CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 

“You’re quiet.” Wes leaned on his elbow, looking down at her, running the tip of his finger along her cheek.

“That was incredible. I’m in a cloud,” she admitted.

“No regrets?” He followed the curve of her jaw.

“No. Never. You know a person can think about something so much that they often wonder of they’d hyped it up into something it wasn’t?’

“Yeah, I think so.” He chuckled.

“Well over the last nine years, I’ve thought about you, us, this, and I often wondered if it was this wonderful, but I remembered it the way it was. Amazing.”

He opened his mouth but the chime of his phone sounded. “My jeans are beeping.” He smiled. “I should get that.”

She nodded and watched him climb off the bed. He answered the call and she listened to his one ended answers and then he turned to her. “There’s a problem at the office. I got to take care of it.”

“Sure, Wes, I understand. I’ll leave before Brie gets here.”

He bent and kissed her on top of the head. “We will talk tomorrow.”

After he left, she laid there thinking over what they’d just shared. She smiled and felt on top of the world.

A knock came on the door and she almost swallowed her tongue. Brie wasn’t due home for another half hour.

She jumped out of bed, pulled on her clothes as fast as her hands would move, all the while thinking up an excuse for being there. Then she thought the obvious. She’d tell Brie she was here because Wes was called away to work.

Pulling open the door, her eyes widened when she saw who stood on the doorstep. Although it had been years since she’d seen Ashley, there was no denying who she was and why she was at Wes’s house.

“Sammie Tanner?” One groomed brow lifted in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“The feeling is mutual. I wasn’t expecting you, Ashley, and I’m sure Wes wasn’t either.”

“Obviously.” She slipped her icy green gaze over Sammie’s disheveled appearance. Of course, Ashley’s hair was neatly styled with perfect highlights. Her makeup applied flawlessly. Her clothes were from a fancy designer. The rock on her fourth finger couldn’t be missed. She could put someone’s eye out if she wanted. “I would have called first, but Weston is ignoring my attempts.”

She didn’t realize she was still holding the knob until her knuckles cracked. Dropping her hand, she sucked in a breath. “Wes isn’t here.”

“Are you expecting him back soon?” Her crimson lips twisted.

“I-I don’t know how long he’ll be gone.” She didn’t want to give too much information out to her.

Irritation scattered over her beautiful face. “Look, I don’t know exactly what’s going on with you and Weston, but maybe you can talk some sense into him. I’d like to settle the situation with Brie soon. There’s no reason to handle this acrimoniously. I just want to see my little girl and he’s doing everything in his power to stop the inevitable.”

“I’m the last person who can help you.”

She squinted, but there wasn’t one wrinkle or crease on her face. Sammie could see Ashley and Brie’s resemblance to each other, although very little. “Look, I don’t care that you two are sleeping together, but I do have my daughter’s best interest at heart. If he’s still screwing anything with a skirt, I hope he’s keeping Brie out of his…” She swept her gaze over Sammie, “affairs. So, please tell him I was here.”

Something snapped in Sammie. “First, I’m not your messenger. If you have something to say to Wes, then you should speak to him yourself. I get that you want to see Brie, she’s an amazing child, and although your genes run through her bloodstream, you’re not the one who has molded her into who she is today. The day you walked away you, not Wes, hindered your chances of seeing your daughter. I hope I’m talking some sense into you and helping you understand how he must feel. Have you even taken into consideration how Brie would feel with you showing up like this?” Seeing her pale some, Sammie couldn’t stop. “No, you probably haven’t. Again, you should speak to Wes.”

Ashley’s mouth tightened. “No matter what you think of me, the court will see that I’m a married woman and can provide what a child coming of age needs. A stable home. Private school. Everything Weston can’t offer here in the boondocks.” Her nose wrinkled. “Even you left, remember?”

Anger shot through Sammie, but she contained herself. “I’m not surprised that love wasn’t at the top of that list.”

Her gaze narrowed. “I’ll have my attorney contact Weston’s attorney. Apparently, I don’t have a choice here.” And she swiveled on her tall, black heels.

Once Sammie closed the door, she realized what she’d done. She’d made a tough situation worse. She should have kept her mouth shut. This was between Wes and Ashley over the child they conceived together. Would he ever forgive Sammie? Why had she lost it? It was obvious why. She loved Wes and Brie and didn’t want to see either of them hurt. What would keep Ashley from leaving again?

Guilt raced through Sammie. What would keep her from leaving again?

She left Wes a note, barely seeing the words through her teary-eyed vision. She hoped he would speak to her later unless Ashley got to him first.

Back at Tanner, she started up the stairs when a knock came at the door. Had Wes already read her note?

Hurrying to the door, she opened it and for the second time in a night, she was both surprise and disappointed. “What can I do for you?” she asked.

The man easily lowered his gaze down her before hooking his thumbs in his wide, sterling belt buckle. “There’s a lot I can think of. I’m glad to see the rumors are true and you’re back home. I’m sure your daddy is very happy to have his baby girl back on the ranch.”

“Do I know you?” She narrowed her gaze, trying to place him, it finally came to her. “Marshall Reed?” She didn’t recognize him at first because he’d had more work done on his face, his hair was dyed black, and his hat was shading his eyes. He wasn’t a bad looking man, but he tried too hard to look younger.

He removed his hat and held it against his chest. “Wow. How long has it been? Five years? Seven maybe?”

“More like ten.” She’d never had any issues with the man, but she did know that Wes had big problems.

“Well, little lady, you certainly have…” he smacked his lips loudly. “grown into a mighty pretty woman.”

She smiled, but it was tight. “Daddy isn’t here. Tonight is poker night over at the Eagles. He won’t be back until late. You know how those men get when they’re put together with a stack of cards and chips.”

He laughed. “I certainly do. I didn’t think he played cards any longer.”

“He’s getting back to his old self.”

“Well, actually, I was hoping you and I could have a talk, honey. Care if I step inside for a moment? It’s a might chilly out here.”

The idea that he felt he could call her “honey” didn’t settle well with her. She found it quite demeaning. “Well…”

“Only a minute or two. I promise. I think I have some information you need to hear. You are running things now, right?”

“Okay.” She stepped back to allow him to pass and his shoulder brushed hers, and she had a feeling it wasn’t by accident. Once he was inside, she started to close the door, but decided to leave it wide open. That should send a message that she only had a few minutes to spare. “You said you had business to discuss?”

He swiveled in his snakeskin boots and nailed her with a smile that teetered on revolting. “Yes, I do. I heard you got yourself a new stud?”

She blinked. Were people talking about her and Wes already? “What?”

“A bull from Jericho?” he clarified.

Her face flushed. She needed to relax. “Oh, yes, but I can’t see how that it is information that has anything to do with you.”

“I’m not sure how much your daddy has told you, little lady, about his recent business deals in particular. I know it’s hard for a man to admit when he’s down.”

“I wouldn’t call him “down”,” she said. “And I didn’t know you knew my daddy well enough to make that judgment.”

“Yeah, I like your spirit, little lady. We made a business transaction a while back. I’m not the kind to just loan out money, but I saw his need and offered.”

She dropped her arms to her sides, feeling like the wind had been knocked from her lungs. “A business deal? You loaned my daddy money?” This wasn’t good…not good at all.

He laughed and scratched his temple. “Smart little lady. I like that too. He wanted to save his ranch, darlin’.”

At a disadvantage, she didn’t want to give too much away. “This is business and should be discussed during office hours. Call tomorrow—”

 “That’s not necessary.” He waved a hand, showing off a thick ring in the shape of a horseshoe surrounded by a dozen dazzling diamonds. “I’m here checking on my investment.” He placed his hat back on his head and tilted it. “Time’s about up and I wouldn’t be generous if I didn’t give a personal reminder.”

“Investment?” Her lungs ached and she wanted the floor to open and engulf her.

“Your daddy signed a contract, girly. He had one year to pay me in full or I’d take all his livestock as payment. Yeah, it’s a mighty cruel deal, but it is what it is.”

Her mind grappled around the man’s words and her heart thudded. “How much does he owe you?”

“Fifty grand. I was kind enough to only add ten percent interest. Better than any bank, I do declare.”

Her mouth fell open and she quickly closed it. Get a grip, Sam. “Fifty grand?”

“I can pass along the contract for you to look over, or possibly your attorney, to make sure you see that it’s legally binding. I know times are rough for all Colton folk. Unfortunately, no cattle can be sold from the herd here at Tanner until Lucas pays me in full being that the livestock is my investment. Now that you have a prized stud, Torment it is, right? I’ll be willing to strike up a deal. A fair one because that’s how I roll. You give me two hundred head of cattle as well as the first-born calves from the stud, and I’ll rip up the contract.” A victory smile sealed his mouth. He thought he had a deal.

Although she knew little about cattle ranching, she did realize Reed had her backed against a wall—probably his plan. As the temporary boss at Tanner, she needed to still be strong. This was her first real test. “I’ll want to see the contract.”

A sliver of surprise crossed his features, but quickly passed. “I didn’t bring it with me, but I’ll have a messenger bring it to you first thing in the morning. I’ll also have another contract drawn up with the new stipulations so you’ll be clear on what I’m asking. I would suggest taking your time, but time is money and well, I don’t think you have a lot of that right now.” He rubbed his palms together as if excitement rolled through him. “I’ll give you seventy-two hours to sign the new agreement.” He tipped his hat and stepped toward the door.

“I’m confused. Why would you make this deal with my daddy? You can’t possibly need our livestock when you must have triple the number of cattle that we do.”

“I’m a business man, Miss Tanner. This is purely business. Nothing more. Your ranch might be sinking fast but you still have some of the best breeding cows this side of Texas. Now that your breeding virgin heifers with a Jericho prized stud, it only makes things sweeter.”

“Oh, so now this has become leverage against the Jerichos? Tanner Ranch doesn’t own Torment, Mr. Reed.”

“Yes, but you’ll own the calves. Am I wrong?” He lifted a brow.

What could she say?

 There was that shit-eating grin again. “I’m sure after you’ve had time to think about the offer, you’ll see it’s your only choice, unless you have fifty grand. You shouldn’t worry too much. You can go back home and take your daddy with you.” He winked and left, leaving a cold draft behind him.

Sammie stepped over to the couch and dropped onto the cushion, wrapping her arms around her waist. Things just kept spiraling downhill.

She wanted to wait up for her daddy, wanted to question him, but she knew it was all true. He’d put their ranch on the line and they had no choice but to sell if they lost their livestock. They were doomed, unless she could come up with fifty grand. That could be a million right now because she didn’t have anywhere close. She certainly knew they couldn’t get blood from a turnip, and that just happened to be Tanner. What had Lucas been thinking?

Needing to gather her thoughts, she went to bed and woke early. Her daddy had come home sometime around midnight, and Wes hadn’t reached out to her. By now he would have read her note.

As promised, the messenger delivered two envelopes, one with the current contract and another with the new, unsigned copy. Not wanting to do anything impulsive, she faxed over both contracts to her attorney.

In the meantime, not in the mood to be around people, she went down to the stables at the same time the other hands were starting their chores. She greeted anyone she saw with a quick nod and they must have sensed her frustration because none, not even Braise, stopped to talk.

Digging the shovel into the soiled straw inside the horse stall, Sammie carried it to the half full wheelbarrow and dropped the load in with the rest. She hadn’t slept more than an hour or two last night and her mind and body showed the signs of restlessness. This morning she should be on a post-orgasmic high after making love with Wes.

What would he think after she made things tougher between he and Ashley?

She’d have to face him eventually.

Shoveling more dirty straw, she robotically dumped it and went back to the stall.

In fact, she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t seen Wes yet. Was he staying away from her? Angry?

He had every right to be. She shouldn’t have stuck her nose where it didn’t belong. This was a doozy of a mistake.

With a burdened sigh, she continued to lift shovel after shovel until the wheelbarrow was almost overflowing. Sweaty and tired, she dragged off her gloves and tossed them onto the work bench and reached for an ice-cold water from the cooler.

Dropping onto a bale of hay and leaning against a beam, she felt a strong urge to break down in tears. How would she save Tanner? She should offer to sell the ranch to Reed? Or the Jerichos? Give them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Yet why didn’t that entice her like it should? Why did it make her stomach turn and her chest ache?

Because she didn’t like being cornered by a snake like Reed. Sure, he was a businessman, but seeing his conniving smile and perfect row of fake teeth had ripped through her. Some people liked to prey on the weaker folks and he’d decided that she and her father fit into that role.

She waited for her attorney to call her, but she already knew what he would say. Where could she get enough money to pay back the loan? She could empty her accounts, but it still wouldn’t be enough. All her money was wrapped up in her business…

Her heart fluttered.

The business she and Brady had built was lucrative, worth three times more than when they opened the doors to the design company. Worth five times more than paying off Tanner’s debt and having enough left over to get the place back in shape. All she’d have to do is sell her business.

Her stomach twisted. Her fingers tingled.

It all came down to either giving up the ranch or giving up her life in Chicago. The horses scratched at the stall doors as if they sensed her dilemma.

Was Chicago and the design business still her dream? Since coming back to Texas she’d looked forward to getting up each morning and working the land…seeing Wes. And Brie. The child had worked herself inside Sammie’s heart. Wes had never left. Clearly.

She looked down at her empty ring finger. He’d asked her to marry him, become a permanent part of his life, and although she hadn’t said no, she hadn’t said yes either, which he’d taken as a rejection. Why hadn’t she said yes? She was in love with him. Loved his daughter.

In a small part of her heart, if ever he was to ask for her to marry him, she wanted to hear that he loved her. Does he love me? He did say he’d bought her a ring nine years ago, but a lot had changed. They were different people.

Yet, lying in his arms, she felt whole again. Loved. Cherished.

Something snapped inside of her. A light clicked on.

On her phone, she clicked a familiar number. “Hi, Brady. I have a solution to our problem. You up for listening?”

“Why aren’t you back? I hope your solution includes realizing that you have a job here.”

“I’m not coming back. You can buy me out.”