I wanted to ask if one of those girls was Leighton, but something kept the question lodged deep in my throat. As if this girl I’d heard whispers of, this girl who had made Savannah look sick for letting her name slip, was a subject far too personal for me to go asking Sawyer’s friends and family about.
“Does Sawyer know that?”
My eyes widened with surprise as I looked to her again, but then I caught her expression and everything in me halted.
It matched Savannah’s fierce protectiveness so closely that I didn’t know how to respond to it.
Does the guy you’re sleeping with know you don’t actually like him?
Do you have any idea who you are? Who I am?
What happened to Sawyer to make all of you so unreasonably protective over him?
Who is Leighton?
I swallowed back every one of the questions begging to be freed, and repeated, “I really don’t share personal details.” The words were soft as a whisper but no less firm.
Emberly looked away as worry creased her face, her lips parted as she prepared to speak, but the words never came.
I waited for it—for something similar to what Savannah or Beau had said—but then her expression rapidly shifted to confusion, wonder, and then alarm and anger.
I followed her line of sight to see a man walking through the café, toward the counter. Tall, blond, clean-cut, with a suit that boasted money and screamed power. Just as I was about to look at Emberly again, my attention caught on all the other patrons in Brewed.
Every single one of them was turned and staring at the man as well.
New . . . he was—oh.
“Excuse me,” Emberly murmured as she rose stiffly from the chair and walked the same way to greet the man at the counter, taking over for the barista who had helped me.
I watched their interaction intently, only sparing brief glances to the rest of the people.
The man was all smiles as he spoke with Emberly and ordered, and though she offered him a few smiles that bordered on feral, she looked like she was barely restraining herself from giving him a piece of her mind.
When he finished paying and placed a business card on the counter, Emberly pushed it off the surface in his direction before turning to leave, pulling her phone out of her pocket as she did.
I choked over a laugh and tried to hide it behind my cup, but from the way the man’s gaze snapped to me, I clearly hadn’t succeeded.
Then again, the shop had fallen ominously silent with his arrival, the music and typical coffee shop sounds fading to nothing until that moment.
My entrance into this town had been met with stares and whispers, but it hadn’t toed the line of hostile.
His shoulders sagged when a cup was placed in front of him, and after a few seconds, he nodded and mumbled a thanks before turning to look at the dozens of eyes on him. With a forced smile, he made his way toward one of the only open chairs . . . the one in front of me.
“I’m going to take a wild guess and assume you’re here about a ranch,” I said when he sat down.
He toyed with the lid of his cup before setting it down on the table between us. “That obvious?” A breathless laugh left him before he made another sweep around the café. “Haven’t been here five minutes, and I can already see everything he told me was true.” When he relaxed into the chair and set his stare on me, I could see it. That power and determination—he very much looked like the kind of man who swooped in and took what he wanted.
Vulture was a good description.
“Him who?”
“One of my business partners—he’s usually the one who comes here.” His eyes narrowed as if he were waiting for me to acknowledge what he was saying. “But he’s getting ready to retire, and I close the most deals, so he gave this one to me.”
“Confident, are we?”
“Always.”
My brows lifted and a startled laugh left me. “All right then.” I placed my arms on my legs and leaned closer so I could lower my voice. “Did he tell you how to go about this trip? To give business to all the shops in the area to show that you aren’t the bad guy while trying to secure the ranch?”
A crease formed between his brows, but the way he was looking at me as if he were impressed, told me Savannah had been right.
“The town was onto him, and they were onto you the instant you set foot in here. You can do whatever you want here,”—I made a circle with my finger, indicating the town—“but it won’t change the way they see you, and it won’t get you that ranch.”
His head moved in a subtle nod, and a smile made up of frustrations and appreciation pulled at his mouth. “That would be why they gave me tea . . .”
I slowly turned the espresso drink in my hands and offered a teasing smile. “Tea isn’t too bad.”
“It’s decaf.”
I sucked in a quick breath between my teeth. “Ouch.”
He made an affirming sound in his throat, then leveled me with a calculating glare. “You said they more than once . . . don’t you mean we?”
“I’m not from here,” I answered with a shrug. “Says a lot about this place that I already knew all about you though.”
I didn’t tell him how. He didn’t need to know. Especially since he would be staying in Savannah and Beau’s place.
“Interesting.” He leaned forward in his own seat so he was mimicking my posture and studied me for a moment. “So, girl-who-isn’t-from-here, how do you suggest I go about this trip and get what I want?”
“Oh, I don’t,” I said unabashedly. “Suggest you attempt to get what you want, that is. Even as an outsider who knows next to nothing about this town, I know with absolute certainty that you made the trip in vain.”
The corner of his mouth lifted into a wicked grin. “I’ve never not gotten a property I wanted.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it.” I lowered my voice to a whisper and said, “But you’ve never tried to take anything from that family.”
I sat back in the large chair and took a long drink of my coffee, but held his stare as he considered my words.
Not that I had any idea of what Hunter would or wouldn’t do. I’d never met him, and Sawyer hadn’t even mentioned that this yearly trip was a thing.
But I had just witnessed Savannah and Beau’s reactions to the idea of Sawyer and me, so I couldn’t imagine someone taking the family ranch would go over well. I also couldn’t imagine any of them would let that happen to their mom after seeing how sweet and caring two of the boys were with her during a dinner.
“Why do you even want it?” I asked when he just sat there considering what I’d told him.
“It’s a lot of land situated perfectly between this town and the next city over,” he said immediately. “The people who own the property next to it have already said for years they’ll sell theirs when the Dixon’s do the same. All that could be used to create a large, high-density retail, office, and residential center. A highway could be built to the next city, cutting driving time in less than half, and bringing traffic to the center. The money and job opportunities it would bring in for this area would be endless.”
When he finished, I found myself nodding, but my chest twisted with sadness.
It was smart, really. I could see what he was saying and the benefits of a place like that.
Except . . . “Did you look around when you were driving here?” When his brows pulled tight again, I gestured toward the large, storefront windows. “At Amber. At the town and the fields surrounding it.”
The man made a face that clearly showed he hadn’t and hadn’t cared to.
I didn’t blame him. I hadn’t bothered to either until Sawyer had taken me to First Monday.
“It’s beautiful here,” I said, letting him know with my tone what he’d missed. “The town is small and lacking what you’re envisioning, sure, but it definitely doesn’t lack personality or charm.” I placed a hand to my chest and loosed a soft laugh. “I remember thinking I’d stepped in
to a real-life Mayberry when I first arrived—it still feels like that. But if you were to build that center and a highway going through here? You would take away what is so perfect about this place.”
“That land is pure money for us and for the people of this town. It will bring people here and make them want to stay. In ten years, the population here will have doubled.”
“That is exactly why you won’t get it,” I said simply. “Because you don’t see this place the way they do. This isn’t some rundown town that needs to be saved, and what you’re wanting to do will ruin its appeal. They won’t let you.”
Curiosity filled his eyes as he watched me. “You’re very passionate about this for someone who isn’t from here.”
“I’m just observant and think you’re wasting your time.”
His chest moved with a muted laugh. “That remains to be seen. Regardless, I still have business in this town and a room booked for a few days. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I never said you should leave. Just . . . maybe while doing your business, you should ditch the list your partner gave you and really look at the town. See what you’d be changing.”
“And when it’s over, I’ll have proved you wrong.” After a moment, he tilted his head to the side and conceded, “Or, maybe, I’ll see you were right.”
I switched the coffee for my laptop and gave him a knowing grin. “I’ll be waiting for the latter. As will the rest of the town, I’m sure.”
Amusement pulsed from him as he made a very obvious sweep at the people intently watching us. After I had my glasses on and laptop open, he asked, “So, what brought you here other than attempting to save a ranch?”
“Same as you—work. Only I’m here to get a feel for, and write about, small towns instead of trying to take them over and change them.” I gave him a wide-eyed look to match my teasing tone, the corners of my mouth lifting when he barked out a startled laugh.
“That’s how it is then? All right . . . I’ll remember that.” But the threat was offset by his entertained expression. “Journalist?”
“I write romance actually.”
His brows lifted. “No shit? My girlfriend reads like it’s breathing.” With a few words, the power-hungry man in the suit had melted.
Eyes softened.
Smile took on a fondness that was contagious.
By the time I responded, I felt myself smiling in return at his obvious love for her. “Does she?”
“She would read for a living if she could.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “She tells me in detail about the books she’s reading and even drags me along to signings so she can meet her favorite authors. Our house is shelf after shelf of books she’s gotten signed.”
I pressed a hand to my chest and sighed dramatically. “That’s the way a house should be.”
“What’s your name? I wonder if she’s read anything by you.”
I scrunched my nose in unease.
I loved writing and I loved talking with readers. Honestly, I could talk books for hours—especially if they weren’t my own. But I always got uncomfortable whenever I was asked for my name with the assumption that I might be known for it.
Maybe because writing had started as an escape.
Maybe because it still was.
Or maybe it was that my life and this amazing career felt so surreal, that every time someone asked for my name, I worried it would be the trigger that blew everything apart. That I would wake up, seventeen again, with nothing more than my journals, an overactive imagination, and a scarred heart.
“Uh . . . Rae Jacobs,” I finally answered, my name sounding like a question, but his response was instant.
“You’re Rae Jacobs?” he asked softly, and then rambled off a couple of my titles to confirm who I was.
Shock filled me, stunning me. “Yes!”
“She’s going to flip out. She’s obsessed with you, has all of your books . . .” He looked at the table for a few seconds before hurrying to grab his phone out of his pocket and tapping on it. “You’ve actually talked to her. Might not be much to you, but she talks about you like you’re best friends.”
A small laugh fell past my lips, my head shaking as I tried to wrap my mind around the drastic change in conversation with the man Savannah had been so worried about. “What’s her name? She must be in my reader group or something.”
“Megan Trevino.”
Surprise and excitement rushed through me so fast, I couldn’t figure out what to do with my hands for a moment. “Oh my God, I adore her,” I finally said. “She’s one of the girls who always actively promotes my books. I talk to her all the time. You’re Nathan!”
His face scrunched adorably. “I thought you only talked about books.”
“Oh, those girls talk about everything, which includes you. Also, I’m pretty sure we’re all waiting for you to propose.”
He scoffed, but his smile only grew. “It’s all planned out for this summer.”
I did a little excited clap before clasping my hands tightly and dropping them to my laptop. “I won’t say a word.”
His chest moved with an affectionate laugh when he glanced at his vibrating phone. “She’s losing her mind right now. She can’t decide if I’m lying or not.”
I hurried to place my laptop on the table and scooped up my phone as I went to stand behind Nathan’s chair. “Smile,” I gently instructed as I opened up my camera and flipped it around to selfie mode.
Once the picture was taken, I sent it off to the group chat I always kept with the core group of readers who selflessly promoted me with the message look who I found!
“Absolutely flipping out,” I confirmed, my words and smile soft as I lowered back into the chair. After sending a few more messages to the girls, I placed my phone on the table and looked to Nathan. “What a small . . . world . . .” I slowed when I found every pair of eyes in the café narrowed on me. “Yikes.”
Nathan glanced up and, after a second, turned to follow my line of sight.
“I have a feeling I’m no longer going to be welcome in this town,” I said under my breath.
When Nathan faced me again, the intense, power-driven man was back. “What, because you’re talking to me?”
“I think you underestimate how unwelcome you are.” The words were all a soft tease, but from the multiple icy glares I could feel piercing me, I knew there was truth behind them.
“This will be a fun trip,” he muttered and lifted his tea ceremoniously before taking a drink. His face screwed up tight but he managed to swallow what he’d sipped. “Fuck.”
A sharp laugh burst from me, and Nathan leveled me with a contemplating stare.
“All right, fine, let’s figure this out. I will go to the Dixon ranch, and I will try to get him to sell.” He shrugged. “I have to.”
“Okay.”
“You think I should look at the town while I’m here. Because it’s you . . . for Megan, I will. So, where do I start?”
My lips parted, but I didn’t know what to tell him. I’d only gone to Brewed and a grocery store . . . and was absolutely kicking myself for not taking up Sawyer’s offer earlier.
“What was on that list your partner gave you?”
Nathan tapped the lid of his tea. “Coffee here and then lunch at a diner before heading over to check in at my room. Browsing stores and shops when I can, and then dinner is . . . here? Is that right?”
I gestured behind him. “Yeah, they have a bar back there with great food.” I blew out a slow sigh as I thought, and then finally relented, “Honestly, I like that list. I don’t like the reason behind it, but it sounds like a solid way of seeing the town. And I would definitely stick with lunch at the diner because Savannah isn’t ready for you yet.”
“Savannah?”
“She owns the bed and breakfast where you’re staying.” At his questioning look, I lowered my voice to a lighthearted whisper. “I’m staying there too.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw, his mouth ti
lting up at the corners. “I see.”
“Stick with your original plan,” I offered. “Maybe lose the suit when you’re not visiting the ranch. Definitely stop handing out business cards and trying to come across like a savior to the people who live here, because they won’t view you that way. And after you’ve spent some time here, let’s revisit your thoughts on turning that land into anything other than what it is. I’ll be at Blossom . . . or here.”
He watched me for a while, looking all kinds of torn before he leaned in so his hushed voice wouldn’t carry. “I’ve never not acquired the land I want, Rae, and I want that land. It’s nothing personal.”
“Business never is,” I said just as softly, allowing my tone to match his. “Let’s talk about it in a couple days.”
He nodded and glanced at his watch, an odd mixture of discomfort and determination stealing across his face. “I should probably head to lunch then.”
“Good luck with whatever they decide to bring you.”
Amusement laced with worry bled from Nathan as he looked from his cup to the counter behind him. Once his eyes were on me again, he asked, “Did they do this to you too?”
“Oh no. But after this conversation, nothing’s safe.” I offered him a wink to let him know I wasn’t bothered by it in the slightest, and when he stood to leave, I followed.
“Suit,” I reminded him and motioned around my neck. “You don’t need the jacket or the tie right now.”
He made quick work of both, tossing them on the chair as he went, and after his shirt sleeves were unbuttoned and rolled up, he picked everything up and turned to leave, but twisted back to me. “Thank you.” His head moved in faint shakes, and with each movement, the man who wanted to change a town faded away. “For talking, for your thoughts . . . shit, for being someone I sort of know in the middle of . . . this.”
I let my gaze dart past a couple of people when Nathan gestured to the café we were standing in. “It is a little intense, even still.”
“But they didn’t hate you on sight.”
I took a step around the table, closer to him, and wrapped my arms around my waist to ward off the chill that continued to race through me as the others watched our every move and tried to listen in. “The guy who walked in here and told me why he wanted that ranch didn’t seem like the type of person to care whether people adored or hated him. Because, like you said, it isn’t personal.”
Fall in Love Book Bundle: Small Town Romance Box Set Page 153
