Page 78 of Five Mountain Daddies

“You just gave up any advantages we may have had. I don’t know what you said, or what this contract says, but we can only negotiate if we’re doing so from a position of strength. And now that’sruined.”

I take a breath. I expected him to be unhappy, but not this angry. “How have I ruined it?” I ask him. “This contract is good. We can work withit.”

“Work with it?” he sneers. “I don’t want to work with it. I want to win this negotiation and make sure this companycontinues.”

I’m a little taken aback. “This is a win,” I saysoftly.

“I doubt it.” He picks up the stack. “You made a grave error here, Amelia.” He starts to page through the contract. “I’ll look it over, but I can already see some unacceptablenumbers.”

I stare at him. I don’t know what to say. These numbers are well within an acceptable range for the company. It’s not perfect, definitely not ideal, but it’s pretty good. The workers get a bump in salary and benefits, but a reasonable one. It’s not a big win for them, either, but this is the sort of contract that makes sense. Neither side gets everything they want, but both sides walk away feelingokay.

“The board is never going to approve this,” Ingram grumbles. He sighs and looks at me again. “I’ll get back to you in the morning, Amelia. Thankyou.”

I stand there another second before turning and quickly leaving his office, anger running throughme.

I don’t understand why we live in a world like this. That contract is decent. It’s not the best thing in the world for the company, but it won’t sink us, either. We can work within those confines, maybe even flourish if we’re smart. But men like Ingram, greedy and used to getting everything they want, ruin it for the hardworking people that keep this placeafloat.

I’m so angry at him. And for some odd reason, I’m angry at my father. I don’t understand why my father would hire a man like Ingram, let alone give him so much power. Ingram is ruthless and uncaring, but my father wasn’t like that. Everyone tells me how well liked he was, how everyone trusted him and he seemed to genuinely care about hisemployees.

I just don’t understand it. I slowly leave the office, my mind still reeling from that conversation. I make my way back home, back to my big emptyhouse.

And I hate it here. I know I do. I can’t help it. Everything about this house reminds me of my father, the childhood that got taken from me when he sent me away. And the baby that’s growing inside ofme.

I change clothes, but the prospect of sitting around all night tonight seems daunting. So instead of curling up on the couch in front of the TV, or getting into bed and sleeping early, I do something stupid, something maybe evenirresponsible.

I get my phone and I callSamuel.

“I knew I’d hear from you,” he says when he picksup.

I almost regret this instantly. “Don’t be an ass,” Isay.

“You want to seeme.”

I sigh. “Notexactly.”

“Come to the Shaft. I’ll pick you up if youwant.”

“No, you don’t have to pick me up. It’s just that…” I sigh and trailoff.

“Tell me inperson.”

I hesitate a second, looking around my room. This is what I wanted, after all, but it’s such a badidea.

“Fine. I’m leavingnow.”

“See yousoon.”

He hangs up the phone. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but as I head toward the door, I put my hand on my stomach. I can’t feel my baby yet, but I know it’s there, growing inside of me. And Samuel is the father, that big, brutish asshole. That gorgeous man. I know I shouldn’t go, I should keep my distance at least until the contracts are finalized, but I’m in the mood for amistake.

I head out the door, determined to makeit.

10

Samuel

Ishouldn’t feel nervous, but I do. I’m on my home turf, with a bunch of the other miners sitting around and drinking, but there’s something about having Amelia in this place that drives mecrazy.

I know the guys already have this idea of me and her. There are whispers, but we did something good today. That contract is solid. Some people are going to complain, but someone’s always going to complain. Overall, my guys are going to be happy and taken care of, and that’s all I needed todo.

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