“What part of Douglas County?” I grinned ever so slightly, a spark flickered somewhere inside.
“Does that mean you'll come?”
“I can't right now, but I would be interested in helping out,” I hedged, still not sure if I was ready to share my plans with him.
“Oh come on, Hailey. I've been good. I've given you time. Don't you miss us yet?”
“It's not about missing you, obstinate man. I missed you before I left. I told you I had some things to figure out on my own.”
“Could you figure them out faster? I don't know how much longer I can wait.”
“Oh, well, if you need to move on I never told you to wait.” I straightened my spine and scowled at the phone.
“I meant I miss you, darlin',” he interjected before I could go off on a full tear.
“Oh.”
“Come home, please.”
“I can't. I have an appointment next week. I need to be here for that.”
“What appointment?”
“With my bank. I'm applying for a business loan,” I admitted.
“What business?” His ears perked up.
“You know, I don't want to get into it right this second.” I eyed the clock. Aaron would be home any minute.
“Oh, well then, I guess I could let you go.” The hurt was evident in his voice.
“But if you could get away next weekend, maybe come up to St. Louis, I'd really like to talk to you about it. I should know more then.”
“I'll be there,” he swore without a moment's hesitation.
“Good.” My heart trilled at the thought of seeing him again. “I'll see you next weekend. Do you need directions?”
“Aaron told me where you're staying.”
“That reminds me, don't mention this to Aaron. I haven't told him. It's killing me because I tell him everything, but I don't want to disappoint him again.”
“I understand. Not a peep to the kid. Hey, it's okay with you that we still talk, right? He called me one day and we've just sort of stayed in touch.”
“Little late to ask now, isn't it?”
“He's a part of my life, no matter what's going on with you and me,” Ethan sounded a little defensive.
“I was teasing. I'm actually really happy that you kept in touch with him. It means a lot to him, to me.”
“Good. I'll see you next week?”
“Next week.”
Chapter Sixteen
Somehow, when I envisioned how the loan meeting would go, I hadn't quite pictured landing in my banker's lap. Things had started well enough. I'd donned an adorable black pin-stripe suit and amazing leather boots with enough of a heel to make me feel empowered. I'd painstakingly prepared my presentation. I had projections, market research, graphs, budgets, you name it.
Just as I rounded the table to pass both men the portfolio I'd made for them, I remembered very suddenly why I never wear heels anymore. My ankle gave out and dumped me unceremoniously into a banker's lap. He flushed bright red and I scrambled to right myself again.
“I'm so sorry sir. I have a bad ankle, I shouldn't wear heels really. I'm so sorry sir.” It's hard to come back from sitting in the banker's lap, but I smoothed out my suit and did my best. “Well then, now that we all know each other, I guess we should get started…”
Once I started talking, the nervousness fell away. I knew my material well, and it showed. I walked the two men through the government's current problem of too many wild horses and not enough resources, horses that would thrive in the rugged Ozarks. “I've already received provisional approval from the government to be a long-term holding facility. With this loan, I can be ready to house mustangs as early as October. As you can see from the chart in the appendix, there is a solid return on investment here. I opened my first account with this bank at sixteen. I can't imagine another bank I would trust more in venturing into the next stage of life with.”
“This is a very interesting proposal, Ms. Brandt.” The banker whose lap I'd landed in had finally stopped blushing and now looked through the portfolio with a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Running mustangs seems a rather unlikely profession for a young woman,” the other banker frowned at the packet in his hand as he peered up at me over the rim of his glasses.
“As evidenced by my varied background, I'm a rather unlikely woman,” I assured him. “These hills, these horses, they're like air to me. I know I can do this, and it's a good investment. Don't take my word for it; call my references.”
“We'll do that.” His clipped tone didn't bode well, but I refused to give up hope. I thanked them both and gathered my things, really proud that I corralled the tears burning behind my eyes.
I couldn't help smacking the hood of my car, though. The expletive I shouted was a mixture of frustration and pain; pounding on a metal roof hadn't been my best decision ever. All the way home, I ran through the meeting over and over again in my head. Other than my rocky start, I'd done everything I could do. If they shot me down, I'd have to apply for a government grant as a minority business owner, which meant more time and a lot more paperwork. It would be spring at the earliest before I could even think about taking on horses. I'd ferreted away quite a bit of cash but not enough to buy land and put in the taller fences mustangs required.
I recognized Ethan's truck the second I pulled into my parking lot. I could tell by Blue's distinctive bawl that he knew Ethan was close, too. I sighed and rolled my eyes; that goofy dog would get us kicked out of our apartment. I didn't think I was up to seeing Ethan at that particular moment. I'd really hoped to be triumphantly sharing my business plan with him at our first encounter, not slinking home dejected.
Sitting in the parking lot wasn't going to make my dog shut up, though, so I squared my shoulders and got out of the car. Ethan wasn't in his truck, so I wasn't entirely surprised to see him leaning against my door frame. Still, nothing could prepare me for the torrent of emotions that came flooding back the moment I laid eyes on him. I wanted to throw myself in his arms.
“You're early.” It was the best I could manage. Being so close to him almost made me come undone.
“Hello to you, too.” His grin was as easy as ever. My heart thudded painfully in my chest.
“Sorry.” I was contrite. “Rough day. It's good to see you, Ethan.”
“It's good to see you, too, Hailey.”
“Should we go in?” I reached around him to unlock my door. “Blue's not going to stop until we do.”
“Sure.” He followed me in, bracing himself for an exuberant greeting from the dogs.
“Aaron will be home soon. He's at my sister's.”
“It'll be good to see him.”
“I should walk the dogs.” I grabbed their leashes from the hook by the door, trying not to think too hard about how incredibly awkward this conversation was. That was easier to do if I didn't touch him, or look at him, or stand too close.
“I'll help.” His fingers brushed mine as he took a leash from me. I couldn't help getting caught in his eyes then; I ripped mine away when the dogs started jumping up and down around us, eager for their walk.
“Hobbes never did press charges,” I blurted once we were on the wooded path outside my apartment building. Ethan probably already knew that, but it was something to break the painful silence between us.
“I think he's been too busy with his own legal troubles. The mess he got into in Arkansas was just the beginning.”
“How's Allie – the little red roan pony?”
“One of the old timers out off Highway K took her in. She's fat and happy in a pasture with five other horses. I saw her just the other day.”
“Good.” I smiled at that.
“So what was your meeting today?”
I hesitated for a moment before plunging ahead. “I applied for a business loan so Aaron and I could start a little place to run mustangs.”
“Just you and Aaron?” He fished.
“Well, actually, once I got
the funding I was going to call you to see if you'd like to be partners. But it sounds like you've already landed on your feet.” I tried to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
“I have the land, course the buildings were all destroyed by a tornado here awhile back, so it needs to be rebuilt. I was kind of hoping to find a partner that could help me with funding, help me develop a good solid business plan. But, it sounds like you've got things all figured out on your end.”
“I wouldn't say that. The meeting could have gone better; I don't think they took me seriously. Of course, it probably didn't help that I fell in the guy's lap.”
“And here I thought I was special. I didn't realize you pulled that trick out at every interview.”
“Don't laugh at me,” I admonished half-heartedly. I couldn't blame him; I'd laugh at me to.
“Wouldn't dream of it.” The side of his lip twitched a bit, but he did his best to look serious.
“You bought Jim's, didn't you?” I couldn't keep the wistful out of my voice. I had kind of hoped to buy a little piece of the property.
“Yep.” His face radiated happiness with that one word. “But don't worry, I would sell you a parcel if you'd like. That would actually help me get my own start-up money together.”
I didn't answer right away. I could take his offer and have the best of both worlds – my own place and Ethan right next door, all without putting my heart out there to be trampled on. The only problem with that plan was that my heart was already out there. It had been for a while, come to think of it.
“Hailey?” He stopped walking and turned to me, looking expectantly into my eyes.
“Sorry. I was just thinking.” I took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “What if we pooled our resources? Your land, my cash? We could be partners. If you're interested, I mean.”
“I don't know if you remember this, but I proposed to you not all that long ago. You said no.” He winced a little at the word.
“I remember.” I fought the urge to get defensive. “I just wasn't sure if the offer still stood, if you'd be interested in being partners of any kind with me.”
“The offer will stand as long as there is a breath in my body.” He took my head in his hands, his forehead resting on mine.
“I was scared,” I admitted. “Of so many things.”
“And you're not scared anymore?”
“Terrified, actually,” I laughed nervously, sinking my fingers into his hair. I soaked in the feel of this man I'd missed so very much. “But you're worth the risk.”
Epilogue
One year to the day after Aaron and I first pulled down the driveway of Mountain View Ranch we once again pulled down that same driveway, rounding that same bend to emerge from the overhang of trees. It was so gorgeous my heart ached and my breath caught. The prairie grass danced in the breeze on gently rolling hills. The framework for the new house was already up. Ethan was there overseeing the progress. Mac and Tumbleweed greeted us with a cheerful hello from the new turnout paddock.
“Well, what do you think?” I looked at Aaron expectantly.
“It's really ours?” Aaron twirled around.
“Ours and Ethan's,” I nodded.
“I can't believe you finally agreed to marry him. It's about time.”
“Hey brat, you didn't answer my question. What do you think of our new home?” I draped my arm over his shoulder and pulled him to me.
“I think it's the coolest thing I've ever seen.”
“Yeah, me too.” I smiled, soaking it all in. Ethan was mine. Aaron was happy. This place was my home.
“Hailey, get over here and tell me what you think,” Ethan called by way of greeting, a big stupid grin lighting up his face.
“What I think of what?”
“The sign, the guys were just getting ready to hang it.” He watched intently for my reaction as the large wrought iron sign was hoisted into place over a massive archway. Tumbleweed Ranch.
If it was possible, I was certain my heart would burst with joy. I'd finally tumbled my way home.
Bonus: Excerpt from RING OF FIRE
by Heather Huffman
We are so glad you enjoyed TUMBLEWEED! Please take a look at the following sample from another great Heather Huffman book, RING OF FIRE. The setup:
When rare, violet-gray diamonds are discovered at Alexandra McAlister's clean-energy research site on a small South Pacific island, the reclusive scientist suddenly finds herself plagued by greedy gem hunters. To make matters worse, the island's government is threatening to revoke her permits so they can capitalize on the find.
Fresh from a confrontation with an annoyingly attractive government official, Alex happens upon a girl in danger. Instinct takes over and she rescues the girl, only to find out she is the island's princess, and the annoying official is her guardian, Daniel!
Alex finds herself thrust into a situation where she has to protect not only her life's work, but also her life itself and that of the precocious teenage princess she grows to love. Daniel appears to be their only chance at survival – if they can learn to get along. Undercover and acting the part of a loving family, they work to find out who is pursuing them and what it is they're after, only to realize their relationship may not be an act after all.
Find it at your favorite online retailer in all popular ebook formats! RING OF FIRE is also available in print or read it online for free at www.booktrope.com.
Chapter One
DIAMONDS MIGHT BE a girl's best friend, but they'd come to be the bane of Alexandra McAlister's existence. Ever since the first violet gray rock made an appearance in her volcano, she'd been besieged by an endless stream of visitors, all wanting to stake their claim on the gems.
They seemed to grow more irritating as the days progressed. Whether that was due to their increased boldness or her decreased tolerance, she couldn't say.
Alex blew a stray hair off her forehead and slumped into a dingy brown leather chair. Her thighs stuck to it on the really hot days like this one, but the ease with which its plump cushions welcomed her slender frame made up for the unpleasant moment that would come when she peeled herself off it later.
Regardless, she was too worked up over the last interloper to be bothered by a minor irritation like sticky furniture. His stormy eyes still seared into her brain. Even now, her face flushed at the thought of the bullish set to his jaw.
She rubbed her temple, wishing a stiff drink would materialize. Her Nokia chirped and Alex groaned at the number on the screen. Instead of conjuring a libation, she'd manifested a corporate drone.
Alex ignored the phone. He didn't actually want to talk to her, only rail at her for lack of results. That could be accomplished just as easily via voicemail, she reasoned.
It could also be more easily dismissed via voicemail. Maybe that's why one of the newer grad students popped his head into the trailer two minutes later.
“Jones is on line two. He said he couldn't reach you on your cell.”
“Tell him I'm on my way to the site.”
“But you're right here.”
She dearly wanted to retort, “Very observant, Kansas,” but the most recent lecture from her boss on communication skills was still fresh in her mind, so she listened to the filter in her brain.
“By the time you get to the phone again, I will be on my way to the project site.” Alex mentally patted herself on the back. Chad would be proud.
To assure the young man of her intent, she peeled her thighs off the chair and swung her pack over her shoulders in one fluid motion.
“Should I tell him you'll call him?” the lanky youth hesitated at the door.
“Sure.” Alex showed the closest thing to mercy she could muster in her current frame of mind. Ten years of her life's work stood perilously on the brink of decimation because of a handful of exotic rocks.
She firmly reminded herself it wasn't this kid's fault. Maybe it wasn't fair to place him in between herself and corporate, but she couldn't make herself
deal with any more strife at the moment.
She'd come to this island to harness the power of its volcano, not pander to greedy execs or chase off even greedier gem hunters. Especially ones who claimed to have the weight of the island's budding government behind them.
Alex fired her beat-up old Jeep to life, swearing under her breath when she realized the gas gauge was hovering over “E.” A quick search turned up two empty gas cans, so she tossed those in the Jeep and made her way to lone gas station in the island's only town.
Before heading off to a congressional energy forum back in the states, Chad had placed her in charge as the senior-ranking scientist. He'd also given her strict instructions not to chase off, berate, or otherwise torture those in her charge.
She might be better with volcanoes than people, but it never hurt to seize an opportunity for personal growth. That, and she'd rather be dragged naked over broken glass than let Chad down. More than being her boss, he was her friend and one of the few people in the world who seemed to click with her. The list was a pretty short one—in fact, it pretty much included Chad and her older brother, Devon. And Devon was in Ecuador growing roses, so she rarely saw him.
It took a mile or two, but the combination of island scenery and solitude worked their magic, and she felt almost human again by the time she stood pumping gasoline into the tail end of her Jeep.
She closed her eyes briefly, letting the breeze caress her cheek. A tendril of coffee brown hair escaped its confines to lap at her neck.
Her toffee-colored eyes gazed down the road, not really registering the hustle of the street market. A rainbow of canvas tent tops, people milling in the street, and vendors hawking their wares all went unnoticed.
Without her bidding, her mind wandered to the latest man to show up on her doorstep trying to claim her mountain. The diamond cartels were scary, but she was pretty sure she could navigate that mess. The amateur treasure hunters were a joke.
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