Forces of Nature by Cheris Hodges Page B

the dreams she’d been having about him? Rising from the bed, she headed to the bathroom, showered quickly, then dressed. Pulling her hair back in a bun, Crystal decided to grab breakfast once she got into town, although her stomach was in knots and she didn’t think she’d be able to keep any food down at all. If she and Dena could get through to Douglas and he backed off her land, then she’d be convinced he wasn’t evil and would take him up on that dinner offer.
    Crystal didn’t date much as her main focus was always working on the farm. Plus, there weren’t a lot of men who met her lofty standards, a man with a sensitive soul, love of land, animals, and art. That ain’t Douglas Wellington, so stop thinking about him, she told herself as she walked to her car.
    Nervousness flowed through her body like blood through her veins as she drove up to the Welco Industries building. She inhaled deeply, hoping that the burst of oxygen would calm her nerves. Strengthening her resolve, Crystal emerged from the car, smoothed her skirt, and walked into the building. She recognized the security guard from her last visit to Welco.
    â€œBack again,” he said when he looked up at her. “Where are the handcuffs?”
    â€œI have an appointment this time,” she said, shooting him a sly smile.
    â€œLet me check.” He picked up the house phone just as Dena walked over to them.
    â€œHe’s not giving you problems, is he?” Dena asked.
    Crystal shook her head and stifled a laugh. “We’re old friends.”
    Dena leaned against the desk, waiting for the security guard to get off the phone. “Well, is Mr. Wellington ready for us?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. He’s on his way out to see you all.”
    Crystal’s breathing became shallow as she spotted Douglas and another man walking in her direction. She assumed the wiry white man walking with him was one of his many lawyers. As usual, Douglas looked incredibly sexy in his custom-tailored navy blue suit and crisp white shirt and the overhead lights dancing on his gold cuff links. His intoxicating cologne filled the air and frazzled her senses. Crystal looked away and focused her attention on Dena, the woman her mother always called a five-foot-five force of nature.
    â€œLadies, my office is this way,” Douglas said, his voice sounding like a sweet symphony to Crystal.
    The foursome walked into Douglas’s office where three more suits were waiting. Crystal turned to Dena after they’d taken their seats. “Looks like they have the entire legal staff here.”
    â€œIt’s just a ploy to intimidate us,” Dena replied confidently, then faced the four lawyers. “Gentlemen, my client and I only have one thing to say—we’re not moving.”
    Dena stood and touched Crystal’s arm so that she would follow suit.
    â€œThen what was the purpose of this meeting?” one of the attorneys asked.
    Dena reached into her leather briefcase and withdrew a blue document. “This is a summons to appear in court. We’re seeking an injunction to stop any construction near the farm. Obviously, you all thought this was about money and to get what you wanted all you had to do was add more zeros to the check. Well, it doesn’t work like that. And, if this was about a negotiation and not intimidation, all of you wouldn’t be here.” She waved her hand at the cavalcade of lawyers. “Let me be clear, this isn’t my first time at the rodeo and we won’t be intimidated by these high-handed actions.” She passed the document to Douglas.
    â€œWhat?” Douglas snapped, leaping from his seat when he looked at it.
    Crystal folded her arms across her chest and cocked her head to the side. “I told you I wasn’t going to roll over and play dead for Welco Industries.” Dena shot a look to Crystal telling her to save it.
    One of the lawyers cleared his