by Jane Jamison
“Are you sure you want to do this? Don’t you remember how you felt the last time?”
She jerked her focus away from the kids. “I’m sure.”
The last time had been different. She’d purchased land surrounding a town that was on its last legs. The people there had seen her as a savior, not an invader. Still, it had been hard to see how vacant the town was once the construction company had moved in, demolishing many of the homes and businesses. She’d lost a lot of sleep for months afterward.
“Your father’s going to explode once he finds out what you’re doing. I still don’t get why you’re using your own money.”
Explode was a good word to describe Ronald Ronnell’s probable reaction.
“By then it’ll be too late.” Hopefully, she’d figure out why she wasn’t using corporation funds before her father found out.
“Are you sure you can pull it off?”
“I’m sure.” Did she sound more confident than she was?
“I hope so. If you don’t get the land for his mall…”
“I’ll get fired then disowned in that order.” She laughed. Would it be such a bad thing to get fired? “I’ll end up living on the streets.” She caught yet another stuffed animal and tossed it to Mayla. “Or, worse, move in with you.”
“Oh hell no. No offense, but my place is too small for both of us.”
Kristin was the buyer for one of Raven’s favorite boutiques. Although she managed to get discounts on clothing, the pay was awful. Still, her apartment was at least half the size of the Merriweather home, where six people and two guests were now staying.
“So tell me more about Clint and Hale Yager. Are they yummy?”
She’d already said too much. Kristin had a way of getting things out of her. Before she’d known it, she’d told her how handsome they were. And how they were real ranchers, men who could tame a horse and wrestle a cow. Better yet, men who could possibly tame her.
“What else can I say?” She lowered her voice. “They’re good-looking, and they own one of the ranches I’m going to buy.”
“Uh-uh. Don’t go hedging your words now. You said they were hot. As in sexy, wet-your-panties hot. As in guys you’d take to bed.”
She started to whisper. “And I might do it, too. As long as they understand it’s just”—she glanced at the kids—“fun and nothing to do with business.”
“Why not let it be more than a fun time?”
“What?”
May grabbed hold of Maya and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, followed by a loving pat on the rear end. The love in their home was almost tangible.
Could I ever have a home like this?
Not a chance in hell.
“Raven, are you still there?”
“I’m here.”
“Well? How about giving yourself a chance to find a good man? Maybe even two good men? You deserve some happiness in your life.”
“I am happy.”
Yet, if I am, why does it sound like a lie?
“Bullshit. I mean really happy. With a man to love and kids to raise.”
“I’m not the maternal type. Oh!” The youngest child, Rupert, threw his body on top of hers. Before she could react, he’d already rolled off and onto the floor at her feet. She laughed and gave him a soft swat on his behind.
If I could have a boy like Rupert, then maybe…
“Raven?”
Richard tilted his head to the side, motioning to her to follow him, then slipped out the sliding back door.
“I’ve got to go, Kristin. I’ll check in with you again as soon as I can.”
“Don’t you forget about the hot cowboys. Next time you call, I want details.”
“Maybe.” She ended the call.
Raven caught the third stuffed animal before it hit her in the boobs, shot Freddy an I-know-what-you’re-doing look, and threw it over his head. Little Freddy was definitely curious about a woman’s breasts, particularly hers. She hurried after Richard.
Richard stood by the sedan waiting for her. The cigarette caught between his fingers glowed in the dark.
“Those things will kill you.” She’d seen him smoke only once before.
“I know. But we all have our vices.” He snubbed it out. “Raven, you know I don’t ever mix in your business—”
“But you are now?” He’d never “mixed in her business” as he’d put it, but he told her what he thought when she asked him. He rarely gave his opinion without getting her permission first. Even then, she could count the number of times he had on one hand. “Go on. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking you don’t want to do this.”
“Do what?” Unlike her father, Richard didn’t make her feel inferior whenever he disagreed with her.
“You don’t want to buy up land to put in a shopping mall.”
“I see.” Richard was her driver, but she valued his thoughts. “Why not? It’s going to be the biggest outlet mall in the country. Think what it’ll do for the economy, for families like your sister’s. Jobs, cash flow, investment opportunities. Their lives will get better.”
“At what cost? Losing a lifestyle they love? Look at them. They’re already happy.”
She glanced through the rear windows of the house and saw the gaiety going on. Would a shopping mall hurt them? Or give them an easier life? Her father had taught her not to let emotions dictate what she did for work, but didn’t she have the obligation to consider those affected by her actions?
“People around here aren’t like you and your father. They appreciate the simpler things in life. They don’t need a big mall and all the stuff inside it to make them happy.”
She felt as though he’d kicked her in the stomach. “You make it sound like I’m evil. Like I’m bringing an army of killers down on them.”
“No. I don’t mean it that way at all.” Richard shook his head then straightened up, going into his driver persona. “Although I don’t agree with what you’re doing, I’m still your employee.”
“You’re my friend, too. No matter what happens.” Why did she feel like a shift in their relationship had occurred? It made her sad to think so.
“I am. Which is why I’m telling you about the town meeting.”
“What meeting? In Garner? Let me guess. Clint and Hale Yager set it up.”
“They did.” He tossed a glance at his family. “I figured you’d want to be there.”
“You figured right.” She stalked to the car door and pulled it open. “Thanks for telling me, Richard.”
“Just doing my job.” His worried gaze met hers.
“And I’m just doing mine.”
“Yes, Ms. Ronnell.”
She didn’t need to ask why he hadn’t used her first name. Whenever Richard disapproved of her actions, he’d put on a professional attitude, as though distancing himself from her. Or maybe it was his way of letting her know he thought she was wrong without actually saying it. The real problem was that his reaction was happening more and more often.
She hoped it wouldn’t affect their working relationship. Or, worse, their friendship.
Chapter Three
Clint put two fingers in his mouth and let loose with a loud whistle. The restaurant was packed to standing room only. Hale waved his arms in the air, helping to draw their attention.
“Okay, everyone, let’s quiet down.” Clint was pleased at the turnout. Even with the short notice, more than half the town had turned out. Even Charlie Zucker and Martin Herant were in attendance.
“Get on with it so we can get the hell out of here.”
He’d never liked Charlie much, but now that the man had sold his ranch, he liked him even less. “Charlie, if you want to leave, then leave. I’m not sure why you came.”
“I got a right, don’t I?”
“Now that you’ve sold your place? Maybe not.”
He’d dropped the bomb, letting the others in on the news. They reacted as he would’ve expected, talking among them
selves and hurling hard questions at Charlie. Clint gave another whistle, quieting them down.
“That’s right. Charlie sold his place.” He flattened his palm toward the older man, stopping him from launching into a tirade. “Which he had every right to do. But you need to know why he sold it.” He scanned his friends and neighbors. “And who he sold it to.”
They grew silent, waiting for him to tell them the rest. Their anxiety showed in their tense expressions.
“Raven Ronnell, daughter of the wealthy Ronald Ronnell of Ronnell Corporation, bought the Zucker place. The thing is she plans on buying more ranches.”
Did Holter Lenning look guilty? Had she already contacted him? A couple of the other ranchers suddenly found the floor interesting.
Damn. The girl moves fast.
“What for, Clint? What would a rich man want with our land?”
He pointed at Willy Darnell. “He wants to buy the ranches, tear the houses down, and get rid of the livestock. All so he can build the biggest outlet mall in the country.”
He let the news settle in. People loved their homes, and they loved ranching. He had faith that they wouldn’t let him down.
“He’s right. It’ll be the largest outlet shopping mall in the nation. Which, by the way, will bring jobs and money into your community. Once it’s built, Garner’s economy is going to skyrocket.”
The squeak of chairs against floors accompanied the shift of attention toward the entrance. Raven stood at the threshold, her hands stuffed into the front pockets of a pair of jeans that probably cost more than all his clothes put together. The way the material hugged her body latched onto his mind, ridding him of the reason he was there.
She was fucking-A beautiful. Sexy and sophisticated. Smart as hell by the glint in her eyes. Yet there was a tenderness and vulnerability about her that pulled at him. She was tough, but was she as tough as she thought she was?
“Ms. Ronnell—”
“Aw, come on, Clint. You can call me Raven.” She sashayed into the crowd, taking her time to shake a few hands along the way.
She’s like a damn politician vying for votes.
She had an allure, an attraction that drew others to her. Strangely, he could imagine voting for her.
“Raven, this is a town meeting for residents only.”
“Oh?” She tossed her long hair. Free of the ponytail, it flowed around her shoulders. The tips of it teased the swell of her breasts. “But I’m a citizen now, right? After all, if you don’t think Charlie Zucker belongs here because he sold his ranch, doesn’t that mean I do because I own his ranch now?”
“She’s got you there, Clint.” Kat, owner of the restaurant, motioned Raven over to one of the folding chairs set up on the small stage where local bands played on Saturday nights.
“Thanks, but I’ll stay standing.”
“The deal hasn’t closed yet, so you’re not officially part of the community yet.”
“Really? That seems like a small detail to me.”
He didn’t want to act petty. “Fine. Stick around. See what people have to say about selling their homes.” Maybe if he gave her enough rope, she’d end up wrapping it around her pretty throat.
“Is Clint right, miss? Are you trying to buy ranches so you and your millionaire father can build a stinking shopping mall?”
Good for you, Willy. Clint crossed his arms, giving her the chance to hang herself.
“And what’s your name?” She placed her hand on top of Willy’s shoulder.
“It’s Willy. Willy Darnell.”
Clint frowned, noticing how Willy’s appreciative gaze scanned the length of her. He couldn’t blame the man. Who wouldn’t like her touching him?
“Are you married, Willy?”
“Uh…” A few people chuckled at his sudden memory loss.
Lois, Willy’s wife, bumped against his arm. “You bet your sweet ass he is. I’m his wife, Lois.”
Raven’s pleasant expression didn’t waver. “It’s good to meet you, Lois. Let me ask you a question. Do have everything you want out of life? Hell, everything you need?”
Lois was as thrown as Clint was. “I guess.”
“Really? Wow. I’m impressed. So you wouldn’t like to drive a better car? Or send your kids to college? Maybe buy a better house?”
“Well, sure. Who doesn’t like nice things?” Lois pulled her nubby old shirt together, hiding the stained T-shirt underneath it.
“Are you going to get them by ranching?”
“No, but…”
“No. So if you had a chance to change that, to have more in the bank, to not have to worry about the bills any longer, would you take that chance?”
He couldn’t stand it any longer. If he let her go on, she’d have half the town convinced to sell.
“That’s not the point, Raven. Money isn’t the most important thing in the world. Family, land, owning your own business, being your own boss is what matters.”
He stepped off the stage and stalked toward her but addressed the crowd. “Think about this, everyone. Do you want to see big money, traffic, and a bunch of money-hungry businesses take over Garner? Do you want the land you worked on for years to be dug up and plowed under, to decay under a huge slab of concrete? Do you want to spend the rest of your life working in some windowless factory? Or, even worse, standing on your feet all day waiting on customers in a store? I don’t think so.” He’d painted a bleak picture. Maybe it wouldn’t all come true, but it would be bad. That much he was sure of.
Raven’s gaze met his, signaling her determination to fight the battle. “I’m giving these people a chance for a better life. A chance to own something more than dirt. A chance to make enough money to not have to worry any longer about feeding their children.” She poked him in the chest. “Why don’t you want your friends and neighbors to do better? To have more?”
Again, he lost track of what she was saying. She smelled so damn good. Even the hard poke of her finger turned him on. Would she be as forceful in bed? Would she bow to their will once they tied her hands and spanked her ass? She’d flirted with them earlier, and right then, he wanted to take her up on her offer of sex. No matter what the consequences.
“Because selling their land, losing their homes, raising their kids somewhere else wouldn’t be better.” Hale strode over to them, his eyes blazing. His gaze, however, slid from her face downward then back up.
Clint let out a pent-up breath, grateful that his brother had decided to tag-team her. Together, they’d make people see the truth.
“My brother’s right. Our kids can run all over the place without having to be afraid. If her mall’s built, they’ll have to learn how to be fearful of strangers.”
The murmur around them said he’d reached them. The frown on Raven’s face said the same thing.
“Do you want to trade your home and your family’s memories for some cement block in a city? Do you want to smell car exhaust fumes? Or would you rather wake up to the sweet smell of wheat growing and the sound of birds singing? Do you want to give up the sunsets for the sounds of ambulances?”
“They don’t have to live in a city.” Raven turned in a slow circle. “You can buy new ranches, bigger places somewhere else. Shoot, they can buy beach houses and take it easy for the rest of their lives. Who wouldn’t rather watch a sunset instead of waking up before the crack of dawn?”
“Nah, girl. Clint’s right.” Lois thrust back her shoulders. “This is our home.”
“Your home is where you are. Your home is where your family is.”
Clint went in for the close. “You don’t know what family is, Raven. From what I’ve read, your father spends more time with his board of directors than with you.”
He felt like an asshole at the way she reacted. For a moment, she was stunned. Hurt and angry and unable to defend herself. A shocked glint took away the sparkle in her eyes. He’d struck a low blow, and he hated himself for it.
But she didn’t stay down for long. Her eyes s
parkled, and a less-than-friendly smile curved her lips. “Hmm. It sounds like you’ve been Googling me. Should I be flattered, Clint?”
“I like to know who I’m dealing with.”
“Good for you, but you didn’t have to go to so much trouble. I would’ve told you anything you wanted to know. All you had to do was ask me.” She pivoted away from him, back to addressing the others. “Ask Charlie how much he got for his ranch.” She lifted an eyebrow at Charlie, as though demanding he tell them.
“Tell us,” said Willy.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but it was twice what the damn place is worth.”
This time the murmurs didn’t sound as if they were on his side. He had to find a way to change their minds. At least to buy more time. Maybe there was a way he could not only buy more time, but also get to know her better at the same time.
“How about you find out what you’re asking these folks to give up?”
“I know what they’re giving up. Hard, long days without much to show for it.”
If she took him up on his dare, he’d possibly have a way of keeping people from selling their land as well as having her in close proximity. Hopefully, very close proximity. “Nah. You don’t know what the real sacrifice would be. But I think you should find out.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.” She narrowed her eyes, suspecting a trick.
“Find out how the other half lives, Raven. If you do—and you do it with an open mind—I think you’ll agree that our way of life is worth protecting. That no amount of money can take its place.”
“I’m already staying with my driver’s sister in Whistler.”
“On a ranch?”
“Well, no, but I don’t have to jump off a cliff to know I wouldn’t like it.” She hurried on at the grumbles of those around her. “I also don’t need to buy a brand-new half-ton pickup to know I’d like it better than driving an old truck on its last legs.”
He smiled, knowing he was winning. “Once again, I’m not talking about material things. I’m talking about a lifestyle. One you need to appreciate before wiping it out.”
She crossed her arms, defying him the only way she had left. “Okay, I’ll bite. What do you suggest?”
