Page 16 of Redemption

There was no answer and after trying him for a half hour and pacing like a madwoman, I got in my truck, the letter on the passenger seat. I drove through town, down the main strip and parked up outside his building and just waltzed right in, blazing past his secretary and into his private office.

I slapped the document down on his desk. “Is this real? Can he do this?”

Peter pushed his glasses up his nose and picked up the letter, then scanned it, his mouth pulled into a thin, tight line.

“Well, it’s in the process of transferring ownership. It hasn’t been signed by the prospective owner so it’s technically not completed, it’s still in Charlie’s name. Well, it’ll all go to you now.”

“So it’s still mine, he can’t get his hands on it?”

“Not unless he signs this document.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, my entire body relaxing. I ran a shaky hand over my hair. “Okay, good. This is good.”

“Hmm…” Peter said, cryptically.

“Hmm?” I asked, not liking the way he said that.

“Well, yes technically this cabin is yours.” He held upthe deed. “But clearly this was your father’s wish, so it’s up to you what you do with that knowledge.”

I frowned, not liking the implication of what Peter was saying. “I think I’ll keep the cabin,” I said tartly.

Peter held up his hands. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I know how much you loved your daddy and I know you wouldn’t want to do anything that went against what he wanted, that’s all.”

“I’d sooner sell the ranch than give thatmurdererthe cabin onmyproperty!” I growled and snatched the letter back from Peter.

“It might come to that. Remember our chat? You need to make money, fast. Maybe you could sell it to him? Or maybe he could come and work off his debt to your family?”

I scoffed at Peter but his last words gave me pause. I considered it for half a second before scoffing again and shaking my head.

“Over my dead body.”

Peter shrugged. I said goodbye, feeling slightly guilty at the way I’d spoken to him. My feelings were all over the place at the moment and it was all because of Jack.

I walked down Main Street, kicking at the concrete path as I went. I saw the neon sign for The Lonely Bison, the local bar and decided a stiff drink or twenty was exactly what I needed right now.

I pushed open the old-style saloon doors with a bison skull etched into the wood. The sun cast its shadow inside and speckles of dust danced in the shafts of light. Posters hung on the wood paneled walls along with the odd cowboy hat, pair of boots, lasso, and signs that readcowgirls can’t be tamedandgo on, you CAN dance – love from Tequila.A rustic sign hung above the bar readno cussin’, no spittin’,no horses.

Soft country rock music played in the background and the scent of whiskey was in the air. It was early afternoon now, not that busy but I knew it would pick up later. The Lonely Bison was the place to be: live music, dancing and a mechanical bull, not to mention the gorgeous owner who drew the crowds.

“Hey Katarina,” a deep voice purred.

Speak of the devil…I turned my head to see Max Anderson walking around the bar. His dark hair long with a slight wave, his dark eyes that tilted so seductively. He was striking, no doubt about it but that brooding bad boy act didn’t really do anything for me. Not to mention he was a few years younger, still only in his mid-twenties. And he was a notorious heartbreaker.

“Hey Maximillian. Gimme a whiskey, or ten?”

He laughed, a deep rumble. “Ten coming up.”

I took a seat on a leather stool at the bar and put the deed I was still holding down on the bar top. I watched as Max poured me two fingers of whiskey, the silver rings on his fingers glinting in the light, his hair flopping in his eye. He brushed it back, sliding my glass over to me with a wink and for a moment I considered if maybe a littleadult companywas what I needed. Maddy was right, it had been years since I’d had a date or anything that would maybe happen after a date. There was no time for men or romance. Cowboys always thought they knew better than me about ranching and horses. They got competitive rather than seeing me as an equal and a potential partner. I just didn’t have time to waste on that bullshit.

“I was sorry to hear about Charlie. I’ll miss him and his buddies drinking the bar dry and hustling all the naïve young boys over pool and poker.”

I snorted into my whiskey, imagining Daddy doing that and a wave of sadness had my eyes stinging. “Thanks, Max.” I glanced around, distracting myself. “How’s business been?”

“Pretty good, could be better.” He rubbed the back of his neck and hit me with his lopsided smile. “I need to talk to you about something though. Tilly keeps hanging around.”

My drink stalled halfway to my lips. “What? She does?”

“Yeah, I send her away, don’t worry, but I just thought you should know. I don’t want her getting into any trouble or nothing. I’ve been pretty nice to her on account of what’s going on but she’s not getting the hint.” He winced.

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