Did he have ulterior motives for making love to her? No. She knew he’d never stoop that low. She shut the file and drew a steadying breath. “What’s your advice?”
“Get rid of it.” He swept his arm across the desk. “Put the whole shootin’ match on the market and walk away.”
But if they shut it down, sold off the property, what would Jake do? “What about his business partner?”
He wiped a hand over his sweaty forehead. “You have to protect your own interests, Miss Eastman. Why throw good money after bad.” Drumming his thick fingers on the desk, he shrugged. “Now, if Mr. Skinner wants to buy you out, I’d go for it. Make it his problem. Better than sitting on it for a year or two until the market improves.”
Her chest tightened at the notion of forcing Jake off the ranch he so dearly loved. But she didn’t have any other choice. Staying in business when the place was running in the red seemed out of the question. Why hadn’t he told her?
Because he probably doesn’t have the assets to buy me out.
That would explain why he’d neglected to brooch the subject of an offer. Sadness and regret swirled inside her, but she could hardly throw more money into an unprofitable venture.
For the next half hour, they went over the list of her father’s assets—furniture, a small personal checking account, an old pickup truck. But Paige couldn’t focus. All she could think about was Jake. She’d have to use common sense rather than her emotions to choose her path.
She prayed her decision wouldn’t devastate the man she’d so quickly grown to care about.
* * * * *
Jake shoved through the glass doors out to the bank parking lot. Marching to his pickup, he gritted his teeth. Maybe another bank would agree to loan him what he needed to buy out Paige’s share of the ranch.
Yeah, right.
The stuffed-shirt loan officer had spelled it out in black and white. He didn’t have enough collateral to justify such a loan. Period. Same thing the banker he’d met with earlier said.
Paige probably knew by now the Circle O had been losing money. And that he’d kept that information from her. If only he hadn’t trusted Owen to handle the financial end of things. How could he have known the man didn’t have an inkling about running a business?
It’s my own fault. I should have kept tabs on him.
But he’d been so eager to take on the day-to-day operations—the fun part—that he’d neglected to keep an eye on the tedious financial side of it. By the time he’d discovered the gravity of the situation it was too late. Owen had a heart attack and died days later.
In the nearly two months since his partner’s death, Jake had tried to undo some of the damage, made an attempt to rein in expenses, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet. Given a year, maybe two, he knew he could straighten it out, make the Circle O run in the black. But he probably wouldn’t get the opportunity.
When the lawyer called his cell, he headed over to collect Paige.
He wasn’t terribly surprised when she climbed inside and mumbled a half-hearted hello. Her pale complexion and drawn eyebrows confirmed she’d taken the news hard. He ventured another glance at her, but she stared straight through the windshield, refused to look at him. The knowledge that he’d caused her any grief tightened his gut sure as a lasso.
He drove her back to the ranch, neither of them uttering a single word until they turned into the drive.
“My group should start arriving within the hour,” he told her. “Tour leaves at one-fifteen from the area behind the stables.”
“Okay. Thanks for the lift.” She climbed out of the truck and headed inside the house. His chest ached as he watched her, wondered if she’d even show up for the tour. She probably already had her mind made up to sell the place. The prospect of losing the ranch was too painful to dwell on. He’d sunk every penny he had into the business but the damage Owen had inflicted would take more time to rectify..
For now, he had too much to do to get ready for his group. He shook off his gloom and headed to the stables.
An hour later, he helped an elderly woman onto the wagon as Rosebud and Goliath whinnied impatiently. Paige had yet to arrive. Apparently she’d already made her decision. This might be one of his last tours.
As he stepped up to the driver’s seat, she rounded the corner of the stables. He allowed a glimmer of hope to lighten his mood. Anyway, he ought to put on his game face for the benefit of the paying guests.
Paige approached the wagon. “Room for one more?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He offered her a hand up.
After she’d settled onto a seat under the canopy, he gave her a wink, then addressed the group. “Welcome to the horse capital of the world, folks. Are any of you from around here?”
No one spoke up.
“So I can make stuff up and y’all won’t know the difference, huh?” He waited for the usual chuckles and smiles. When he got them, he continued. He motioned toward the horses hitched to the trolley. “Rosebud and Goliath here are shires. Shire horses are the tallest of the modern draught breeds. These babies weigh close to a ton each. We’re going to view some of Marion County’s finest horse farms this afternoon. Many breeds are raised here. We’ll see Thoroughbreds, Tennessee Walkers, Paso Finos and many others. So keep your cameras ready.”
Paige watched the faces light up as Jake spoke. He definitely had a way with people, easily earning smiles and laughter. At each stop along the tour, at least one person would ask a question and Jake always knew the answer, whether the subject was horses, local foliage, architecture or folklore.
She took in the pastoral beauty and reflected on her life in New York. Had she ever enjoyed one day at the office as much as Jake seemed to love his job today?
Be practical.
Right. She had to look at the big picture. The business had operated in the red since it began. Period. Jake and her father had three years to make the ranch a success, but they hadn’t. Something told her Jake wouldn’t be able to buy her out. If he’d had the means, he’d already have made an offer. No way could she keep the place running, throw more money into a sinking ship. This ought to be a simple financial decision, yet her shoulders sank from the weight of it.
After they returned to the stables, she waited as each passenger personally thanked Jake.
Finally, the last stragglers left and Paige drew a calming breath. “We need to talk.” She wrung her hands, watched him free the horses from the harnesses.
He nodded but refused to spare her a glance. “Give me a few minutes to finish here. I’ll meet you up at the house in half an hour.”
She strode across the pasture, trying to come up with reasons to keep the Circle O going, but logic kept prevailing. Jake would be heartbroken. But he had to know she had few options. She’d learned he was no simple cowboy, but an intelligent man. No doubt he’d find a way to start up a similar operation or move on to something else.
Yet half an hour later as she paced her father’s study, waiting for Jake, her mouth felt stuffed with cotton. The deafening silence in the big house hung heavy in the air. Would he even want to touch her after this conversation? The notion of never kissing him again, never making love with him again, ripped through her. A painful emptiness settled in the pit of her stomach.
Ridiculous.
Wasn’t as if they’d planned to continue their relationship past this visit. She’d have to deal with the loss now or in a few days. Either way, the prospect of walking away left a great big hole inside her.
The creak of the front door had her trembling like a kid waiting outside the principal’s office. She took a seat behind her father’s desk, but immediately realized she didn’t want that massive oak barrier between them. She quickly switched to one of the chairs against the side wall and laced her fingers together to keep her hands from trembling.
Jake’s heavy steps resonated through the house. He held his chin high and his hat in his hand. Deep lines etched his forehead. “Let’s get this over with
.” Sitting in the chair beside hers, he turned toward her and tossed his hat onto the desk.
She cleared the thick clog in her throat. “Well, as you know, I met with the lawyer.” She stood and took several steps toward the desk, retrieved the file folder she’d left in the top drawer. Tense as a spring, she returned to her seat.
“I’m sure you know the Circle O has steadily lost money.” She couldn’t help hoping he’d dispute the findings, show her the accounts had been wrong. And that he hadn’t kept that information from her on purpose. But she knew better. Working in bookkeeping had taught her that numbers didn’t lie. And being married to an asshole had convinced her men couldn’t be trusted. But she’d thought Jake was different. She wanted to trust him, wanted to think he’d never meant to deceive her.
He nodded and the tiny muscles around his jaw ticked.
She opened the folder, took out the financial report. “Would you like to take a look?”
Deep frown lines formed on either side of his mouth. “I’ve seen it.”
She wished he’d say more, that he’d help her somehow. But how could she expect him to make this easier for her? His whole life would be affected by her decision. She set the papers on the desk and swallowed hard. “Unless you want to buy my share of the company, I don’t see any other option than to sell.”
Jake abruptly stood, his hands fisted at his sides. “Do what you have to do.”
She diverted her gaze, held back her tears. Guilt and regret stabbed at her head.
Heavy footsteps receded. The air cooled as Jake stormed from the room.
It’s business. I can’t cloud my decision with emotion.
She reached into her pocket and removed a business card. The real estate broker her lawyer had recommended had an Ocala address. Maybe the woman would agree to come over immediately. No sense putting off the inevitable. She lifted the phone to her ear and blocked out the pain clawing at her heart.
* * * * *
Jake hammered a nail into a broken section of fence and tried to ignore his clenched gut. He recognized the woman standing beside Paige, snapping pictures of the house. According to her TV ads, she sold more real estate in the area than anyone else.
Paige certainly didn’t waste any time. Thought he knew her better, but just like all those bankers he’d spoken to, nothing mattered to her except cold, hard numbers. He never imagined she’d cut him off at the knees like this, so fast and final. But could he blame her? That lawyer had probably spelled out the bottom line—in red.
Paige crunched numbers on her job. Only natural she’d not been able to see past the hard facts. But there had to be a way. He wished he could make her understand the potential the ranch held.
He brought the hammer down hard, but instead of the nail, he smashed it into his finger. Pain instantly flared. He dropped the tool and shook his aching hand. “Son of a bitch.”
Both women turned toward him, gaping.
Great. Last thing he needed was an audience. Cursing under his breath, he returned to his task. Couldn’t meet Paige’s gaze. Should he tell her how her old man had swindled him? How the bastard kept him out of the loop just long enough to run the place into the ground?
What’s the point? She’s already made up her mind.
That stodgy lawyer’s opinion mattered more than his. Paige would fly back to New York and never think about this place or him again. Why would she want anything to do with a country boy, anyway? She’d probably find some rich stockbroker who’d be more her type than he was. They’d both be better off to stick to their own kind.
He pictured her in some fancy restaurant, drinking expensive champagne and playing footsy with a rich guy in a designer suit. The image ripped through him.
No, damn it!
He wouldn’t give up on them so easily. And he refused to walk away from all he’d worked for at the ranch. He’d make Paige see the possibilities. Tossing the hammer to the ground, he marched toward the women, grabbed Paige’s arm and led her up the steps and inside the house.
Behind them he heard the real estate agent get into her car and start the motor.
Good riddance.
He pushed through the door to the study and yanked Paige into the room.
“What are you doing?” She jerked her arm away and set her hands on her hips, exactly as he’d seen her father do a hundred times.
“I haven’t said my piece yet.” He pointed to a chair. “Sit.”
She lifted a challenging eyebrow.
“Sit!”
That time, she listened. Her lips flattened into a thin line.
“I want to tell you about your father, how he screwed this place all to hell. And I was dumb enough to trust him. My first mistake.” His chest tightened at the thought of how his former partner had bilked the ranch for all its assets, how angry he’d been—still was—at Owen’s reckless business practices.
Her eyebrows drew together. “I know this isn’t all your fault. My father certainly had a hand in it, but businesses fail all the time.”
“All my fault?” He rocketed toward her chair, poked a finger at her. “Let me tell you something, Paige. I trusted your father when he told me he’d run businesses all his life. He insisted on handling the financial end of things.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and drew a deep sigh, trying to calm himself. “I’m sorry for shouting. None of this is your doing. But your father purposely kept me out of the loop on some key decisions. He doctored the books he showed me and made me believe he had everything under control. By time I found out what he’d done it was too late.”
The revelation hit her like a slap of icy winter air. “I-I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Her father sounded like just as big a jerk she’d remembered.
Jake rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Bank won’t give me a loan to buy you out. I sank everything I had into this place. I’ve been trying to get it back on its feet, but I’ve had a couple of months and I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot longer than that.”
She flashed on the tour, how he’d seemed so in his element as he recounted local history to the clients, when he’d shared his knowledge of the local architecture and the practices at the various horse farms. How could she take that from him knowing her own father had caused the business to collapse?
No. Think with your head, not your heart.
“I’m so sorry my father deceived you. But it doesn’t change the facts. This place is losing money.”
His Adam’s apple jumped and a frown marred his handsome face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come clean with you about the ranch losing money. That’s not my style. I was just trying to get you to see how great this place could be before you saw the numbers.” Muscles around his jaw ticked.
Sure, he’d kept the information from her, but she believed him, believed that his deceit had been borne of hope, not malice. He’d never meant to hurt her.
“I have ideas, Paige. Ideas that could make the Circle O turn a profit. I’ve already saved a bunch of money by undoing some things your father put into place. Would you hear me out before you make a decision?”
The emotional thumbscrews tightened. What could it hurt to listen to him? “Of course.”
Paige settled into her chair and watched Jake’s eyes come alive as he talked about all his ideas for the ranch. Not that she knew anything about running such a business, but his plans made sense. And best of all, most would require little or no additional cash. But more than his ideas, his passion convinced her.
Chapter Six
When Jake finished speaking, he studied Paige for a reaction. She’d appeared interested a few minutes ago, but now she seemed lost in her thoughts. He schooled his expression, hoping not to come off as overconfident. Praying he’d made some headway with her, sucked in a deep breath. “Well?” he finally said after several long beats of silence.
She crossed her legs, furrowed her brows. She started to say something, but stopped herself. After a heavy sigh, she met his stare. A smile slowly formed on her f
ace and he desperately wanted to kiss her, but he refrained. Maybe he’d read too much into her reaction.
Her brow knitted and she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She drummed her fingers on the file folder on the desk. “I like your ideas. I think you might have something here. Something that can turn a profit.”
I like your ideas.
He replayed her words again and again. But did that mean she’d agree to hold off on selling? Clamping down on his excitement, he waited, held his breath.
“What would you say to us holding off on selling—for the time being?” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “After hearing your plans, I’m definitely on board with your vision for this place. You know the ranch better than anyone. And I love that contest idea.”
Relief flooded his veins. “I say you’re a smart woman.” Not only would he have the chance to make the ranch profitable, but he’d keep Paige in his life at least a while longer. She might be a city girl, but she was anything but cold and hard.
He closed the distance between them and scooped her into his arms. “I say it makes my dick hard to be within a hundred feet of you.” Latching onto the elastic around her ponytail, he unfastened it. Her silky strands spilled onto her shoulders. His cock strained against his jeans. “I want you, Paige. Right here, right now.”
Her eyes turned darker than sin. A devilish grin curled her lips. Fast as a whip, she shucked off her shoes, jeans and T-shirt. Swiping her arm over Owen’s desk, she sent the few items on top careening across the room. She climbed onto the surface and crooked her finger at him.
City girl or not, she’d already changed his mind about that seemingly buttoned-up type. Under the cool exterior she was hottest woman he’d ever met. His initial impression had been dead wrong. He leaned toward the desk and kissed those sweet lips. She hooked her hands around his neck and grabbed handfuls of his hair. He deepened that kiss, savored her unique taste. She sighed her approval. He swirled his tongue over hers, skimmed the edges of her teeth. Her grasp on his hair tightened, but the momentary pain only heightened his desire for her.
Shades of Sexy: Six Uber Hot Stories Page 29