“That kind of sounds amazing. Adria and I have loved opening the new stores, but we spend more time focused on finding a building, renovations, hiring new people, and getting the operation up and running than we do being in the kitchens.”
“You’d still be involved, but he’d take a lot of that off your shoulders because that’s what he’s good at. He also proposes having one of his business managers take point, and he’d direct that person and you’d all oversee him.”
“Adria and I have talked about possibly hiring a business manager of some sort. Someone to help us with the logistics and things.”
“I don’t think you could do better than Jon and his people based on this very detailed and well-thought-out plan he has for working with you two.”
“Wow. I had no idea. Why would he keep this from me?”
“It’s like you said. You never got a chance to discuss it. I think while he was making his plans, he wanted to have it all perfect to present to you because if you said yes, that meant you’d be working together for a very long time to come.”
“Is it strange that I can already see it? I know Adria dreamed of Almost Homemade, but it’s become my life’s work, too, and I love it and I want Jon to be a part of it.”
“Then I think you should see this.” Tate turned the folder on the desk and flipped open the top so she could see the papers inside.
“A prenuptial agreement?” They’d talked about sharing their life. He’d basically asked her to move in. “I guess that makes sense. He’d want to protect his wealth.” He’d probably learned to protect himself dating Steph.
“This document isn’t to protect him per se. It’s to protect you.”
“I don’t understand. He’s got way more assets and money than I do.”
“But you were suspicious of his intentions. Nathan accused you of wanting to sell AH to him. Steph made you think he only started dating you because he wanted AH.”
“All of that was wrong. Jon’s not like that. I never thought he’d do something like that because of a business deal.”
“He wanted you to be sure, so he put it in this document. He’s not asking you to take one deal, he wanted to ask you to take him and the deal. If you agreed, and later down the road you two split for any reason, AH remains yours, any debt owed to him on the loan is forgiven, and you walk away clear. He keeps the grocery stores he owns.” Tate tossed the last part out like that didn’t really matter, because what mattered was that Jon wanted her to know the only thing he wanted was her.
It wasn’t about the companies and money. It was about them working together and building on what they already had, but more than anything he wanted them to be husband and wife, equal partners in business and life.
“You should also know that I asked him about running cattle here.”
It made sense. “He wants Emmy to grow up on the ranch.”
“Declan and I want to expand the herd, but we’ll need more land. Jon’s got the land to run a herd as large as the one we’ve got at Cedar Top. You guys will expand the business, and you’ll need more beef. Jon can supply it.”
“He loves business, but his dream to run the ranch got trampled under all the Steph chaos.” She thought more about it and realized why he’d put everything on hold. “He thought she might want to move back to California, which meant he’d have to go back, too, so he could be with Emmy. He’d have given all this up for Emmy.”
“After what Steph did, Jon will more than likely get full custody. He can stay right here with you.”
They could make a life together right here.
She touched her fingers to the papers. “I can’t believe he threw this away.”
“Your happiness is more important to him than money or any business deal. You had reservations about his offer, so he took it off the table and trashed it. He knows you love him, so he chose you over everything else just like he’d have chosen Emmy and gone back to California if that’s what it took to keep his daughter.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“You are his true love, Trinity. Is he yours?”
Her heart overflowed with love for him. “Yes.”
“Then tell him you’ll take the deal.”
Everything became clear in her mind and heart. She knew exactly what she wanted and needed to do. But she needed a little time.
“How long until Declan and Skye’s wedding?”
“It’s next Saturday.”
“And the rehearsal dinner is on Thursday?” She tried to remember the details stashed in her cloudy mind.
“Yeah. The whole family should be there, including Adria’s sisters and Mom and Dad.”
“Perfect.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see.” She took the business proposal and the prenup and held them to her chest. “Whatever you do, don’t tell Jon you told me about this.”
Tate held out his hand, a black velvet box in his palm. “Then I guess I shouldn’t tell him or you that I also found this in his desk drawer.”
“Is that a . . .”
Tate grinned. “Want to see it?”
She shook her head. And regretted it again.
“How many times are you going to do that before you remember it hurts?” Tate scolded.
“I don’t know, a dozen more maybe.” She closed her eyes, waited a few seconds, then opened them again. “Are you sure that’s for me?”
“I can’t imagine he got it for Steph.”
She cringed at the thought. “Okay. I’ll need that for Thursday, but I’ll leave it there for now.”
“What exactly are you planning for Thursday?”
“If I can get Declan and Skye on board and Adria to agree, I’m going to accept Jon’s proposals.”
“Not sure what that all means, but if you need any help, count me in.”
She’d need her whole family’s help to pull this off, but they loved her, she loved Jon, and they’d help her make her dream a reality.
Chapter Thirty
Jon thought this day would never end. His head pounded. His eyes blurred. And he didn’t even have a head injury to blame. Just overwhelming fatigue. All he could think about was Trinity and Emmy and all they’d been through the other night.
And that fuck Nathan piled on with his deceit and sabotage.
People were sick and in the hospital because Nathan wanted to force Trinity and Adria into a situation where they had to sell because they couldn’t take the financial hit after spreading themselves thin with the new stores. Or maybe it was straight-up revenge for Trinity not taking the deal. Either way, Jon was taking him down.
Drake searched through the video footage.
Jon called the FDA and sent them to the hydroponics farm to test their greens. They’d confirm the contamination didn’t come from there.
He sorted through Trinity’s meticulous order forms and inventory lists and found all the evidence that showed when she’d used the last of their Lettuce Harvest greens and replaced them with the hydroponically grown greens. Then he contacted the farm that supplied Tree Top Grocery that was owned by Bountiful Foods and spoke to them about their recall, only to discover Bountiful Foods handled the collection and disposal of all the contaminated lettuce, which gave Nathan access through his father’s company.
It might be circumstantial, but it was something to add to the case the police and FDA were building against Nathan.
Drake slammed his hand down on the desktop. “Got you, motherfucker.”
Jon watched over Drake’s shoulder as he rewound the video to show Nathan driving into the parking lot of the Billings Almost Homemade. He got out and went to the trunk where he pulled out four huge boxes of lettuce with the Tree Top Grocery logo right on them. “Son of a bitch.”
Yes! They got him. Finally Jon could do something to help Trinity, instead of standing by helplessly. He’d take Nathan down and make sure he never hurt Trinity—or anyone else—again. She’d worked hard to build Almost Homemade, and he wo
uldn’t let Nathan steal it from her.
Drake switched cameras to the one in the main kitchen inside the shop. Nathan immediately turned off the security system, then went to the office and turned off the camera system.
“None of the employees know that only Adria’s and Trinity’s passwords actually turn off the cameras.”
“That way the employees can’t steal from their employer.” Jon thanked God they had the evidence they needed to prove Nathan sabotaged Almost Homemade.
Drake shrugged. “They can try, but we’ll have them on video doing it.”
Jon raised a brow. “Have you actually caught anyone?”
“A prep chef was stealing prime beef and reselling it to earn some extra cash. Trinity fired him.”
The video continued with Nathan carrying out his potentially deadly plan. He pulled on a pair of latex gloves, unpacked all the lettuce, and set it on the huge prep table, broke down the boxes, pulled out the salad containers and a knife, and went to work making dozens upon dozens of salads until all the lettuce had been used. He stacked the prepared kits and filled the refrigerated cases in the front of the store, then put the remaining ones in the walk-in refrigerator in the kitchen. Presumably, someone on staff collected them along with the other salad kits that were taken over to the Bozeman store because they were short-staffed and couldn’t make any themselves.
“He did it alone.”
“Looks that way.” Drake made a duplicate recording of the video.
Jon handed him the card from his FDA contact and the one for the local police detective working the case.
Drake sent the video to both officials’ emails, then turned in his seat. “Nothing to do now but wait for them to arrest Nathan.”
Jon sighed. “It seems rather anticlimactic.”
“There can’t always be a big takedown. But Nathan will serve time for purposely poisoning those people, Almost Homemade will be cleared, and Bountiful Foods will be implicated in this as well. Adria and Trinity can file a civil suit against Nathan and Bountiful Foods for their lost revenue and damage to their brand and name.”
Jon agreed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone who got sick also filed suits.”
“It’s less than Nathan and Bountiful Foods deserve and all we’re going to get.” Drake looked as disappointed as him that Nathan wouldn’t suffer more for going after Trinity and Adria.
Jon picked up his phone and accepted the call from the detective. “Did you get the video?”
“Watched it. We’ll have him in custody soon. I’ll let you know when that happens so you can put out a press release letting the community know who was really at fault.”
“Thank you, Detective.”
“You did most of the work uncovering his plan. The video is all the proof we need to back up your suspicions.”
Drake tapped him on the arm and jerked his chin toward the door.
Jon turned and stared at the man who tried to harm Trinity’s life. “Nathan. What are you doing here?”
“We’re on our way. Stall him if you can,” the detective said.
Jon kept the line open but held the phone in front of him.
“Is that Trinity on the phone? I need to talk to her, but she’s not answering my calls. Neither is Adria.” Nathan shifted from one foot to the other when Drake stood and eyed him.
“Adria is resting at home. She’s not to be disturbed.” The deadly warning in Drake’s tone made Nathan take a step back.
The office didn’t have much space, and Nathan kept the door at his back.
Jon wanted to know how far Nathan wanted to go with his scheme. “Why do you want to talk to Trinity?”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “Those two own this place, yet they don’t show up when there’s a crisis. They leave you to handle it.”
Jon didn’t tell the staff what happened the other night. He’d let Trinity explain her absence and provide as much or as little detail about Steph’s assault on her as she felt comfortable sharing.
“Trinity trusts me to take care of the situation and keep the shops operating smoothly.” Although Trinity had suspicions because of the business proposal he never got a chance to articulate to her, Trinity still trusted him. She loved him.
“Yeah, well . . . She should be here herself. It just goes to show that running the business isn’t her priority.”
Drake crossed his arms. “I guess you think you could do a better job.”
“The Billings store does far more business than this one,” Nathan shot back.
“Given the larger population in Billings, it’s not surprising the store’s numbers are higher. It was a smart move for the women to set up shop there and in Bozeman once they had their flagship store running smoothly and worked out all the kinks inevitable in a new business venture.” Jon used logic where Nathan, led by his ego, presented facts inaccurately.
“And now it’s time to let someone run the business properly. I see the potential of what it could be, but they’re too busy sourcing ingredients that increase prices and drop profits.”
Jon didn’t agree. “They’ve delivered on their promise to their customers. Locally sourced, organic, wholesome foods. Not only has Almost Homemade supported local farmers and ranchers—”
“You mean their family. Her brothers supply the beef. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law supplies the fruits and vegetables, the eggs, the chicken.”
“Mostly, but they have other small farms right here providing ingredients. Trinity partnered with a group of students growing hydroponic greens. She helped them expand their business. And as Almost Homemade grows, so will they along with us.”
“Us? So you are buying the business.” Nathan looked smug about catching him, but he only thought he knew the truth.
“No. But you’re right. Trinity and Adria work with family. Trinity and I are building a life together, and when she needs my help with Almost Homemade, I will be there for her. Always.” Jon didn’t get Nathan’s disdain for working with family. “If you’re so against Trinity working with her brothers and sisters-in-law, why did you tell Trinity you wanted to work here?”
“I did it to prove to my father I can manage the business. He’s seen the numbers for Almost Homemade. He agrees with me that I can build Almost Homemade into something as big, if not bigger, than Bountiful Foods.”
Drake sneered. “So this was all about proving yourself to your father.”
“He thought culinary school was a waste of time. But I showed him that I could be an asset even if I didn’t work in some office all day.”
“Good for you,” Jon mocked. “But Almost Homemade is not for sale. Not now. Not ever.”
“They can’t recover from the bad publicity, the lost revenue because people are afraid they’ll get sick, too, or the lawsuits that are sure to come from the people who got sick. Look at the store.” Nathan held his hand out toward the shop beyond. “There are nearly no customers. It’s going to take a lot to earn back their trust and bring them into the stores again.”
Jon saw the detective walking in behind Nathan. “Almost Homemade is in the clear. I will make sure everyone knows it. And you and Bountiful Foods will be the only ones who pay for harming those innocent people.”
Jon turned his phone and showed Nathan Trinity’s face on the video call he’d initiated while talking to him.
She delivered the first blow. “You’re fired.”
The detective stepped up behind Nathan and pulled his arms behind his back and hit him with another verbal blow. “You’re under arrest for tampering with a food product and attempted murder for deliberately poisoning people.”
Nathan struggled as the detective clamped the handcuffs on his wrists. “You can’t do this. I didn’t do anything. It was just a bad batch of lettuce.”
Drake tapped play on the video on the computer on the desk.
Nathan’s eyes went wide and round and filled with terror when he saw himself making the salads. “I turned off the cameras.”
&nb
sp; “You thought you did,” Trinity said from Jon’s phone. “But I have the best security guy in the business. And he’s my big brother. He’d never let someone steal from me or tamper with the business that Adria and I built from the ground up.”
Jon loved that she threw it in Nathan’s face that the very family she worked with helped send him to prison. “You should have just taken no for an answer when she told you she didn’t want to sell. Bountiful Foods has the resources to start a competitive business of their own. Why didn’t you push your father to back you?”
Nathan’s gaze hit the floor.
Jon understood. Nathan’s father was willing to buy a successful business, but he didn’t believe his son could build it on his own.
And now his son was going to prison for doing something desperate to please a father who would never give him the attention, praise, or approval he desperately wanted.
The detective gave him and Drake a nod. “Thank you for your assistance.” He tugged Nathan out of the office with him, reciting his Miranda rights. “You have the right to remain silent . . .”
“You can’t do this!” Nathan shouted back to Trinity.
The detective just kept pulling him along out of the shop.
Jon turned the phone back so he could look at his beautiful girlfriend. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired. But elated that he’s been caught. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.”
“I thought you’d like to see him take the fall and hear what he had to say.”
“All of this because of his daddy issues.”
It made him think of Emmy and how the problems with her mother would affect her as she grew up. “How’s Emmy?”
“She opened up a little. She’s really pissed at her mom. She said she hates her.”
“I don’t blame her. But I also know that’s not good for her emotional well-being.”
“No. But give her time.”
“And she’ll have you to show her what it’s like to have a good, loving mom.” He hoped he hadn’t overstepped or pushed too hard, too fast for what he really wanted them to be to each other and for Emmy.
True Love Cowboy Page 27