by Cara North
"That's his will?” she said in shock.
"See why no one reads it all?” Jack asked.
"No.” She shook her head and made her way for the book. “Are you telling me no one here has read this?"
"I have,” the old man said and seemed to be getting uncomfortable as she stepped nearer. “And he wanted things done a certain way, missy."
"I have no doubt about it, but as you want me to sign a legal document, I am sure you understand my need to review all of the information included.” She placed her hand on the will. “Is this the only copy?"
"But you only need to sign and in three months..."
"In three months, you return to review our marital status. It doesn't say here Jack gets his money in three months.” She handed him the documents. Just skimming them, she realized something was definitely wrong with this arrangement.
"Well, now there are conditions, which must be met.” The guy grew more nervous and fidgeted with the briefcase.
"I understand, and I am sure those conditions are listed on pages thirteen or maybe twenty-five.” She hoped she was not coming off as a bitch, but really, how could she enter a contract and not know the terms?
"And you're sure you're not married to Rafe?” The old man laughed nervously. “He always told me Rafe would marry a smart one, and Jack would be the last to get hitched."
"I am married to Jack.” Bethany clarified and felt offended on Jack's behalf. “And after I read this ... book of a will, I will sign the documents for Jack's benefit."
"No, you won't.” The old man winked, and she felt very uncomfortable. Mumbles broke out about the table. “But you will come see me."
Paul, the old lawyer, stood. “Congratulations, Jack, you got a smart wife here. Hope she sticks around."
"I'm not going anywhere.” As she said it, she knew it was true. No matter what the will said, unless getting money hinged on getting divorced, she had no intentions of ever leaving Jack.
"That's right, sweetheart,” Jack announced. “And if she wants to read the whole thing, it's fine by me. Hell, someone should have done it long before now."
"Mom should have done it,” Heath said and stood.
"You can't leave, Heath. I have the plans all set to go over,” she pleaded. Then, she wanted to kick him as he stretched, adjusted himself, and then sat back down.
"I wasn't going anywhere.” He smiled in triumph.
"Good Lord, someone grab a camera the man is smiling.” Jan gasped in faux shock.
"Stop it, Heath, you're making me ill,” Buck teased.
"So, where are the plans?” Rafe asked.
Picking up the will, she headed for the living room toward the loft. “Be right back. Jack, don't let them leave. I need everyone here for this."
"They aren't going anywhere, sweetheart,” Jack said seriously as he looked at the will she held.
Bethany gulped and ran to the loft. Her first big meeting and she had a lot to cover. It was just like they trained them at school. A board meeting with all the high power executives, only they had no idea how much power they each held. With only a few hours of research coupled with the plans Heath had made a year ago, they could be up and running as soon as they chose to be.
Chapter 14
"You can't be serious.” Jack knew it was the best decision, but it hurt like hell to hear it.
"Yes, I am. I know you've been managing the books, and I commend you on the job you've done, but Heath's the oldest, and he already has a business license. We can modify it to include all of you, no problem, but he has it now. The ranch is close enough to some ski slopes I think you can open it whenever you please. Summer is almost over, so if you do it now, things could be tight to get scheduled, but there's no reason people can't be here now unless the cabins aren't ready, and you know some of them are."
Bethany was amazing in full business mode. All her charts, graphs, and visual aids outlined the ranch, what each section could be used for, who should head up what section, and how it could happen right away. The woman he married a week ago was telling him how to make his dreams come true, and she was leading his entire family down the same path.
"They don't listen to me. Never have.” Jack watched Heath as he crossed his arms and leaned back. It was probably the best day of his life in all honesty. A woman was not only validating everything he had been telling them the past two years, but she was selling the entire family on the plan. There lay the crux of it all. Heath was right. They were not about to listen to him any longer. He had been a bear all throughout childhood, and he was not about to boss them in their adult lives.
"But we are listening to you,” Rafe pointed out, and Jack felt like kicking him for stealing his line!
"I agree, sweetheart, you seem to have a good grasp on delegating without, let's say, being a tyrant.” He winked, and she smiled. He knew she had to be nervous about giving the reins over to Heath and what he would think of the idea, but it made sense. Heath knew more people and had a better reputation than Rafe or himself. Rafe had been known for horses all his life, and Jack was known for wild antics and women. Heath had always been a cowboy, and he was always like a rock. Sturdy and dependable, he had worked on almost every ranch around by the time he was seventeen.
"That's a lot of pressure for her, don't you think?” Jan spoke up.
"She can handle it,” Buck spoke to his wife. “You've been trying for years to be a full fledged part of your brothers’ plans, honey. Don't get scared now."
"I'm not scared. I thought maybe it was a lot for Bethany. I mean, she's been here a week. She doesn't know about ranching, horses, cattle, or anything else going on around here.” Jan was obviously nervous and rightfully so. Bethany had made big plans to incorporate her on equal turf with them, and Jack knew as much as she would not admit it, Jan had become comfortable in the role of baby sister.
"You're right, Jan. I don't, but I know about business, and I know about profits and marketing and staffing. I know about the health codes and technicalities of running a dining facility. I know about insurance and investments. I know the four of you are sitting on a lucrative opportunity. What I don't know is if you're all ready to take this opportunity and make it into something.” Bethany still spoke in business tone.
She had her shoulders back and her eyes directed at Jan. Jack hadn't had trouble keeping himself in check around women until this moment. He could feel his heart pounding and his groin tighten. Something about her called to him on a basic level. There in the kitchen with his entire family sitting around the table, he was getting a boner just watching his wife.
"Chicken?” Heath teased Jan.
"Yeah, Jan, are those feathers sprouting over there?” Rafe joined in.
"What about school?” Buck came to his wife's defense. “How much time is the website and newsletter going to take? This is her last year. She's worked too hard to just stop."
"It won't interfere with school. It's important she finishes her degree. It will be vital to running the kids’ camps in the summer to have an educator on board. In the meantime, Heath or I can help her if it gets to be too much.” Bethany nodded.
"Heath?” Jan asked.
"Well, yes. I mean he has a degree in..."
"Bethany!” Heath smacked the table, jarring Jack from his daydreams about Bethany being all businesslike in the bedroom.
"Don't yell at my wife.” Jack nudged his older brother and took a good look at him. Heath was blushing, full on red face. “What the hell are you embarrassed about?"
"How did you find out?” Heath asked Bethany as he shifted in his seat, looking more uncomfortable than Jack ever remembered seeing him.
"It was on the loan application. You have a bachelor's degree in business; it shows. You should be proud of it.” Jack watched his big brother squirm even more as his wife complimented him. Too much a man to take much more, Heath got up and walked around the kitchen grumbling under his breath.
"What did I say?” Bethany sounded confused, an
d who wouldn't be?
"Nothing, sweetheart. Are we good for today? It's a lot to digest.” He turned his attention toward her. She looked hurt by Heath's reaction.
"You did good,” Rafe praised her. Damn him! He seemed to always be communicating with her. Jack totally understood now how Heath went off the deep end when Chance had come to him with the news of her acceptance into a culinary arts program. They were friends, and she was going to surprise Heath but could not keep the secret bottled up. Now, Rafe seemed to have a friendship with Bethany, and it grated his nerves.
"Yes, sweetheart, you did very well.” So lame. Even to his own ears, it sounded like he was just trying to reinforce Rafe. “Don't you all have someplace else to be now?"
"Jack.” Bethany had a surprised look on her face. It was rude, and he knew it, but he was aggravated with his brothers, and Buck surely had to get back to work soon.
"What? You fed them, set out a plan for the ranch, it's going on six now, and I'd like some time with my wife before I hit the sheets.” Shameless, he meant every word. He wanted his family out of his house.
"Come on, Rafe. You can stay at my place,” Heath offered.
"I'm all set. Savanna has a test in the morning. I can still get there and help her study.” Rafe got up, grabbed his hat, and headed out. “See ya in the morning."
Bethany began clearing the table of plates, and he wished he could help her, but if he stood, the rest of his family would not be pleased with him.
"You're welcome at our place for dinner.” Buck offered Heath, a monumental statement coming from the kid. One of her most important points was there had to be a truce. If the family could not work together, the whole ranch would fall apart. Jack held his breath waiting for Heath's reply.
"Come on, Heath. I'll make fried chicken, extra crispy just how you like it, and I won't kiss Buck while you're there. Well, I won't tongue kiss him or grab his butt or anything that will make you sick,” Jan teased, and Jack hoped Heath still had half a sense of humor. He had become so cold and withdrawn since Chance left. His brother was but a shadow of the man he once was.
"Why not? If I stay here, Jack is sure to make me sick. If I go with you, at least I get some food out of the deal.” Heath agreed, and Jack felt like a weight had lifted off the house.
"Have fun.” Bethany waved as they left. She turned to him. “I think it went well, don't you? I mean I know it's a lot different than what you had designed, but it is a sound plan."
"Come here.” Finally, with everyone gone, he could get up from the table and not care he was sporting a massive boner.
"Let me put these dishes in the sink first.” She grabbed the stack of plates and started toward the sink. He followed her, and as she set the dishes in the sink, he wrapped his arms around her. “Jack, I need to get this stuff in the dishwasher."
"I'll do it later. Turn around here.” Adding to the importance of his need, he kissed her neck and rocked his hips against her backside.
"You're like a teenager. All you want from me is sex.” She turned, and he could see in her expression she was teasing him. If anything, she was the insatiable one.
"That's not all I want from you.” He kissed her candy pink lips and pulled her tightly against him.
"No?” she whispered breathlessly.
"No. I also want to spend time with you. Don't let him fool you, sweetheart. He's excited, but he's not the boss of me.” Pulling her along with him, Jack flipped on the television, sat on the couch, and pulled her down to his lap. “What do you want to watch?"
She blinked at him a few moments then snuggled into his chest without answering. The news was on, so he left it there. What he really wanted right now was to do exactly what they were doing. Cuddle up on the couch and act like an old married couple instead of a new married couple who barely knew one another.
"What do you want for dinner?” he asked.
"I've been snacking on the leftovers, so I'm not really hungry."
"Okay then, tell me about you.” Pulling her up to face him, he knew she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but how he knew was a mystery. He didn't know her favorite color or what she liked to eat. Much less what her childhood was like, other than she seemed to have been neglected and bought off.
"There's nothing to tell really.” Bethany shrugged. “My life didn't start until last week."
"What was Kentucky like? You don't have to talk about your parents or childhood, but I would like to know what you like, what you hate. I don't want to step on another landmine like this morning.” Her smile faded. He began to wonder if she thought he was stupid. Yes, Heath had a degree, but he didn't know shit about women. Rafe knew horses and kids, but he'd been courting Layla for six months and getting nowhere fast. Jack knew women, and he knew the one on his lap was hiding something.
"I don't know. I mean if someone asked me three weeks ago if I liked dogs, I would have said no, but I love Jessie Boy and Blue Dog. I couldn't imagine this place without them running around and playing. I always knew I would like horses. I would watch them every derby and just be in awe at their grace and speed. I've never roughed it, Jack. I've had everything handed to me since I was born. What I made today, I learned from my nanny slash housekeeper. She would let me help out in the kitchen when my parents threw parties.” He watched her smile at the mention of the housekeeper then frown. “They will probably fire her now I'm gone."
"So, call her and bring her out to the ranch. You said we would need a housekeeping staff, give her a job, put her in charge. I don't know, but you should never turn your back on people you love.” He knew that much firsthand. “What about your friends. You never explained the whole scene back at the hotel."
"What's there to explain? They aren't my friends. They never were. They told my parents my every move, and Rosie is having an affair with my father. He probably doesn't even know she's his partner's daughter. The man is oblivious to everyone but dead presidents.” Jack knew right away who had done the most damage in her life.
"I understand. My dad loved us, but he would go out for days on cattle drives or leave for months with the rodeo. He was an amazing cowboy. It was what drew my mother to him, and then it was what drove them apart. I think we all got here from make up sessions. They argued a lot. My grandpa hated it,” he explained.
"That doesn't explain Jan.” Bethany smiled again.
"Actually, it does. They had been sleeping in separate rooms for years. Then, all of a sudden things were getting better; then mom thought she was going through the change. When she found out she was pregnant, well, it was like a honeymoon phase for a while. Then, we found out he had cancer. Then, Jan was born. Shortly after, he died. We like to remember the last year when things were good, but momma always told him she loved him. He never said it back much, and he always told us love was woman talk. And if a man loved a woman too much, she would rip out his heart and steal his dreams.” Jack sighed.
"Do you believe him?” she asked.
"I don't know. The only example I've had is my daddy and Heath. I don't want a marriage like my parents, always fighting. Heath told Chance he loved her, and within two months she had destroyed him.” He hoped she understood what he was trying to say or rather what he was not prepared to say. Even if he felt it, his head fought the words on so many levels.
"My dad never told us he loved us unless reporters or other businessmen were around. My mom said it was his actions. Like actions proved he loved us. Of course, she valued her Mercedes Benz, her salon appointments, club membership, and exotic vacations, which by the way I never got to go on."
She waved her hand as she spoke, and he smiled. She was opening up to him, letting him in. “I agree, it is the actions that speak louder than words. My dad proved he didn't love me because he was never there. He was a sixteen digit credit card number, a portrait on holidays, but he was never there when I was sick. He even paid a non-profit organization not to hire me."
"That's illegal."
> "I know, but they needed the money, and he agreed to donate two hundred-fifty thousand dollars if they just told me I wasn't qualified. It's a good number, one I made sure to remember.” Her eyes held every bit of the hurt and anger she must have felt then as she was feeling it now. “I couldn't blame them, and I was grateful the director told me the truth. She didn't understand why he would do such a thing, but I did."
"Why, sweetheart?” Jack pushed at the stray curl from her ponytail, tucking it behind her ear.
"He doesn't think women should work. He thinks they are trophies, like my mother. Her job was to look good, to play hostess and mother, and he kept her well.” Her shoulders sagged, and tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “She's no better. She had me because he needed a child to help sell his lifestyle as a family man, to make his work look better, cleaner. She was happy being a trophy. And after she had me, he stopped looking at her the same, or so she says."
"What planet are they from?” He pulled her into a bear hug. He knew he was squeezing too tight, but he wished he could squeeze all the pain away. “You're the most loveable woman I know."
"Thanks.” She sighed, and he eased his grip.
Her head nuzzled his shoulder, and her arms wrapped around him. The silence was not uncomfortable. It was nice, relaxing, and peaceful. The sweet smell of her shampoo and the light fragrance she wore would be forever imprinted on his sense of smell. The softness of her curves, the taste of her mouth, even the sound of her voice, all of it was penetrating his senses, enveloping him.
* * * *
Bethany laid there on his chest. The sense of safety his body provided was nothing like she had ever known before. Jack's parents were not perfect. It helped her to reveal more. His family obviously had quirks, but they loved each other, and they were all driven by a common goal. They all loved the ranch so did she. She also loved each of them.
Heath, the quintessential cowboy, Rafe the peacemaker, and Jan the little sister who was trying to come into her own. Then, there was Jack, her husband, trying to please her. When it was obvious from the moment she met him, he was very used to women going out of their way to please him.
