Forgiving Love (The Soul Sisters Series Book 2)

by Victoria Johns

  “Neely, a word please. A new case has come our way.”

  “OK.” I lock my computer and grab a pen and pad and follow him inside his office. As always I take the seat in front of his desk and am careful how I go about this. I need to remember he’s a bit of a flirt and always looking to see if he can spot my panties or get an eyeful of something extra when I sit down. As expected he watches just in case and smirks at me when I don’t provide, it’s like a game.

  “OK. Shoot. What’s the case?” I ask.

  “I need to be clear, this is one that needs to stay in the office. We’re being asked to look at the legalities only in the initial phase, before our client decides whether to proceed.”

  I scribble a note and nod in agreement, when he doesn’t continue I look up at him and he looks uncomfortable.

  “Henry Vans is our client and requesting our services, he wants to understand what would be required to make a successful bid for the Hales’ ranch.”

  “What!” I’m fairly sure my mouth is hanging open. “Does Chris know?”

  “Absolutely not, we’re being approached in total confidence. I’m aware of your friendship with Chris, as is Henry, but he trusts us to be professional. Also, Chris is not our client, Henry Vans is and he accepts there may be a conflict of interest for certain members of my team, but appreciates the excellent service he receives from us and is happy to proceed.”

  “Of course Steven, but holy shit, they work together for the good of our farming community and if he hasn’t approached Chris directly, well, I don’t see that harmony continuing in the future.”

  “Agreed, but again, not for us to concern ourselves with. So you need to investigate the land registry for conditions of sale. He wants everything, so no stone unturned. He also mentioned ‘insider legal knowledge’ but I can’t help thinking he really meant some other kind of ‘insider knowledge’, which I’m not happy about and didn’t commit to. I imagine his plan will be to use this detailed data to offer a substantially reduced price.”

  “Can I be clear about the ‘insider knowledge’? Are you expecting me to abuse my long standing friendship with Chris and his family? Is it that kind of ‘insider knowledge’?”

  “Nothing to clear up Neely. I am not asking you to do that, but if you feel there is something that puts us in an awkward position or something vital then we’ll discuss it between us and agree how to proceed and whether it should be included in any findings.”

  “OK,” I agree but I’m not happy. I’ll be making those decisions myself before they get presented back to him. Chris may be my least favorite person, but I have morals and I won’t willingly screw him over in favor of the Vans. After all I hate Polly slightly more than I do Chris right now.

  “Good, get to work then. We’ll touch base in a week or so and see what’s going on.” He dismisses me and I go back to my desk and ponder on what I’m about to do. The Hales and the Vans own the two biggest land farms and cattle ranches this side of the state border line. I believed they had a great working relationship and never once got the impression that the Hales were ripe for a business take over and I am totally curious about the reasons why.

  Chris and Polly have grown up together. Hearing Polly’s name makes my skin crawl, especially after he left me that night and went with her. It’s not lost on anyone with functioning eye balls that Polly sees Chris as hers, clearly it’s not reciprocated in return. She desperately wants to be the one that breaks his guy whore ways. Part of me wonders whether they’ve been pushed together in the past, because them as a couple makes for one big ranch holding in the future.

  One thing about this new case means that I am going to be rooting around in both Chris and Polly’s business far more than I want to right now and it’s going to test my professionalism to the pissing maximum.

  I look at the office wall clock and decide to pack up my gear and head back to my apartment. I need to eat, get ready and probably have a drink before I head to Chris’s BBQ.

  I can use this case as the excuse of why I’m going, I feel I need one just to justify it because I don’t want to think I am going over there as a friend for Chris. I tell myself I am going for research purposes only, it helps the bitter pill I am attempting to swallow and let’s face it, it’s been stuck in my throat for a while.

  Even though I have lamely come up with a reason to go, I still don’t really want to, but my mind is now totally consumed by what this case could do to my own personal feelings and what I’ve worked hard to bury over the last year.

  Chapter Three

  The apartment block I live in is very homely, it’s clean and bright. When we left college, Dolly and I picked a building where we could both move together and it had separate apartments available to let. It’s close to town, in a good area and has the right mix of families, retired people and young professionals like me. Dolly used to live across the breezeway before she got together with Jonas and to be honest things aren’t the same without her. I miss having her across the way, that someone I can just go to for anything, even if it was only to see a friendly face and share a glass of wine. I’d never considered us totally inseparable but now she’s gone it’s another reminder that her life has moved on and mine has a big gaping hole in it. I also think she knows this which is why she tries to visit me as much as she does. Dolly moving and having a new family in her life only enhances that I’m here and I’m still alone.

  Letting myself into the apartment I go straight to my iPod dock and select a playlist. I never used to do this, but the saying silence is deafening is totally true and I don’t need a constant reminder that there is no one to come home to. My next stop after the music starts is the refrigerator where I grab a glass of wine from the open bottle inside. I then head to the bathroom for my night out preparations.

  A quick shower and full body moisturize makes my skin shine. I’m half Native American, thanks Mom, so I’ve got a great deep natural skin tone, poker straight black hair and deep midnight colored eyes. The only fly in my beauty package is that I am five foot three inches tall, or rather short. I don’t carry a lot of weight but being short means I’m not as slender as wish I was. I try and look on the positive side, because it gives me a great ass and a more than ample breast package. I know I’ve got more than a handful of each, but my mom always taught me to embrace it and own them.

  So I totally own them.

  I refuse to think about what went down last year, but in reality it’s always at the back of my mind. How can it not be? He’s a guy I’ve desired for a while and he just tossed me aside like I was nothing. My bitchy side wants to wear the same thing I did last year to see if I can spark off any memories or a hint of remembrance in him, but my fashion side says no way in hell. So I decide to go simply dressed and see what’s going down at the BBQ.

  This case is certainly making me curious. The Vans property is roughly the same as the Hales in terms of land ownership and business output, so why the sudden take over desire? Or maybe the bigger question is why is it being done in secret? Mom always says that if you wait long enough, reasons for actions and answers to questions become apparent. I hope so. Chris’s ranch has been in his family for generations and a hostile purchase would mean a war between two families who have trusted each other as far back as I can remember. The one thing I am uncertain of is which way the town folk would go if they were pressed to support either side. It seems only time will tell.

  I’ve dried and ironed my hair straighter than possible, even though it’s naturally straight using the irons gets rid of any fluffy bits and makes it look sharper. To finish it off I grab one cheeky section and curl the end so it frames my face. My idea of simple dressing is probably a bit more extreme than some of the town folk that will be in attendance, but this is me and if I’m going to do a job, I make sure I fully commit to it.

  I select a pair of wet look, black disco leggings that emphasize my ass and when teamed with black stilettoes give my short legs some extra length and definition.
The top I’ve selected is a long sheer purple blouse and a black fitted vest underneath. The leggings and vest top look like I’ve got a fitted cat suit on and the purple of the blouse makes my black hair take on a gleam similar to oil, dark, deep and rich. Finally, I add a hint of make-up and some chunky jewelery and I’m done.

  I grab my keys and cell phone and leave the apartment feeling nervous and apprehensive. As I shut the door behind me I’m greeted by a guy who can only be described as a human mountain. What’s even more exciting is he’s letting himself into Dolly’s old apartment.

  Aces! Looks like I have a new neighbor.

  He’s wearing dirty work jeans tucked into dusty cowboy boots that look like they’ve seen a lot of use. The jeans have holes in them at the knees and are faded at the top of the thighs. The faded bit isn’t there by design, they’re there because his hands have rubbed them that way. His t-shirt is a fitted v-neck and is well worn, it looks used and rugged. The short sleeves give me a clear view of his arms which are covered in tattoo sleeves, this would be hot on its own, but covering arms the size of tree trunks makes it really hot and they are straining the bicep part of his t-shirt to the max. The tattoo designs start from somewhere underneath his t-shirt and end at the nail bed on his fingers. This Adonis has huge shoulders and arms which appear firm and massive. His neck is thick, so thick I have no idea how he gets a collared shirt to fit him. Lastly I take in the face, its sun tanned from working outside somewhere and he has a goatee beard that is brown in color, to match his hair. His hair is very thick and rough looking on top and shaved up the back and sides almost leaving the top to fall in an unruly manner over his forehead. When you match this with light brown eyes there is only one word that I can come up with to describe him and that’s dangerous.

  “Hi,” is all he grunts at me as he moves bags between his hands so he can put his keys into the lock.

  “Hey,” I reply and he smiles at me, it’s a knowing smirk that tells me he knows I was totally checking him out.

  “See ya around.” That’s it, it’s all I get until the door shuts after him. It seems like things just got a lot more interesting in the apartment block.

  I only purposely had one glass of wine at home so I could drive to Chris’s ranch. I didn’t want to cut off my escape option if I needed one. There are a lot of cars already parked at the ranch when I arrive, I forgot just how popular Chris is.

  OK. Time to do this.

  I’ve arrived late because I know that Jonas and Dolly will already be here. They live in a ranch house on the edge of Chris’s land so will have walked over. Jonas is fiercely protective of his family and his privacy, so buying a chunk of land and self-building enabled him to have exactly what he wanted in his family home.

  I wander round the side of the property to the back of the yard and see that there is already about fifty people in attendance. The whole area has been draped in lanterns and bunting that sway gently in the breeze. Chris must have had help this year from some of the rancher’s wives, he usually just chucks beer, food and music at the event and goes from there. There is no way he'd go to this much trouble off his own back. Chris and a group of ranch dudes are manning the grill which is on his back decking. The house on his land is lovely, it started as a small traditional farm house and has been doubled in size slowly. It's a lovely place to live and the modern elements he's added compliment the traditional home it once was. Most of the women and families are spread out around the rest of the area, but loosely hanging by a few tables that house nibbles, condiments and soft drinks.

  My soul sisters are located on the fringe edge of the decking, dangerously close to the beer supply. Flo and Lottie are in attendance as expected, as is Dolly and they are all talking to Dolly's husband Jonas.

  "Hey," I say as I approach and grab a bottle of bud light from the table. When I get to them I hug and sister kiss all my girls, but not Jonas, he is way too cool for that, he greets me with a chin lift and I give him a smile in return.

  “You're late, you know these things start early for the kids, in fact so late that I didn't think you were coming at all," says Dolly.

  "Give the girl a break Dolls, look at her hot outfit, she was right to make the mother of all entrances," answers Lottie for me.

  Jonas looks at us all and starts laughing, he knows how we are when we get together. Flo is looking across the sides of the field and following her eye line I spot Sonny, a buddy of ours. He's smiling and laughing at something and on closer inspection that something is Chris.

  I stare at him. OK, it’s more of a glare and really for a little longer than necessary, then I remember my plan to ignore him and then turn back to the girls. As I do I spy Jonas out of the corner of my eye, he's clocked my reaction to Chris which means I've already attracted more attention than I wanted to. Jonas being his usual bucket of calm observing manliness means he doesn't call me out on it or say anything in front of the others.

  "How are you Neely?"

  “I'm good Flo, by the way you are looking fine tonight."

  "Why thank you mam," she replies in her best gone with the wind voice. Flo is our resident romantic and high school English teacher, she lives her life in a perpetual state of poems, sonnets and classics.

  Whilst we're engaging in general chit chat Polly Vans comes bustling out onto the back deck carrying a tray of cold burger patties over to the grill, her smile and aim is heading straight for Chris. "Here you go honey," she says as she hands them over. Chris ignores her and takes them off her hands, he brushes her comment aside and doesn't break his conversation with the guys at all.

  “I see Polly is still trying to get her feet under the table," says Lottie. This makes me shiver and grind my teeth. Once again I realize I didn't hide my reaction well enough because Jonas looks at me funny.

  Damn. I am going to have to be more careful, even extra careful around him.

  “Yeah, I saw her coming back and to yesterday with supplies. It took her hours to hang all these lanterns and stuff, in her bikini,” chuckles Dolly.

  That growing feeling of violence sweeps through my system and I make an attempt at covering this by taking a large swig of beer.

  "That girl will never learn. He's been there and done that. She is part of a growing number who should have a membership card."

  I hadn't quite fully swallowed my mouthful of beer and it results in me snorting and choking in a very unlady like manner, which then leads to me laughing out loudly along with my friends. The net result of all this is that I draw the attention of Chris, who narrows his eyes at me and then goes back to the grill. Polly is also glaring at me, I guess she's not happy I'm here either. I need to bring this back to normal so I head into safer territory.

  "Jonas, time for you to shut your ears," I say.

  “Oh fuck, here it comes," he mumbles.

  “A new Thor like guy creation has moved in opposite me. Sweet mother of all my tingly bits, he is fine."

  "How fine?" The girls all ask in a jumbled up attempt to obtain more information.

  "Very fine. We're talking huge, we're talking manual labor is no challenge and we're talking throw me round the ..."

  "Ross man, long time no see, I heard a rumor you were in town," Jonas says loudly in an obvious attempt to shut me up.

  I don't need to turn around and see who he is talking to, the tattoos on his arm down to his finger nails tell me I’ve just been busted. I've got my back to him and his body is so much larger than mine, that the breeze I was feeling around me has now stopped like he's a shield.

  "Jonas. I wondered whether the rumor that you were local was true. Good to see you."

  "Jonas baby, are you going to introduce us?" says Dolly with a look on her face that I haven't seen in a while. In fact, I haven’t seen it since she's been on the receiving end of some hot Jonas loving. Jonas also notices this and moves to redirect her attention.

  "Ross, this is my wife Dalton and her friends Flo, Lottie and Neely who it seems you live by."


  He nods his hello to Flo and Lottie and then positions himself so I can see him rather than feel him. "Hey neighbor," he says and I offer him my cheekiest smile back. This guy makes me nervous and I'm not a nervous person, but in complete contradiction to that he also makes me feel warm and I haven't felt that kind of warm in a long while.

  “What brings you to the BBQ?” I ask.

  “I just started working over at the Vans ranch and thought I'd come after some of the guys suggested it was tradition and good luck to have a beer and kick off the season."

  Interesting. He's working over there. I could make this work, but what is really intriguing is the odd questioning look that is currently passing between him and Jonas. There is definitely some silent communication taking place between them and that really sets off my nosey radar. Whatever is going on is more than simply alpha macho's marking their territories.

  “Anyway, it's great to meet you ladies, if you'll excuse me I need to go and say hello to Chris and Polly and thank them for the invite. Jonas, catch you later."

  "Chris and Polly? Is that like Chris and Polly who are hosting this together? Have I missed something? Have I been out of town for light years on an alien ship being experimented on and they are actually together now?" I ask, well more like demand an answer. My demand doesn't go unnoticed by anyone and before the girls can get into my tirade Jonas says, "Not that I’m aware of Neely."

  “OK." Escape time. “I need a quick trip to the bathroom, here hold this Dolly," I say and slap my beer in her hand. This action doubles as a silent ‘don't follow me’ and wisely she doesn't, but I can see that she’s internally warring with that decision.