“Not much. Two old cowboys who used to rodeo plus a consortium of investors from Mexico, but you already know all that. What I learned last week is while Ivan isn’t an investor, his family is. The Santiago’s are big landowners, here and in Mexico, plus they’re into oil, telecommunications, cattle, and I don’t know what else.”
Taking a table near the front, they ordered, then drank their beers while they waited.
“What about the other Mexican investors?” Matt asked.
“Nothing that tells us much. The Santiago family is the primary partner, with the Castanedas and Zamoras holding minority ownership. I can’t find much on either one of those families. The truth is, both are common names and I don’t know which ones are the investors.”
Digging into their plates of barbecued ribs, they ate in silence for long minutes, lost in their own thoughts and the delicious food. Not until the waitress brought a second round of beers did Gage continue.
“I’d like you to fly into Houston next week. I have a meeting with a company who supplies bucking stock.”
“What do they want?” Matt asked.
“The usual, to get on our list for sub-contracting needs.”
Matt knew a big part of being successful in the contracting business centered on partnering with other companies. Whether they ended up working with them or not, it was always a good investment of time to meet with them.
“Let me know when and I’ll be there.”
Chapter Twelve
Fire Mountain
“It’s good to have you back, Dana.”
“Thanks, Heath. I’m glad to be back and ready to put all the ideas we came up with into place. Cam and Mitch provided good input.” She thought of the two, both capable and smart, yet so different in their approach and temperament.
“No issues getting approvals from them?”
“All I’ll say is they both ended up signing off.”
“I understand. I’ll look forward to the meeting on Monday to review the progress.” Heath disappeared into his office.
Dana returned to the office Friday afternoon after her plane landed, staying long enough to check messages and take a brief meeting with Amber before going home. She’d been gone almost two weeks, yet it felt much longer.
Unpacking and doing laundry didn’t take much time, at least not as long as she’d hoped. At seven o’clock she poured a glass of water with lemon, picked up a book she hadn’t finished, and curled up on the sofa. Reading the same two pages three times, she finally tossed the book aside and let her mind do what it wanted—think about Mitch.
Throughout the flight, the image of Mitch on his motorcycle, hand in the air, stayed with her. Without a doubt, she believed the lone figure could be no one else. He’d followed her to the airport and waited for her plane to take off. But why? He got what he wanted. One night with her, then a speedy departure. Well, I always aim to please, she thought, feeling a slight bitter taste in her mouth.
At least she’d finished what Heath sent her to do and now they could move forward with updating the marketing plans for both MacLaren Rodeo and RTC. Within a month they’d launch the new initiatives. More ways to engage potential customers would be added in time, but for now, she felt a sense of accomplishment at the progress.
Hearing her phone ring, she glanced around, remembering it sat on the kitchen counter. She jumped off the sofa and grabbed it, noting the caller ID showed Amber, and experienced an immediate sense of disappointment. Whether Dana wanted to admit it or not, she’d hoped it might be Mitch.
“You want some company?” Amber asked.
“Sure, but where’s Eric?”
“He and Kade took off on their bikes for an overnight campout at the national park. Brooke is out of town until tomorrow, and as you know, I got back a day early from my trip to Austin. They’d already made plans, so I told Eric to take off. I’ll bring a bottle of wine with me. Have you eaten?”
“I have, but if you’re driving by the dessert place, feel free to stop.”
“So it’s like that, is it?” Amber asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Dessert is comfort food to you, something you eat when you’re down—”
“Or happy.”
“Whichever it is, I want to hear about it.” Amber hung up, leaving Dana to stare at the phone and wonder how much she should say.
Telling her she’d had the most amazing one night stand with the president of RTC, who just happens to be a member of Amber’s family, didn’t seem appropriate. Grabbing a couple wine glasses, she decided the best approach would be to tell Amber they’d gone out, had a great time, but she doubted it would ever go anywhere. With luck, Amber would buy it.
******
Crooked Tree
“That’s good news, Lizzie. When do you move?” Mitch cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as he finished making a sandwich. Up since dawn, he decided to take a Saturday off, working outside of his own house before taking a trail ride to the back pastures.
“The job starts in a couple weeks, enough time for me to find a place in Missoula and get settled. How about celebrating with me tonight? Drinks, dinner, whatever.”
Mitch listened with little enthusiasm. The drinks and dinner sounded good, the whatever, not so much. The thought of a woman besides Dana in his bed held little appeal. For the hundredth time he wondered how one night with her had made such a strong impact, changing his thoughts about how he spent his free time, and with whom. Even Lizzie’s beautiful face and bountiful body held no appeal.
“Drinks and dinner for sure. My treat.”
“All right, if that’s all you want.” Lizzie’s disappointment was clear.
“How about Whiskey Dan’s at seven?” Maybe after a few drinks, he’d warm up to the idea of taking her to bed. After all, he’d ruined any chance of being with Dana again. He might as well move on.
“Perfect. See you then.”
Finishing his sandwich, he changed into the clothes he wore when working in his shop. He’d planned to show Dana his woodshop and studio before they left the other morning, a place reserved for family and close friends. It hadn’t worked out.
The wood working area in the front had been set up similar to his father’s workshop. Opening the door between the shop and artist studio never failed to impress visitors. Floor to ceiling glass highlighted a magnificent view across an open meadow toward majestic mountains in the distance. It felt as if he were looking at a painting each time he opened the door and gazed out.
Mitch worked in several mediums, preferring oils for his landscapes. Closing the door, he turned back to his wood projects, deciding to focus on the table he’d started when he returned from Fire Mountain. He’d designed it for a particular person. Now, it might go to someone else or find a place in his house. Made of walnut, burls, and koa, it had been designed for use in a bedroom or maybe an office. A hidden drawer had been built into the back, requiring nothing more than a touch to open. Inside, a pad with numbers allowed access to the built-in box. He’d built it more for fun than as an actual place to hide anything of value as the entire table could be lifted and taken from the house with little effort.
At five-thirty he put away his tools, locked the shop, and headed for the house, stopping at the cloud of dust coming up the drive. As the truck neared, he recognized Sean behind the wheel.
“What brings you out here on a Saturday evening? I thought you had a date?” Mitch brushed dust from his pants as he strolled toward the truck.
Sean climbed out of the cab, tossing his keys on the seat before closing the door.
“I do, but Jeanie Naylor called while on her way to the rodeo in Wyoming. Seems two of her tires blew and she’ll be delayed delivering the stock.”
“Where is she?”
“Just over the border in Wyoming. Not that far.”
“Does she need our help?”
“Says she has it covered, just wanted us to know. It’s unusual to have two tires blow
on those big rigs, though. It’s got me wondering.” Sean followed Mitch into the house, accepting a beer before taking a seat in the family room.
“You think someone tampered with the tires?” Mitch tipped up the glass bottle, letting the cold liquid cool his throat.
“It’s not impossible.” Sean leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees, rolling the bottle between his hands. “Maybe I’m seeing goblins where none exist.”
“Or maybe you aren’t. Bulls have gone down sick, tested positive for steroids, and a few young bulls have gotten out. It’s either an incredible run of bad luck or someone is targeting us.”
“Do you think the broken fence is part of it?”
“Not really. I believe the calves got spooked and knocked it down, but I don’t want to rule it out since we aren’t sure. Which bulls does Jeanie have on this trip?”
Sean glanced at Mitch, knowing he wouldn’t like the answer. “Absolute Devil.”
Mitch winced at the knowledge their most profitable bull sat on the side of a road while two tires were being replaced. “I thought we agreed to move him in a separate group with Wretched and Grave Tender.”
“Yeah, about that—”
“Dammit, Sean. Wasn’t Emilio’s half-brother driving them out in a separate trailer with his cousin riding along?”
“That was the plan. The half-brother came down with food poisoning, so we had to load the three on Jeanie’s trailer. I suppose Emilio and Fritz could’ve taken them, but the calves had gotten out the day before and I was still dealing with the fallout of the steroid tests.” Sean walked to the laundry room just off the kitchen, tossing his empty bottle in the recycle tub. “Maybe I should ride out where Jeanie’s truck is broken down and follow her the rest of the way.”
Mitch dragged a hand down his face, not comfortable with having no one except Jeanie watching over bulls which accounted for close to twenty-five percent of their earnings.
“Why don’t you and I go? It’s been a long time since we’ve been on a run together.”
Sean studied him, wondering if the idea was a passing thought Mitch would kick to the side of the road upon further reflection, or a valid suggestion.
“As much as I’d like to, we both know we’re needed here right now. Why don’t we get Rhett to ride out with one of the men?”
Mitch wanted to argue, but Sean’s idea had merit. They needed to stick around, handle any other fires that came their way. Each already had plans to visit specific rodeos where they held the contracts in an attempt to solidify their relationship with the committees. Double Ace seemed to be closing in on them from all around, pushing until the normal profit had been reduced significantly in order to secure the business.
“All right. I’ll call Rhett, then Emilio, let him know I want Fritz to go with Rhett. You get in touch with Jeanie and have her stay put until Rhett and Fritz arrive.” Mitch glanced at his watch, grimacing at the time. He’d be late meeting Lizzie. Nothing he could do about it now, not with Absolute Devil sitting off a Wyoming road.
Grabbing his phone, he hit Rhett’s speed dial number and waited, remembering Saturday nights when he was Rhett’s age. He sure hoped his brother picked up.
******
Mitch pulled off his hat and stepped into the bar of Whiskey Dan’s, scanning the tables.
“Over here.”
He looked toward a corner, seeing Lizzie wave at him, looking as good as ever. She got up from her place in the booth as he approached, wrapping her arms around his neck and placing a wet kiss on his lips. He wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling the soft curves in all the right places. Tonight her assets didn’t entice him as they had in the past. In fact, if possible, he’d have one drink, dinner, then head home, preferring the quiet of his home to Lizzie’s bed. The knowledge bothered him more than he wished.
“Hmmm...I’m glad you’re here.” Her sultry voice, which normally sent waves of arousal through him, did nothing. She placed another kiss on his mouth and slid back into the booth, leaving him a place next to her.
He ordered drinks then turned toward her, trying to get comfortable in the small space she left him. “Tell me about your new job.”
“They specialize in corporate and real estate law. I met one of the partners in a Missoula law firm a few weeks ago. He mentioned an opening for a legal assistant, so I sent him my résumé. I’ve driven there twice for interviews and got the offer on Tuesday, countered on Wednesday, and received a final offer on Thursday, which I accepted.” She sipped her Manhattan, a satisfied look on her face.
“How long have you known the partner?” Mitch knew how Lizzie worked. He didn’t fault her for it and admired the way she set a course and went after what she wanted.
“We met while you were in Arizona. He’d been meeting with a client in town and came out one night. We hooked up, and well…it went from there.”
“Be careful, Lizzie.”
She slid a hand through his arm. “What do you mean?”
“How well do you know this guy? Did you do any checking on the firm?”
“Of course I checked on the firm. They have a great reputation. As for him, I knew from the start it wouldn’t be a long-term thing.”
“Yeah? And why’s that?” Mitch had known Lizzie since high school. She had few inhibitions, including no hesitancy at all about sleeping with married men. His mother had been the same way.
“Well…” she stammered.
“He’s married.”
She pulled her hand free, picked up her drink and took a long swallow. “Look, I know your feelings about it, so don’t lecture me, okay?”
“If you know my feelings, then you also know I don’t give a damn. From my experience, most women have no difficulty sleeping with married men, or sleeping with other men if they’re married. It’s not my problem.”
“Because you never plan to marry.”
“That’s right. I don’t see the point.” Mitch sat back as the waiter set their plates down, nodding when asked about added pepper. When they were alone, he picked up his glass, tilting it toward her. “Here’s to a great opportunity, Lizzie. I hope it works out for you.”
She accepted the toast, then set her glass down. “You know, we can still get together when I’m in town.”
He looked at her, his eyes revealing nothing. “We’ll see.”
******
Fire Mountain
“You two have done a great job. What’s the timeline for changes?” Jace sat opposite Rafe with Heath at the head of the table, their department heads taking the other seats. Today Dana joined them, presenting an update on the marketing changes for the stock contracting companies.
“Thanks, Jace. It didn’t take as long as we anticipated to get to this point. There is a question we have, though.” Amber glanced at Dana, who already knew what she’d be asking.
“Go ahead,” Heath said, glancing up from the meeting agenda.
“Since we’re making all the changes, and you’re looking at buying a company that provides stock for timed events, why don’t we move all of them under the MacLaren Rodeo Company banner now instead of dragging it out?”
“Rafe, why don’t you give us your thoughts?” Heath sat back, waiting for Rafe to enlighten them as to why he objected to changing the RTC name. The three brothers had already been through several heated discussions on the potential change, and each time Rafe almost came out of his seat at the concept.
Rafe sat forward, setting his arms on the table, and folding his hands together. As soon as he arrived back in Fire Mountain, he’d been put in charge of closing the deal with a company in Texas that supplied stock for rodeo timed events. Cam’s Cold Creek operation did some of this, but not to the Texas firm. Through his contacts, Cam had identified the opportunity a few months before, stepping back when Rafe joined his brothers. Once the purchase finalized, Rafe would become the executive in charge of MacLaren Rodeo Company with Cam, Mitch, and the timed event president reporting to him.
; “The deal with Western Rodeo Stock closes the end of this week, which rounds out our ability to provide every animal needed for a rodeo, plus the men and equipment included in the proposals.” He looked at Heath, then Jace, his mouth curving up in a slight smile. “Reflecting on the pros and cons of bringing all three groups under one name, I’ve come to realize it’s in our best interest to present a unified front. I think we should move forward with using MacLaren Rodeo Company.”
“I’ll be damned,” Jace murmured, his eyes wide, catching a similar look on Heath’s face.
Rafe continued, explaining the logistics of preparing proposals and questioning whether each group should still be identified in some way as providing specific stock.
“I believe it might muddy things up to delineate specific stock, such as MacLaren Rodeo Company, Bucking Bulls. From a marketing perspective, it would be best to show one name, ignoring specific stock.” Amber thought a moment before continuing. “However, we might be able to add an image to identify specific stock.”
“I agree with Amber,” Dana said. “Consistent branding is important for tying the companies together.”
“How does this affect Cam, Mitch, and the president of the new company? Will there be one president or continue the way they are?” Eric normally stayed out of discussions of the stock companies, focusing on real estate acquisition and development, but how the changes played out could have a major impact on company revenues.
“Rafe will head the new division, while the presidents will continue in their current roles and report to him. We’re in the process of setting up a meeting of everyone next week to discuss the change and other issues. We hope to have answers by the end of the quarter.” Heath checked his watch, then looked to Amber and Dana. “Go ahead with MacLaren Rodeo Company, but I want to see your ideas on how we can identify each group by images or location. I want to have options to show Cam and Mitch.”
Dana nodded, although her stomach did a summersault. Mitch would be coming to town sooner than anticipated. Since coming home, she’d done everything possible to stay busy, doing nothing to remind her of their night together.
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