Expecting the Rancher's Child (Callahan's Clan) Read Free

interior design, but her career in nonprofit work was about what really counted in life. She had great faith in the ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity.
    Shortly, Nan and Bert entered her office, Bert with his usual smile. “How’d the meeting go?”
    “That’s the reason I wanted to talk to you. He’s hired me to do the interior design for a wing he’s built onto his ranch house. I’ll have to take a leave of absence.”
    “I thought you gave up that career,” Bert said, frowning slightly.
    “I thought so, too, but he gave me two payments—one for my work, and one as a donation to this agency. Here are the identical checks—each one for half a million.” She passed the checks to Bert, who shared them with Nan. Bert stared open-mouthed while Nan read the amounts again. Nan’s eyes were wide as she looked at Sierra.
    “All that money to our agency,” she whispered.
    “Saints above.” Bert shook his head, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “I knew the man was wealthy, but this—I never dreamed we’d get this kind of donation.”
    “I’m surprised you didn’t faint,” Nan said. “You don’t even have to share that with your old design firm.”
    “No, but I’ll share my personal check with Brigmore Charities. I’m also going to share with Dad and his church. Just think what good we can do with all this money.”
    “ I may faint,” Bert said. “No wonder you took the job. How could he want you that badly?”
    “He thought I did a good job on his hotel. I turned him down at first, but I don’t think the man is accustomed to hearing no. And there’s more. If I do a good job, he will make an annual contribution of this amount to Brigmore Charities for the next three years.”
    Bert shook his head as if in denial.
    “Is he single?” Nan asked.
    Sierra bit back a smile. “Very. When I worked for him before, I heard gossip that he doesn’t have serious relationships.”
    “I think you ought to use a little of that money for a background check on him. He wants you too badly,” Bert said.
    Sierra smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think a background check is necessary. Look him up on the internet and look up his business. He can afford this check without thinking about it. His father is a billionaire, and Blake Callahan is wealthy on his own. There are a lot of women in his life. He has no need of me, except as a decorator.”
    “Want me to come with you?” Bert asked, a frown creasing his brow. Sierra held back another smile.
    “Thanks, Bert. I don’t think that’s necessary.”
    “If for any reason it becomes necessary, you call me and I’ll be right there.”
    “I will,” she said, appreciating his offer, though it seemed ridiculous. “I won’t be alone. I’m hiring two people to help me. He’ll pay their salaries, and they’ll live on the ranch with me part of the time.”
    “That’s good,” Bert said.
    “If you need a secretary, don’t forget me,” Nan said, smiling.
    For the next half hour they talked about depositing the check and presenting the donation to the Brigmore Charities’ board of directors.
    Finally, Nan rose to go back to her desk. Bert came to his feet, he closed the door and returned.
    “I want to talk to you.”
    She sat behind her desk and waited.
    “I don’t think you should take the job or accept the check.”
    “You have got to be kidding,” she said, staring intently at him. “Why on earth not?”
    “He’s up to something. That’s too much money.”
    She held back a laugh. “I’ll repeat—Blake Callahan will never miss this money.”
    “Why didn’t he go to the New York agency he hired when you first worked for him?”
    “He should have, but he said I did the best job he’d ever seen. He’s accustomed to getting what he wants. He’s flying me there in his private jet. Stop worrying, and start thinking about the best use for this money.”
    Bert shook his head and stood. “All right, but at the first sign of