Page 44 of Deceit & Desire

“Well… I can tell I’m not going to be bored working here, at least,” Miss Smith chuckled, shaking her head.

I blushed, my face growing hot with sheepish embarrassment, and I reached up to rub the back of my neck. “How many cowboys do you think you’ll need to help you get the bed and all your medical supplies unloaded and set up?”

Miss Smith shrugged. “The more you can spare, the faster we can get things ready for Mr. Brandt to come home tomorrow.”

I took my hat off and ran a hand through my hair. “Fair enough. I’ll have a skeleton crew work the cattle today and the rest of the guys and I will work up here at the house, helping with the medical supplies and prepping for Mr. Brand’s homecoming tomorrow.”

As Miss Smith led the way outside to round up medical supplies and start hauling them into the house, I caught Zoe’s wrist and gently tugged her to me.

“Hey… I know you want everything to be perfect for your dad, baby, but Zoe, I’ve gotta ask… where’s all this money coming from? You’re paying for the nurse, the equipment, and now you’re saying money’s no object? Honey, the ranch is in the red because of the embezzlement issue, and God only knows how much all this shit is going to cost. I know you’ve got savings from your job in Miami, but this is a lot?—”

Zoe didn’t meet my gaze, instead staring down at where my fingers were twined around her wrist. “I’ve got it covered, Rome. That’s all you need to know. You have enough to worry about without having that on your plate, too.”

I frowned, unsettled by how evasive she was being. “That’s not an answer, Zoe. Are you taking out loans? Mortgaging the ranch?”

Zoe shook her head, a faint, tight smile playing on her lips. “No loans, no mortgages. Just trust me, okay? I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what we’re building here. This is my family’s legacy…ourfamily’s legacy now.”

I blew out a sigh, forcing the tension in my shoulders to release, though the knot in my gut stayed put.

“Alright. I trust you. But if you need help… just tell me, okay?”

Chapter17

No More Carrying the Load Alone

PLAYLIST: “THE BONES” BY MAREN MORRIS

ZOE

The next morning,after breakfast with Dad and Roman, I waited until I was alone in the kitchen to call Greg and check in on the Seven Palms deal. The two of them had walked out a few moments ago, discussing the herd, and I was sure they’d be too busy to pay me much mind while I checked in on my plans to save the ranch.

I leaned a hip against the kitchen counter and scrolled down to Greg’s contact info on my phone, dialing his number. He picked up after two rings.

“Hey, Zoe. How’d you know I was just about to call you?”

“Lucky guess. Dad just got home from the hospital. I had a quiet minute to myself, so I wanted to call and check in with you on the Seven Palms deal because we uncovered an issue with the ranch’s accountant embezzling money from us yesterday, and the bonus from closing that deal sure would be a big help with fixing things here, if we could manage it.”

“That’s actually why I was about to call you. I did it, Zoe. I did it just the way you taught me to, and I closed the Seven Palms deal just now. I literally just walked out of the meeting about it.”

I slapped my palm on the kitchen counter and pressed my lips together hard, suppressing a victory shriek because I didn’t want to disturb Dad and Roman, but unable to stop myself from grinning as a wave of relief washed through me.

“You really closed it? That’s amazing, Greg. I knew you could do it.”

“I did, and it’s all thanks to you and everything you taught me in your time here in Miami.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head, almost unable to believe my good luck.

“Three million in each of our pockets. That’s enough to cover everything here and then some. Greg, you’ve outdone yourself. Thank you.”

Greg typed something in on his computer on the other end of the line, the keys on his keyboard clicking furiously as he spoke. “Is there anything else we can do for you or the ranch from here in Miami? Stan is thrilled with how well the buyout on Michaelson worked out for him and the company, by the way. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sends you a bonus check for orchestrating that coup, too.”

I drummed my fingers on the counter, shaking my head. “No, no, I’m handling everything to do with the ranch’s expenses and it being in the red from the embezzlement scheme Michaelson and the accountant were running against us. Dad doesn’t need to worry about any of that mess when he’s fresh out of the hospital?—”

Someone behind me cleared their throat loudly. I froze, hanging up my call with Greg without bothering to say goodbye. Lowering the phone to my side, I turned to face my father, who was standing in the kitchen doorway, his expression caught somewhere between shock and anger.

“What the hell was that about? Three million dollars? Ranch expenses? Zoe, what are you doing?”

I felt the blood drain out of my face and I stood up a little straighter, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin as I tried to hold his furious gaze.

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