That’s what she wanted the most – hot running water and her own shower.
Kate glanced back over her shoulder. The road stretched behind her on a fairly straight course, but the ups and downs hid her car far off in the distance. She’d been walking about an hour at a steady pace, maybe longer. When the car had stopped running Kate wasn’t sure what to do. She’d sat there, staring at the dashboard, certain her opportunity was slipping through her fingers.
She’d left her cell phone with her mom so her mom wouldn’t be without a way to call for help or reach Kate or Kate’s dad. They only had the one cell between the two of them. Kate took the car. She couldn’t take the phone, too.
Breaking down on the side of the road, the car had finally given up the ghost on Kate. She hadn’t bothered crying. What was the point? She was supposed to be at Brody’s place at noon. It was already one. She’d gotten lost a couple times and now she was just hiking. Judging by the watch on her wrist, it was two-forty-five. She was almost two hours late. She was never late.
Already she was having to change for this thing. Kate wasn’t amused. She just needed to keep trying. She couldn’t give up yet when she hadn’t even gotten there yet. One way or the other, she had to keep walking. What else was she going to do? She hadn’t even seen a car that far out in the country.
A roof came into view and with each step forward a huge log mansion manned the end of the road Kate was on. That couldn’t be Brody’s place. And yet, the man had wagered her half-a-million dollars he could make her fall in love with him. Why couldn’t the rustic mansion be his?
The long drive didn’t seem as long the closer Kate got to the house. She slowed her steps. She didn’t want to be in the house, suddenly. She was dusty and gritty from the dirt clinging to her skin and she was sweaty. She certainly hadn’t brought clothes nice enough for his home or his lifestyle. She’d have to tell him that he was fast losing the bet. A woman who felt out of her element wasn’t in a position to fall in love.
She could turn around. She didn’t have to go through with it. Kate paused, turning to look back the way she came. Ignoring the fact that she had no way out of there except for hours and hours of walking. Pushing aside the fact that she’d already bet him and the fact that she had no other prospects at that time.
Kate had to acknowledge that it was the first real break she and her family had been given since the market crash ten years before. She chewed her bottom lip. Kate’s parents had been middle-class, with good-paying jobs and a mortgage. Her dad had been laid off from a solid future as a land surveyor and Kate’s mom had injured her back, forcing her from her job as a nurse.
They lost everything. Literally everything.
When Kate had gotten a full-ride scholarship to college, she’d gone for veterinarian technologist. Life had happened and she’d had to quit with just two months left.
There she stood, hesitant to move forward and unable to face the nothing behind her. “Come on, Kate. What are you waiting for? Your chance is here. Go get it.” Kate set her jaw and strode forward, determination to pull her family out of poverty pushing her onward.
She reached the front of the log-style mansion and took a deep breath. She’d made it all that way and it was close to four. Well, better late than never. Staring at the expansive property and the ornate front patio, Kate almost rolled her eyes. Almost but not quite. She reached up and knocked on the door, avoiding the doorbell with its brass presence to the right of the windows.
The door flew open and Brody stood there in another tuxedo with a flower in hand. He studied her and then looked past her, his hand still on the door. “You’re late. Are you okay? Where’s your car?” He stepped back and studied her. “Kate, are you okay?” Reaching out, he gripped her arm. “You look like you’re going to pass out.” He was just as handsome as he’d been the day before. Kate found that fact irritating.
Kate shook her head, suddenly dizzy. She’d only eaten a small granola bar since the day before and the long walk had taken more out of her than even determination could refuel. She reached up and rubbed her temple. “I’m sorry. I… My car broke down up the road. I’ve been walking since a little after one to get here.”
“That’s almost three hours! Why didn’t you call me? My number is on the card. I would’ve come and gotten you.” Brody pulled her inside, pulling her bag from her shoulder.
“I don’t have a phone with me. I left it with my mom.” Kate looked past him and tightened her jaw to keep it from going slack.
Two matching staircases ran up the sides of the oversized room to a catwalk which led to more upstairs. A beautifully decorated lower level lent itself to the overall grandeur of the home and Kate could only imagine what the rest of the house looked like. Wait, was it actually a house or did it qualify as something else? Like a hotel or something?
Dropping her gaze, Kate took a moment to register the rose petals littering the floor and candles burning along the walls on tables and wall sconces. Brody offered her a flower, a hibiscus, if Kate remembered correctly, but she didn’t take it.
He dropped it back to his side with confusion on his face. “Are you hungry? Do you want to see your room first?”
Hungry didn’t begin to describe how Kate felt. But she wanted to clean up first. Standing there in the presence of Brody in his immaculate tuxedo and the rich surroundings, Kate wanted nothing more than a shower and a chance to try to fit in better. She had the sinking sensation she would be in a constant state of discomfort for the next two months.
“I’d like to see my room, please. Also, can I take a quick shower?” She hadn’t had a full shower in months. Usually she gave herself a sponge bath the best she could in the rest area. When you didn’t have money, you did the best with what you had.
“Of course. I’m happy to get you anything you’d like. Just let me know and I’ll have it flown in. I have the chefs preparing pate, escargot, and roast duck. We can eat when you’re ready.” He grinned like she should be impressed, but she wasn’t.
Fancy food? Hopefully Brody didn’t think Kate would be won over with extravagant displays of money. Her heart wasn’t attached to material things. She’d lost too many over the years to rely on them as consistent.
Kate fell into step beside Brody as he led the way to her room. He smiled at her, his cleanshaven jaw attractive, but not as appealing to her as when it had been covered in an early morning shadow and his hair had been disheveled. He was trying too hard and she wasn’t sure if it was fair to let him continue trying like he was or if the draw of the money was enough to let him keep going like he was.
“Are these your usual tricks for dating? Impressing a girl with your money?” Kate glanced at him as they reached the top of the stairs and he led her to the left, down a hallway and to a gold-gilt doorway.
Brody glanced at her, wiggling his eyebrows while he opened the door. “Of course, is it working?” His teasing grin offset the formality of his attire and Kate caught a glimpse of a Brody she didn’t want to see.
The Brody that she was in danger of being severely attracted to.
He followed her into the bedroom or rather the suite with its large sleeping area, bathroom, closet, and sitting space. There was no way the set of rooms could be considered one bedroom.
Brody didn’t leave, but stood there watching her.
Kate turned, folding her arms. She narrowed her eyes. “Let’s be clear. I’m not sharing a room with you. I’m also not going to kiss you, or be expected to do anything like that. I’m not like most girls.” She lifted her chin. If he was counting on her to respond to him like most girls did, he was mistaken.
Most girls didn’t have bankruptcy hanging over her family and hunger keeping her on point.
Chuckling, he inclined his head. “Fair enough. My room is down the hall. When you’re ready, come down. The dining room is to the left of the great hall.” He smiled softly, returning to the formal man who had welcomed her inside.
Kate wasn’t going to lose. She had too
much at stake and Brody hid his true self. If anything, she felt bad at how easy the whole thing would be. She had a few ideas up her sleeve to help her get to her goal.
With half-a-million on the line, she wasn’t taking any chances.
Chapter 6
Brody
Brody swallowed. Kate had been pretty blunt and he hadn’t expected that. What did he say now? He’d excused himself, but at the same time, he didn’t want to just leave. He wanted to stay around her, plus, he’d gone to a lot of trouble to making sure her first night at Hart Ranch was memorable. He couldn’t romance her, if he wasn’t around her.
She lifted her hand and let it fall limply back to her side. “Thanks, but I’m pretty tired. I’ll probably just sleep for a bit, if that’s okay?” She smiled at him, the soft curve of her lower lip entrancing.
After walking all that way, she was probably exhausted. He knew better and yet he was pushing her. He had to back off. Brody nodded dumbly. “Of course, I’ll send something up from the kitchen. If you let them know what you like, we can have your favorite breakfast tomorrow on the terrace.” He smiled and then turned from the room.
His wooing would have to wait until the next morning, which honestly was fine. He couldn’t believe she wasn’t in love with him already. Maybe she was, but she was protecting herself. Where was the pride, if she’d already lost the bet?
That had to be it. Brody’s stride lengthened as he neared his rooms. He couldn’t wait to change. The tuxedo thing was annoying and he hated wearing the multiple pieced suits. The only reason he’d worn it had been to impress Kate. If she wasn’t going to be around, then he could dress down like he preferred at home. Sliding on his favorite clothes, softened from wear and age, Brody settled into himself.
Kate wouldn’t be out until the next morning. He had some time to be himself, before he had to try to win her love. She was proving to be a tough mare to break, but he’d only just started.
And if he was honest with himself, he would have to say if Kate was in love with him, she didn’t act like a woman in love. Easy wasn’t his idea of a good wager. If she wasn’t in love yet, he’d win her over sooner or later. The prospect of more to be done invigorated him. If he won the bet on the first day, there wouldn’t be any excitement in it.
On his way out to the barn, Brody stopped by the kitchen and spoke to Duncan. “Can you send dinner up to the young woman in the Gilded suite? She’s tired and wanted to take her meal in her room tonight.”
Duncan inclined his head in agreement and held up a finger. “Your mother won’t be home for a while. Are you going to be in residence to cook for off and on or consistently?” He tucked his chin and peered at Brody over the rim of his glasses.
“I’ll be here for the next two months. Once Trevor gets married, I’ll be back in Seattle for a few weeks. I’ll find out from Mom what the plans are for the staff.” Brody nodded, the brim of the cowboy hat masking his eyes for a brief second.
Outside, he hooked his fingers in his front pockets and ambled as he took out his phone. He dialed an old friend in Taylor Falls. “Hey, Maddock, can you drive toward the Hart place and tow in a car on the side of the road? I’m not sure of the problem, so you might put it on the platform rather than pull it behind you. I’ll work on it from here.”
“Sure thing, Brody. I’ll be out there in a couple hours.” Maddock was good people. He didn’t mess around when he said he was going to do something and he’d bailed Brody out of a situation or two. Because of his fast service and solid integrity, Brody would pay him much more than Maddock charged. That’s how Brody worked.
A couple hours later, an older Nissan Sunny was delivered and Brody thanked Maddock. After the other man left, Brody was left alone in the cavernous barn with its stacks of baled hay and softly neighing horses. The car from the ‘80s dejectedly claim a small section of the interior of the barn.
Brody loved the barn. He loved the feel of the warm air on his skin and the way light shone through the upper windows and illuminated small dust motes floating through the air.
Those dust motes were like small versions of himself. No matter what his mother had done or tried in the past to illuminate any and all dust – in a barn! – they still persisted and in the most charmingly unconcerned way.
Brody continued on the way he wanted and he wasn’t overly worried one way or the other. The more he thought about it, though, the more he started to consider that he might need to actually take an interest in more than just what he wanted.
Getting the deal to go through with Hart Industries and getting Trevor out of the transaction, would be the first step to gaining his own independence. If he could do that, he wouldn’t feel like he was just an accessory. No, he’d be integral to the company, too.
He’d be needed.
Rubbing his hands on his upper thighs, Brody approached the car Kate had abandoned on the side of the road. He could dig into it and get things figured out. He didn’t have anything else to do while he waited for the next day. Cars were one of the things he could do anything with – much like women.
Once Kate was out, he couldn’t be outside working on a car or anything else that was comfortable. He better take advantage of the time he had.
~~~
The next morning dawned bright and full of opportunity. He reclaimed the dreaded tuxedo which had been freshly cleaned and pressed by the new maid – he hadn’t learned her name yet.
Sitting in that tux, Brody waited at the dining table until almost noon for Kate to join him. He’d been pretty clear the day before that she was to eat breakfast with him. Why hadn’t she come out?
He approached her doorway a little after one, feeling like a middle grader seeking attention from the opposite sex. Reaching out, he knocked.
Kate didn’t open the door. Instead she called to him through the thick panel. “Who is it?” Her voice was calm and curious. She sounded fine.
“It’s Brody.” Who else would it be? She was in his house. Irritation sharpened his tone. “Would you like to come out and go on a ride with me?” He glanced to the side, his gaze trailing up the hall. He was nervous and that irritated him. Everything about the situation was nerve-wracking. What was she doing?
“Um, Brody, yeah, I’m not feeling very well. I’ll be down as soon as I feel better. Thanks for checking on me.” Kate coughed, the sound forced and almost like a second-thought.
Brody wasn’t dumb. But he wanted her to fall for him and yelling at her through the door and calling her a liar wasn’t going to speed up that process. He smiled tightly. “Oh, that’s too bad. I’ll check on you again to make sure you’re getting better. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“Thanks.” Her voice had already softened like she’d moved away from the door.
Brody placed his hand on the panel and leaned forward. He needed her to come out so he could start winning the bet. Not with her, but with Trevor. Five-hundred-thousand dollars was nothing compared to what he would gain by winning the bet with Trevor.
Turning from her door, he approached that day the same as he had the afternoon before. He dressed the way he wanted, did what he wanted and none of it involved tuxedos or business.
As if he was stuck in some kind of a time warp, Brody waited until lunch again the next day for Kate to join him. He approached her door and was greeted with the same reply. He returned to an afternoon of whatever he wanted. The next day was the same thing. The day after that was, too.
And for eight days, Brody approached Kate’s room and asked her to come out to ride with him, or go for a flight in the helicopter, or go shopping, or whatever he could think up while she claimed to be sick. Maybe he needed to order a doctor for a house visit.
On the ninth day, Brody stared at the fields from the back deck of the house. How had he lost over a week of trying to get her to fall in love with him? He hadn’t seen her once. She’d locked herself in that room and Brody couldn’t get her to come out.
But why? He
rethought over the bet. What had they agreed on? They’d never specified that she had to be around him while staying at his house. All they’d agreed to was that she would be at his house for two months. Her creativity was astounding. She was winning just by not being around him.
Well, he would never deserve his dreams, if he couldn’t get a houseguest to come from her room.
He went to the kitchen. “Duncan, have you been sending meals up to Kate in the Gilded suite?” Brody wasn’t upset, but he wouldn’t pay for Kate to beat him at their bet. That wasn’t fair and he wouldn’t tolerate any more of it.
“Yes, sir. She’s a very nice girl. I bet you two are in love.” Duncan winked at Brody and turned back to the stove. Steam catapulted into the air as he removed a lid from a large pot and reached in to stir the contents.
“Actually, I don’t know her. She’s locked herself in that suite. No more food goes to her. She doesn’t eat, unless it’s with me. I’ll dine at eight in the morning, promptly at noon, and again at six every night. If she wants to eat, she’ll do it at those times.” Brody ignored the startled expression on Duncan’s face. Brody wasn’t going to lose and that meant he had to flush his prey from her den.
If Kate wanted to eat, she’d have to endure some time around him.
Brody had no doubt, though, that she was stubborn. She’d lasted almost two weeks in the confines of a suite in a strange house. She had to be going crazy with boredom. She wanted to win the bet and Brody had no doubt she was giving him a run for it.
Anticipation curled in his gut. She was going to prove to be a challenging adversary and Brody loved a challenge.
Chapter 7
Kate
Kate was bored and not just a little. She’d made a reminder for herself with some paper Duncan from the kitchen had brought her. Writing on it with a scrawling script in a size she couldn’t ignore.
$500,000.00 is more important than being entertained.
Brody: The Betting Billionaire (The Billionaire Cowboys of Clearwater County Book 3) Page 3
