Chapter Three
Hiring Graeme was the best decision she’d made in a long time. Within a week, he’d proved he was not only in charge of the situation, but was also capable of making independent decisions she approved of. Now that he was available to deal with the daily chores, she could concentrate on her expansion plans. Westbury Ranch had always enjoyed a good reputation, thanks to her father’s hard work and his dedication to the horses they reared, but she wanted to put her own stamp on the place.
Cattle became the next goal in her mind.
While she drove back to the ranch, Cullen felt happy. She’d gotten the approvals for the new barn that would be constructed. The plan was final and next week, construction would begin. In the meantime, she could start looking at cattle and begin the process of finalizing the supplier. She parked her car and cast a gaze at the ranch. Everything appeared to be in order. With Graeme at the helm of things, he would have to monitor the lessons as well as feed and groom the horses.
Yet, the man was an enigma.
As a foreman, he was dependable, efficient, and trustworthy—but as a man, he made her palms sweat. It’d been far too long since she had the hots for a man, and Cullen wasn’t comfortable with these new feelings that engulfed her every time she looked at him. Sure, he was handsome. But handsome was as handsome did. She got taken in by a man’s good looks and charm once, and Cullen swore she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
After she got out of her car, Cullen winced. As if she just summoned the devil, Max Hayes rode into the ranch.
Seeing her, he headed her way. His horse, Bay, was an animal that he’d bought from her ranch.
As much as she sought to avoid Max, Cullen was always glad to see one of their mounts. She had to give Max credit; he treated the animal well. Bay’s chestnut-brown mane gleamed with health and his skin was smooth and supple.
When Max dismounted the animal and led her towards Cullen by holding the reins, she stood still. What brought Max here? They’d met yesterday at the boundary of their ranches and she’d told him she hired a new foreman. Cullen didn’t expect to see him this soon again. By mutual decision, they kept out of each other’s way.
Max and she dated two years ago. When she caught him in bed with a young barmaid, Cullen broke off the relationship without much fuss. She was hurt beyond belief because Max was her ideal man up until that point. He was sweet, charming, and a gentleman. Clearly, fidelity wasn’t one of his strongest qualities.
“Hi,” she said. “What brings you here?”
“It’s just a friendly, neighborly visit.”
She cocked her head as she surveyed him. Although she buried the feelings of betrayal and resentment that always simmered in her heart since that fateful day, Cullen was still enraged at Max. It wasn’t enough that he broke her heart, he made her the butt of gossip in the town. Everyone knew what happened on that night because his pretty, blonde girlfriend told the tales in not one bar, but a few too many. She left town a month after that, but the damage was done.
Cullen was the poor dupe who didn’t know what was going on right under her nose. She would never be able to forgive Max for that insult. But he was her neighbor, and she couldn’t afford to be on bad terms with him. She forced a smile on her lips. “I wish I could invite you in for coffee, Max, but I’ve got a lot of work to do. As you can see, I just came in, and there are some chores that need my attention.”
He made no sign to move away. “How’s that new foreman coming along?”
“He’s good,” she said. “Graeme has a lot of experience, so I don’t have to train him much. It’s a relief to be able to leave the reins in someone else’s hands for a change.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” He took off his hat and ran his hand over his silky, sienna-colored hair that was trimmed short. “He’s a good-looking guy.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Have you changed your tune, Max? Not the ladies’ man anymore?”
“Don’t be silly.” A faint frown creased his forehead. “I’m just looking out for you. Wasn’t sure if a guy like him would work well at this place, especially with you and your mother alone in the farm house.”
Max looking out for me? She wanted to laugh in his face. “We’re hardly alone. There are three ranch hands.”
“They leave in the evening.”
“Blade stays,” she said of the guy who was hired by her father seven years ago. Blade stayed in a cottage that was on the other side of the ranch. He was a loner, but an excellent hand with the horses.
“So, I heard this guy is staying in the cottage. That’s right in your backyard.”
What the hell was this conversation about? She couldn’t understand his motive. “He has dinner with us, and it’s kind of nice to have a man around the house. Mom loves cooking, so she’s having a good time.”
She had the pleasure of seeing Max’s eyes darken, his lips pursed in a flat line. Damn it! What right did he have to show concern for her? He’d blown away an opportunity to be with her for a good time in bed with another woman.
“Have you checked his references?”
Temper simmered in her heart. “He’s not the first man I’ve hired for a job, and I doubt he’ll be the last.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you.”
She swallowed her anger. Was she being overly sensitive just because it was Max who uttered those words? If someone else said the same things, she might’ve been more opened to a discussion, but she didn’t want to discuss this with Max. “It’s okay. Thank you for your concern, but we’re all right.”
He put his hat back on and patted his horse. “Cullen, I’ve been thinking…it’s been two years since we broke up. Maybe we should get back together?”
If he’d punched her in the face, she would’ve been less shocked. A sudden coldness hit her at the core of her being. Go out with you again? Have you lost your damned mind? Man, I must be hearing wrong? “That’s not a good idea, Max.”
“I’m a changed man now, Cullen. Losing you was the worst thing to happen to me.” He flashed her a smile.
She’d found that smile so disarming in the past, but now, it only left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“It won’t happen again. I promise I would do my best.”
Unfortunately, his best wasn’t good enough. How could she trust a man who’d cheated on her before? Maybe he was sorry, but she wasn’t in the mood to fall into his arms just because he wanted to try again. “I’m busy.”
“So am I, but we’re entitled to a personal life.”
Not with you. Not now. Not ever. “It won’t work, Max. We tried once, and it failed. Nothing much has changed.”
“I’m not the same guy anymore. Give me a chance, and I’ll prove it to you.” He reached out to touch her.
Cullen quickly stepped back before his hand landed on any part of her body. Maybe when they’d just parted ways, she would’ve swayed if he’d said those words, but at that time, he was angry that she’d caught him. Max wasn’t ready to settle with one woman back then, and she doubted he was prepared to make such a commitment now. But most important was the fact that she didn’t care either way.
She licked her bottom lip as she considered his words and her feelings on this subject. As far as she was concerned, Max was a closed topic. She didn’t want anything to do with the man anymore. “It's not going to work for me.”
His eyes narrowed and she could see the temper that coiled in their clear depths. Max wasn’t used to hearing no from a woman. He liked them to fall at his feet, and maybe she did it once, but she wasn’t about to do so anymore. “You’re making a mistake.”
“It’s my mistake to make.”
“Wait a minute. I’ve been thinking maybe it’s time for us to merge our ranches.”
She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve got guests who come in to stay. Maybe we can send them over to your place for horse riding lessons and such. That way, we don’t have to bother with that and in return, you could start advertising our facilities over here.”
Working with Max wasn’t the best of ideas, but of course, he would send a lot of business her way. It wasn’t something she could dismiss easily, though. After all, business is business. “Let me think about it.” She waved, dismissing him at the same time. But before she could move away, Graeme came into view.
“Hey, Cullen. Glad you got back safely. How was your meeting?”
“Fine.” Another complication. Another headache.
Graeme turned towards Max and thrust out his hand. “I’m Graeme.”
“Max.” The men shook hands.
Cullen resisted the urge to laugh. They were both sizing each other up as if they would soon get embroiled in a physical fight. What was it about men? Why did they always need to prove which one was stronger? “Max was just leaving,” she said.
Max sneered. “Welcome to Westbury Ranch, Graeme. I own the ranch next door. If you want, you can drop by for a drink.” Max smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Come any time.”
“Thanks, but I don’t drink much,” Graeme replied as if he was taking his cue from her.
Although she was glad he snubbed Max, Cullen was astounded that he was able to pick up on the waves of hostility that emanated from her. Could he tell she didn’t like Max? Or was he simply being difficult on purpose?
Much to her relief, Max took the hint. He mounted his horse, raised his hat, and then turned the animal around.
“Nice horse,” Graeme noted.
“One of ours,” she commented as she turned back and marched towards the farm house. If he asked her any personal questions about Max, she was going to ignore him. It was already enough that she had to deal with Max, and now she didn’t want to rehash her history.
“Listen, this saddle is torn,” he said. “We need to fix it.”
“Give it to Blade. He does a fine job of it.”
“Yeah, that’s what he said, but I wanted to check with you first. Also, one of the horses is sick, so I’ve called the vet.”
She stopped and rubbed her chin. This was serious. “How bad?”
“Nothing that won’t get better. He should be okay in a couple of days. I’ve talked to that guy about the cattle, and he said to come in about two weeks’ time and check out the herd. Do you want to go?”
“How far is his place?”
“It’s an eight-hour drive. We would have to stay the night. They’ve got a nice motel nearby.”
She nodded. It was full speed ahead as far as she was concerned. Max or no Max, she wasn’t going to let the ranch take a back stage to her personal life anymore. “Fine. Make the arrangements, please. Two rooms. I’ll pay. And now, I’m going to the stables. If there’s anything that you need me for, I’ll be there.”
She left him behind and went off to do her work. Men! They were usually far more trouble than what they were worth. She had learnt her lesson with Max. She wanted to keep men at an arm’s length, and that included Graeme. Cullen wasn’t looking for a relationship or a fling—and that was her final word on the matter.