Rescuing Her Ranch, page 4
Cole’s fingers tightened into fists in his pockets. “Listen, Mace, I know you have trust issues when it comes to me, but I promise I didn’t know about any of this when you agreed to care for Lexi. Talk to your family and see what they want to do. This wasn’t my choice, but it’s my job. Like you, I have plenty at stake as well.”
“What? A promotion with a corner office view?”
Cole ground his jaw. “A promotion, yes. But a corner office means nothing to me. I care more about the medical benefits for my daughter.” He paused a moment, then ran a hand over his face. “What does this mean for us? Caring for Lexi, I mean. And me helping you with the Sweetheart Ball.”
Pocketing her hands, she sighed, white puffs of air punctuating her frustration. “I need the money and your little girl shouldn’t suffer. Plus I don’t have time to do all of the organizing on my own. But won’t those be conflicts of interest for you now that you’re overseeing this project?”
“I can separate business from my personal life.” Even as he spoke the words, they didn’t ring true to his own ears. Yeah, the next few months were going to be a challenge, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle.
“But it’s all personal. Don’t you see that? I want what’s best for my family and you want what’s best for your daughter. Somehow, there needs to be a compromise.” Without another word, she walked away.
The Macey Stone he knew growing up was more like the Macey who was so kind and patient with Lexi, not this angry person who was acting colder than the January air.
But could he really blame her? Honestly, he’d probably feel the same way.
Even though he’d said it wasn’t personal, it was. For all of them. Somehow, he had to work it out for everyone’s best interest.
Whatever that may be.
Chapter Three
If Macey couldn’t get her family to join the fight with her, then why was she wasting her own time and energy? Somehow, they needed to come together as a united front.
Especially for Mom’s sake.
Her mother sat in the same seat at the end of the rectangular dining room table for as long as Macey could remember. Her shoulder-length caramel-blond hair with streaks of gray around her temples had been pulled back into a clip, with a few wisps framing her face. Macey didn’t like the deepening lines etching her mother’s forehead, the brackets pinching her mouth, or the way she pushed her food around her plate.
Macey schooled her tone and tempered her anger as her gaze volleyed between her two brothers sitting across the table from her. “You guys don’t get it. Saving the ranch needs to be our highest priority.”
Bear threw his head back and laughed, the sound bouncing off the exposed beams. Raising his eyebrow, he pushed his empty plate away. His chair creaked as he leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. “We don’t get it?” He wagged a finger between Wyatt and himself. “The two guys who have been working the ranch daily while you’ve been five hours away?”
She tried not to let his words get under her skin. Forcing a smile, she said to her brother, “I’ve been away doing my job.”
He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, and seared her with a glare. “Exactly. But you haven’t been here on a daily basis, so you don’t have any idea of what’s happening. The least we can do is hear them out before rejecting their offer. Like Fowler said—they don’t want the whole ranch. Just a portion of it.”
“And a strip mall could help the town’s economy.” Wyatt wiped his daughter’s face and handed her a plastic cup of milk.
“Et tu, Wyatt?”
Her younger brother held up his hands. “Hey, I’m not being a traitor. I’m simply looking at all sides.”
“The letterhead may have the city council address, but now that we know they’re using Crawford Developments, this has Wallace Crawford written all over it. He tried to buy South Bend once already, but Dad refused to sell. And for good reason. We need to keep what is ours.”
“Ours? If you feel so strongly about the ranch, then why’d you run away the first chance you got?”
“I wouldn’t exactly call going to college and getting a job running away.” Macey wasn’t about to rehash the past mortification that caused her to leave Aspen Ridge, but that didn’t prevent the sting of her brother’s words.
Macey’s eyes darted between Mia, Wyatt’s two-year-old daughter, and Tanner, her sister Mallory’s five-year-old son sitting between Mom and Everly, who watched the grown-ups with wide eyes.
Mom cleared her throat. “Instead of arguing over dinner, we need to put it in God’s hands and let Him work out the details.”
Realizing she wasn’t going to change her brother’s mind, Macey swallowed her fighting words along with the last bite of her pot roast. She set her fork next to her plate and looked at him. “You’re right, Bear. I haven’t been around, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the ranch or shouldn’t know what’s going on. Now that I’m home, I’ll pull my weight around here and do what I can to help save the ranch.”
“Even if saving it means letting go of a piece of it?” His tone gentled.
Was she willing to do that?
“Yes, even if saving it means letting go of a piece of it. I’m meeting with Cole soon, who’s helping me with the Sweetheart Ball, so I’ll get started on the dishes.” She slid back her chair and carried her plate to the kitchen. She ran water in the sink and added a squirt of dish soap.
“We have a dishwasher, you know? No need to wash them by hand.” Everly set her plate on the counter.
“I don’t mind. Gives me time to think.” Macey submerged her hands beneath the bubbles, allowing the heated water to warm her chilled fingers.
Standing behind Macey, Everly wrapped her arms around her sister’s waist and pressed her cheek against Macey’s back. “Thanks for helping me out with Lexi.”
“You were right—she is a doll. We had fun baking cookies. Thanks for remembering about that. Otherwise, I would have had a very disappointed little girl on my hands. Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess. I’m sure it’ll be a bit different than student teaching.” Six years younger than Macey, Everly, with her lighter hair and blue eyes like their mom, looked more like a high schooler than an educator.
Mom carried in the plate of leftover pot roast and set it on the stove. She pressed her back against the counter and kneaded her temples.
“You okay, Mom?”
She lifted her head and gave them a tight smile. “Yes, just a little headache starting. I’ll be fine.”
“As soon as Macey and I finish the dishes, I’ll drive you to the hospital so you can see Dad for a bit before bed.” Everly turned to Macey. “You wanna go too, Mace? Dad’ll be thrilled to see you.”
Macey’s hands stilled on the plate she was washing. “Thanks, but Cole’s coming by to work on plans for the Sweetheart Ball with me. Give Dad my love though and let him know I’ll come and visit soon.”
Mom pushed away from the stove and reached for a dish towel. “Are you sure you have time to work on the ball, honey? I can cancel it or push it out further into the year, if need be.”
As eager as she was to jump on that offer, the look on Mom’s face had Macey swallowing her protest. Of course, she couldn’t cancel. It wasn’t that Macey didn’t want to plan it. The thought of working with Cole still twisted her stomach in knots.
But she didn’t want to burden her mother with stressing about her too.
Macey forced a smile into place. “Nope, it’s not a problem, Mom. I’ve got it handled.”
Mom slid an arm around her shoulders. “Thanks. I’m so glad I could count on you.”
After cleaning the kitchen, Macey headed up the polished oak stairs to the room she’d shared with her sisters for the first eighteen years of her life and retrieved her laptop.
Family photos lined the tongue-and-groove paneled stairwell, showcasing the changes and additions to the family over the years, particularly the grandchildren.
With Mallory still in the navy and stationed on a carrier somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, her son Tanner lived at the ranch until her deployment ended in six months.
A knock sounded on the door. Macey hurried downstairs. She took a quick second to run a hand over her hair. Maybe she should’ve changed out of her jeans and sweatshirt she’d worn to help with barn chores before sitting down to dinner.
Knock it off.
She opened the door and cringed at the way Cole’s presence sent her heart tripping over her ribs. “Cole. Hi, come in.”
He stepped into the kitchen, stripped his black knit cap off his head, then smoothed down his hair.
Macey waved a hand to the table. “Have a seat. Want coffee or anything?”
He held up a hand as he pulled out a chair. “No, thanks. I’m good. I have only an hour or so before I have to pick up Lexi from Piper’s.”
“You could’ve brought her with you, you know.”
“She wanted to hang out with Piper. Even though they’re second cousins, Piper’s kind of like the only mother figure in Lexi’s life right now.”
“I remember Piper from school being very sweet and friendly to everyone. She and Bear used to be close until they had a falling out after her husband was killed.”
“Ryland’s death was tough all around.”
“He was Bear’s best friend. My brother hasn’t been the same since that night. But you didn’t come here to talk about the past.” Macey lifted the cover of her laptop and opened the file her mother had sent with plans from previous years. “The ball’s been held at the barn on South Bend for as long as I can remember. After my grandparents passed, my parents decided to continue the tradition.” Then she stopped and glanced at Cole. “If this sale goes through, then this may be the last Sweetheart Ball on our family’s property.”
Cole shifted in his chair. “Then let’s make the most of it to create a lasting memory.”
“I don’t want to create a lasting memory. I want to hold on to what’s ours. But like Mom said over dinner—we need to put it in God’s hands and let Him work out the details.” Macey returned to the open document on her screen. “Aunt Lynetta and Uncle Pete will do the catering. I’m sure it will be a similar menu as in years past—an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, mixed green salad, a choice of filet mignon or roasted chicken, seasoned baby potatoes, vegetable medley and a dessert table. Tickets need to be purchased in advance to attend. They’re on sale at the diner, and we’ll sell them during WinterFest too. Mom said there was a problem with the posters, so they’re being reprinted. Then they’ll need to be hung up around town.”
“Sounds like the bulk of the details are in place. Other than hanging posters and selling tickets, what do we need to do?”
“Market the event, contact local businesses for prize donations, set up the barn at the homestead, decorate, show up and pray everything goes off without a hitch.”
Cole grinned and snapped his fingers. “Piece of cake. You’ll handle this like a pro. You’re a natural organizer, which is why you were on the prom committee for three years in a row.”
Macey held up a hand. “Can we not mention prom? Like ever again?”
“Sure, not a problem. Consider it stricken from my vocabulary.”
Macey drummed her fingers on the table next to her laptop and bit her bottom lip. “How would you feel about me caring for Lexi here at the ranch? If I’m going to make the ball happen in less than a month, then I can’t be tied to your condo all day. Plus she can play with Tanner and Mia here.”
“As long as Lexi’s in your very capable hands, I’m fine with you caring for her here. You’re doing me a huge favor so I’ll do whatever it takes to make things easier for you.”
“Then stop the land sale from happening.” The words tipped off the edge of her tongue before she had time to filter her thoughts.
“I really wish I could, Mace. The last thing I want is to bring you more pain.”
She promised her family to listen to the offer and consider all sides. But was she truly willing to let it go even if that’s what the family deemed was best?
Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.
Maybe having the Sweetheart Ball would show the community the value of the property over having a strip mall that could endanger small businesses in town.
* * *
If Cole could find another suitable property like the parcel at Stone River Ranch, then maybe he could make his uncle happy and still salvage his relationship with the family who had been a huge part of his childhood.
Problem was, that strip of land seemed perfect for what Wallace wanted to build.
A strip mall could be an asset to the small ranching community, provided they attracted the right retailers.
But Cole really hated the idea of ruining the integrity of Aspen Ridge’s small town feel by bringing in chain stores.
The town was straight out of a movie, which was why he’d stayed to raise his daughter after his ex-wife abandoned them.
Sure, a few chain restaurants would offer more variety, but they wouldn’t have the same personal touch as Netta’s Diner. However, Aspen Ridge’s city council was serious about wanting to grow and offer sustainable jobs for the community. Would retailers even be willing to come to a town of less than four thousand residents?
Cole scrubbed a hand over his weary face.
After working on the ball with Macey, he’d spent the remainder of his Friday working past midnight. Then Wallace had called before six this morning, asking if Cole planned to work that day. Needing to keep his uncle happy, he agreed to half a day and asked Piper once again for help.
He’d dropped a teary-eyed Lexi off at his cousin’s house at seven this morning and had been staring at the computer since seven thirty. He rubbed his burning eyes. With a sigh, he hit print, and the file of properties he compiled spit out from the printer.
He hadn’t wanted to spend Saturday in the office, but if he could get his uncle to change his mind, then it would be worth the short time away from his daughter.
After pocketing his phone, he grabbed the pages and crossed the hall to Wallace’s office.
His uncle, dressed in stiff Wranglers, a blue-and-white plaid pearl-snapped long-sleeved shirt and his worn cowboy boots, leaned back in his black leather executive chair and held the receiver of the office landline to his ear.
Deep lines etched the man’s weathered face, and his graying hair made him look like an Old West cowboy instead of the founder of a million-dollar corporation.
Cole rapped his knuckles against the open solid wood door. Wallace looked up and waved him in with two fingers.
Not wanting to eavesdrop on the call, Cole moved to the large window that offered a breathtaking snowcapped mountain view of the San Juan National Forest. With his office on the third floor of the building he owned, Wallace could look over Main Street to watch the daily activity of the business district. He liked to keep his finger on the pulse of what was happening in town.
The phone receiver rattled into its cradle and Wallace let out a whoop, causing Cole’s heart to slam against his ribs. “Wylie’s Western Wear just agreed to sit down with the council and discuss being one of the anchor stores in the strip mall. Great news, isn’t it, son?”
He wasn’t Wallace’s son.
The man was nothing like Cole’s father, who had been killed on a job site when Cole was six, but he kept his mouth shut. After all, he still owed his uncle.
Cole clenched his jaw and turned, his fingers tightening on the sheaf of papers. “I was reviewing different properties around Aspen Ridge and surrounding communities. Maybe one of them would be a—”
“Why?” Wallace cut in, raising his right eyebrow—the man’s tell for annoyance.
“Excuse me?”
“Why are you researching other properties? I want the Stone River Ranch property.”
“I understand that, but one of these others would offer many of the same benefits and we wouldn’t need to go after the Stones’ land.”
Wallace rounded his desk and walked toward Cole in slow, measured steps obviously meant to intimidate. Then he rested a heavy hand on Cole’s shoulder, squeezing tighter than necessary. “Son, I don’t pay you to second-guess me. If you’re getting soft, I’ll bring in someone who can close the deal. Is that what you want?”
Heat scorched Cole’s neck, but he schooled his expression with a tight smile and shook off his uncle’s hand. He lifted his chin and met the man’s gaze. “No, sir.”
Wallace grinned, reminding Cole again of a wolf watching his prey. “Good. Glad we understand each other. Now get with Fowler so the public notice can be posted. The quicker we act, the sooner we can be ready to break ground when the weather warms.”
Wallace’s phone buzzed. He moved to his desk and pressed the intercom. “What is it, Bernice?”
“Macey Stone is here to see you.”
The man sighed. “Send her in.”
Cole headed for the door, but Wallace blocked his path. “You might as well stay and hear what she has to say. Just be sure to tuck that bleeding heart away. Remember, this is business.”
Macey appeared in the doorway, wearing jeans, and a white sweater under the red wool jacket she’d worn yesterday.
Wallace strode to the door with his hand outstretched. “Ms. Stone, come in and have a seat. What can I do for you?”
Macey ignored his hand and the invitation. Remaining in the doorway, she seared both of them with a fiery look. “You can stop the process of stealing my family’s property.”
Wallace laughed, but his eyes sparked. “Ms. Stone, you and I both know I’m not stealing anything. The city council is offering your family fair market value for a few acres. You will have plenty of land for your cattle. With your daddy laid up and Barrett licking his wounds over his fallen rodeo career, I hear the money will help keep your family’s little ranch afloat a while longer.”
