“I know, and I’m fine with that. I thought the judge was very fair. I have so many plans for the ranch.”
“You don’t own the ranch. Not yet.”
“But the judge said I can make improvements if Heidi agrees.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until this is settled? We could go back to—”
“I’m not leaving.” His mother sat on the sofa, her spine straight, her expression defiant. “This is where we were happy as a family. You saw the state of the house and the land. I want to fix it. Even if I don’t get to keep the ranch, I want to leave a part of myself there. I want it to be better for what I’ve done.”
He dropped into the club chair on the other side of the large coffee table and held in a groan. “Which means what?”
Determination softened as her gaze seemed to shift to something beyond him.
“I want to make a home here. Oh, Rafe, we had so many wonderful years here in Fool’s Gold. I know money was tight and we didn’t always have the newest of everything, but we were a family.”
He ignored the fact that his memories of the past and hers had very little in common. “Buying the ranch isn’t going to give you a do-over, Mom. Your children aren’t going to be small again.”
“I know, but I’ve been dreaming about the Castle Ranch since we had to leave, all those years ago.” She shifted her gaze to him and tears filled her eyes. “I know things were difficult for you here. I let you take care of me and of everyone else. You were just a little boy and you never got a chance to be a child.”
“I was fine. You were a great parent.”
“I hope so, but I’m not blind to my faults. You worried for me and about me. Maybe that’s why you can’t be happy today.”
He thought longingly of a good legal battle with another corporation, or winning a contract against impossible odds. All things he enjoyed. Nearly anything would be better than talking about his feelings with his mother.
“I’m plenty happy.”
“No, you’re not. All you do is work. You don’t have anyone in your life.”
“I have lots of people.”
“Not someone special. You need to fall in love.”
“I’ve been in love.” It wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
He’d made what seemed like the intelligent choice—fallen for a young woman who should have been perfect. She’d been pretty, smart, caring and supportive. He’d been more interested in her than in anyone he’d ever met, and had been able to imagine growing old with her. If that wasn’t love, then
what was?
Their brief, two-year marriage had ended when she’d suggested a divorce, and he’d felt little more than a vague sense of dissatisfaction and failure.
“You weren’t in love,” his mother told him. “Love is powerful. Love sweeps you away. You were never swept away.”
“Fine. But I’m going to find someone now. So I’m happy.”
May wrinkled her nose. “You’re going to a matchmaker, Rafe. Who does that? What does this Nina person know about you, anyway? When the time is right, you’ll find the one. Just like I found your father.”
“Mom,” he began.
“No. You have to listen. I’m right about this. You need to find someone who you’re willing to risk it all for.”
As if that was going to happen. “I’ll find the right woman,” he promised. “We’ll get married and have children.”
If he hadn’t been so set on having kids, he would have never considered marrying again. But he was conventional enough to want a traditional family. Mother and father. He’d been unable to get it right himself, so he was hiring a professional. For him, hiring a matchmaker was no different than hiring a good travel agent or successful sales rep. When he wasn’t the best at something, he found someone who was. Nina had a nearly perfect track record.
“I would love grandchildren,” his mother told him, her smile returning. “Just think, I’ll have the ranch and you can bring your family to visit.”
There was a particular vision of hell, he thought grimly. “Ah, sure, Mom. That’ll be great.” He guided her back on topic. “You’re sure about the ranch? You want it?”
“Yes. I want to live there permanently. Maybe have a few animals and a garden. I could grow my own fruits and vegetables.”
“Not with the goats around.”
“Heidi and I will work something out.”
Rafe didn’t bother telling her that Heidi and her grandfather weren’t going to be an issue. Like Nina, Dante was the best at what he did. There was only going to be one winner at the end of the day, and it wasn’t going to be Heidi and her goats.
“Isn’t the ranch close to nearly a thousand acres?”
May shrugged. “I’m not sure. I know there’s a fair amount of land.”
Maybe he could figure out something to do with it, so his time here wasn’t a complete loss. Because the bottom line was—he wasn’t leaving. Not until May had what she’d come for.
He stood and pulled his mother to her feet, then hugged her and kissed her temple.
“Okay, then,” he said. “You want the ranch, I’ll get it for you.” No matter what it cost.
CHAPTER FOUR
HEIDI WAS PLEASED THAT her hand was steady as she poured coffee into four mugs on the table. May had made good on her promise of setting up a meeting. Now, barely twenty hours after the judge had dismissed them, they were in Heidi’s kitchen, about to make decisions that could potentially change her life forever. She wanted to tell herself not to be dramatic, but she had been unable to chase away the lingering sense of panic. Sure, the judge had given her a reprieve, but she could still lose the ranch, and then what? Where would she and Glen go?
Worries for another time, she reminded herself as she took her seat at the rickety table. For now, she was going to cooperate with May and figure out how to come up with two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in, say, the next three weeks.
“Thank you so much for having us,” May said, smiling at Heidi.
“You’re more than welcome.” Heidi tried to smile back, all the while ignoring the challenging expression on Rafe’s face.
This was the first time she’d been in a relatively small room with the man, and she was annoyed to discover he took up too much space. He had broad shoulders that spilled past the back of the chair. She couldn’t seem to focus on anyone but him, which frustrated her and made her want to pretend he wasn’t there. An impossible task, with his dark eyes holding her captive.
“I’ve decided to stay in town,” May continued, apparently unaware of the undercurrents swirling.
That could have been because they were only swirling on Heidi’s end of things. Maybe Rafe was naturally surly and barely knew she was alive. Maybe—
Get a grip, she commanded herself, deliberately focusing on May.
“There’s so much I remember about the ranch,” the older woman continued. “I have so many happy memories here.”
“It’s a real family place,” Glen told her. “We appreciate your willingness to work things out.”
“Of course. Neither of us has to be disappointed by what happened. There’s a solution.”
Rafe muttered something Heidi couldn’t hear, but she knew it wasn’t friendly agreement.
May shot her son a warning look, then turned back to Heidi. “Do you think you could take us on a tour? I’d love to see the changes and understand a little about your business.”
“Um, sure.” Heidi would have preferred giving them directions back to San Francisco, but that wasn’t likely to be an option. “When were you thinking?”
“How about now?” May asked.
Glen popped to his feet. “There’s nothing I like better than spending time with a beautiful woman.”
Rafe rolled his eyes, but May only smiled.
“You’re a charmer,” she murmured.
Heidi found herself on Rafe’s side this time. Glen flirting with May wasn’t going to help their cause. She would have to talk to him later. After the tour.
She rose. “There’s not a whole lot to see,” she began. “There’s the goats and where they live, of course, and the barn.”
“Don’t forget the caves,” Glen told her. He pulled out May’s chair. “They’re thousands of years old. Probably used by the original indigenous tribes as a form of shelter. There might be treasure.”
Heidi sighed. “They’re not that interesting. I use them to age my cheese. The temperature is perfect, and I don’t have to worry about space. There’s plenty.”
Rafe stood. “Cheese and goats. Great.”
“You don’t have to come with us,” she said. “Perhaps you’d like to stay here and phone your office.”
One eyebrow rose, as if he were surprised she was willing to take him on. She lifted her chin slightly, not sure it would help, but even the tiniest psychological edge would be welcome. She had a feeling that Rafe not only brought a lot more resources to the battlefield, but that he was also used to winning at any price. Her idea of a good fight was facing down Athena when the goat escaped.
“I wouldn’t want to miss the treasure,” Rafe said, his mouth curving into a smile.
It was, she realized, the first time she’d seen him smile. For a second he looked approachable, appealing and unbelievably sexy. She wanted to smile back and then say something funny so he would smile again. Her toes curled in her athletic shoes, and she had an overwhelming urge to flip her hair, the fact that she was wearing her usual braids notwithstanding.
Get a grip! Rafe wasn’t some handsome guy hanging out so she could flirt with him. He was the enemy. He was dangerous. He was trying to steal her home. The fact that she could be undone by a smile simply proved how pathetic her love life had been for what felt like decades. And when all this was resolved, she would find someone nice and have a relationship. But for now she had to remember what was at stake and act accordingly.
They all went outside and walked to where she kept the goats. Heidi had picked a nice, large area for her small herd. Most of the fencing was still in place, which meant she’d been able to focus her money on what she referred to as the goat house. A solid structure she used for milking. There was room for the goats when the weather got cold or when one of them was giving birth. Large sliding doors allowed the goats to come and go as they pleased.
May leaned against the fence and studied the goats. “They’re not all the same.”
“No. I have three Alpines and five Nubians.” Heidi glanced at Rafe. “You met Athena the other day.”
“Yes. She was charming.”
Heidi was pretty sure he was being sarcastic, so she ignored his response. “Athena sort of runs things around here. Persephone and Hera are the ones who are pregnant.”
She thought about mentioning she would put the money she received for their kids toward the debt, but then decided it wasn’t going to be enough to impress anyone. What she needed was a steady market for her cheese. One that went beyond Fool’s Gold.
She’d contacted a few stores in Sacramento and San Francisco about carrying her cheese. While they’d been interested, getting samples to the stores meant leaving the ranch and her goats. What she needed was a sales rep who could do the legwork for her. Someone with experience. Finding such a person seemed impossible. Give her a restless crowd and a game of ringtoss and she could take control in about fifteen seconds. But the business world was out of her realm of expertise. Something that hadn’t concerned her until now.
“You named your goats after Greek goddesses?” Rafe asked.
“I thought it would be fun for them and for me.”
“They read the classics, do they?”
“Oh, Rafe.” May shook her head. “You’ll have to forgive my son. He doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.”
“I have a fine sense of humor.”
Heidi tilted her head. “Yes, and all those people who try out for American Idol think they can sing.”
Rafe turned toward her, his dark gaze settling on her face. His expression was unreadable, but she had a good idea of what he was thinking. Something along the lines of Who do you think you are, trying to take me on? Be prepared to be squashed, little bug.
She squared her shoulders. He might be richer and bigger and a whole lot scarier, but that didn’t mean she would go down without a fight.
“What do they eat?” May asked.
“Good-quality hay and alfalfa. They need lots of water. They love to be out eating grass and pretty much any kind of brush. I move them around to different parts of the ranch. We also get calls all summer from people wanting to borrow our goats to clear land.”
They left the goat area and went through the main barn, where most of the stalls were held together more by wishful thinking than actual wood. One section was still sound, and there Heidi boarded two horses, including her friend Charlie’s large gelding.
The more they toured, the more Heidi became aware of the broken fence line, the weeds and the sad condition of nearly every building on her property. She’d been making steady progress. The goats had been her main concern. Now that they had the hooved equivalent of a five-star hotel, she planned to focus on the house and the barn. Or she had, before Glen had put them both so deeply into debt.
Back in the house, Heidi served samples of her goat cheese.
“Very nice,” May said, nibbling on her pieces, then taking seconds. “Really delicious. Tell me about the soap.”
“You don’t own the ranch. Not yet.”
“But the judge said I can make improvements if Heidi agrees.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until this is settled? We could go back to—”
“I’m not leaving.” His mother sat on the sofa, her spine straight, her expression defiant. “This is where we were happy as a family. You saw the state of the house and the land. I want to fix it. Even if I don’t get to keep the ranch, I want to leave a part of myself there. I want it to be better for what I’ve done.”
He dropped into the club chair on the other side of the large coffee table and held in a groan. “Which means what?”
Determination softened as her gaze seemed to shift to something beyond him.
“I want to make a home here. Oh, Rafe, we had so many wonderful years here in Fool’s Gold. I know money was tight and we didn’t always have the newest of everything, but we were a family.”
He ignored the fact that his memories of the past and hers had very little in common. “Buying the ranch isn’t going to give you a do-over, Mom. Your children aren’t going to be small again.”
“I know, but I’ve been dreaming about the Castle Ranch since we had to leave, all those years ago.” She shifted her gaze to him and tears filled her eyes. “I know things were difficult for you here. I let you take care of me and of everyone else. You were just a little boy and you never got a chance to be a child.”
“I was fine. You were a great parent.”
“I hope so, but I’m not blind to my faults. You worried for me and about me. Maybe that’s why you can’t be happy today.”
He thought longingly of a good legal battle with another corporation, or winning a contract against impossible odds. All things he enjoyed. Nearly anything would be better than talking about his feelings with his mother.
“I’m plenty happy.”
“No, you’re not. All you do is work. You don’t have anyone in your life.”
“I have lots of people.”
“Not someone special. You need to fall in love.”
“I’ve been in love.” It wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
He’d made what seemed like the intelligent choice—fallen for a young woman who should have been perfect. She’d been pretty, smart, caring and supportive. He’d been more interested in her than in anyone he’d ever met, and had been able to imagine growing old with her. If that wasn’t love, then
what was?
Their brief, two-year marriage had ended when she’d suggested a divorce, and he’d felt little more than a vague sense of dissatisfaction and failure.
“You weren’t in love,” his mother told him. “Love is powerful. Love sweeps you away. You were never swept away.”
“Fine. But I’m going to find someone now. So I’m happy.”
May wrinkled her nose. “You’re going to a matchmaker, Rafe. Who does that? What does this Nina person know about you, anyway? When the time is right, you’ll find the one. Just like I found your father.”
“Mom,” he began.
“No. You have to listen. I’m right about this. You need to find someone who you’re willing to risk it all for.”
As if that was going to happen. “I’ll find the right woman,” he promised. “We’ll get married and have children.”
If he hadn’t been so set on having kids, he would have never considered marrying again. But he was conventional enough to want a traditional family. Mother and father. He’d been unable to get it right himself, so he was hiring a professional. For him, hiring a matchmaker was no different than hiring a good travel agent or successful sales rep. When he wasn’t the best at something, he found someone who was. Nina had a nearly perfect track record.
“I would love grandchildren,” his mother told him, her smile returning. “Just think, I’ll have the ranch and you can bring your family to visit.”
There was a particular vision of hell, he thought grimly. “Ah, sure, Mom. That’ll be great.” He guided her back on topic. “You’re sure about the ranch? You want it?”
“Yes. I want to live there permanently. Maybe have a few animals and a garden. I could grow my own fruits and vegetables.”
“Not with the goats around.”
“Heidi and I will work something out.”
Rafe didn’t bother telling her that Heidi and her grandfather weren’t going to be an issue. Like Nina, Dante was the best at what he did. There was only going to be one winner at the end of the day, and it wasn’t going to be Heidi and her goats.
“Isn’t the ranch close to nearly a thousand acres?”
May shrugged. “I’m not sure. I know there’s a fair amount of land.”
Maybe he could figure out something to do with it, so his time here wasn’t a complete loss. Because the bottom line was—he wasn’t leaving. Not until May had what she’d come for.
He stood and pulled his mother to her feet, then hugged her and kissed her temple.
“Okay, then,” he said. “You want the ranch, I’ll get it for you.” No matter what it cost.
CHAPTER FOUR
HEIDI WAS PLEASED THAT her hand was steady as she poured coffee into four mugs on the table. May had made good on her promise of setting up a meeting. Now, barely twenty hours after the judge had dismissed them, they were in Heidi’s kitchen, about to make decisions that could potentially change her life forever. She wanted to tell herself not to be dramatic, but she had been unable to chase away the lingering sense of panic. Sure, the judge had given her a reprieve, but she could still lose the ranch, and then what? Where would she and Glen go?
Worries for another time, she reminded herself as she took her seat at the rickety table. For now, she was going to cooperate with May and figure out how to come up with two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in, say, the next three weeks.
“Thank you so much for having us,” May said, smiling at Heidi.
“You’re more than welcome.” Heidi tried to smile back, all the while ignoring the challenging expression on Rafe’s face.
This was the first time she’d been in a relatively small room with the man, and she was annoyed to discover he took up too much space. He had broad shoulders that spilled past the back of the chair. She couldn’t seem to focus on anyone but him, which frustrated her and made her want to pretend he wasn’t there. An impossible task, with his dark eyes holding her captive.
“I’ve decided to stay in town,” May continued, apparently unaware of the undercurrents swirling.
That could have been because they were only swirling on Heidi’s end of things. Maybe Rafe was naturally surly and barely knew she was alive. Maybe—
Get a grip, she commanded herself, deliberately focusing on May.
“There’s so much I remember about the ranch,” the older woman continued. “I have so many happy memories here.”
“It’s a real family place,” Glen told her. “We appreciate your willingness to work things out.”
“Of course. Neither of us has to be disappointed by what happened. There’s a solution.”
Rafe muttered something Heidi couldn’t hear, but she knew it wasn’t friendly agreement.
May shot her son a warning look, then turned back to Heidi. “Do you think you could take us on a tour? I’d love to see the changes and understand a little about your business.”
“Um, sure.” Heidi would have preferred giving them directions back to San Francisco, but that wasn’t likely to be an option. “When were you thinking?”
“How about now?” May asked.
Glen popped to his feet. “There’s nothing I like better than spending time with a beautiful woman.”
Rafe rolled his eyes, but May only smiled.
“You’re a charmer,” she murmured.
Heidi found herself on Rafe’s side this time. Glen flirting with May wasn’t going to help their cause. She would have to talk to him later. After the tour.
She rose. “There’s not a whole lot to see,” she began. “There’s the goats and where they live, of course, and the barn.”
“Don’t forget the caves,” Glen told her. He pulled out May’s chair. “They’re thousands of years old. Probably used by the original indigenous tribes as a form of shelter. There might be treasure.”
Heidi sighed. “They’re not that interesting. I use them to age my cheese. The temperature is perfect, and I don’t have to worry about space. There’s plenty.”
Rafe stood. “Cheese and goats. Great.”
“You don’t have to come with us,” she said. “Perhaps you’d like to stay here and phone your office.”
One eyebrow rose, as if he were surprised she was willing to take him on. She lifted her chin slightly, not sure it would help, but even the tiniest psychological edge would be welcome. She had a feeling that Rafe not only brought a lot more resources to the battlefield, but that he was also used to winning at any price. Her idea of a good fight was facing down Athena when the goat escaped.
“I wouldn’t want to miss the treasure,” Rafe said, his mouth curving into a smile.
It was, she realized, the first time she’d seen him smile. For a second he looked approachable, appealing and unbelievably sexy. She wanted to smile back and then say something funny so he would smile again. Her toes curled in her athletic shoes, and she had an overwhelming urge to flip her hair, the fact that she was wearing her usual braids notwithstanding.
Get a grip! Rafe wasn’t some handsome guy hanging out so she could flirt with him. He was the enemy. He was dangerous. He was trying to steal her home. The fact that she could be undone by a smile simply proved how pathetic her love life had been for what felt like decades. And when all this was resolved, she would find someone nice and have a relationship. But for now she had to remember what was at stake and act accordingly.
They all went outside and walked to where she kept the goats. Heidi had picked a nice, large area for her small herd. Most of the fencing was still in place, which meant she’d been able to focus her money on what she referred to as the goat house. A solid structure she used for milking. There was room for the goats when the weather got cold or when one of them was giving birth. Large sliding doors allowed the goats to come and go as they pleased.
May leaned against the fence and studied the goats. “They’re not all the same.”
“No. I have three Alpines and five Nubians.” Heidi glanced at Rafe. “You met Athena the other day.”
“Yes. She was charming.”
Heidi was pretty sure he was being sarcastic, so she ignored his response. “Athena sort of runs things around here. Persephone and Hera are the ones who are pregnant.”
She thought about mentioning she would put the money she received for their kids toward the debt, but then decided it wasn’t going to be enough to impress anyone. What she needed was a steady market for her cheese. One that went beyond Fool’s Gold.
She’d contacted a few stores in Sacramento and San Francisco about carrying her cheese. While they’d been interested, getting samples to the stores meant leaving the ranch and her goats. What she needed was a sales rep who could do the legwork for her. Someone with experience. Finding such a person seemed impossible. Give her a restless crowd and a game of ringtoss and she could take control in about fifteen seconds. But the business world was out of her realm of expertise. Something that hadn’t concerned her until now.
“You named your goats after Greek goddesses?” Rafe asked.
“I thought it would be fun for them and for me.”
“They read the classics, do they?”
“Oh, Rafe.” May shook her head. “You’ll have to forgive my son. He doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.”
“I have a fine sense of humor.”
Heidi tilted her head. “Yes, and all those people who try out for American Idol think they can sing.”
Rafe turned toward her, his dark gaze settling on her face. His expression was unreadable, but she had a good idea of what he was thinking. Something along the lines of Who do you think you are, trying to take me on? Be prepared to be squashed, little bug.
She squared her shoulders. He might be richer and bigger and a whole lot scarier, but that didn’t mean she would go down without a fight.
“What do they eat?” May asked.
“Good-quality hay and alfalfa. They need lots of water. They love to be out eating grass and pretty much any kind of brush. I move them around to different parts of the ranch. We also get calls all summer from people wanting to borrow our goats to clear land.”
They left the goat area and went through the main barn, where most of the stalls were held together more by wishful thinking than actual wood. One section was still sound, and there Heidi boarded two horses, including her friend Charlie’s large gelding.
The more they toured, the more Heidi became aware of the broken fence line, the weeds and the sad condition of nearly every building on her property. She’d been making steady progress. The goats had been her main concern. Now that they had the hooved equivalent of a five-star hotel, she planned to focus on the house and the barn. Or she had, before Glen had put them both so deeply into debt.
Back in the house, Heidi served samples of her goat cheese.
“Very nice,” May said, nibbling on her pieces, then taking seconds. “Really delicious. Tell me about the soap.”
