The Bride's Cowboy

by Sophia Summers

  “Tomorrow. We have a meeting tomorrow, right?”

  “Yep. See you then.” He was waving the waitress down again, hopefully for the check.

  AnnaMae left, wanting to wash every thought of Miles off in a nice long shower. Desperation filled her, a yearning for some sort of solution to the mess Jed was in. She needed something that could save his land, some way to convince one side or the other to compromise. Jed didn’t sound like it would be him.

  If the hope of a positive resolution, one that would preserve Jed’s land, rested in Jed’s willingness to compromise, she didn’t have any strong expectation for positive results. And yet, he was the only one she had access to. Miles shared everything but the name of the client, which he kept under wraps.

  And how could she ever ask Jed to give up something he loved, something he valued like family?

  Chapter 15

  Jed disconnected his call with his lobbyist, more disheartened than ever. Will couldn’t find the name of the Devlin oil contact, but everything he’d heard about the company indicated that they were in a hurry and barreling through anyone who got in their way. Will had even scoured maps and could see no easy path through that part of Montana because of all the space already designated as parkland. Jed knew if AnnaMae recommended that the land bordering his property become parkland, stifling his own access, and they moved forward, he’d soon be out of options. He’d never felt so helpless and at the mercy of another.

  She kept promising to avoid that recommendation, but what if the situation had grown past even her ability to influence? He felt more than depressed, but he refused to give up. There was always a buyout option. Leaning back on his hotel couch, he called his Dad.

  “Hello, son.”

  “Dad, it’s not looking good.”

  “What’s it gonna take?”

  “How much interest do you have in owning an oil company?”

  His dad whistled through his teeth. “About as much as you think.”

  “I’m not sure what else to do here. We can start buying up stock tomorrow and hope to seize a majority. Or hope that AnnaMae works some kind of miracle.”

  The silence scared him. “Dad?”

  “I’ve been doing numbers. The cattle just aren’t breaking even.”

  “I know we’ve been supplementing...but how bad is it?”

  “Well, son, we’re just pouring money into the place to keep it off the ground. It’s not profitable like it used to be. We need to diversify.”

  Jed’s stomach sank. He knew they’d been in the red, but his dad was right. They’d built a billion-dollar enterprise and didn’t need to be throwing it away year after year, chasing his grandfather’s dream. “I’m all ears.”

  “I will send you some research I’ve been doing and give examples of similar situations. We’re not giving up the land, but something’s gotta change, bottom line.”

  He exhaled, slow and long. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll do my best.”

  “This isn’t all on you. We’ve done good for ourselves. Grandpa would be proud.”

  Jed wasn’t so sure. They didn’t build the McAllister name just to have it crumble in failure as soon as Jed started making the decisions.

  Stress was clenching up his throat, constricting his chest and otherwise making him feel like he’d been hit by a bus. He hung up with his father and fought to relax. Nothing could be solved tonight. One thing he knew for sure: he had to keep the land. What he did with it after that, who knows. Maybe he’d become the largest stock holder in an oil company. It would take a large portion of his assets to accomplish such a thing. But it would be worth it if it were his only option. Whatever it took, he would be the last man standing. If it took all his remaining resources, he would keep the land.

  And he hoped AnnaMae would be standing beside him.

  The next afternoon he pulled up in front of AnnaMae’s brownstone. It felt like several weeks since he’d seen her last, instead of just one evening. He’d hoped to be arriving with good news, with the hope of their collaborating for a solution. But after last night, he was pretty much set on the depressing realization that he and AnnaMae would be on opposing sides of an impossible struggle. And there wasn’t much he could do about it.

  She must have been watching for him. Before he could walk to her door, she was skipping down the steps. The air around her felt charged. Everything about her emanated energy.

  He held out his hand. “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Hey, yourself.” She stepped close and rose up on her tiptoes, kissing his cheek.

  “Oh, now, that just might do wonders to brighten what has been an awful trip to New York City. In fact, come here, you.” He tugged at her shirt to pull her closer. With her responding laugh as an invitation, he rested his hands on her small hips and pulled her up against him. “Now, this might just make me forget all my troubles.”

  She lifted her chin and closed her eyes, her soft lips full and beckoning to his tired soul. He studied her, leaning close enough that he could feel a puff of her breath on his face, and then lowered his lips to hers. He didn’t linger. They were in the street. But that familiar warmth, that unity he always felt with her returned, and a portion of his unease cascaded away, replaced by the peace he always found with her. “Woman. We got something, I’m telling you. Swing dancing and kissing.” He shook his head. “Mmmm. Mmmm.”

  Her laugh filled his ears and made him smile.

  Then she tugged at his hand. “Speaking of swing dancing, I’ve got plans for us. We’re gonna party Thayer-Falls style in this big crazy city.”

  “Thayer-Falls style? Well, now, that sounds like the perfect plan.” Just what they needed. Anything but the mess they were in. He’d be happy if they just let it all go for the night and relaxed together.

  She settled into his truck, and he felt like everything was once again right in the world. Turning to her, he winked. “I’m beginning to like the looks of you over there in my vehicle. Not sure I can let you leave.”

  She leaned back, and instead of goading him or teasing back, she sighed. “I don’t think I want to leave, Jed. This whole thing is such a mess. When I’m in here with you, I feel like the world can fall apart but we will be okay and that’s all that matters.”

  “Let’s let it all fall apart for a few hours. What could go wrong if we ignore everyone for a short time and just relax?”

  Her eyes lit. “That’s perfect since I’ve got a wonderful few hours planned already.”

  “Where to? Your wish is my command.”

  They found parking near the dance club, and she grinned until it hurt her face. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait!”

  The music was just right. The place wasn’t crowded. He led her to the center of a dance floor and held her close.

  They swayed slowly for a minute; he held her close until she laughed and said, “I expected a little more pep, I’ll be honest.”

  He pulled away and eyed her. “Oh yeah? What more do you want from me?” But he tipped his head and held out one hand. She took it in hers, and they started the two-step and then some spins and then a dip or two and then the lifts. The world seemed easier, his problems lighter, and everything was all kinds of fun when AnnaMae rose up into the air under his hands. And the best part of it all was her laugh. Her whole face lit, her eyes shone brighter than anything around them, and her musical tones filled him with satisfaction. Her joy in their dance spread to him, and soon he was laughing along with her.

  They danced number after number, seeing no one but each other, until at last, she waved a hand. “I’ve got to get a drink. I can hardly swallow, my mouth’s so dry.”

  “Me too. I hate to stop.” He shook his head and led her over to the bar. “You’re really something, you know that, AnnaMae? Something special.”

  “I don’t think anyone’s ever gotten me up that high. I almost swung at the light up there, just to see it spin.”

  He ordered a couple waters, and then they sat close. “I think you should have, wh
y not?”

  She shrugged, gulping down her water. “What time is it, do you know?”

  When he told her, she tried to hide her expression, but her face fell. “This meeting we’re going to? We have to leave soon.”

  He nodded, wondering if it would do any good. He’d better tell AnnaMae where he was coming from so she didn’t harbor unreal expectations.

  On the way to the meeting, he cleared his throat, dreading the coming tension, the difficulty, the misunderstanding, and polar opposite sides they must now represent. “You should know I’m not in a position to compromise.”

  She had been staring out the window. Without turning, she said, “The client won’t compromise either.”

  “He can’t find any way to give, can’t find it in himself to back off someone else’s land?” He regretted his tone as soon as the words left his lips.

  “Well, I guess he isn’t concerned about someone else’s land. That would be my job, mine and Synergy Group’s.” She turned to face him, her eyes full of sadness. “I’ve been working like crazy on this deal. And they won’t budge. And what’s more, I can’t see another option for them. I’ve been trying, scouring my documents. If I were them, I’d want your land too.”

  “But your job isn’t to choose paths for oil pipelines. That’s what’s so shady about this whole thing. Synergy Group is being bought out. Completely unethical.”

  She stiffened and then relaxed. “I realize it looks that way...” It seemed she might continue, but then she didn’t.

  “What’s this meeting gonna be, AnnaMae? Them just telling you all the reasons why the client won’t budge?”

  “I thought you could go as my boyfriend.” This time when she said it, there was no sparkle, no excitement or even a hint of a tease. “And my assistant; then we can both learn what we need to know to move forward.”

  “But are you feeling like I’m feeling––that there is little hope for compromise?”

  “There’s always hope for compromise.”

  They entered the bar, and a man approached. Right away, Jed got major bad vibes about the guy. He was greasy, short, and rested a hand at AnnaMae’s waist, where it had no business being. He put an arm across her shoulder and stared the man down, waiting for an introduction.

  AnnaMae’s gaze found his and held it for a few moments. It was going to be a long night.

  Chapter 16

  AnnaMae, stuck between the two of them, wiggled away. “Miles, this is my new assistant, Jed. And this is Miles, the director of Synergy Group. He’s the point person for the client on this case and is leading our team.”

  Jed nodded. “Good to meet you.” His words would have been unremarkable but his tone sounded flat, and his eyes bored into Miles’s with an intensity she recognized from seventh grade. She almost laughed that the last time she’d seen such an expression had been during a discussion at the science fair.

  Miles waved for them to follow him. A tall, skinny blond woman clung to his arm. He’d brought a date, perhaps? As soon as they sat, before anyone could say anything, he launched into the plan for the Svensson land. “The way I see it, this deal is as good as sealed.” He held up his cup to clink cheers with everyone else. But no one had ordered drinks yet. He waved down the waitress, and they all made their orders.

  “How can you, or we, be so confident?” Jed watched him, his eyes narrowing.

  “I got the inside scoop, son.”

  AnnaMae almost snorted into her drink. Did Miles just call Jed son? Jed towered over Miles in every way and was likely the same age or older.

  “How will you work out the ethics, should anyone investigate?”

  “Ah, I see where AnnaMae’s sudden skepticism comes from.” He leaned forward. “We won’t have to worry about that. Trust me, friends. This deal is done.”

  Jed grunted. “Well, I, for one, am a bit concerned about the ethics. Synergy Group has a reputation already for some shady recommendations.”

  AnnaMae stiffened. “Our recommendations have been spot-on in the past.”

  “The past?” Her boss frowned. “And the present and will continue to be in the future. We are the pinnacle of respect in the community.”

  “Do you often try to strangle people out of their own land? Force them to move out?” Jed demanded quietly, trying not to provoke an all-out argument.

  “If you recall, we do nothing of the kind. We merely recommend which parcels would be good to preserve for future generations.”

  AnnaMae rested a hand on Jed’s arm. “We take great care in our recommendations. This case is unique.”

  Miles winked. “Not as unique as you think. We’ve found, after years of doing this kind of thing, that sometimes people have to give up what they feel is theirs for the greater good.”

  A giggle sounded at his side. “You sound like the guy in the Incredibles movie.” The girl next to him smiled and inched closer.

  Miles nodded to Jed and AnnaMae. “This is Cindy.”

  They smiled and said all the expected niceties.

  AnnaMae’s hopes fell down around her. Suddenly, everything she’d thought was good in her life had gone sour. How long had her boss been so...creepy? As if to punctuate her thoughts, he reached a hand under the table and pressed it on her knee.

  She jerked away, and Jed must have guessed at something going on. He stood. “Well, if that’s all you’ll be needing from us...”

  Miles rose his eyebrows. “For an assistant, you’re bold.”

  “He’s also my boyfriend. And we do have other plans.” She stood next to Miles as if to leave. “We had hoped for a little more conversation, that perhaps you’d listen?”

  Miles laughed. “Listen? I’ve listened enough. You know what’s at stake, what could be yours. We don’t need to expect your boyfriend here to understand.”

  “I understand all right,” Jed replied. “What I can’t accept is that companies like yours even exist.”

  AnnaMae gasped as if she’d been punched in the gut.

  Jed tensed. “Besides this case, there are so many others. Do we feel no sense of duty to honor people’s purchases? To respect private property?”

  “Like I’ve said.” AnnaMae cleared her throat, trying to speak calmly. “We take each case very seriously. The people involved are usually happy to be bought out of their land, property that would have no use to them otherwise.”

  Jed waved his hand to include Miles and AnnaMae. “That’s what you two say so you can sleep well at night. But you refuse to acknowledge that there isn’t a person alive who wants to lose the option to choose.”

  Miles downed another drink. “Like I said, we have no obligation to convince you.” He waved his fingers as though Jed was inconsequential. “Anna, I’m going to need the latest report on my desk in the morning. We’re pushing this case through faster than usual.”

  Anna sighed. She wouldn’t be able to do it. But she said nothing.

  Jed’s mouth opened in shock. “That’s it? You’re just going to do his bidding? Recommend the property?”

  “What are you talking about? Now is not the time to debate this. It’s my job, I’ll have to do something.”

  He shook his head, and she wished she could tell him exactly how much of a bind she was in, but in front of Miles, all she could do was play along. “You ask too much.”

  The color drained from his face. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again and nodded. Then he turned on his boots and left the restaurant.

  AnnaMae watched Miles and his date nuzzle one another for about ten seconds, and then she turned without a word and left as well.

  The next morning dragged for AnnaMae. She had not known the adult Jed for very long but he was correct. Their connection was real, and special. She’d never met anyone like him. And she’d lost him in the course of one hour, because of her job.

  She went over and over their conversations, the fight with her boss, everything, so many times that by the time she got to work, she felt numb. P
erhaps her lack of feeling served as a shield against the deep loneliness that was coming. After last night she knew compromise was impossible. The best she could do today was to try not to recommend the land. She was determined. Her boss was unethical, making decisions based solely on his own personal gain. Anyone anywhere else would see that the recommendation was an illogical one.

  But Miles could spin the truth. He could make it sound vital and necessary, and he would. Unless she added her report to the file. Then they had hope that Jed’s land would be safe.

  When she arrived, Joey’s expression was strange. No smile. Then he shook his head in warning before returning to his typing. Uh Oh. Her stomach tied in knots. She pushed through the door to their main office area, and the room went quiet. People’s heads were down, suddenly busier than they’d ever been. So she marched straight to the conference room. Miles stood in the doorway, a phone at his ear. “Of course, Marcos. We will push this through as quickly as possible. You are our only client right now...Yes, you will be able to begin building that pipeline as soon as this spring.”

  What? Now he was lying to the client. Spring would be impossible. These things took months, years. Their recommendation was only the first step. Then Jed would have to give up his land. Which she didn’t see him ever doing, even if they trapped him on it. The client couldn’t expect to be thinking about installing his pipeline this spring. Their paperwork wouldn’t even be processed by then.

  “I’ll send you the proof of our filing records and my bank account information.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s been our pleasure. I’m happy we can work this out.”

  The Senatorial committee relied on their research, their expertise to offer a non-biased, non-partisan recommendation to preserve valuable, endangered land. Instead, Miles lied to the client, accepting payment for recommending specific land be designated parkland.

  He turned around and nearly ran her over. “Oh!” Then his face clouded. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m taking you off this case.”