Page 107 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
She looked spooked, and rightly so considering Alan’s earlier pointed comment about her, but she went ahead. Glancing over the words quickly before reading in a clear, firm voice.
“Once again, I can picture you boys, and the thought makes me smile. Of course, right now you’re probably cursing me a little, but you’ll see reason in a minute.
I wrote up three letters this time, but I bet you’re reading this one. The second was a letter congratulating you on completing the challenge (I know you could do it if you had to). The third was commiserating that you hadn’t, and to be honest, I didn’t put any effort into that note because it was a one in a hundred chance that you’d fail.
Does it make it easier if I say this challenge wasn’t for you?
I know my son. After all the chances I gave him, he’s probably been making your life hell since I died, demanding “what he deserves.” Which is a swift kick in the pants, but at this point he’s made his choices and it’s hard to change when he doesn’t think there’s a need.
Now that he’s got steady money on the line, he should leave you alone. If he doesn’t, he loses that portion of his easy life. I hope he’ll make the smart decision this go-round.
Alan will tell you the rest of the details, but know that I’m proud of you. I’m counting on you to use your inheritance to build up your community, not just enjoy the easy life.
Raise a glass for me, boys. You’re my arrows shot into the future. Make them count.”
Karen folded the paper back up slowly. “The challenge wasn’t for Finn and Zach. It was for…Brandon?”
Alan nodded as he took back the envelope. “That’s why I brought him here when we started. He knew exactly what was going on and what you were dealing with. If he’d left you alone and you’d succeeded, he would have gotten a settlement as well, but twice as big. Now, he should be out of your hair, and mine, hopefully forever.” Alan made a face as he met Finn’s gaze. “I’m sorry about the accident, though, and that stupid incident with the gun. Totally out of character for the man.”
“Itwasan accident,” Finn acknowledged, hoping to keep Karen from flaring into protective mode again. “I agree. Brandon was not his usual wishy-washy self. No way you could have known, and frankly, if we go forward without ever having to see him again, I’m good with it.”
Zach leaned forward. “To clarify—the challenge was to see if Brandon would be an inferring asshole. He was, and we have proof, so the deadline is over.”
“Correct.”
Zach shook his head. “Wild.”
“Next detail,” Alan continued. “You will find that your holdings have now doubled as the side funds drop into the corporate accounts.”
Holy hell.Finn and Zach gaped at each other. “That part is real?”
Alan nodded. “Now that we’re fairly certain Brandon will never be an issue, Bruce felt it appropriate to expand your control.”
Karen looked confused, so Finn went for the simplest explanation. “The corporation has different branches. Bruce just added one we didn’t know about, which increases the value by a lot.”
“Wow. Okay.”
“We’ll go over that in more detail later.” Alan’s attention turned fully on Karen. “I haven’t had the pleasure of a formal introduction.”
Alan’s comment made her blink. Finn cleared his throat. “Karen, this is Alan, our touchstone in the world of mysterious finance and all things from beyond the grave. Alan, this is Karen Coleman.”
She held out her hand.
Alan shook it briefly then dipped his chin. “So. You’re here, listening to this entire conversation, which I assume means you’re involved in more than simply shooting Brandon. Thank you for that, by the way. I’ve had dreams about shooting the bastard myself.”
Karen’s lips twitched. “You’re welcome?”
The expression in Alan’s eyes warned Finn a split second too late to leap in.
“Karen. What are your intentions regarding Finn?”
For fuck’s sake.
She opened and shut her mouth a couple of times before narrowing her gaze. “Don’t know how that’s any of your business.”
“Humour me. Would you say you’re in a long-term relationship with Mr. Marlette?”
Finn eased forward in his chair. “In the interest of not scaring my woman off just when we’ve made some progress, yes, we’re together. Get on with it.”
