Trusting the Cowboy Read Free

her head. “No. I have a buyer lined up. A client from the firm I worked...used to work for. He has various real estate holdings and has been looking for another investment opportunity. When I told him about the ranch, he was interested.”
    “But Vic has rented your father’s land for the past three years. I thought they had an agreement.”
    “Is that going to be a problem?” Lauren straightened, leaning forward, her heart racing at the thought that he might jeopardize the sale. She would receive one-third of the proceeds, and she would need every penny of that for her new business venture. A venture that she was in a rush to put together after losing her current job. “Does he have a legal right to the property?”
    “As far as I know, your father never gave me anything in writing, if that’s what you’re concerned about. I believe it was a handshake deal. Not uncommon around here.”
    “So I have no legal obligation to sell it to Mr. Moore?”
    “None whatsoever. But I do have to warn you, your father was thinking of drawing up something legal for Vic. If that is the case, and this paper does show up, it will need to be dealt with.”
    “Had he mentioned a price?”
    Drake gave her a number.
    It wasn’t close to what her potential buyer was offering. “And if such documentation isn’t found?”
    “Then he has no claim.”
    Relief flooded her. “That’s good to know. I don’t want anything preventing the sale.” Or forcing her to sell it to Vic at a significantly reduced price.
    As far as she knew, Jodie hadn’t found any paperwork, so it seemed they were in the clear.
    “A word of advice, if I may, Lauren,” Drake continued. “You might want to give him a chance to counteroffer or at least match what your buyer is willing to pay.”
    “Of course. I could do that.”
    “I know he was hoping to get the ranch for his younger brother, Dean.”
    Lauren dredged her memory and came up with a picture of a young man who partied hard and spent the rest of the time riding rodeo. And trying to date her twin sister, Erin. “Dean is ranching now?”
    “Not at the moment. He was injured in a rodeo accident a while back. Vic leased your father’s ranch with an eye to adding it to his holdings and making room for Dean.”
    “Tell Vic to talk to me if he wants to make an offer. He’s waiting to see you next.”
    “Why don’t you tell him yourself?”
    Lauren thought back to the anger he’d revealed when she told him she had a buyer, then shook her head. “No. Better if it comes from a third party.”
    “Okay. I’ll tell him to come up with some numbers.” Drake tapped his pen on the open file in front of him. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
    “Not right now. Like I said, I wanted to check in.”
    Drake leaned back in his chair, looking as if he had a few more things he wanted to discuss, then he shook his head and stood up. “Okay. You know how to get in touch with me if you have any further questions.”
    She got up and Drake came around the desk to escort her to the door. But before he opened it, his eyes caught hers, his expression serious. “Again, I’m so sorry about your father. I wish you girls had had a chance to get some closure in your relationship before he died.”
    “Jodie mentioned some letters that Dad wrote to each of us before he died. Maybe that will help.”
    “He was a sad and lonely man,” Drake said.
    Lauren forced back her initial response and the guilt that always nipped at her. “I know we should have come to visit more often,” she agreed. And that was all she was going to say. The burden of guilt shouldn’t lie so heavy on her shoulders. Her father could have initiated some contact, as well.
    She thanked Drake again and walked through the door.
    Vic still sat there, but as she came out, he stood, his hat in his hand, his eyes on her. The gesture seemed so courtly, and for some reason it touched her.
    “I need to talk to you” was all he said, his