna lose my licensing if I don’t have water access. Animals will die. I get emergencies from car accidents and rescues all the time around here.”
“Fuck,” Jace said. “Okay. I’ll try as hard as I can to get this mess in front of a judge as soon as possible.”
“But we’re still talking weeks,” Rhett said.
“At least two,” Jace said. “And that’s being generous. The court systems here are so bogged down, civil matters like this take the lowest priority.”
“There’s nothing I can do to make this go away or speed the process up?”
“Well, I mean, you could get married,” Jace said. “But I don’t know who would want to saddle herself with your ugly mug.”
“Hilarious,” Rhett scoffed. He shook his head, looking down at the paperwork Durbin had dropped off. “I can’t believe laws like this still exist,” he said.
“Lawmakers forget, they shuffle agendas, put stuff to the side, assume they won’t be used,” Jace shrugged.
“And then some asshole like Durbin uses them,” Rhett said. “What is he up to? He’s got to have a reason for this.”
“Oh, he does,” Jace said. “And my investigators will find it. A guy doesn’t dig up obscure laws and cut you off from your biggest water source without a plan.”
“What are you thinking?” Rhett asked. “Mining operation?” He couldn’t help but watch his brother’s face for any hint of knowing when he asked the question. Did he know? Had Gramps kept their entire family in the dark about the mountain?
“I doubt it,” Jace said. “This place was picked over hundreds of years ago. It’s gotta be something else.” His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out. “I’ve got a meeting with the county DA to talk about this,” he said. “I should get going so I’m not late.”
“Thank you, Jace,” Rhett said. “I’m glad I called you.”
“Why did you call me?” Jace asked. “I’m glad you called me, too. But you have other lawyers. I know you do.”
“Nat, she told me to,” Rhett explained, glowering when a slow smile spread across Jace’s face.
“How is Nat?” he asked.
“She’s fine.”
Jace whirled around, that smile back on his face when he saw her. “Natalie,” he said. “It’s been forever.”
“Hello Jace,” she said from the doorway. “I hope you’re telling your brother there’s no need to worry, and there’s an easy fix to his water problem.”
“Unless he wants to get married, unfortunately, no, no immediate solution,” Jace said, getting up. “But I’m gonna get this figured out as soon as I can, Rhett. I promise. But remember: play by the rules. When you get that order to cease water use, you need to listen.”
“I understand,” Rhett said, even though he had no fucking intention of doing anything of the sort. Durbin could come over here and try to stop him. There was no way he was going to shut down the only 24-hour emergency veterinary facility in the county. There were nights when people brought their domestic pets in for emergencies since the drive to get to the animal hospital was too long.
“Nat, it was great seeing you. We’ll have to do dinner sometime when we’re both in the city.” He frowned at Rhett. “Are you… growling?” he asked, arching a amused brow at his brother. God, was he flirting with Nat just to bug him? He was. God. He hated being the baby. So much. Every single girl he ever liked, his brothers had to tease him about somehow.
“Weren’t you afraid of being late for your meeting?” Rhett asked pointedly.
“Call me about that dinner, Nat,” Jace said. “Bye, baby brother.”
He left, and Rhett slumped back in his chair, burying his face in his hands for a second.
“That bad, huh?” Nat asked, sitting down in the seat Jace had just left unoccupied.
“If I stop using the water, I’m gonna lose my medical licensing for this place,” he said. “If I don’t stop, Durbin could have me arrested and get me into even more of a legal mess.”
“So, naturally, you’re not going to stop,” Nat said.
He loved that she knew him so well. “I have patients,” he said. “Animals that need care. The refuge’s animals and the animals that people bring in from all across the county. I could handle the loss of money from the bathhouse shutting down, Nat. It would be a blow and it would take a few years to recover and I’d have to delay my expansion plans, but I could weather it. I can’t weather this.” He gestured around him. “I can’t let an animal die on my watch because of some fucking legalese. I won’t do it. My responsibility to them is too great. They’re too innocent. They’ve been through enough. Every animal on this property has been through hell, and their resilience…” he faded off, unable to continue, and he knew his eyes were bright and his cheeks were probably red, but he didn’t care.
This was who he was. He had built this place with his own hands and sweat and blood and maybe even a few tears because abused animals were too damn sad even to the strongest man.
“I won’t do it,” he said again. “I won’t let him take this from them. From me.”
When he met her soft gaze, he was half-afraid of what he might find in her eyes at his unexpected display of emotion. He was almost shaking with it. But instead of finding rebuke or even pity, there was understanding.
“Well,” she said. “There’s just one thing to do then, isn’t there?”
“What’s that?” he asked.
“You’re going to have to marry me.”
Nine
Nat
Did I really just say that? I really just said that.
“What?’ Rhett sputtered, looking at her like… well, like she’d just suggested they get married.
Nat took a deep breath. Okay. You can stop this. Right here, right now. Say it was a joke. But strangely, what came out of her mouth was quite different than what she was thinking.
“Well, it seems like the simplest solution. The clinic can’t lose the medical licensing and I’m certainly not going to let any of your cute woodland creatures lose their home, so if we get married, you buy yourself enough time to get that stupid law eradicated from the books, and then Durbin can’t do anything about you owning the easement.”
That is not stopping this, Natalie—that is egging it on! Adding fuel to the fire you just set! What is your problem? Don’t tell me it’s about the adorable furry animals! I know it isn’t— I am you!
God. What was wrong with her brain? She licked her lips nervously, waiting for him to say something, adopting an expectant look because otherwise he’d see the war going on in her subconscious.
“Nat, I… I appreciate the gesture,” Rhett said, his golden eyes softening. “It’s incredibly generous of you. I’m touched. Really. But I can’t do that to you.”
“You really think marriage to me would be that bad?” she asked, and when he laughed, a short huff, relief twined through her. “It wouldn’t be real,” she said. “It’s just a stupid legal document that you happen to need. It’s not a big deal.”
“Marriage is always a big deal,” he said somberly, and it made her heart squeeze, how sincere he looked.
Of course he was that type. Rhett was the kind of man who waited for the right woman, married her, and that was it. He had commitment written on his bones. He was dedicated. He was loyal.
He would be the perfect husband. Just not for her.
“It wouldn’t be an actual marriage,” she explained. “It’d be a legal arrangement between friends. Just for the paper so you can wave it in Durbin’s face. It’s a fail-safe. We’ll go get a divorce as soon as Durbin’s put in his place and we’re sure the water rights won’t be threatened.”
“Nat,” he sighed. “I can’t ask that of you.”
“Well,
then, it’s a good thing you’re not asking and I’m offering instead,” Nat said. She sobered, looking hard into his eyes. “What other option is there that doesn’t leave you with a giant financial setback and no ability to run your clinic?”
After a long pause, Rhett looked away and growled, “There isn’t one.”
“Then what is the problem here?” Nat asked, confused.
He got to his feet, yanking a hand through his hair. His office in the clinic was tiny and cramped, and she suddenly, instantly, was aware of how much space he took up in this room. Her pulse pounded in that hot, aware way under her skin, her mind wandering to the span and breadth of his hands, how they would feel against her body.
“I can’t,” he said. “It’s not fair.”
“Fair? What’s not fair is that you have put all this time and money and care into River Run, but in one day, your neighbor can yank it all away from you because of a law that was made before women could even vote,” Nat explained.
He looked at her, his head tilting, a light in his eyes that made the hair on her arms prickle. “You would really do that for me?”
“For you, for River Run, for everyone who works here, and for the county. Can you imagine what it would do the tourist trade if you had to shut down even part of the retreat?” She shook her head. “What Durbin is trying to do is going to create a ripple effect. River Run is the beating heart of this place, and I’ll be damned if he tries to mess with it or with you.”
You are actually crazy, her inner voice was saying. You cannot marry him!
But apparently, she was just ignoring the sensible part of herself today, because she tilted up her chin, stubborn and resilient. “Look, I did something.”
“What?” Rhett asked, knowing her well enough to be instantly suspicious.
“I know Jace will have investigators of his own looking into Durbin,” she explained, pulling out her laptop from the canvas tote she’d brought in. “But when you told me what was going on yesterday, I put a quick call into the investigator who works for Purely Pleasure, too. I told her to make this a priority, and she sent me some preliminary info this morning.” She flipped open the laptop, and he leaned forward as she opened the email.