by Fox, Calista
“Damn, I like this woman,” Sam said. “If only I’d come to town sooner.” He snapped his fingers as though he’d missed out on something. Then he added, “But, of course, Caleb would have swooped in and snatched you away with all that charm of his.”
Reese smiled again. “Seems to run in the family.”
With a groan, Caleb said, “Let us not give you the wrong impression. We’re the oddballs of the clan. And no, I am not kidding or exaggerating.”
She cringed. “Then I will happily steer clear of your family.”
The brothers exchanged a look she couldn’t decipher. Then Sam said, “I’ll get the cooler.”
“Shall we dine alfresco again?” she asked.
“Back deck works for me,” Caleb agreed.
She spared one last glance at the front of the house, a niggling thought teasing her brain, but not fully forming.
They passed through the monstrous foyer and the double patio doors that led to the long, wide porch overlooking the spacious and gorgeous lawn, framed by trees and strategically placed and well-maintained flowerbeds all the way down to the lake.
Reese shook her head as she surveyed the area. “Each time I’m here, this place completely takes my breath away.”
Caleb nodded. “The accommodations for the horses and the huge acreage I could partially use for the med facility were the biggest draws when I saw the listing for the property. I really didn’t put much thought into the house. But it is a showpiece.”
“So are the grounds.” She studied them again, then Sam joined them and she unfurled the blanket she’d brought along for their picnic and laid out the food she’d cooked at the B&B.
“Fried chicken and potato wedges,” Sam said as he eyed the spread. “Nice.”
“There’s coleslaw too. I make it crispy with extra red cabbage and carrot slices.”
“She even brought dessert,” Sam noted as he rubbed his hands together while eyeing the lemon meringue pie she’d carefully placed in a dessert container with a clear, domed top. “Seems you’ve discovered the Bennett brothers’ penchant for sweets.”
“Is that why all my iced scones and apple pie are gone?” she teased.
Caleb said, “Guilty, darlin’. Though I have to say, everything you make is delicious.”
She thought of his chiseled physique—imagining him naked was not the least bit difficult—and said, “I don’t know where you put it all. I can’t touch half that stuff.”
Luckily, she clammed up before she mentioned it had to be Caleb’s twentysomething metabolism, not wanting to draw attention to the age difference in front of Sam. But then she spared a glance at Caleb’s brother and decided youth didn’t have anything to do with it. Must be they came from an outstanding gene pool.
While they ate lunch, Reese continued to admire the surroundings and think of the large house behind her. Something gnawed at her so incessantly she had to set aside her paper plate and stand. Descending the steps to the grass, she took in the scenery for a moment, then closed her eyes. Sights and sounds flitted through her mind, not quite gelling. Until her eyelids fluttered open and she turned back to the house and stared up at the grand two-story structure.
A smile touched her lips. She suddenly had a very good idea of what the true purpose of the structure might be.
Caleb asked, “What’s up, darlin’?”
Her gaze dropped to him as he watched her with a curious look on his ruggedly handsome face. Sam appeared equally enthralled by the trancelike state in which she’d been caught.
“This isn’t just a home,” she told them.
Standing, Caleb rested an arm on the railing as he continued to eye her with intrigue in his sky-blue eyes. “What do you mean?”
“It would accommodate a large family, yes. Not to mention an extended family. But it’s so much grander than that. Wilder isn’t known for ostentatious settings or ancestral estates. But that’s not to say a legacy wasn’t in mind when the house was built.”
Sam chuckled. “Well, Caleb, you’ve gone and created quite the conundrum. It’s not as though any of our extended family will be hunkering down with us. And we’re both single. Did you intend to start an orphanage?”
With a snicker, Caleb said, “Think I’ll have my hands full with twenty horses. But she’s right. I didn’t give any thought to the house when I purchased the property. It’s sittin’ here, ready to be moved into, but seriously? The two of us occupying the whole damn thing, Sam? We might bump into each other in a hallway once a week, if that.”
“Or,” Sam said, “maybe the woman with the wheels churning in her brain has another idea in mind for this place.”
Reese nodded, her pulse suddenly racing. “Indeed.” She pinned Caleb with a pointed look and repeated, “This isn’t a house. It’s an inn.”
“Huh?” Caleb gaped.
“Stay with me boys,” she said in an exuberant tone as ideas came at her from all mental directions. “Picture round tables with umbrellas on the deck. A large grill in the corner, with steaks and burgers cooking, their scent wafting on the breeze. More tables and chairs on the lawn.” She turned toward the lake. “Further down, a white arch or maybe even an elegant gazebo, trimmed with vines and fresh flowers for a wedding ceremony. Sitting regally on the grass with the water and the distant mountain range as a backdrop.”
“You two have something to tell me?” Sam joked.
She laughed. Over her shoulder, she said, “Not our ceremony. Ginger and Ryan’s. She’s in wedding planning hell trying to turn the Elks Lodge into something beautiful and worthy of the fairytale event she’s dreamed of since Ryan proposed. Dripping that place in gold couldn’t compare to all this fresh air, beauty and grandeur. This would be the perfect setting for their wedding.”
Caleb took two steps down at a time with his wide stride and joined her on the lawn.
“I’d be more than happy to give them full run of this place, Reese. Even if I’ve got horses boarded at the time, the stables and pens are so far away, they won’t disturb anyone.”
“Lord,” she said on a sigh, “think of all the grooms—and even some brides—who’d loved to ride in on a recovered stallion or in a horse-drawn carriage. This is Texas, after all.”
His eyes squinted against the sun, or perhaps because he was trying to envision the concept she was suddenly enamored with.
Sam joined them. “She’s got a point. And if you add a dock and boats at the shoreline, you’ve got fishing expeditions for the inn’s guests.” He seemed to give the entire notion some additional thought before saying, “Speaking of the horses, the ones you’ve nursed back to good health will need exercise. Guests could walk them or ride them. I’m sure there are plenty of trails in this deserted area.”
“You’ve got twelve large rooms upstairs, Caleb,” Reese continued the scenario. “You could reduce them to ten and use the spare square footage to add private bathrooms. Blow out the wall between the dining room and the family room downstairs and make it one cavernous, yet cozy restaurant with both fireplaces and all those windows to add ambience. The foyer is huge and perfect for a lobby and reception area. And the living room is big enough to accommodate guests as a lounge, study and board game room.”
“Kitchen’s industrial sized.” Sam dropped another hint.
Caleb was silent, as though absorbing their ideas. Finally, he mumbled, “I’d just have to change from a nonprofit to a private organization. Check the zoning. Shit, I can practically smell the steaks on the grill right now.”
Reese clapped her hands together. “Think of the events you could hold here. Wilder is in desperate need of a venue such as this. And the locals will come for cocktails and dinner. Pietro’s is closed on Mondays, so you’d likely pick up that clientele. Plus visitors wanting to come for the lake activities, the hiking and the horses.”
Caleb rubbed his forehead. “Nice visuals, I’ll admit, but I don’t know the first thing about running an inn.”
Everyone fell silent. E
ndless moments ticked by until Sam ventured, “Well, Reese, wouldn’t you have an inkling, given you run a B&B?”
Her breath caught. To manage this estate? To help bring the whole operation on line from start to finish? That might be biting off more than she could chew. She had four rooms for rent at the B&B. And with the exception of Amy’s help when there’d been multiple guests at a time, she’d been able to handle the small volume. But an inn of this magnitude…?
She hedged. Caleb slid a gaze her way and asked, “Would you even consider it?”
She looked around her again, finding the entire setup grandiose and beautiful… And a blank slate. Yet…
“This would be a more extensive undertaking than I’m accustomed to. When I bought the B&B, it was already established. All I did was move in and take over management. My lawns are too small for weddings or parties, and the interior isn’t conducive for such things, either. We’re talking apples and oranges here.”
“Yeah, but you do have experience,” Sam contended. “And vision. Not to mention, you know all about customer service and attending to guests. I’ll bet you also know right down to the tiniest detail what supplies and furniture would need to be purchased. What sort of staff would have to be hired…”
“Yes, but…” Her brow furrowed and her stomach twisted with both excitement and apprehension. She stared up at Caleb. “Are you seriously considering this?”
His gaze swept over the grounds again and his jaw worked vigorously, probably in time with the thoughts running rampant through his mind. Finally he asked, “What the hell else am I going to do with a house with twelve rooms?” He let out a hearty laugh. “I mean, why not consider it?”
* * * * *
The first order of business was for Caleb and Sam to meet with their lawyers and financial advisors, working out an operating plan for the new direction of the entire setup and solidifying their new partnership. Nadine Sadler researched the zoning for the land and confirmed it was acceptable for commercial purposes. Reese spent nearly a week outlining a staffing plan for him that included front desk agents, guest services help, servers and bartenders, chefs and prep cooks, bookkeepers, housekeepers, linen pickup and delivery, and maintenance workers. She also mapped out all the necessities, right down to the Egyptian cotton sheets for the beds and the hand towels for the bathroom. Caleb had insisted on going first class all the way. Though the air about the place would not be stuffy or pretentious, he wanted his guests to feel as though they were being treated to something special. “Country elegance” was the term Reese coined and both he and Sam had agreed with it.
Late one night, about two weeks into their planning efforts, Reese had a surprise for him.
They lay on their stomachs on the rug in front of the fire, facing each other. They’d both stacked their hands and rested their chins on them as they’d talked about the inn. Several large sheets of sketching paper sat between them, but Reese hadn’t turned them over yet to reveal the drawings.
She said, “Ginger is a fantastic artist. She sketches all of her window displays before creating them. If she weren’t so enamored with lingerie, she could easily make a living with her artwork.”
Caleb grinned. “What’d she draw for me?”
Excitement radiated from Reese, telling him he was going to like her surprise.
“I asked Ginger to create a few visuals for you so you could see the full potential of the inn.”
She flipped over the sheets and the first drawing was of the front of the house, with a large sign in the lawn that read, Welcome Guests and Horses to the Painted Horse Ranch & Inn. Beneath the large, scrolled print was Reese’s signature slogan—Country Elegance Awaits You.
“Damn, darlin’,” he said with a grin. “That’s nice.”
“She really enjoyed sketching the facade from the photos I took.”
“You know, this is suitable for framing.”
Reese nodded enthusiastically. “I thought so too. She worked really hard on these drawings. ’Course Jess, Liza and I had to make more wedding decorations to free up her time, but it was well worth it.”
The next sketch was less elaborate, but it showcased the grand staircase in the foyer.
“This sweeping staircase is straight out of Gone with the Wind,” she said. “Just needs a chandelier in this large, open area before it, with a round table and a large floral arrangement.” She pointed out the features Ginger had drawn. “That reminds me, Jess has agreed to give the inn a substantial discount on flowers for both everyday accents and events.”
“You’ve got friends in all the right places, don’t you?”
“Everyone wants to help out. Even Lydia Bain said she’d provide discount cards to give to guests for special occasions that require hair and makeup services. And I think bridal parties will want to stop into Ginger’s shop as well, so she’s offering a discount too. They just have to mention they’re staying at the inn. And Jack has a list of recommended suppliers for the bar provisions and liquor.”
Caleb shook his head in sheer admiration. “You think of everything, don’t you?”
“As of a matter of fact,” she said, a hint of mischief in her tawny eyes, “I even had Ginger sketch out the dining room and study.” She showed him both, elegantly and sophisticatedly portrayed, and yet…comfort and warmth oozed from the pages.
“What do you think of following the horse theme and hanging paintings of Arabians and thoroughbreds and the like? Paints too, of course, given the ranch’s namesake.”
“Of course.” He was overwhelmed. Blown away. “You’ve outdone yourself, darlin’. I don’t know what to say, except… Oh, yeah…” He winked at her and then reached for the papers he had for her. Lifting them from the coffee table, he handed over the short stack as she shifted into a sitting position. “Had these drawn up a few days ago. I was waiting for the right time to give them to you.”
She stared quizzically at him. “This looks like a contract.”
“It’s an outline of all the things Sam and I are willingly putting you in charge of at the inn and what we’ll be paying you.”
She scanned the documents, then gasped when she reached the third and final page. “Oh my God.” Her head snapped up. “You cannot be serious. This is like, five times what I make in a year with the B&B. Plus a startup bonus?”
“You’re doing a lot of front-end work, sweetheart. Good help does not come cheap. And you’ll have your hands full.”
“I was hoping to have my hands full. I really want to manage the inn, Caleb. But this…it’s too much.”
“I researched salaries and factored in your desire to do marketing and event planning as well.”
She stared at the papers she held in her hands, then glanced over at him. “What on earth would I do with this sort of money?”
He chuckled. God, it was refreshing to not have a woman fixated on amassing a fortune. “Take a vacation in Bora Bora. I don’t know. Reese, it’s a fair offer. Don’t think we’re building anything in because of my involvement with you. We’re also taking into account the time and effort you’re expending now, and the fact Sam and I both know for certain you won’t leave any stone unturned once we get rolling.”
“Geez, Caleb.” She let out a long breath and dropped her hands to her lap. “I’m pretty sure even George doesn’t make this kind of money as a dentist.”
“Reese,” he said as he took her hand. “This is a big undertaking with a lot of responsibility. I wouldn’t trust it to just anyone. I know you’ll put your heart and soul into the inn—you’re already doing it. You have to stop questioning your worth, sweetheart. Because as far as I’m concerned, we should be paying you in gold for all you’re doing for us.” He let out short laugh. “’Course, we have a budget to stick to, so we can’t pay you in gold. But you get my—”
She kissed him. Then she said, “I absolutely will not let you down. Or Sam.”
“Darlin’, I already know that.”
Her smile warmed his insides a
s much as her kiss did. But then she jolted and clamped her hands to her mouth, startling him.
Pulling away her hands, though her eyes were wide, she said, “Oh shit! I forgot to tell you something. Damn it. Caleb, small problem.”
His brow jerked upward.
“I’ve been meaning to mention this to you for a couple of weeks. You’ve spent just about every waking hour out at the ranch, now that you’ve broken ground on the med facility, and I failed to alert you to all the rumors Tommy’s been spreading around town.”
He laughed. “I’m not living in a cave, Reese. I’ve already heard. And I’ve been putting in my two cents along the way. So has Sam. No one thinks we’re doing anything kinky or illegal in this house, darlin’. It’s just a lot of gum-flapping on Tommy’s part.”
“Well, I know that. Everyone’s been saying they don’t think I’m actually getting it on with both you and Sam. Actually,” she added with a roll of her eyes, “they’re all implying I’m not capable of something so lascivious.”
With a low chuckle, he said, “I’ve done a lascivious thing or two to you.”
Pink tinged her cheeks. “Be that as it may, my ex is still in town and still shooting off at the mouth over things he knows nothing about. Though I suspect he hasn’t been skulking about lately, since the deputies are driving by the B&B more frequently.”
This was news to Caleb. “Sweetheart, I think it pretty much goes without saying that Sam and I can take care of ourselves. Are you worried about being here alone when we’re working late out at the ranch?”
“No, of course not.” Her chin hitched a notch, but a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes alarmed him. He and Sam were, after all, taking both trucks to the ranch. It would be quite obvious to Tommy that Reese was in the house by herself on some evenings.
He scratched his chin and said, “Maybe Sam and I should be carpooling. We’ve been hauling out supplies with both vehicles, but if my new truck is sitting in your drive, your ex might think twice about stopping by.”
“I’m not afraid to be here without anyone else in the house. I just wanted you and Sam to be aware of the ongoing issue.”