Page 69 of Rawhide and Ransom

“I want you to stay, Edward.” She couldn’t stress that strongly enough. “Not just in the interim, but for the long haul.” If not for a twist of fate, all of this would’ve been his — from the house they were sitting in to the many acres of farmland that comprised Dakota Farm. “Together, I believe the three of us can take this place to new levels.”

His expression was cautious. “What do you have in mind?”

“Several things.” She understood his reservations about having her at the helm, considering that the only farm she’d ever managed before this had been foreclosed on. “First of all, I’d like to be clear that Gilbert Farm was purposely run into the ground through exorbitant legal fees, sabotage, and eventually murder. At one point, my late husband had it operating at a profit, but circumstances were unfairly stacked against us. You’re welcome to think whatever you want about what happened next, but that’s my side of the story.” It seemed best to address the elephant in the room right away.

He nodded gravely. “Fair enough.”

“As for what I have in mind for the direction of Dakota Farm, it’s pretty simple.” She didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding between them. “It will be business as usual with one exception. This company will no longer be focused solely on maximizing profits. Yes, the bottomline is important. I don’t think any of us will disagree about that, but so is quality. I want the name Dakota Farm to be associated with the highest quality organic produce on the market!” Her voice rose passionately. “I’d like to honor my late husband’s memory by incorporating his garden-to-the-table legacy into our business strategy. That means no more pesticides and no GMO seeds, seedlings, or chemicals used. Ever. It’ll cost more in the short-term, but it’ll pay off in the long haul.”

A slow grin spread across Edward’s handsome features. “I can get behind that.”

“Good.” She was thankful they wouldn’t be locking horns over green initiatives. “Your first assignment will be writing up a new job description for yourself. We’ll discuss it and negotiate any details that need to be negotiated.”

His eyes glowed with appreciation. “I’ll have the first draft to you within a day or two.”

“Take as long as you need.” She didn’t want to rush something so important. She wanted to get it right.

“We-e-ell,” he drawled, “the thing is…my room and board were included in my previous salary and benefits.” He pointed vaguely to the east side of the farm. “I’ve been living in a smaller farmhouse on a five-acre lot that the previous owner built for his in-laws.”

She didn’t recall seeing anything in the property description about a separate five-acre lot, which probably meant it had been fully annexed at some point. “I’m assuming the home has already been modified to suit your needs?” If it didn’t have proper wheelchair accessibility, installing it would go to the very top of her to-do list.

“It has.” His mouth twisted ruefully. “For obvious reasons, every outbuilding has also been modified to accommodate wheelchair access.”

“Good.” She mentally crossed it off her to-do list. “I’m going to need a tour of your home in the near future, so I can take snapshots and present them to my attorney and CPA. Here’s why. Call it a bonus, a share in my inheritance, or whatever you want; but I plan to deed off the farmhouse and five-acre lot to you.” It was a decision she was making on the spot, and it felt like the right one.

While he gaped at her like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, she plunged on. “As for you, Mirabelle…” She met her sister’s gaze, knowing there was nothing she could do to restore everything that had been taken from her. However, there were a few things she could do to make her twin’s transition into farm life a little easier — or a lot easier.

“Feel free to consider it a sign-on bonus, a share in my inheritance, or whatever else tickles your fancy, but I’m going to deed this mammoth farmhouse over to you plus a percentage ownership in the farm that will cover its upkeep and then some.”

She talked right over Mirabelle’s gasp of astonishment. “Naturally, there are strings attached. I’m hoping to entice you to come on board as a full-time employee. As you’ve already heard me say, this isn’t a one-person operation. You’ll report directly to Edward, who will hopefully agree to help me pen an official job description for you, as well.”

“Of course.” Edward and Mirabelle exchanged a searching look with each other.

He gave her the faintest of head nods, which propelled her to announce shyly, “In case it affects any of your decisions concerning the direction of Dakota Farm, Edward and I are dating.”

“Oh, Mirabelle!” Their love story had taken some horrible twists and turns, but it was finally heading toward the happy ending they both deserved. “I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Thanks.” Her sister blushed.

Annalee glanced between the two of them. “What questions do you have for me, if any?”

“I’ll need some training, of course.” The way Mirabelle was leaning toward Edward told Annalee that they were holding hands beneath the table. “But I’m willing to train if you’re willing to do the training, Edward.”

“You know I am.” His voice was tender.

“Then, no,” Mirabelle declared breathlessly. “I don’t have any questions.”

“Nor do I,” Edward echoed. “You’ll have the rough draft of both job descriptions within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”

Annalee nodded in satisfaction. “I have one last request before getting out of your hair.” She slid a list of names and numbers across the table to them. “These are all the employees I was forced to lay off from Gilbert Farm. Though there’s no guarantee any of them are still available for employment, I’d like you to give this list priority for farm hand replacements.”

“Gladly.” Edward eagerly reached for the list. “We currently have two positions open. In light of full disclosure, I dismissed the two men previously holding the positions. Their loyalty to my mother was so strong that I didn’t trust they would transfer their loyalty to the new sheriff in town.” He inclined his head respectfully at her. “Your family has already suffered enough at the hands of my family. Plus, I’d like to keep my scalp intact during all forthcoming encounters with Hawk and Running Bear.”

Annalee’s heart warmed another few degrees toward him. “The fact that you terminated two questionable employees before our meeting underscores just how right you are for managing Dakota Farm.” She had no regrets about following her heart on the matter. The fact that Hawk was in full agreement had made the decision that much easier.

She couldn’t wait to tell him that Edward and Mirabelle had readily agreed to each of her proposals. He’d wanted to drive her to Dakota Farm today, but Running Bear had insisted his presence was needed at a tribal council meeting. It was the first time in months she’d traveled anywhere without her bodyguard, which felt like a novel experience. She hoped everything was okay with the tribal council. The one thing they were good at, it seemed, was bickering amongst themselves.

She pushed back her chair and stood. “I’m going to hit the road so I don’t have to drive in the dark.” Hawk had lent her his pickup truck, finally letting her in on a little secret. The new windows he’d installed after the accident were bulletproof, and parts of the body were now composed of reinforced steel panels.

---