“If you’re looking to buy Triple Z or threaten us, we ain’t interested.” She loved to put a little twang in her words around strangers in suits, she smiled, it made them extremely uncomfortable.
There went that damn smile again. “I pity the man or woman who tries to threaten you,” a slow lazy grin spread across his handsome face. “I’m here for none of that. I’d like to speak with your husband if I could?”
“No husband.” She turned over her shoulder and called for Zeke. “I’m Zaria Reilly, Zeke is my brother.”
“Her older, handsomer brother,” he joked as he strode their way looking every inch the Montana cowboy. “What can I do for you Mr…,” he waited, his posture stiff and commanding, for the man to provide his name.
“Mr. Clavers but you can call me Hardison,” he extended his hand and offered up a firm shake. “I’m here about the minerals on Harding Ranch.”
A flash of understanding and recognition passed through her brother’s eyes. “Yeah, okay. Well let’s go inside and talk and then we can go over to Harding.”
Zaria stood, fuming and ready to strangle her brother for keeping her out of the loop. Lucky for him she had to put her son down for a nap or she’d give him a big ol’ Montana size piece of her mind. “Men,” she grumbled and let the door slam behind her.
****
“And here I thought we made decisions together.” Zaria stood with her hands on her hips, fire blazing in her eyes as Zeke sat poring over papers. “I guess I should just go, barefoot and pregnant, back to the kitchen where I belong.”
With the patience of a saint Zeke sat down the papers, removed his glasses and looked up at his sister. “What’s got your panties all bunched up Z?”
“What’s got my…are you kidding me Zeke!” What were you and that man talking about for two hours?”
“Business.”
That’s it, just business. “Zeke that’s not gonna fly right now so just tell me what the hell is going on and be done with it.”
He expelled a long breath and leaned back, arms crossed. “He came to talk about leasing the mineral rights on Harding. I was just reading over the contract, it’s a lot of money Zaria, like seven figures.” A big smile split his face and Zaria had forgotten just how long it was since she last saw him smile like that. “I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised about all of this, Jake arranged all this.”
She stilled and felt the blood drain from her face. “J-J-Jake?” Jake freakin’ Olson had not only still been working on behalf of Triple Z ranch but he’d been talking to her brother. “You’ve talked to him?”
His smile vanished. “Uh-oh.”
Uh-oh is right dammit! She couldn’t believe him. She wanted to do really bad things to him. “That rat bastard! How could he have been talking to you and completely ignored his son? Zach’s been sad and missing him like crazy. I thought he’d just left for good again but poor Zach actually thought he meant it when he said he’d be back.” She shook her head, fury emanating from her body so fiercely she thought she might spark a flame. “I knew this would happen and I let him into Zach’s life anyway.” Stupid, stupid girl.
“Hey Zaria, I didn’t know. I mean I assumed he was talking to you both, shit I figured he was,” he raked both hands through his hair.
“You need a haircut brother. And it’s fine, I’m not blaming you I just didn’t realize he’d been in touch. Zach has been so sad.” She collapsed onto a chair. “Don’t let him know Zeke, don’t tell him you’ve spoken with Jake okay?”
Zeke stood and planted a kiss on her head. “You know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt my buddy. I love that kid more than anything.”
“I know Zeke. Thanks.” She could handle this, she would handle this like an adult. Jake could help with the ranch stuff and when it was over he could leave and never look back. She hadn’t put him on the birth certificate so he had no legal ground to stand on. Of course he was a lawyer so it might be harder than she thought but Zaria would deal with that when it was time.
****
Jake had been gone from Triple Z for too long. Way too long and he was happy to finally make his way back. Being back in Bozeman after his time in Beloved made him realize how much he missed small town living. Sure everyone knew everyone else’s business, but they were all willing to help when help was needed. He’d never had that before or since his time in Beloved. And he couldn’t wait to see his son, see his smiling face and those beautiful blue eyes.
He was so happy he was actually whistling as he drove under the interlocking Z’s that introduced Triple Z. Not only was he happy to be back but he also had a ton of good news to share with the Reilly family.
He’d looked over the papers from Clavers and negotiated the family a contract for $10 million over the next four years, half to be paid up front. That would allow them to make any necessary upgrades to the ranch and save for a rainy day. But even better than that, his investigator had uncovered plenty of information on Peters, which he couldn’t wait to tell them.
He stepped from his car and turned his head toward the sun. His smile was so big his cheeks were beginning to ache.
“You are in a hell of a lot of trouble Jake Olson.”
He spun at the feisty red head staring him down with a hand on her hip. “Ryleigh, good to see you again.” His smile faded when she didn’t smile back.
“I’ve got so much good news to share, just wait until I tell you all.”
Ryleigh cut him off. “Jake just shut up! What the hell is wrong with you?” For a smart guy, Ryleigh thought he was pretty damn dumb.
“What do you mean? I had a lot of stuff to take care of in Bozeman, which I can’t wait to share. What’s the problem?”
She snorted in disgust and crossed her arms. “What’s the problem? What’s the problem?” her voice rose. “The problem Jake is that you left three weeks ago with a promise to return.”
“Hey I’m here right now.”
“A promise that a sweet and kind young boy was silly enough to believe.” She saw the moment her words registered on his face. “A boy who never had a father suddenly had one, only to have him leave again and never look back. Again.”
Jake shook his head. “It wasn’t like that at all,” he explained. “When I got back there was a lot of work to catch up on plus dealing with this case and then the mineral rights. Things just spiraled and I don’t know, time just got away from me.” And he’d forgotten all about the little boy with his black curls and clear blue eyes. “Shit.”
“You got it.” She gave him a sympathetic smile and patted his shoulder. “I’m glad you understand now. Don’t expect a warm welcome is all I’m saying.”
When he walked into the house behind Ryleigh he was happy about the warning. His welcome wasn’t warm, it was downright icy from everyone except Annabelle. “Hey.” That was the best he could do with the death glares aimed in his direction.
“Hi Jake, come have a seat and I’ll get you some fresh lemonade.” He smiled at Annabelle and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks.” His gaze wandered to Zaria who abruptly stood and left the kitchen. “I guess I deserved that. Is Zach around?”
“I’m surprised you remembered his name, seeing as you forgot so much since you were gone.” Zeke wasn’t afraid to stare him down but Jake stared right back. He’d made a mistake but he wasn’t going to take crap about it from Zeke.
“That’s a conversation I need to have with my son.”
Zeke nodded. “Glad you realize it.” He stood and pulled Ryleigh up with him. “Why don’t you do that first and then we can all talk.”
Jake nodded and went upstairs to see his son. He knocked on the door and waited until he heard the muffled “Come in.”
When he entered he found Zach on the bed, a book in his hand. “Hi Zach, whatcha reading?”
“Where The Wild Things Are,” he replied without looking up.
He had no idea what that was but it was obvious Zach wasn’t in the mood to talk. Not that
he could blame him, but they needed to have a chat. “You think we could talk for a minute, buddy?”
“I’m reading,” was his reply.
Jake took a deep breath and pulled the book from Zach’s hand. “I’d really like to talk.”
“Well I don’t wanna talk to you!” He crossed his arms over his small chest and turned away from Jake.
“Fine then just listen. I’m really sorry I left for so long and didn’t call. I got really busy but that’s no excuse. I should have called you and told you I was thinking about you buddy, because I was. All the time.”
“I didn’t think you were coming back.”
Nothing could have gutted him quicker than those words uttered in his son’s small sad voice. “I’ll always come back for you. I’m new to being a dad Zach so I’ll probably make a few mistakes, but I’m counting on you to tell me when I mess up. Deal?” He held out his hand silently and waited for it to become too much. When it did Zach placed his small hand inside his dad’s larger one.
“Deal.” Zach flung himself into his dad’s arms and squeezed tight. “Did you bring me anything? Ryleigh says that parents always bring gifts back when they go away and don’t come back for a long long time.”
He smiled at the quick forgiveness of children. “She did, did she?” He nodded with a giant smile full of mischief. “Well I guess it’s a good thing I was gone for a long, long time, isn’t it?” He nodded again and carried his son downstairs.
Chapter Two
Zaria sat at the large wooden kitchen table as far from Jake as she could get and listened to him talk. He’d gotten them a good deal—a very good deal—on leasing the mineral rights on Harding Ranch. It was enough so they’d be set financially for a good long while. For Zaria this meant a more dedicated space for training her horses, maybe even another stable for therapy and training. That was good news, too bad the messenger left a lot to be desired.
She couldn’t deny he was still attractive as ever, she wouldn’t have slept with him otherwise. But good looks aside, the man was a huge jerk and he would probably rip her son’s heart out when Track Peters was dealt with. Until then she would have to be careful of the time they spent together.
“My investigator also uncovered quite a bit of information on Peters. Apparently he’s not living over on Harding Ranch.” At the wide eyed stares he explained, “He started that rumor so everyone would think he was there but it was one of his many ‘employees’. They left plenty of evidence behind including a couple shell casings, a gas can and the rest of the sheet that was used to start the stable fire.” He loved delivering this type of news to the families he worked with and it meant even more to deliver it to the Reilly family. They had always been more like family to him from the moment he’d set foot on Triple Z Ranch.
“So what does that mean? Eventually the police will find him, arrest him and in about a decade he’ll stand trial for his misdeeds?” Ryleigh crossed her arms in defeat. She knew this game well, had played it dozens of times. If justice ever came it was slow and sluggish.
Jake’s smile widened and Zaria groaned. What a show boater. “Actually not quite. An arrest warrant was issued for Peters about a week ago and he was apprehended last night at a private airstrip in Bozeman. That bastard was heading to Brazil, but now he’s in an orange jumpsuit waiting to be arraigned for arson, conspiracy to commit murder, murder and felony property destruction.”
Zaria rolled her eyes when Annabelle hopped up and wrapped her arms around Jake, wetting his face with grateful kisses. “You’ve done so well son. I want to thank you and tell you how proud I am of you, sweet boy.” He looked at Zeke, Ryleigh and Zaria, “I think this calls for a little celebration!”
She sat numb, happy the mess with Peters was over yet numb all the same as her family popped champagne and cheered Jake’s success. She was impressed, he’d done good work for them and he was a damn good lawyer. Too bad he was a poor excuse for a man. She slid out of her chair and quietly left the party, hoping no one would notice.
“Running away Zaria?”
She paused at the sound of his voice and quickly regained her composure near the top of the stairs. “Not at all, just not staying for the celebration. Good night.”
“Wait Zaria, please.”
She stopped and released a heavy breath. “What is it Jake?” She knew he wanted his five minutes to finish his apology tour but she wasn’t feeling in a very receptive mood right now.
“You can’t even look at me? I just want five minutes of your time, is that too much to ask?”
Zaria spun around, her blond hair whipping the air like a flag in the wind. “As matter of fact it is too much to ask. Just like it was too much to ask that you don’t forget you have a son the minute you left town!” She shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t want or need your apology Jake. Zach accepted it and that’s all you need to know. So again, good NIGHT.” She spun back around and slammed the door behind her.
****
“Dammit,” he kicked the sturdy step and turned back down the stairs. He knew Zaria wasn’t going to make things easy on him but her anger seemed a little out of proportion. “She’s crazy,” he muttered to himself.
“Come sit on the porch with an old woman,” Annabelle reached for his hand and pulled him along. “Let’s talk.”
Jake followed because he loved Annabelle and he hoped she would be able to offer a bit of insight into her batty daughter. “I don’t see any old ladies around here, just one feisty lady who can cook her butt off.”
“Still a charmer, I see.” Annabelle took in his features, comparing them to the scrawny boy with the wild black hair she knew as a child. “You’ve grown into quite a handsome boy, Jake.”
“You flatterer,” he bumped her shoulder. “At least someone finds me charming.”
She put her foot down and pushed until the glider began to sway back and forth. “I’m sure plenty of women find you charming and attractive.”
He heard the teasing lilt in her voice and laughed. “Yeah well, Zaria isn’t one of them is she?”
“No I suppose she isn’t. Can’t say I blame her though, can you?”
Jake shook his head because no, he couldn’t blame her. It was his fault she didn’t trust him and he didn’t know if he could get past that. “No I can’t.” He’d left once without calling or writing. He had a good reason for doing what he did but she didn’t know that. “I screwed up Anna.”
“Just tell me Jake, why didn’t you call? One call and this mess could have been avoided.”
“I don’t know.” He thought about it every single day, calling to hear her sultry voice and his son’s excited high pitched voice. But things kept coming up and his promised ‘later’ had never come. Next thing he knew, he was driving back to Beloved.
“Well that’s not a particularly good reason,” she chuckled.
“Nope. Got any advice for a handsome charming kid you have a soft spot for?”
Annabelle shrugged with a sympathetic smile. “Not really, son. Just give her some time to get over her anger and try again.” She let the silence linger and enjoyed the twinkling sky hanging over the ranch. “You should probably stay here while you’re in Beloved, it’ll make it easier to see Zach.” She patted his cheek and stood. “Just don’t break his heart. Or hers.”
“I don’t plan to Anna, I swear.”
“No one ever does,” she grumbled as she went back inside.
Finally alone, Jake leaned back in the glider and looked out at the grand sky above. There were millions of stars twinkling in the sky like diamonds, the dark purple sky a perfect velvet backdrop of the beauty of Montana. He loved this place, this town. What the hell was he thinking staying away for so long? This place was the only home he’d ever had. Not California, that place was a beautiful fallacy. Everything was gorgeous but nothing was real. And Bozeman was the place where he lost his mother and spent too many hours stuck behind his desk. He didn’t have a life there. His only friends were other lawye
rs and they got together to bitch about their long hours or to network. And he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been on a date or held a naked woman in his arms.
He smiled, Oh yeah, Zaria. God being with her again was a dream come true. She was the same sweet girl but with a woman’s body, a woman’s needs and desires. She’d turned his world inside out by the creek and he’d been replaying the look of awe on her face when she came apart around him. It was the sweetest and sexiest damn thing he’d seen in forever. That blond hair dripping down her back, those pert breasts with sweet raspberry nipples pointing to the sky, damn it took his breath away. Even today when she was spitting fire she was the most beautiful damn thing he’d ever seen.
Now all he had to do was find out how to get her to forgive him.
****
With a good night of sleep behind her Zaria woke up early in hopes of getting a few minutes to herself over coffee. But of course the first person she saw was the last person she wanted to see. Her gaze settled on Jake looking too damn good with his rumpled black hair sticking up in all directions just like her little boy, blue eyes sleepy and sexy. Then she quickly looked past him and poured a big cup of black coffee.
“Good morning Zaria. Did you sleep well?”
She grunted and sucked down half a mug of coffee in one gulp. She refilled her cup and stepped out onto the porch and settled on the rocking chair. The sun hadn’t yet risen, a small sliver was peeking over the mountains as the sun prepared to make her ascent into the sky. Eyes closed, Zaria took a moment to appreciate what was around her. The sun shining over the land that was in her blood, the mountains that sheltered Triple Z from dangerous weather and the earth that fed the horses and cattle that roamed the Triple Z. Her eyes opened and a tear slid down her cheek at the beauty of it all.
This was the perfect way to start each day.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” Jake stepped out onto the porch, his long legged stride making it the chair beside her in no time.
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Southern Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) Page 152
