you were right about her current accommodations, she hasn’t complained at all.” I didn’t like the smug look on her face. “I don’t understand why you’re so afraid of that woman.” I wasn’t afraid, I was terrified. She had me thinking things I’d never thought before. Well, that’s not true, I wanted forever at one time, but she didn’t, or not with me. Jade had me feeling that same old painful, chest aching, hard-to-breathe bullshit—I wanted it to stop.
Changing the subject, I outlined what my brother, Spencer, had proposed. He wasn’t really interested in the country life, but he saw the potential with the ranch. He had been out to the place a couple times since I had taken over, besides the few times when we were kids. His first time, he absolutely hated every minute that had him doing outdoor activities. He wasn’t meant to be a cowboy. Funny as kids, before our first trip to the dude ranch, he always wanted to be the Indian to my cowboy. We were twins, yet so different.
Spencer and I did share a few common interests along with a family trust fund that we used to fuel our passions. We both loved good food, healthy as in fresh and chemical free. I had introduced that factor into the ranch kitchen, growing as much of our own produce as we could, weather permitting. Three large greenhouses that I had implemented on the property allowed us to do that.
My brother had been promoting the same philosophy in his restaurants for years by changing his menus in accordance to what was in season. With the ranch in my hands for the past two years, I was finally ready to take Spencer up on his offer of taking over the restaurant portion. His staff, his menus and one of his super ingenious chefs. My part was cataloging equipment and inventorying non-perishable items before his arrival. Norma was thrilled, she knew all about crushes. She had a bad one on my brother since his first visit as a fully grown man. I had to laugh at how she batted her eyelashes at his every word.
“I have everything that Spence asked for on his last visit. When did you say he will be here?” I swear I could hear her heart beating a mile a minute.
“Next week, remember, he’s catering the wedding as his kick off.”
“Oh yes.” Maybe she did know what I was feeling for Jade, she was losing it, too. “I do have the items he requested.” Refocused on business at hand, she pulled out a notebook and started reading off what sounded like a list. “The decorator is coming to set up a temporary leveled deck for the event. Stringing lights. The band is set. The additional food arrives the day before Spence.” There was that flutter in her voice, again. I laughed, reminding her that she was a married woman and that her husband would be helping out. She slapped my shoulder playfully, reminding me that she was to be respected as my elder, “You don’t get flippant with me, young man.” I laughed, assuring her that I was just trying to save her from incurring legal fees.
Speaking of legal matters, a new letter had arrived the day before, they just wouldn’t give up. I had full ownership of the ranch, it was in a written will. Three different attorneys (one of which was Hank’s and mine, Nick Granger), had gone over the deed, the will and all other paperwork that had been filed. The two bastards, literally, had gone through two different law firms and were probably about to fire the newest ones. What more were they going to try? Nothing had worked in their favor so far. I wished that they would just concede and move on. They got plenty from their father, why did they want the ranch too?
“I see that look on your face. More lawyers breathing down your neck?” Norma watched as I flipped closed the latest letter I had received and tucked it back in its envelope.
“Yes, they said they found some sort of clause. Told me to watch my back.” Scrubbing my hands up my face and into my hair, I leaned back in my chair. I was ready to forget
Changing the subject, I outlined what my brother, Spencer, had proposed. He wasn’t really interested in the country life, but he saw the potential with the ranch. He had been out to the place a couple times since I had taken over, besides the few times when we were kids. His first time, he absolutely hated every minute that had him doing outdoor activities. He wasn’t meant to be a cowboy. Funny as kids, before our first trip to the dude ranch, he always wanted to be the Indian to my cowboy. We were twins, yet so different.
Spencer and I did share a few common interests along with a family trust fund that we used to fuel our passions. We both loved good food, healthy as in fresh and chemical free. I had introduced that factor into the ranch kitchen, growing as much of our own produce as we could, weather permitting. Three large greenhouses that I had implemented on the property allowed us to do that.
My brother had been promoting the same philosophy in his restaurants for years by changing his menus in accordance to what was in season. With the ranch in my hands for the past two years, I was finally ready to take Spencer up on his offer of taking over the restaurant portion. His staff, his menus and one of his super ingenious chefs. My part was cataloging equipment and inventorying non-perishable items before his arrival. Norma was thrilled, she knew all about crushes. She had a bad one on my brother since his first visit as a fully grown man. I had to laugh at how she batted her eyelashes at his every word.
“I have everything that Spence asked for on his last visit. When did you say he will be here?” I swear I could hear her heart beating a mile a minute.
“Next week, remember, he’s catering the wedding as his kick off.”
“Oh yes.” Maybe she did know what I was feeling for Jade, she was losing it, too. “I do have the items he requested.” Refocused on business at hand, she pulled out a notebook and started reading off what sounded like a list. “The decorator is coming to set up a temporary leveled deck for the event. Stringing lights. The band is set. The additional food arrives the day before Spence.” There was that flutter in her voice, again. I laughed, reminding her that she was a married woman and that her husband would be helping out. She slapped my shoulder playfully, reminding me that she was to be respected as my elder, “You don’t get flippant with me, young man.” I laughed, assuring her that I was just trying to save her from incurring legal fees.
Speaking of legal matters, a new letter had arrived the day before, they just wouldn’t give up. I had full ownership of the ranch, it was in a written will. Three different attorneys (one of which was Hank’s and mine, Nick Granger), had gone over the deed, the will and all other paperwork that had been filed. The two bastards, literally, had gone through two different law firms and were probably about to fire the newest ones. What more were they going to try? Nothing had worked in their favor so far. I wished that they would just concede and move on. They got plenty from their father, why did they want the ranch too?
“I see that look on your face. More lawyers breathing down your neck?” Norma watched as I flipped closed the latest letter I had received and tucked it back in its envelope.
“Yes, they said they found some sort of clause. Told me to watch my back.” Scrubbing my hands up my face and into my hair, I leaned back in my chair. I was ready to forget
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