Kitabı oku: «The Rancher's Heirs»

One

How the hell could her father have gambled away all of his savings? As in, every last penny to his name. His reckless way of living finally caught up with him...with them. He’d lost major things before: his car, his retirement funds, all of her mother’s jewelry—save for the one piece Annabelle had hidden away. But he’d gone too far this time.

As if Annabelle Carter didn’t have enough on her plate. She’d come home to Stone River, Texas, to start over. She’d brought her sweet twins, six-month-old Emily and Lucy, and planned to offer them a new life and begin building her dream...a vision of her late mother’s.

But, no. Now Annabelle was driving to the ranch next door to do damage control. As she turned onto the long drive, flanked by a pristine white fence, she pulled in a breath. The arched, metal sign over the entrance was a good indicator of the amount of money these people had. The stone columns suspending the sign were nothing short of remarkable. The beauty started from the street and she could only imagine what she was about to see at the end of this drive.

Pebblebrook Ranch was one place she’d never ventured into. It was owned by the hoity-toity Elliott family, and they didn’t necessarily run in the same circles. The five–thousand-acre spread boasted several massive homes. Just one of their mansions was worth more than Annabelle’s entire farm.

And that was when they’d actually had livestock. Her father, however, had gambled animals away, too. She’d been gone two years, living in Houston, and in that time he’d completely lost everything.

Rage ripped through her. What would he have done had she not come back home to nurse her own wounds? A fresh wave of anger surged through Annabelle as she remembered her sister and fiancé’s betrayal. And the crippling effects of her sister’s recent death. So much pain, Annabelle wasn’t sure how to log it all inside her heart.

Now she had to deal with Colt Elliott on top of everything else. She’d never met the man, but she knew of the Elliott brothers. Sexy ladies’ men, all much older than her. If she recalled correctly, Colt was a twin. Were the twins the youngest of the siblings?

None of that mattered. What mattered was that her father had borrowed money to pay off the farm loan before it could go into foreclosure, without informing her. Of all people to go to, her father had gone to Colt Elliott. Not that there were many people who could’ve helped, but Neil Carter could have come to Annabelle first. She didn’t have that chunk of cash, but she would’ve gone through hell before borrowing from the Elliotts.

Now her father owed Colt instead of the bank. Perfect. Just perfect. The loan had been so close to being paid off, but her father just couldn’t hang on any longer. He’d gone through all the money he’d put aside. Thankfully, Annabelle had set aside money for her sister’s funeral expenses, or her father would’ve gone through that, as well.

According to her father, he and Colt had come to an agreement that he had to pay off the debt within three months. The bimonthly payments couldn’t be a day late or a penny short or the farm would permanently belong to Colt.

Fine. Annabelle had no problem taking over her dad’s end of the bargain. She refused to lose the only thing she had left. Her childhood home would not go to the family whose hobby was probably sitting around counting their wad of cash.

Annabelle’s father claimed Colt was helping, but she didn’t believe that for a second. People like the Elliotts didn’t just do things out of the kindness of their hearts. In terms of wealth and influence, they were a giant leap above all other people in this town. With their mansions on the sprawling estate, the billions of dollars that passed through the farm from all their livestock...the rest of the businesses in the area didn’t even compare. They were Stone River’s answer to a cattle monopoly...if that was a thing. Random people didn’t just go to Pebblebrook. It was like some sacred ground that mere peons didn’t dare trespass on.

Well, too bad because she wanted to know what Colt’s agenda truly was. She suspected he wanted her land for himself and she was going to have no part of that. She had her own dreams: marriage, siblings for her twins, opening her bed-and-breakfast. She’d already lost so much—she wasn’t about to lose her home or her future.

Annabelle approached the sprawling three-story log and stone home. Sturdy wooden porches stretched across the first and second floors and two balconies extended from double glass doors off the third floor. Probably bedrooms. She imagined Colt on a balcony overlooking his massive estate, as if he were a king overlooking his kingdom. Annabelle swallowed. She couldn’t even fathom the money these people had.

When a horse came from around the side of the two-story stable, Annabelle immediately forgot about the house. And it wasn’t even the striking black stallion that had her attention.

Hellllo, Shirtless Stable Boy.

She may be nursing a shattered heart but she wasn’t dead, and this hottie with excellent, tanned muscle tone was a perfect temporary distraction. How much work did it take to get ripped like that? Ranching certainly produced some fine—

Annabelle jerked as her car hit something and came to an abrupt stop. Gripping the wheel, eyes squeezed shut, she had no clue what had just happened, but she’d been distracted and obviously ran into...oh, please don’t be a person or an animal.

Opening one eye at a time, she saw nothing but the barn and grassy fields...and the shattered post where the fence had been. Mercy, she’d been so caught up in the hunk on horseback, she’d run into the fence. Way to make an entrance.

As if she needed another problem in her life.

Mortified and shaken up, Annabelle shut off her car, thankful the babies weren’t in the backseat. Her door jerked open, startling a squeal out of her.

“Are you all right, ma’am?”

That perfect Southern drawl combined with the bare chest she now stared at was enough to render her speechless. But even that couldn’t override the reason she came. Just because she’d wrecked her sporty car, her only material possession worth any money, didn’t mean she could deviate from her plan. What was one more setback at this point?

“I’m fine,” she stated, trembling more from the sight of the sexy stranger than the actual accident.

Annabelle swung her legs out and came to stand, but the cowboy didn’t back up. With one hand on her open car door and the other on the hood, he had her trapped. On any other day, she would’ve welcomed this stranger getting in her space and making her forget her cheating fiancé, but today there was no time for lustful thoughts. She shivered again as his eyes swept over her.

“Sorry about the fence,” she stated, shoving her hair away from her face. “I’ll pay to have it repaired.”

With the savings that were supposed to go toward realizing my mother’s dream.

“The sun was in my eyes,” she went on. No way was she about to admit she’d been staring at his perfect...riding form.

“Don’t worry about the fence.”

Now he stepped back, but just enough for her to take in his well-worn cowboy boots, fitted jeans over a narrow waist...that glistening chest and his tipped cowboy hat. Black, of course.

“What brings you to Pebblebrook?” he asked, propping his hands on his hips.

Annabelle pulled in a breath. “I’m here to see Mr. Elliott. My name is Annabelle Carter and I live next door. Well, I used to a few years ago, but I’m back now.”

Despite the chiseled jaw and the heavy-lidded gaze, the man’s mouth tipped into a slight grin. “Well, ma’am, Mr. Elliott is busy right now. Is there something I can help you with? A glass of sweet tea? You look like you could use a break.”

Sharing a sweet tea, or anything else with this hunky stranger, was tempting, but not on her agenda.

Annabelle blew out a breath. Mr. Elliott was busy. Of course. Probably at the bank purchasing more properties to add to his collection. A man like Colt didn’t work outside in the heat tending to his own animals and land. That would be too far beneath him.

“You work here?” she asked, crossing her arms.

His mouth twitched again. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Then give your boss a message.” She may not be able to talk to the man himself, but she would leave her mark—and she didn’t mean the broken fence. “I’d like to talk to him about my ranch next door and the agreement he made with my father. Please tell Mr. Elliott, when he’s done getting his manicure or finished stealing puppies from children, he will be dealing with me from now on. I’ll be waiting at my house for his visit.”

Because she certainly wouldn’t be showing her face here again.

The stable hand simply tapped the brim of his black hat and tipped his head. “I’ll be sure to let him know.”

His eyes raked over her once more, sending shivers through her despite the Texas heat. “Are you sure you don’t want something to drink? Have a seat on the porch. You look like you could use a break.”

Oh, she could use a break. Like a monthlong vacation somewhere exotic with a fruity umbrella drink full of alcohol and unlimited refills. But she’d just settle for a break from all the pain life kept dishing out.

“No, I don’t have the time.” Not to mention, she couldn’t stay in his presence too much longer. It was difficult keeping her eyes off that broad chest sprinkled with dark hair and the tattoo on his right bicep.

“Is there anything else I should pass on?” he asked.

Since she was in a mood, she nodded. “I’m not a pushover like my father. Make sure you tell him he has twenty-four hours to contact me.”

The “or else” hung in the air, but she had no idea what her “or else” threat would be so she left it at that. She hoped she sounded badass, but it was kind of hard with her bright red car mounting the fence.

The cowboy stepped toward the front of her vehicle, assessing the damage. She didn’t even want to know how this would affect her insurance. One crisis at a time.

“Your little car has quite a bit of damage, ma’am.”

With a flick of his fingertip, he adjusted his hat, bringing that cobalt blue gaze up to hers. The striking color of his eyes only added to his appeal. Did all the stable hands at this ranch have the qualifications to do calendars? Because she wouldn’t mind buying one of those.

“I’m pretty sure this would fit in the bed of my truck,” he muttered around a grin. “Should I haul it next door for you?”

Annabelle ignored his snarky jab. It was only because of his sex appeal that she let the question slide. Besides, she wasn’t here to impress people or make friends.

“I can drive. Thank you.”

She turned to get back into her car. As she started it up again, the cowboy closed her door, then leaned inside the window. “I’ll be sure Mr. Elliott gets in touch with you today.”

Annabelle nodded and shifted into gear. He stepped back, giving her one last glimpse of the fine body she didn’t have time to fully appreciate.

Disappointed that she hadn’t gotten face time with Colt Elliott, Annabelle headed back down the drive and prepared the speech she’d deliver when she did see him. She was done letting life—and men—rob her of her dreams.

* * *

He watched her tiny red car until it disappeared at the end of the drive. Annabelle Carter was one fired-up woman. The vibrant red hair and flashing green eyes had him more intrigued than he should be.

When he’d come around the side of the barn to put Lightning away after his morning ride, he’d caught a glimpse of the car just before it missed the turn in the drive and slammed into the fence.

“Colt?”

He turned to see Josh, one of his best stable hands, heading his way.

“Everything all right?” he asked. At nearly forty, Josh was probably Colt’s hardest worker.

Colt nodded toward the fence. “This is top priority. Tell Ryan to assist you. I’ll put Lightning in her stall.”

Colt almost wished he hadn’t fired a worker last week, but the guy had it coming and Colt didn’t put up with lazy. He worked too damn hard. Just because his bank account had more zeroes than this town had ever seen, didn’t mean he wasn’t a hands-on type of guy—in business and in pleasure.

Josh nodded. “Is the lady okay?”

Speaking of hands-on...

Was she? Colt thought of the way she’d demanded to see “Mr. Elliott.” He nearly lost it when she mentioned a manicure and puppy stealing. She truly didn’t have a high opinion of him, but that was fine. He’d seen the sexual interest when he’d gotten close. She was pretty damn sexy herself.

But Colt hadn’t been ready to tell her who he was until he knew what she wanted. Being mistaken for a worker was just one of the advantages of loving the ranch life. He may be the owner, well, he and his three brothers, but Colt was by far the most active. He took pride in what he had. There was no question of authority around here and his staff respected him. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Keeping in control of every situation is what led him to the success he had today. So, letting Annabelle believe he was just a ranch hand had definitely worked to his advantage. Now he had time to plot, to think of exactly how he wanted to play this situation out.

She said she was back in town, and he hadn’t missed the way she’d looked at his chest. Maybe a little flirting, even a little seduction, would be in order.

Colt mounted Lightning and trotted back to the stable while Josh went to get supplies to fix the broken fence. Annabelle may be more financially savvy than her old man, but that wouldn’t change the outcome.

The documents Neil Carter had signed without taking the time to read were completely legal and binding.

Colt had been wanting to get that land for years. The Carter’s five-hundred-acre farm wasn’t vast in comparison to his, but he and his brothers had shared a vision of owning it. Their main goal was to turn the property into an adjoining dude ranch. The Carter home was perfect for additional housing for guests.

Colt’s father had always been a dreamer, not a doer. He’d discussed owning a dude ranch, having people come to stay on their property and learn the ways of their life, but he’d never gotten beyond the talking stage. Dementia had stolen Grant Elliott’s mind, leaving Colt to carry on and bring his father’s legacy to life.

From the time Colt was a young boy, he’d itched to see this property grow, to see people from all over flock in and see what they’d created. He refused to let anything stand in the way of his goal, even the sassy, beautiful Ms. Carter.

After putting the saddle and blanket away, he grabbed the brush to groom the dust from Lightning. While stroking the stallion, an epiphany struck him. Colt was a smarter businessman than Neil, clearly. Hell, Colt knew Neil had no idea what he’d agreed to when he’d accepted the money to pay off the loan—the man had been too desperate. But Colt would give Annabelle a chance to pay that debt. There were six installments left. Three months was all that stood between him and everything he’d ever wanted.

Suddenly being one stable hand short wasn’t such a hardship. Perhaps Annabelle would be interested in a little work to help pay off the debt. She no doubt wanted to discuss the arrangement. She’d controlled her anger with him, thinking she’d just been talking to a stable hand, but there had been fury in those deep green eyes. Well, he’d use that fury to his advantage and make her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

Colt patted the side of the stallion and finished brushing him as his brilliant plan took shape. He had no intention of ever handing that land over again. It finally belonged to him, but her father had to learn a lesson. He owed more than just this debt, but Annabelle didn’t need to know that.

Having such a beautiful woman on his property sure would perk things up around here. She had drive and determination. He couldn’t help but admire her spirit.

Colt whistled as he headed back toward the main house. His limp from the accident wasn’t even bothering him today. Sometimes it ached, but right now, he had his mind on other things...like the sexy redhead he needed to properly introduce himself to.

He made his way to his third-floor master suite to get ready for a very important meeting. He owned the land, now he wanted to own the woman. And Colt Elliott always got what he wanted.