The only balk Regina had was a college fund for her daughter, but after Sully disclosed he’d set up a college fund, she agreed to split the land.
“I want to build a house with a view of the water,” Regina said, her arms crossed. “You don't even plan to move here,” she said to Bennett.
Bennett, a well-known country singer cocked his head to the side. “I might. You can see the water from the other side. I need to be close to the stream for my cattle.”
“You don’t own any damn cows!” Regina stomped her foot. “Sully help me out here. Bennett is being unreasonable.”
“All three plots have access to the stream or the lake. The eastern portion is secluded and surrounded by trees. It has the privacy you’re always whining about Bennett. Besides, if you get cows, you can let them graze on my portion. Although I think there’s plenty of space on the eastern portion.”
His younger brother mouth curved into a crooked grin, which Sully suspected usually, got him whatever he wanted. “Yep, I’m going to buy cattle and settle down to become a rancher.”
“What exactly are you planning to do with the cows?” Regina asked giving him a pointed look. “Your whole life, you've had a fit over killing animals. Never even liked fishing.”
Bennett gave her a droll look. “I’ll milk them.”
“Right,” Regina replied with a roll of her eyes.
Sully had corrals built and planned to move his horses closer once his stables were completed.
Not too far from the stables construction was, a new RV had been set up along with his favorite grill and a sturdy shade tent with outdoor furniture and table underneath. He planned to live in the RV come weekends while his new home was constructed.
Although he agreed with Regina, he pretended not to, otherwise his stubborn brother would never relent. “Regina you get the west side, Bennett, you take the east. Both are same size, both have water access and both are suitable for cows.”
Finally, the two walked off while discussing which one would get what and Sully leaned on the corral in thought.
His mind went back to the night before and Elle’s reaction to his proposal for a tryst. The pain he’d seen in her eyes tortured him all through the night.
She’d been genuinely hurt and if he’d misunderstood the text, Elle had every right to be. As much as he wanted to move on and let the entire experience go, his thoughts kept going back to her reaction.
There had been no calls that day from either Gary, and he figured they were moving on to another prospective seller.
No skin off his back, although a part of him knew he needed to apologize to Elle. Whether she’d meant to seduce him or not, nothing ever warranted a man disrespecting a woman like he'd done.
It went against his every fiber. He’d been hurt in the past and, in that moment, retaliated without thought.
Since his fiancée Diana passed away a couple years earlier, he’d not been interested in anything serious. And perhaps that alone had turned him callous and suspicious.
His lips curved at remember how Diana had an obsession with her ever-growing bucket list, often making him write lists and then insisting he complete each item.
Diagnosed with a rare cancer, towards the end, Diana was unable to do much, so instead, she’d accompany him when she was able and cheered while he completed whichever task she’d deemed a bucket list item.
Warmth filled Sully as usual when thinking of her. On her deathbed, she’d balked at him planning their wedding, while insisting she’d never get better. “I’m not going to make it this time, Babe. Accept it. Go do something useful like eating ice cream or a Philly Cheese steak and come back to tell me about it.”
He’d planned the wedding instead, clinging to hope she’d recover and they’d get married. Diana died three days before he’d arrange for clergy, cake and flowers to be at their home.
On the day she’d died, he promised himself never to let time steal any chance to do something.
“Hey Uncle Sully, dinner’s ready.” Regina’s daughter waved at him from the RV.
The nineteen year old grinned and chased after his dog and he thought back again to Elle. Did she own a dog?
Not caring for the constant guilt, he attempted the coward’s way out and typed a text of apology to Elle. He reworded it and then once again tried to convey he’d not thought clearly and didn’t mean to offend her. The words didn’t quite seem adequate enough, so he tried again, then erased the message, tucked the phone in his pocket and walked to meet his dog that bounded toward him, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
Monday came too soon. Elle reviewed an architectural drawing and bit her bottom lip. Something about the setup of the pool and open beach area didn’t sit right. She cocked her head to the side and once again visualized walking through the space.
“Hey, you busy?” Gary walked in and plopped down on a chair. Obviously, her reply didn’t matter. “How did it go?”
She frowned up at him. “How did what go?”
“I ran into your aunt Friday down at town center square. She said you were going out with Sullivan Cole. I assumed it was to discuss the land deal.”
It took a lot of willpower not to snap at Gary. He’d been her friend since freshman year at college and smart and funny he could be very annoying at times. “It didn’t go well. I don’t know why I even went.”
“You two seemed...”
“Come look at this,” Elle purposely interrupted motioning to the drawing on her computer monitor. “Something is missing. What is it?”
Gary moved to stand beside her. He drew an imaginary line with his finger. “The bar should be over here so it won’t obstruct any views of the ocean.”
“Oh my goodness. You’re right.” Elle smiled broadly at him. “Sometimes you can be useful.”
“Jeez thanks a lot,” Gary said with a chuckle and then with raised eyebrows looked toward the door. “Good morning.”
She knew who stood at the entrance to her office without looking. Somehow Sully's presence seemed to fill the room and immediately she fought not to look at him.
“Miss Tyler, may I speak to you in private?”
Before she could reply and make Gary stay, the idiot scrambled to leave the room. “See ya around,” he said to Sully and hit his shoulder, as if they were good buddies.
Elle stood but remained behind her desk needing the barrier between them. She glanced down at her monitor again wanting a reminder she was at work and it wouldn’t be professional to throw a potted plant at his head.
“I thought I made it abundantly clear any business between us is over.” She finally met his gaze directly and almost flinched at his pinched brow and obvious consternation. “There is nothing further to discuss.”
“I came to apologize. My behavior and what I intimated to you Saturday night is unforgiveable. I am sorry for what I said and for disrespecting you. Please accept my sincerest apology.”
She wasn’t sure what to say. Embarrassment and hurt camped out in her chest with popcorn and an extra-large Coke. With what she hoped was a careless one shoulder shrug, she directed her gaze to the door. “Understood, and I agree you acted like a chauvinist pig. I will strive to forget the entire night. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a lot of work to catch up on.” She looked down to her messy desk.
When she looked back up, Sully was gone and she let out a long breath. Why didn’t she feel better?
Not even a minute later Gary was back. “What was that about?”
The man was nosy as all get out. “He’s not selling the land. I prefer if we keep from doing any business with Cole in the future.”
Her phone dinged. “Dang it, I wish texting didn’t exist. I have like twenty I haven’t even read yet.”
“I know. You never replied Friday night.” Gary lingered but when she didn’t return to the subject of her visitor, he finally gave up and left.
“Let’s see what the family is up to now.” She sat and began scrolling through he
r messages, replying when needed.
At seeing Gary’s message from Friday night, Elle stared at the display, her eyes rounded and mouth open. “Oh my goodness.” She jumped to her feet and stormed into her partner’s office.
Gary’s eyes rounded. “What’s wrong?”
She jammed her display to within inches of his face. “What did you mean by this?”
“Noth...nothing, it was a joke. I mean, I figured you were out on a date. Now that I read it again, I guess it comes across pretty crass.”
“You think?”
“Crud, you think he saw it?” Gary, the idiot, gave her a silly grin. “Hope not.”
“Ugh!” Elle turned on her heel and stormed. “Men are so stupid.”
Their admin assistant, gave her a knowing nod. “They are.”
Elle sat at her desk unable to focus on work. Was it possible Sully had seen the text and assumed the reason for the dinner was to go to any lengths to get the contract? She looked at the time of the text and it didn’t really tell her much.
She had no idea at what point in the evening it could have arrived. The only time she left the table was to use the restroom and... “Oh my God.” She lowered her head to her hands.
He’d seen the message. She’d left the cellphone on the table.
If he read it, then it explained his change in demeanor when she’d returned.
For a scant second, she considered texting him and telling him she accepted his apology. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t do anything to repair what was done. He’d insulted her, period. And no matter what he read into the message, it had been wrong.
Her phone rang and Elle relaxed. Work was the best way to put the entire debacle behind.
Months later
The land was perfect for the resort. The seller and their clients hosted an outdoor cocktail party, which included champagne and an elaborate display of Elle’s architectural plans for Big Sky Resort Ranch. It was a beautiful, sunny day and unlike the few days prior, Mother Nature cooperated with a light breeze and no rain.
Elle held a glass of champagne and discussed the possibility of a future project with a guest. While scanning the crowd for Gary, she caught sight of him standing a bit too close to a woman, his free hand moving along with whatever he said. Full flirt mode.
It had taken two months, but finally a contract was signed and she could put the project behind. From here, the lead in the project would take over, only contacting her if minor changes were needed, which she doubted.
“I hear Cancun is in the near future,” her friend, Cindy, quipped approaching with a glass of champagne. She smiled at the man Elle had been talking to. “Maybe we should plan a trip to Mexico. It’s been a while.”
The man was handsome with streaks of grey on his temples, which accentuated his dark eyes. He smiled easily at Cindy. “I’ll call you and we can discuss it. Ladies, I see a person I must speak to. Please excuse me.” He nodded at both and sauntered away.
“Well, well,” Elle said, with a grin. “You know Edgar Hughes?”
“Dated a few times,” Cindy replied, taking Elle’s arm. “How about you? Dating anyone?”
“No. I am looking, but they all run scared.” Elle laughed, ignoring the pang in her chest and the immediate picture of Sully forming in her mind.
Cindy looped her arm through Elle’s leading her to where they could look across the landscape. “At least your business is doing great. I foresee lots of work coming your way. Everyone is impressed with your design for the resort.”
True the area was beautiful and the resort she’d designed would not take away from it. At the same time the changes would displace wildlife and interrupt the serenity there. The idea of it saddened her.
“I plan to take on smaller projects for a while. I think,” Elle said her eyes on the horizon. “I might take a short break.”
“Right,” Cindy laughed.
Eight
Brow furrowed, Billy slid beads onto a wire while Elle watched from across the kitchen table. Her cousin, Deana, was a fabulous cook and used to her unmarried relatives popping in with growling stomachs and feeble excuses.
When a lock of blond hair fell across Billy’s face, Elle itched to sweep it back. Instead, she smiled at him. “I love the colors you’re using this time.”
“They are shades of pink,” her sullen nephew replied. She never tired of his creations, often hating to return one in exchange for another. He rarely allowed her to keep one longer than a couple weeks.
“Can I keep this one?” She pointed at the one she wore.
“No.” He looked to the kitchen where Deana cleared her throat.
“It would be nice to let your aunt keep some Billy. The bracelet box is full.”
For a long moment, his gaze locked to the sparkling bracelet on her wrist. “I suppose you can keep it. Let me check my box first.” He got up and sprinted to his bedroom.
Deana let out a sigh. “We’re going to be on Hoarders if he doesn’t stop making bracelets. It will be a very sparkly episode.”
Elle laughed. “Good luck with them getting Billy to give up any of his creations. That will be a show worth watching.”
Deanna’s eyes widened and she pointed at the patio doors to her back yard. “Queue the freak parade.”
Twins Lori and Sandy came into view followed by Aunt Janet. They carried pool floats, beach towels and what looked to be a small air mattress.
“I don’t think your pool is big enough for all of that.” Elle studied the above ground pool. “What are they up to?”
Unable to resist, she went to the sliding doors and stepped out.
“Hey!” Her aunt narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t tell me you were coming over here. I could have used a ride.”
“You have a car.”
“I hate driving the damn thing.”
“What are you doing with all that stuff?”
Lori turned to her, revealing a fully made up face. “We’re taking pictures for online dating sites. Trying something different. Also for our social media profile pictures.”
Her face red from blowing up a beach ball, Sandy nodded and grinned. “We’ve decided to advertise for twins and get married at the same time.”
There was a beat of silence as Elle couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“Nobody is going to marry you freaks!” Deana called out from the kitchen window. “Pictures by an above ground pool with all that crap, scream white trash.”
“Takes one to know one,” Sandy screamed back.
“Make me a sandwich,” Aunt Janet said settling into a foldout chair and lifting up a camera that would make professional photographers drool. “Model photography makes me hungry.”
Jennifer, Deanna’s sister, traipsed to stand by the pool and posed like a pin-up girl. She wore a string bikini, a huge multicolored hat on her head and bright yellow sunglasses. “I go first. This extreme wedgie is giving me a rash.”
Elle chuckled at the scene she’d left at her cousin’s house. An argument over who’d pose with what prop culminated in a tug of war with a blow up flamingo, which ended when Lori fell on top of Aunt Janet. The chair collapsed and when Jennifer hurried to help, Deana’s Great Dane stuck his nose in her butt.
Before long, everyone laid around talking and laughing. The flamingo was the only thing remaining in the pool.
Not wishing to go home, she headed toward a coffee shop instead deciding the smell of coffee and other people who were not trying to kill an inflatable flamingo would be a perfect place to get some light work done.
Once parked, she pulled her messenger bag from the back seat and walked down the sidewalk to The Twisted Coffee Bean.
The quiet of the coffee shop beckoned and she adjusted her laptop strap. Since the weather was perfect to sit outside and work, she scanned the front of the business where several small tables were set up.
After Sundays like today, when she took the time to read over emails and prepare for any upcoming projects, it made goin
g to the office on Monday easier.
She spotted an empty table next to a man reading a book with a black Labrador on the ground next to his chair.
The closer she walked, the tighter her stomach. Was it Sullivan Cole? The man wore sunglasses and his dark hair gleamed in the sun. Not wanting to go any nearer than necessary, she couldn’t get a good look without being obvious.
He’d not lifted his head. Instead, he read the book and every once in a while petted his dog.
If it was Sully, she’d prefer not to deal with whatever awkwardness it would bring. Although after he’d apologized for his actions, it would still be strange to face him, especially now that she knew about Gary’s text.
The annoying butterflies fluttered and her breath caught when the man smiled at the dog and broke off a piece of bagel for it.
It was Sully.
“Crud,” Elle mumbled, lowering her head and walking past. She’d order a latte and find a place inside because if she left, it meant walking past him again. Once inside she could wait him out. And watch him through the window.
“Elle?” His deep voice washed over her and, in that instant, she knew for sure. Sullivan Cole mattered to her.
Swallowing, she stopped and turned to him.
“Oh hey.”
Sully wasn’t sure how to proceed. When she turned to him and their eyes met, it was all he could do not to reach for her. “Working today?”
Before replying her hand went across her body to her laptop bag strap. “Yes. You?”
“Nope. I don’t work on Sundays.” He motioned to the table. “Would you like to join Buddy and me?”
It was an awkward moment of silence as Elle looked toward the dog who watched them. “He’s cute.”
“I think so.”
“I don’t know. I’ll be reading and working on email and won’t be much company. Maybe some other time.”
“Sit down, relax. Tell me what you want and I’ll get it. My treat.” He took her elbow and guided her to the table. “We don’t have to talk.”
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