Rescuing Her Ranch, page 5
“Little ranch? Our family has nearly a thousand acres.”
“And my ranch in Montana has five thousand.”
“Why are you doing this?”
He waved a hand toward Cole. “As I’m sure my property manager has explained, it’s an opportunity to grow the economy. I’m merely working with the city council on this for the good people of Aspen Ridge.”
“Right. You’re telling me you have nothing to gain? You’ve always put yourself first and others second, Mr. Crawford. We’ll fight you every step of the way.”
“I’m sure you’ll be a worthy adversary, young lady. But just be sure you’re doing what’s best for your family. The longer this drags out, the less generous I... I mean, the city council may be.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No threat. Simply stating I always get what I want.”
“We’ll see about that.” She turned and strode out of Wallace’s office, slamming the door behind her.
Wallace growled low in his throat, then reached for his Broncos coffee mug.
For a moment, Cole expected him to hurl it against the wall. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Wallace drained the cup, then pierced Cole with a sharp look. “I don’t care how you do it, but get them to sign. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself out of a job. I’m sure you don’t want that, especially with that expensive specialist your daughter needs that your insurance doesn’t cover.”
He flung the door open and marched down the hall, barking an order at Bernice.
Cole dragged a hand over his face, then returned to his office. He fed the lists of other properties through the shredder, feeling every bit sliced and diced as those bits of paper.
Somehow, he needed to show the Stones what a gain this could be instead of a loss.
Because Cole needed to keep this job for the sake of his daughter. Even if it meant working for a man like Wallace Crawford.
Chapter Four
Macey wasn’t actually going behind her family’s back. She simply wanted a second opinion.
But after the previous night’s dinner conversation, she didn’t expect them to be very receptive of her idea. She just didn’t understand why they weren’t as on fire to save the ranch. Especially after her impromptu meeting with the despicable Wallace Crawford.
How could Cole work for a man like that? Even if he was an uncle. What hold did that jerk have over him?
As Macey rounded the corner, her eyes drifted to the way the sun glazed the San Juan Mountains in the background of Main Street. Clouds crowned the peaks jutting against the brilliant blue sky. The aspens and frosted pines of the national forest and the silvery river flowing through the base eased the tightness in her chest.
There truly was no place like home.
“Hey, Macey. I heard you were back in town. Long time no see.”
Macey whirled in the direction of the male voice and came face-to-face with Aaron Brewster, Allison’s brother-in-law and one of her closest friends all through school. Just the person she’d come to see.
She hugged him and let out one of those little squeals she really disliked hearing from other people. “Aaron! It’s so good to see you.”
He wrapped his arms around her so tightly he lifted her off her feet. “I stopped by Cody and Allison’s this morning, and Allison said you’d returned home. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“It was a last-minute decision. Since I’ve been home, things have been busy.”
Aaron’s brows scrunched together behind his dark-rimmed glasses. Aaron wore faded jeans and a navy sweater beneath his yellow ski jacket. A light wind tugged at his short curly hair. “Everything okay?”
“Well, that’s kind of why I’m here. I called your house, and Jacie said you were working this morning. Do you have a minute?”
Aaron looked at his watch. “I have about fifteen, then I have to meet a client.”
“Honestly, I was a little surprised to learn you were open on a Saturday.”
He shrugged. “I work until noon for those who can’t come into the office during the week.”
“Aaron Brewster—always caring for others. Mind if I just tell you quickly what I need?”
“What? And miss out on these billable minutes?” He laughed, a sound that Macey really missed. They’d had such good times together.
“Before I dive into my problem, how are Jacie and your little one doing?”
“Jacie’s great.” He nodded across the street. “She finally got the bridal shop up and running. Our little guy, Liam, turns two next month.”
“I saw the storefront yesterday when I came into town. Between you and your brother, you’re keeping your parents stocked with grandchildren.”
“Cody and Allison have a head start on Jacie and me, but we’re pretty happy.” He glanced at his watch again. “So how can I help?”
“The ranch is in trouble.”
He frowned. “How so?”
“The Aspen Ridge City Council sent my parents a letter of intent. They want to buy a portion of the ranch to create a strip mall. But I think Wallace Crawford is actually the brains behind this deal. And if we don’t sell, they’re claiming condemnation and going through the eminent domain process.”
“Why does Aspen Ridge need a strip mall?”
“Exactly my question. My mom, Wyatt and I met with Mr. Fowler yesterday, but my impression was he was more for the council and Crawford than my family’s interests, even though he’s been our attorney since my grandparents were alive.”
“What does your dad think about this?”
Macey shifted her feet and tightened her hold on her tote bag. “He doesn’t know yet. Dad’s in the hospital with possible pneumonia. Mom’s waiting for more information before telling him.”
“Not the homecoming you were hoping for, huh?”
“Not exactly. But that’s a conversation for another day. I don’t want to keep you from your appointment, but would you mind looking over the papers if I drop them off on Monday?”
“Not at all.” Aaron pressed a quick kiss against her cheek. “Great seeing you, Mace. Let’s catch up when I have more time.”
“Sure thing. Thanks. And give Jacie my love.”
With a renewed sense of hope, Macey slid her bag onto her shoulder and headed across the street to the diner.
As she reached for the door, it swung open. She jumped back to avoid getting smacked in the forehead as a child raced out onto the sidewalk.
“Lexi, wait for me.”
Macey recognized that deep voice.
Cole barreled through the open door and snagged Lexi around the waist.
“I was right here, Daddy. I wasn’t going anywhere.” Laughing, Lexi patted her chest.
“You are not allowed outside without me, and you know it. No arguments.” He swung her in his arms.
“Sorry, Daddy.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
He tightened his arms around her. “I forgive you, sweetheart. I just don’t want anything to happen to my favorite Lexi.”
“You’re silly. I’m your only Lexi.” The child’s face lit up as she laughed. Lexi cupped her hands around Cole’s clean-shaven face and rubbed her nose against his. Then her eyes connected with Macey’s, and she waved. “Hi, Macey.”
Cole turned, but his smile wasn’t close to the sunshine his daughter exuded. He set Lexi down and held on to her hand.
Macey crouched in front of her. “Hey, Lexi. How’s it going?”
“Netta made me sprinkle pancakes. Now Daddy’s taking me to look at puppies. Wanna come?”
Macey snuck a glance at Cole. A muscle on the side of his jaw jumped as he lifted a shoulder. “I’ve never been a dog owner, so if you want to join us, I’d appreciate your input.”
Macey turned her focus back to Lexi. “What kind of puppy are you going to get?”
Lexi lifted her hands and scrunched her face. “I don’t know. Daddy says it needs to be little. Our ’partment is too small for Clifford the Big Red Dog.” She cocked her head. “Does Clifford live at the shelter?”
Smiling, Macey shook her head. “I believe he still lives on Birdwell Island with Emily Elizabeth.”
Lexi’s eyes widened. “You know about Clifford?”
“Yep. My grandma used to read Clifford books to me when I was your age.”
“I don’t have a grandma.”
Macey cupped the child’s cheek and ran her thumb over the baby-soft skin. Then she shifted her attention to Cole. “Are you going to the shelter on Elk Avenue?”
“Yes, my mother worked there part-time when I was a kid, so I know Ray and Irene Douglas well.”
“I remember. They’re also my brother’s in-laws. You may see Wyatt there. He helps them from time to time.” Macey glanced at the diner, then looked back at Lexi. “I need to meet with Lynetta about the catering menu for the ball, but I can do that afterward. If you’re sure... I don’t want to intrude on your time with your daughter.”
“It’s all good.” Cole pulled his keys out of his front pocket. “I’m parked across the street. You’re welcome to join us.” Then he touched her forearm as they headed for the crosswalk. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for my uncle’s attitude earlier. To him, this is just business.”
“He’ll destroy our family’s legacy if this sale goes through. A family that helped you when your mom became sick, remember?” The crosswalk light flashed green. Lexi skipped ahead with Cole only a few steps behind her.
Once they reached the sidewalk, Cole pressed a button on his key fob and unlocked his truck. He helped Lexi into her car seat, then held the door for Macey. As she passed him, his lips thinned. “I love your family very much, and you know it. The last thing I want is to hurt them. But I need this job and benefits for Lexi’s sake. If this deal goes through, then he’ll pay for treatments from one of the top pediatric audiologists in the state to help her. I’ll always put my daughter’s needs first. Even if it means making difficult business decisions relating to those I care about.”
Macey pulled herself into the truck cab, then reached for the door. Despite her mounting frustration, she softened her tone. “He’s a bully who’s using you to do his dirty work. Surely there are other options. Can’t you talk to him?”
Cole laughed, a hollow sound to Macey’s ears, and shook his head. “I am one of the last people Wallace will listen to. He made that clear this morning when I tried to show him other properties just before you came in.”
“Maybe you need to find a different job.” Macey eyed Cole, noting the tender way his expression softened as he glanced back at Lexi.
“If only it were that simple.” His words, a mix of sadness and resignation, slid out in a breathy whisper. He closed the door, rounded the front of the truck and slid into the driver’s seat.
“Who’s this specialist your uncle’s dangling in front of you?”
“Some college buddy of Wallace’s.”
“So, he’s purposefully withholding information until you do his bidding. So not fair. The man’s a jerk.” Macey softened her tone. None of this was Cole’s fault, so she needed to back off and stop taking her frustrations out on him. “You’re in a tough spot, Cole, and I’m sorry about that. I understand your need to do what’s best for Lexi, but I need to do what’s best for my family.”
Bear’s question from the other night echoed in her head. Despite her answer to him, would she be at peace if they had to give up the land she loved so much?
Hopefully, it wouldn’t come to that.
* * *
No matter how much Cole wanted to convince Macey he truly had her family’s best interests at heart, he had to put the land sale out of his mind and focus on his promise to look at puppies with Lexi.
When she’d invited Macey to join him, he wanted to veto the idea, but one look at Lexi’s eager face had him swallowing his words.
Pulling into the parking lot of the Aspen Ridge Animal Shelter felt like coming home. Sitting on several acres at the end of Elk Avenue, the animal shelter was an extension of Ray and Irene Douglas’s small farm. Their white sided two-story house with black shutters and a covered front porch sat to the left of the animal shelter, its front facing the driveway. A sidewalk connected the house to a large red barn edged against a grove of pines. Three blanketed horses stood in the fenced pasture near the barn.
The shelter building had been painted the same red as the barn, with the black trim matching the house. Two leafless dwarf apple trees sat on either side of the building. A row of frosted shrubs lined the front. A plaster black Lab yard ornament holding a welcome sign sat next to a wrought-iron bench. The gravel semicircle driveway had been blacktopped since his mother worked part-time as a kennel attendant.
Cole’s mother always parked behind the building next to the other employees’ vehicles, and they entered through the back door. Cole promised himself someday he’d park out front and go in the main door.
Today was that day.
Cole opened the passenger-side door, helped Macey down, then released Lexi from her car seat. Lexi took each of their hands as they walked through the door and were greeted by dogs barking and pawing at their glass-enclosed kennels.
Twirling in a circle, Lexi squealed and clapped her hands. “I’m so excited, Daddy.”
He knelt in front of her. “I’m glad, but remember, we may not be able to take a doggy home today. We’re just looking.”
“I know. I’m still excited.”
A woman with silver-streaked hair pulled back into a knot at the base of her head looked up. Wearing jeans, and a purple sweatshirt with the shelter logo in the upper left corner, she smiled as she rounded the corner of a chest high counter with her arms extended. Her eyebrow raised as she noticed Macey standing next to him. “Hey, Cole. It’s so good to see you.”
“Hey, Mrs. D. You look great.” Walking into her embrace, he pressed a kiss against her soft cheek and breathed in the powdery scent he’d associated with her for so many years.
“Oh, you sweet talker, you.” Then she reached for Macey. “Wyatt said you were back home. It’s good to see you again, Macey. So, you two are together now?”
Macey threw up her hands and shook her head. “Oh, no. No, not at all. I’m caring for Lexi right now.”
Cole sighed. Yeah, there was no way Macey would ever trust him enough to be friends, let alone anything more.
Mrs. Douglas crouched in front of Lexi. “How are you doing, Lexi?”
“I’m fine. Daddy said we could look at doggies today.” Lexi leaned against Cole’s legs and looked up at him.
Irene toyed with a curl that had escaped Lexi’s ponytail, then trailed her finger down his daughter’s cheek. She glanced up at Cole. “She looks so much like your mother. Janie would be so proud of you, you know?”
Nodding, Cole swallowed against the sudden tightness in his throat. “Mom would’ve loved her.”
“Yes, she would have. I miss her. She was well loved and would do anything for anyone.”
“That was my mom.” An ache pinched his chest as he nodded again.
Mrs. Douglas straightened and clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes darting between Cole and Macey. “I tried to hire her away from the diner to work for me full-time, but Janie loved her customers. At least I got her in the afternoons for a couple of hours. My heart broke when she passed away.”
Cole’s vision started to cloud up and he blinked back tears. He hadn’t expected this visit to be so emotional.
Yes, his mom would’ve been thrilled with Lexi. But how would she have felt about Cole’s role in trying to acquire the Stone land?
“So, do you have a particular breed you’re interested in? Or a particular dog? Have you checked out our website? Filled out an application?” Mrs. Douglas waved a hand toward the glass-walled kennels that allowed visitors to see dogs napping on their beds, chewing on toys, or pawing to be freed.
“No, I guess I didn’t come very prepared.” Cole glanced at Macey who knelt in front of the glass-walled kennels where a fluffy black-and-white dog lay on a dog cot and watched them.
Mrs. D. dismissed his words with a wave of her hand. “No worries. Right now, we have six dogs ready for their forever homes. If you give me an idea of what you’re looking for, then I can help you find the right match.”
“We’re living in a condo until I can find the right house with a good-sized yard, so the dog needs to be small, calm and definitely kid friendly.”
Mrs. Douglas steepled her fingers, touching them to her chin, then smiled. “I think I have just the dog for you, but she won’t be ready for adoption for another week. Follow me.”
Cole gestured for Macey to walk ahead of him, then set his hand at the small of her back as she stayed in line with him. They passed the enclosed kennels as memories flooded him.
While his mother had worked, Cole loved sitting in the play yard with the dogs tumbling over him. They didn’t care what kind of clothes he wore or the brand of shoes on his feet. They just wanted love and attention...and a place to call home. He would’ve been a great dog owner. But no matter how many times he had pleaded, his mother never gave in to his request for an animal.
Looking back now, they couldn’t have afforded it. Despite all of her efforts and the two jobs she held, they’d barely had enough to support the two of them.
Mrs. Douglas guided them to an office across the hall from the kennels. “Have a seat in here, and I’ll bring Polly to see you.”
Macey sat on a brown microfiber love seat. Because it was the only seat in the office, Cole sat next to her, his shoulder brushing against hers. He hugged the arm to give her more room and pulled Lexi onto his lap. A calico cat walked into the room and rubbed its head on Cole’s legs.
