Authors: Candice Poarch
“Brought you a little present.” The gift was straining at the leash, hopping around and sniffing. “Don't like you being out here alone. Since you won't stay with me, I have some protection for you.”
“How nice,” she said with less enthusiasm than either George or the dog were displaying.
“Nice little guy,” George said. “Lets you know if somebody's snooping around. Will protect you, too.”
“If you say so,” Noelle muttered, although the dog wasn't little at all. “Where am I supposed to keep it?”
“Wherever you want to. She's used to being indoors.”
“I've never had a dog before,” she said skeptically. “They seem to be a lot of work.”
“Not half as much as horses.”
“Have to keep things in perspective,” Noelle murmured.
“Her name's Trixie. I have some food for her to get you started. She's up to date on her shots. How is work coming on the camp?”
He was in such a jovial mood she hated to bust his bubble, but a dog?
“Very good. Have a seat and drink some coffee while I get you a brochure.” Noelle poured a cup for him before she went to the office to retrieve a brochure.
George had used some excuse to stop by nearly every day. He'd given her some of his wife's old jewelry, doling it out one piece at a time. Each piece had a story attached to it. At first she'd refused to accept the gifts, but he seemed so disappointed that she'd accepted some of them. She'd told him over and over he didn't need to bring gifts to stop by. She was always pleased to see him, but he wasn't listening.
They'd gone to church together a couple of Sundays, although he still refused to attend grief sessions. Now a dog. Noelle closed her eyes briefly. What in the world was she going to do with a dog?
Things had definitely been looking up, Colin thought. Any day now, one of their most promising mares would give birth, netting them enough to pay off a major loan and bringing them into the black for the first time in years. Then he could get his dad off his back.
As much as Noelle was stealing his sleep, he realized one thing: he'd work with her any day before he worked for William. At least she cared about George and the farm.
An hour later, Colin got the fateful call.
The foal had been stillborn. Colin could hardly believe it. Like a gambler he'd counted on the foal pulling them out of debt. It wasn't the only foal due, but the money for the others was already spoken for. There was the feeding and care of the animals, including vet services. Payroll was high and couldn't be cut. Then there were the fees for transporting the horses and entering races. Everything cost loads of money.
He felt like a gambler who'd bet his last dollar and lost. He was tired of scrimping and barely getting by. Hard work didn't faze him, but he was tired of arguing with his dad over why the farm should survive.
One little break. That was all he'd needed. One freaking break. For the rest of the day he worked his frustrations off in the barn. Hours later he was bone-tired when he left for the house.
When Colin came in from the barn, his brothers were in the kitchen regaling Leila with some tales that had the woman laughing so hard tears ran down her cheeks.
“What're you doing here?” Colin asked, not in the mood to entertain.
Aaron, his older brother, held up the deck of cards. “Blake's here, too, talking to George somewhere.” Blake was their cousin. “Thought we'd break the boredom out here. See if we can pick your pockets.”
“You wish you could be so lucky. Give me a half hour.”
“Takes you that long to get prettied up now?” Michael, the youngest, muttered.
“Heard he has a new girlfriend. All that dating must have him tired out.”
“She's a nice girl,” Leila said, always quick to defend him.
“So when do we meet her?” Aaron asked.
“You don't,” Colin said and left. Noelle was the last person he wanted to think about, but he knew his brothers weren't going to let him drop the topic. He quickly showered.
By the time he made it back, Leila had a spread of food on the table. His brothers had contributed bottles of liquor and cigars to the poker game. Although he ate, he drank more. He should have known better.
He lost.
Everyone except his oldest brother went to bed around two.
“I think I'll head in,” Colin said.
“Want to talk about it?”
“How did you hear so fast?”
“The old man.”
“Figures. He'll want to sell for sure now.”
“Don't let him. Colin, you love this place. He's running through a rough patch at the office, but we'll pull through. It's not about you anyway. Dad's got issues with Grandpa he never resolved. Don't let him lay that burden on you,” Aaron said. “Anybody who'd take the time to notice can appreciate what you're doing here. Grandpa would be proud. You know he started the company in D.C. to support his family, but he bought into this place because he loved it. So you hang in there. Do what you have to do to hold on to this place.”
Colin shook his head, feeing just a little better. “You've always been in my corner.”
“We're family. So when am I going to meet this Noelle Dad keeps talking about?”
George was in the office bright and early Monday morning. “That you, Colin? I want to talk to you.”
Colin poured himself a cup of coffee and joined George. He was very pleased with the man's improvement the last few weeks. “What's up?”
“I'm sending out invitations for a party the last of the month to introduce Noelle to the family. I'll make the announcement at the party.”
“Sounds good.”
“I'm also changing my will. I'm leaving the farm to Noelle. She doesn't know it yet. I'm thinking that eventually you'll get the other half and the two of you can work together. I know she's set on opening that camp, but once the buildings are repaired, she'll have more time on her hands. The camp only runs in the summer. She has to do something the rest of the year. She can work on the farm. The two of you can work together, can't you? Starting in September after camp is closed, I'd like you to help familiarize her with the workings of the farm.”
“Be glad to,” Colin said, feeling anything but glad.
“I'll send out the invitations this week. Won't the family be surprised?”
What an understatement,
Colin thought.
“For a time I thought you and Noelle would get on. Be a good match.”
Colin tucked his hands in his pockets. Time wasn't healing his ache for her. “I don't know, George.”
“It's time you settled down. I wouldn't want you settling with her if you aren't sure. But you'd sure make a good husband if you set your mind to it. You're more like your grandfather than you think. He ran around like crazy until your grandmother came along.” George laughed. “He'd never admit it to family, but he was quite the hound in his day. But once Marlene caught his eye, well, he never cheated on her. I'm thinking you're just like him. You seemed to like her.”
This wasn't a subject Colin wanted to explore with George. “She's a nice lady. And I'm happy for you. But we'll see where this leads.”
Disappointed, the older man nodded and Colin left for his office.
The next day William's truck jerked to a stop in front of the office. He hopped out without his jacket, and marched toward the building.
Colin had been watching Noelle with a foal. He took a moment to admire her backside before he headed to the office, too. As soon as he entered the warm reception area he shucked his jacket and hung it on the coat tree. William's raised voice was all he heard.
“What's going on, Uncle George? Mama told me you had your will changed.”
“That's right,” George's voice said strong and clearer than anything Colin had heard for a while. “But I'm going to have to talk to the lawyer. He had no business discussing that with anyone.”
“She doesn't know what was changed, but why change it at all? Look, Uncle George, this isn't the time to make drastic changes. I keep telling you to spend some time with us. I think you need some help. It's dangerous making a move like that out of the blue in your frame of mind. This is a wonderful farm. I know the vultures are circling, but you need to make sure that it's in the possession of someone who can handle things if for any reason you can't. I feel you have many good years ahead of you. But life has a way of shocking us.”
“I know that better than anyone,” George said. “Trust me. It's in good hands. Now, we won't discuss this anymore. I've already changed my will and I'll stand by my decision. Although I appreciate your concern and the fact that you visit me to make sure I'm doing well.” George smiled. “But it's my will and really none of your business.”
Colin stood leaning against the doorjamb watching the show. Colin was sure William was gritting the enamel off his teeth. The man couldn't afford to make a move that would alienate George.
“Now, why don't you have lunch with us?” George asked. “Can you join us, Colin?”
“I've already eaten.”
William swiveled quickly, unaware Colin was behind him. He narrowed his eyes at Colin before he focused on George. “Wish I could stay, but I need to get back. I have a meeting in an hour and my desk is overflowing.”
“Thanks for stopping by,” George said. “And try to get your mother to stay a week or so while she's here.”
“The weather is unpredictable this time of year, and she doesn't like to drive if snow's on the ground,” William said.
Colin left for his office and smiled. George was more his old cunning self again. He'd learned much from the wily old man. Colin left his door open so he could continue to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“I'll do my best to get her to stay,” William said, but he didn't leave. He stood in the reception area and watched George leave, then he went to Colin's office and closed the door.
William starting pacing in front of the window watching George and Noelle climb into his truck and leave.
“Colin, do you know what's going on?”
“Sure,” he said. “I run this place. Why don't you have a seat?” Comfortable, Colin leaned back in his chair.
But William didn't sit; he continued to pace across the carpet. “Well?”
“If you have concerns you need to talk to George. It's not my place to carry messages. You're family, after all.”
William's face froze to stone. “I can't wait to get my hands on this place,” he said. “There's so much that can be done with it.”
“I'm sure you can't, but don't make plans prematurely.”
William regarded him suspiciously. “Mama told me Uncle George is planning a party. What's this business about a party in the middle of the winter? He never gives parties, and especially not this time of year.”
“Didn't you talk to George about it?”
“You know very well he's being secretive.”
“You'll have to attend the party next weekend to find out.”
“I want to know what's going on. Now.”
“Then talk to George,” Colin said, knowing very well he wouldn't.
Furious, William stomped off.
Yes, indeed,
Colin thought.
You should worry. Because the little windfall you thought you were getting isn't coming your way.
Colin returned to the barn. They had a couple of mares to cover that day. Many owners wanted their mares mounted so the foals would be born as close as possible to the beginning of the next year.
Now that they weren't getting the money expected from the stillborn foal, the extra coming in for breeding would at least keep the bills paid.
Colin had just enough time for a quick shower before dinner, but when he drove to the house, he spotted his father's car before he saw Noelle's. He wasn't in the mood to deal with his dad. Sighing, he left his truck and went straight to his suite. He at least needed a shower and a chance to clear his head before he faced the old man.
Twenty minutes later Colin descended the stairs. Everyone was in the den munching on appetizers Leila had served. He poured himself a shot of Scotch.
Colin looked as if he'd aged, Noelle thought. She hoped it wasn't because of her. He seemed to be sleeping as well as she wasâwhich was very little. He was driving himself needlessly. She'd tried to console him over the weekend when she heard about the foal, and his reception had seemed warmer than usual.
“I was just telling your father what a help you are to Noelle in training her in the business,” George said.
Colin threw Noelle a glance before he focused on George.
“As well he should since they're dating,” his father said.