“Well…I just know. I’m nothing like you, Cassie. If he’s attracted to you, he sure wouldn’t be attracted to me. You’re slender and petite, with dark auburn hair. I’m none of those.” Janie tugged on her braided light brown hair, then placed her hands on her ample hips, emphasizing another difference. “Forget it. What you do about Kurt is your business, but don’t push him toward me.”
Cassie watched her leave, a smile tugging at her mouth at Janie’s warning. Well, it would do no good. She’d already made up her mind about Kurt, deciding on what she thought was an excellent way to let him down easy.
******
Fire Mountain
“Thanks again for being at the hospital today, Heath.” Matt took a seat at the table, waiting for Jace and Rafe to arrive.
“I don’t know that it helped, but it was worth it to see the cantankerous look on his face when Annie and I walked in. You know, Annie’s offer still stands to have him recuperate at our place.”
“Thanks.” Depending on how this meeting went, Matt might change his mind and have his grandfather stay at the MacLaren’s a few days next week.
“Hope we didn’t miss anything,” Jace joked as he and Rafe walked in, taking seats.
“Not a thing.” Heath glanced from them to Matt and nodded. “This meeting is about you. Why don’t you tell us what you’ve decided?”
Clearing his throat, Matt leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “It’s a big step for me, walking away from Double Ace.” He paused a moment, collecting his thoughts.
He’d called Gage late the night before, explained the offer, and waited for his friend to tell him all the reasons he shouldn’t leave. Instead, Gage surprised him by encouraging him to go for it, saying the money alone was worth the risk, not to mention having Matt with MacLaren would almost assure a long-term partnership with the rodeos. He assured him if it didn’t work out, Double Ace would find a place for him again.
“It would be a big move for anyone,” Rafe said, remembering the angst he’d gone through after his brothers had found him after years of estrangement, making an offer to buy the bull stock business his partners and he had started. He’d been adamantly opposed to the sale, but he’d been outvoted. He’d lost the battle, but won the chance to reunite with the rest of the MacLarens.
Matt nodded before continuing. “It’s a great offer. Nothing I’d counter. There is one part that has me hesitating.”
“What’s that?” Jace asked, his gaze narrowing.
“Cassie. Understand, I don’t want to be the cause of any more trouble with the MacLarens. She’s excited about her new position, works harder than anybody I’ve ever known, and is a real asset. If me accepting the offer changes that, I’d have to say it’s not worth it.”
Heath leveled his gaze at Matt, already knowing his daughter would be the reason for any hesitancy on accepting the offer. Jace, Rafe, and he had already discussed it at length, deciding Cassie might be upset, but she’d get over it. Her family and the company meant everything to her. She’d gotten through college with the goal of working for MacLaren Enterprises, and not even Matt’s decision to come on board would derail her.
“I don’t believe you’re giving Cassie a fair shake, Matt. She’s a strong, independent woman, used to dealing with difficult situations. You may see her as pampered and coddled in some ways, but she has a core of steel. My suggestion is you decide without worrying about her reaction. Do what’s best for you and your family.”
And there it was. The reference to his grandfather. Seth had dropped everything, changing his life to raise two young boys. A widower, he’d never dated the entire time they were growing up, focusing his days on Troy, him, and the business. Now Seth needed him, and Matt was going to be there.
“In that case, I accept.”
“Excellent.” Heath’s smile came a second before he reached across the table to shake Matt’s hand, which was followed by congratulations from Jace and Rafe. “We’re pleased to have you with us. Now, let’s get down to details so you can get back to the hospital.”
An hour later, they’d discussed the specifics of his new role, answering his questions and asking a few of their own. Knowing about Seth’s surgery, Gage had already given him the go-ahead to start at any time.
“If the offer is still open, I’d like to see if Pops would agree to stay at your place next week. That will give me time to get my truck down from Montana and arrange to have my gear shipped from Houston.”
“No problem at all having Seth stay with Annie and me.”
“We’ll take care of getting your furniture and belongings here,” Jace offered.
“There isn’t much. I rented a furnished place. It even came with all the kitchen stuff.” Matt shrugged at how little he owned. “Guess the rodeo life never really left me. If we’re done, I’ll head back to the hospital.” Standing, he grabbed his hat, starting for the door.
“Oh, one more thing, Matt.”
Turning, he took a few steps back toward the table, taking a piece of paper Heath held out to him.
“We’re moving up the timeframe of when some other changes will take place. Because of that, you’re going to be managing some people sooner than planned.”
“No problem. Do you know who’ll be reporting to me?”
Heath cast a quick glance at Rafe and Jace. “Skye…and Cassie.”
******
Cold Creek, Colorado
“I’m glad you had time for a drink.”
Cassie had been surprised when Kurt called her that afternoon, asking if she’d meet him after work. No mention of dinner or a movie. She’d taken his request as an opportunity to make one other call to set up the rest of the evening.
“Thanks for asking. I’m actually meeting my roommate, Janie, here in a little bit, so the timing is great. You’ll finally get a chance to meet her.”
Kurt shifted on the stool, trying to remember Cassie mentioning her friend. “Is she the one you roomed with in college?”
“She is. Janie is also part of the finance team at work.” She sipped at the margarita Kurt had already ordered, trying to come up with the right words to convey her decision.
“Cassie, we need to talk about something.” Kurt turned toward her, his gaze sincere, open.
“Sure. What is it?”
“First, I want you to know you’re a wonderful person and I’ve enjoyed our time together. You’re beautiful, smart…” His voice trailed off when he heard her snicker. Focusing on her, he noticed her mouth curl up in amusement. “Is something funny?”
“Oh, Kurt. This sounds so much like a brush-off.”
Squirming in his seat, he cleared his throat. “I guess I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Am I right? Are you wanting to call off dating, maybe just be friends?”
“Well…yes. I guess that is what I was trying not so eloquently to say.”
This time, Cassie did start laughing, shaking her head when she saw the confused, hurt expression on his face.
“It’s just that I planned to say the same to you tonight.”
His eyes widened in a combination of surprise and relief. “That a fact?” He grinned, taking a swallow of his beer.
“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but…”
“Say no more, Cassie. It seems we’ve come to the same conclusion. I’m glad we recognized it sooner rather than later.”
“Hey, Cassie. Sorry I’m late, but the traffic light stopped working a few blocks back and parking is horrible on a Friday.” Cassie turned in her seat, letting Janie get a good look at the man next to her. “Oh, it appears I’m interrupting something. I’ll just—”
“You’re not interrupting anything.” Kurt stood, walking around Cassie and holding out his hand. “Kurt Dobson.”
Taking his hand, Janie almost jumped back at the immediate and intense sensation coursing up her arm. By the shocked look on Kurt’s face, he’d felt it, too.
“Hey, why don’t you two take
a few minutes to get to know each other while I go to the ladies’ room.” Cassie slid from her stool and disappeared toward the back before Janie could object.
Pursing her lips, Janie let out a sigh, taking a seat in the empty stool next to Kurt. “I probably should leave you two to your date.”
“Nonsense. Besides, Cassie and I are no longer dating.”
“What? Since when?”
“Just before you arrived. Seems neither one of us felt a real connection to the other. What can I get you to drink?”
Chapter Nine
Houston, Texas
“There wasn’t much I could do about it, Ivan. He’d already asked for a week off to take care of his grandfather when the MacLarens sprang the offer on him. He told me he’d be glad to give us two weeks, but I told him to forget it. I can handle his load until a new person starts.” Gage had already spoken to someone, a friend from his rodeo days who could step into Matt’s place with little training. “Of course I’ll set up a meeting with you as soon as I confirm his interest.” He turned up the volume on the phone’s speaker and sat back.
“The increased deliveries of cattle will start next week. Do you have men ready?” Ivan’s voice, rich and cultured, a reflection of his Ivy League education, came through clearly.
“All set. One full additional crew has been hired. I can bring on more, if needed.”
“You may have to do that, my friend.” Ivan still hadn’t discovered what his uncles were up to, but he did know these additional shipments weren’t supported by any sales figures he’d seen. His father had been quiet about what his brothers were doing, either from lack of information or something more. Either way, Ivan’s sense of unease rose as the dates of the increased shipments drew near.
“I still don’t have any information on where the cattle go after arriving in Houston. How long before you can get that to me?” Gage asked.
“I’ll check on it myself today. You will have the information by the time the cattle arrive.” Ivan clenched his fists, knowing he’d already asked for the list of buyers more than once. His uncles had put him off each time.
“Good. On another matter, I’ve made arrangements to travel to the MacLaren bull stock operation in Crooked Tree, Montana. Matt began meetings before his grandfather’s surgery. I’d like to keep those moving and believe the best way is to meet with them in person.”
“Excellent idea, Gage. Just because Matt is going to work for them, we cannot assume the relationship will stay intact. They may have other plans of which he is unaware.”
“Maybe, but from what Matt said, they’re pleased so far. I’d rather err on the side of caution.”
“When do you leave?” Ivan asked, wanting him back in Houston for the cattle deliveries.
“Early next week. Don’t worry. I’ll be back in time for the shipments.”
Ivan breathed a sigh of relief. “I may even join you in Houston. It’s been too long since I’ve checked on the facility there.”
“Anytime. Give me a day or two notice so I’m in town and not visiting one of Matt’s clients.”
“I must take another call, Gage. I will get you the information you need.”
Gage ended the call. Something in Ivan’s voice didn’t sound right, and he wondered if his boss had any of the same reservations about the increased shipments. Usually, Gage’s people would’ve been the ones identifying additional cattle buyers in the United States, not Ivan’s uncles. None of his people had heard anything about buyers wanting anywhere near the number of head Ivan projected.
Knowing he could do nothing about it, he grabbed the phone, punched in some numbers, and waited. He hoped his contact, Thad Montgomery, had some information for him.
******
Cold Creek
“I’m so glad you called me, Annie. It’s good to know Seth is doing so well, even though he must be a bear under the circumstances.” Cassie loved Seth, considering him her surrogate grandfather. “I suppose Matt is there with him.”
“Matt left for Montana this morning. That’s why Seth is staying with us. Heath said Matt had been in a meeting with Sean and Skye when he found out about Seth. I understand he plans to drive his truck back to Fire Mountain and stay with him for a while.” Annie couldn’t say any more. Heath had confided in her about Matt’s decision to leave Double Ace, swearing her to secrecy.
“Seth and Matt are lucky to have you there. With Troy in school, and Matt, well…wherever he is during any given week, there wouldn’t have been anyone to keep watch on Seth. My guess is he’d be up and around, back to work way before he should.”
“Troy’s driving up this week, and Matt should be back by Wednesday.”
“Yeah, but no telling how long he’ll stick around. He’s a wanderer, Annie. Everyone knows that.” The edge of bitterness to Cassie’s voice didn’t surprise Annie. Her stepdaughter had a hard time hiding her emotions, especially when they concerned Matt. “I’d better go. I’ve got a meeting in a few minutes.”
She’d just hung up the phone when it rang again, her father on the other end.
“Hello, Dad. I just hung up with Annie. She told me about Seth.”
“I sure hope he doesn’t give her too much trouble. He’s a cantankerous old bird when he’s laid up.”
Cassie laughed. “You and I know he won’t get away with anything as long as Annie’s watching him.”
“So true,” he chuckled before his voice turned serious. “We’re going to need you in Fire Mountain on Thursday for a general meeting. You can fly down with Cam. Mitch, Sean, and Skye will also be here, as well as the key people in our other groups.”
“Whoa. Must be big news.” Cassie’s mind reeled at what could be happening to require everyone to fly to Arizona and how much business would be put on hold during their time away.
“You’ll get nothing more from me,” Heath warned. “Plan to spend the weekend. I think Annie’s ready for another one of your shopping trips.”
“She’s always ready for that, Dad. I look forward to seeing you. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Cassie.”
She had little time to ponder the reason behind the summons. Knowing her father and uncles, it could be another large acquisition, some kind of merger, or the announcement of a new bonus plan. Thinking of the last made her smile.
“Hey, Cassie. You planning to join us?” Janie stood in the doorway, a large folder in her hand. “It’s finance day, you know.” She grinned, knowing how much everyone loved to spend their time reviewing numbers.
“Wait and I’ll walk with you. We haven’t had time to talk since you decided to spend so much time with Kurt. I guess the introduction worked out well.” Cassie watched as Janie’s face reddened, something she’d almost never seen.
Janie’s steps slowed as she glanced around. “This isn’t a conversation for the hallway. All I’ll say is yes, we hit it off very well. In fact, I’m seeing him again tonight.”
Cassie stopped outside the conference room, turning to face Janie. “That’s wonderful news and I hope wonderful things come from it.”
Janie wished the same as she followed Cassie into the room.
******
Crooked Tree, Montana
“Good to see you.” Matt held out his hand to Gage, who’d flown in from Houston for a transition meeting with Mitch, Sean, and Skye. Per Heath’s request, they wouldn’t be telling them why Gage would be taking over the account, just that changes had been made. From what Matt understood, the formal announcement would occur on Thursday in Fire Mountain when all the executives and managers would be present. “How was the flight?”
“No problems. Thanks for picking me up.” He slid into Matt’s truck. “Tell me more about the people I’ll be meeting.”
Matt chuckled as he thought about the team in Montana. “Like all MacLarens, they’re independent and smart. It will be a give and take situation as they won’t let anyone railroad them. Mitch is the second oldest and a real hardnose when it comes to business
. After what happened with their bull stock a few months ago, he’s being extra cautious. Sean is more laid back, but equally concerned about growing the company. Before Skye took over the position, he was the one meeting with the rodeo committees. Rhett is still in college, so I don’t know much about him other than he’ll come to work for the company when he graduates.”
“Tell me more about Skye. I understand she’ll be my main contact.” Gage leaned back, trying to remember more about her from their brief meeting in Houston months before.
“She seems to be a combination of Mitch and Sean. Bright, doesn’t seem to miss anything, and has no problem standing up to anyone she encounters. Very professional. More social than Mitch, and a little more competitive than Sean.”
“Sounds like an interesting and tough lady,” Gage commented, conjuring up his own memory of her. He looked forward to the prospect of getting to know her better.
“She can be. I guess it’s built into their genes.” Parking the truck, Matt waited for Gage to join him. “Let’s get this transition going.”
******
Fire Mountain
“Thanks to all of you for changing your plans on such short notice. The executive team has been tackling some tough issues lately, making some changes based on what we believe is best for the company. First, however, let’s go over last quarter’s reports.” Heath indicated the spreadsheets before each of them.
Trying to keep his gaze from wandering to Cassie, who sat directly across from him at the large conference table, Matt flipped through the stack of documents as Heath continued. He’d arrived in town the night before after a long, tiring drive. The trip had been needed. They’d had a good meeting, transitioning Gage to take his place. Mitch, Sean, and Skye now sat around the same table, eyeing him with curiosity. He’d said nothing about being invited to this meeting. Although he held firm in his acceptance of the offer, he couldn’t help but be concerned at the possible fallout when Heath made the announcement.
“Any other questions?” Heath asked once he finished going over the latest financials. “No? Then we’ll move to the main reason for this meeting. Rafe, why don’t you start?”
No Getting Over You Page 8
