by Iris Abbott
“You’re officially on the payroll as of Wednesday. Take the next couple of days off to spend time with your mother and take care of the business at the bank. The clinic is on the ranch next to the main stables. Meet me there for orientation Wednesday morning at seven o’clock sharp.”
Mandy winced. It seems he wasn’t kidding about the long hours. Her job in San Antonio began at eight. It was a good thing she was raised on a ranch and was used to early mornings. “Okay, I’ll be there.” She turned to leave, but Jackson halted her on her way out the door.
“Don’t forget I’ll meet you at the law office on the corner of Main and First Street tomorrow morning at nine.”
“I’ll be there. Now I need to go home before it gets too late. I want to call my old boss and personally hand in my resignation. He was a good man to work for, I wouldn’t feel right just sending a letter in the mail.”
“It’s already taken care of,” Jackson informed her.
“What,” her mouth was gaping open at the statement. “You don’t even know where I worked. What do you mean it’s taken care of?”
“Before I offered you the job I talked to some of my old college buddies to see if anyone knew you or was familiar with your work. Josh was a couple of years ahead of me in Veterinarian school, but we played golf and drank together occasionally. Imagine his surprise when he found out that you and I are neighbors. Anyway, after you agreed to my business proposal, I called him last night to let him know you would be staying here in Rancher’s Bend and working for me.”
Mandy couldn’t believe the gall of the man standing in front of her. She snapped shut the mouth that had been hanging open in astonishment. “You talked to my boss about me without even telling me what you were going to do? Did it ever occur to you that I might have a personal relationship to maintain with Josh and that I might want to take care of my own resignation?”
Jackson stiffened his spine in response to the verbal punch in the gut. He hadn’t been expecting that. “Do you have a personal relationship with Josh?” He raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
Mandy shot him an evil look and headed toward the door. “That Jackson Walker is none of your business.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe it’s not any of my business, but if you think you’re going to have time to maintain a long-distance relationship with someone as demanding as Josh Parker you might need to be enlightened.”
Mandy snorted, actually snorted. She hadn’t done that in years. “Enlightened by another playboy like yourself, you mean? No thanks, Jackson. I truly thank you for helping save my family home and giving me a job. I realize we’ll be working together and spending a lot of time in each other’s company, but please remember my personal life is just that. It’s mine, and it’s personal. Please don’t interfere again.”
She walked out of the study inwardly fuming, but she put on a smile for the sake of her mom and Mrs. Walker. “Hey mom, I have a couple of phone calls I need to make before it gets too late. We need to head back to the ranch.” She almost expected Jackson to follow her out to the car so he could get in the last word, but he remained in the study. Mandy was able to make a clean getaway.
****
The next morning, she arrived at the lawyer’s office right on time. She didn’t have to wait. She was ushered straight to his office. Jackson was already there pacing back and forth in front of Kyle Manning’s desk. She nervously took a seat and smiled at Mr. Manning. “Good morning, gentlemen,” she greeted.
“You’re late,” Jackson accused.
“No, I’m not,” she quietly denied. “I’m right on time,” she insisted. “You were early that’s all.”
The lawyer sensing the unease between his two clients smoothly took control of the situation. “Good morning, Ms. Tyler,” he greeted. “Now, I trust you have already discussed the details with each other and are in agreement which is why we’re all here. My notary should be in any second to witness your signatures. Then you both can be on your way. I know how busy you are Jackson. I’ll have you out of here in no time, I promise.” Just then the door opened and a petite brunette a few years older than Mandy walked in. “Ah, here she is now. Who would like to sign first?”
Jackson stopped his pacing in front of the document and grabbed a pen. “I will.” He signed his name with a flourish. The notary stamped it with her seal and signature before handing the document to Mandy. She took the pen Jackson handed to her. Their fingers brushed, and she yanked hers back as if she had been burned. Jackson noticed and scowled at her, but didn’t say anything. She signed the document and then handed it back to the notary to do her thing.
Kyle shook hands with both of them. “It’s done. I’ll file the originals in the safe here in my office and have my secretary send copies to both of you at your respective home addresses.”
“Thank you, Kyle. I really appreciate you taking care of this for us and in such a timely manner.” He looked at his watch. “I need to head over to the Langley Ranch. I’ve got a date with several four-legged friends in need of a shot.” He looked at Mandy. “Come on I’ll walk you out.”
Mandy smiled at Kyle and offered her thanks as well before turning to follow Jackson into the hallway. “That was quick and painless,” she offered as they both waved at the receptionist before stepping outside.
Jackson nodded his agreement. “Kyle is a newcomer to Rancher’s Bend, but he’s friendly, and he’s good at what he does. That’s why I stick with him instead of driving all the way to San Antonio. Most of the lawyers there are just a little too slick for my liking. With Kyle, you know exactly how things are and where you stand. Where are you parked? I’ll walk you to your car?”
Mandy offered him a smile. “No that’s okay. I parked between the lawyer’s office and the bank. The bank is only five blocks down, so I thought I’d take advantage of the sunny weather and walk there instead of driving.”
“My work truck is in the other direction. I’ll see you Wednesday morning if not before then he offered.” He turned and walked off without a backward glance.
Mandy watched until he turned the corner. Then she realized she’d been gawking at him on a public street and a few people were starting to notice. The last thing she needed was more gossip. The grapevine would probably be busy enough once people learned she was back in town for good and that she was working for Jackson. She abruptly turned and started walking toward the bank. She made the trek in record time. She smiled and greeted Daisy Carter, the personal assistant charged with guarding William Johnson’s door.
“Hello Daisy, how are you doing today?” Mandy noticed the beautiful and usually calm Daisy looked frazzled and a little worse for wear. “I don’t have an appointment, but it’s imperative that I speak with Mr. Johnson as soon as possible. I’m willing to wait until he can fit me into his schedule.”
Daisy gave Mandy a halfhearted smile. She hit a few buttons on her computer and waited for the daily calendar to open. “I’m sorry Mandy. I’m not as organized as I should be today. My nephew has an earache, and he kept me up most of the night. I was running behind this morning, and I haven’t had a chance to check all of Mr. Johnson’s appointments for the day yet.”
Just as she finished speaking the door to Old Man Johnson’s office opened, and he stepped out with a heavyset man that looked to be in his early fifties. The man’s reptilian eyes briefly flickered over Mandy before settling on Daisy. The lecherous look he gave her made Mandy sick to her stomach. She gave mental thanks for not having to work for an old crony like William Johnson. Poor Daisy probably had to put up with all kinds of things from some of the visitors that passed through those doors.
“Don’t forget darling if you ever get tired of living in this two-bit town my job offer in Dallas still stands. I’m sure I could find something for you to do.” The look he gave poor Daisy left no doubt as to what that something might be.
Mandy was impressed with Daisy’s show of professionalism. “No thank you, sir. All of my family, what’s
left of it anyway is here in Rancher’s Bend, and that’s where I aim to stay.”
“Whatever,” the man didn’t seem the least put off by her comment. “Call me if you change your mind, darling.” He turned back to Johnson. “About that business matter, we were just discussing. Move as fast as you can. I’m working on the county zoning board,” he winked. “Greasing a few palms, you know what I mean. I want to start our business venture as soon as the default is final, and we can legally take over the property. I’ll be in touch.” He gave Daisy one last look, then turned his attention to Mandy.
“This town seems to have an abundance of beautiful young women. Maybe I should consider relocating at least while my latest project is in the works. He held out his hand to Mandy. “Doug Johnson, and who might you be little darling?”
Mandy recognized the name. This was the land developer after her family’s ranch. “I was just leaving,” she informed him without shaking hands. She had no desire to be touched by that lizard posing as a man. Thank God at that moment she spied Carson Miller, the bank’s vice president stepping out of his office. “Daisy I’d love to do lunch with you today. Did you already have plans and if not when’s your lunch break?”
Daisy glanced uncomfortably from Mr. Johnson to Mandy, “usually twelve to twelve thirty, but sometimes I work through lunch.”
“Well maybe another time then, Mandy offered. It was nice seeing you again. I really do need to go.” Mandy took off like a shot toward Carson’s door before he stepped back in his office and cut off her escape route. Luckily Daisy didn’t say anything about her earlier request to see Mr. Johnson. That would have made an awkward situation even worse.
She reached Carson just as he finished speaking to his assistant and turned back toward his office. “Carson, if you have a few minutes I really need you to take care of some bank business for me.”
Carson, the former high school quarterback and heartthrob, offered her one of his most charming smiles. “Why, Mandy Tyler, I haven’t seen you in ages. As luck would have it my schedule is clear for the next fifteen minutes or so.” He kissed her on the cheek. “What can I do for you, Mandy?”
Mandy let out the pent-up breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding. No way did she trust Old Man Johnson to conclude this messy business. From the conversation she’d overheard, it sounded like he was in way over his head. Luckily, they didn’t seem aware that she thought anything was amiss. They probably just thought this was a social call, maybe lunch with Daisy and dinner with Carson. Just in case Johnson was eavesdropping, she’d throw him off the track. She wrapped her arm around Carson’s in an overfriendly manner and walked toward his office. “I thought I’d see if you were available for dinner sometime. Let’s talk about it in your office, shall we?” She noticed as she followed Carson into his office that William Johnson indeed had been watching them. He visibly relaxed before returning to his own office.
Mandy couldn’t help but notice Daisy didn’t seem so happy at her announcement. She glanced toward Carson with sad eyes before hunching over her desk to type something on the computer. Oh crap, Mandy hoped she hadn’t stepped on Daisy’s toes. Daisy and Carson would make a lovely couple and Mandy didn’t want to mess anything up for Daisy. She was one of the sweetest people Mandy knew. She’d explain everything to the woman later once all the business formalities had been taken care of. She was sure if anyone could understand her desire to do business with someone other than Johnson it would be Daisy.
Mandy took the seat Carson offered and gave him a mischievous grin. “About that dinner invitation, that was for Johnson’s benefit. I actually need your help with a delicate business matter.”
Carson sat up straighter behind his desk relieved by Mandy’s confession. He didn’t relish making Jackson Walker angry, and he had a feeling dating Mandy Tyler would do that despite all his friend’s statements to the contrary. “As the vice president, I can certainly do anything that William can do. What do you need, Mandy?”
“I don’t know if you know about my father and the ranch’s financial difficulties or not?” Carson nodded his head in acknowledgment, so Mandy continued. “Somehow Jackson found out about it, and we are entering into a business partnership so to speak.”
Carson raised his brows in faint surprise. His friend certainly moved fast. He’d only given him the information five days ago. “I think it was very wise of you to come see me instead of Johnson. What did you and Jackson decide to do about the situation?”
Mandy sifted through her large all-purpose bag, the one that also doubled as a laptop bag and pulled out the document pouch. She took out the certified check and handed it to Carson. “Jackson is expanding his veterinary practice and will be leasing the part of my ranch that borders his property for the next ten years. We already have a signed and notarized contract on file at Mr. Manning’s office. Anyway, he paid for all ten years upfront. I have a check here for the exact amount owed to the bank. I want to pay it in full immediately and close the mortgage.” She glanced out the window toward Mr. Johnson’s closed office door. She didn’t trust that man at all. “And if you don’t mind I’d like the paperwork showing the payment and close of the bank loan before I leave.”
Carson chuckled at her request. William Johnson was going to find her a formidable opponent indeed. She wasn’t leaving anything to chance. She had a good head on her shoulders and a nose for business, unlike her father. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he told her. “I’ll start the paperwork immediately.” He clicked a button on his computer and grabbed the sheet of paper that came out of his printer. “Here’s a receipt showing the full amount of the check being deposited into your account. Luckily you and Jackson both bank with us so I can waive the waiting period we usually set when dealing with sums of money this large.”
He glanced out the window by his desk. “I just saw Daisy enter the coffee shop. Why don’t you go visit with her, and I’ll take care of the paperwork while you’re gone? I have all the information I need here on the computer, so there’s no need for you to sit here and twiddle your thumbs. Besides we don’t want Johnson getting wind of what’s going on.”
Mandy liked that idea. She wanted to make sure Daisy knew nothing was going on between her and Carson. She also liked getting one over on old man Johnson, the sneaky jerk! “I’ll do that, thanks. I could use some good company these days.”
She put the deposit slip and receipt into her document pouch, slid that into her purse, and took off without a backward glance. If there was anyone she trusted at this bank, it was Carson. She knew he was the one that had warned Jackson about her predicament in the first place. Who else could it have been? He wouldn’t have said anything if he hadn’t wanted to help. Now she just needed to renew her friendship with Daisy and clear up any misunderstandings about the nature of her acquaintance with Carson.
****
Jackson was still driving to the Langley’s horse farm when his phone beeped. He pressed the call button on his hands-free device. “Dr. Walker, how may I help you?”
“Hey Jackson, it’s Carson. I thought I’d let you know that I have your check in my hand and I’m taking care of the paperwork now. Your girlfriend was very smart. She saw Doug Morris leaving Johnson’s office and made a beeline straight to me. With any luck, I’ll have the funds transferred, and the mortgage paid before Johnson even knows what’s happening.”
Jackson could take a good-natured ribbing from his buddies just like the next guy, but he wasn’t going to stand for any joking about him and Mandy. After all, they had a business relationship to maintain now. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my neighbor, business associate, and soon to be my employee. By the way, where is she now? And was Johnson suspicious as to the reason for her visit?”
“She’s waiting for me to finish the paperwork closing the bank loan. She insisted on having a copy of all the paperwork as soon as it was done.” He chuckled. “I think Johnson is going to find he underestimated that one. I sent her to
the coffee shop across the street to wait. Daisy went over for her morning break, and I figured they could keep each other company. I think she’d asked Daisy about seeing Johnson, but changed her mind when he exited his office with Morris. I think the leech made a pass at her because she headed straight for me and invited me to dinner, loud enough for the entire bank to overhear, I might add.”
Jackson actually growled into his phone. “Which leech?” Jackson felt his blood boiling. Just the thought of either one of those lecherous men with their questionable business ethics pursuing Mandy was enough to raise his blood pressure. “I swear I don’t know why Daisy puts up with Johnson and his wandering hands.”
It was Carson’s turn to growl. “She’s taking care of her toddler nephew all by herself. She needs the job. Don’t worry about Daisy, just between the two of us I’m getting my ducks in a row with the bank’s board of trustees. With Johnson’s latest stunt, I don’t expect him to be much of a problem to anyone anymore. He’s on his way out for good this time.”
“The bank, not to mention the entire community of Rancher’s Bend would be better off, that’s for sure,” Jackson offered. “Landon James is on the board, and I know you’ll have his support after giving us the heads up on Johnson’s questionable business practices right in our own backyard. Thank God I was able to come up with a solution that works for everyone.”
“Speaking of that, I’m surprised she’s going to be working for you. I know you wanted a veterinary technician to help with the business’s expansion, but Mandy? Is she qualified or is this charity in disguise?”
Jackson was overcome with a strong urge to defend Mandy when he should have been more concerned with defending his business decision. “Mandy is actually a certified vet tech. with an associate’s degree and several years of job experience working with large animals. I saw her in action last week. I went out to her ranch after playing golf with you and found her in the middle of delivering a foal. She handled everything perfectly. She’s a natural with animals plus she lives next to the clinic. I couldn’t have found anyone better suited to the job,” or me for that matter he suddenly thought.
