Page 2 of Make Her Mine
As I stepped in behind him, my eyes went to the chandelier in the center of the ceiling. “I haven’t seen many banks with a thing like that hanging above peoples’ heads before.”
“This bank deals with a lot of exclusive businesses here in Carthage.” He led us to the back of a large open area as all eyes inside soon fixed on us. “They can afford certain luxuries other banks cannot.”
A lady sat at a desk inside the first office we came to. “Hello, gentlemen. You must be the Gentrys.”
I reached out to shake her hand. “Brandon.”
Clayton nodded. “Clayton.”
She smiled at Dyllan. “Then you must be Dyllan.”
“Yes.” He shook her hand and gave his most charming smile. “And you are?”
“Sandra, the executive assistant.” She let go of his hand to lead us to her boss’s office. “And if you gentlemen will follow me? Mr. Johnson will get things started.” As she opened the door, her eyes scanned me. “Judging by the blue jeans and t-shirts, you all will be greatly surprised by what you’re about to inherit.”
I figured we’d be lucky to get a million bucks and a hefty amount of debt from the Ranch. From what Dad told us before we left Dallas, our grandfather had been making more enemies than friends when Dad and Mom left town. Dad also said not to get our hopes up for what we were about to inherit, which might be more problems than profit.
The man sitting behind the large desk smiled and got up as we came into his large office filled with furniture that looked as luxurious as it was stunning. Mounts of various game animals adorned the walls. “Bryce Johnson, at your service, gentlemen. Please take seats anywhere you’d like. May I offer a cigar? They’re Cuban. Or a drink perhaps? A thirty-year-old Scotch would be perfect for this occasion.”
My brothers and I sat down on a sofa that felt a lot more like a cloud than a piece of furniture, and then I got right down to it.
“Okay, Bryce. We’re quite certain this ranch is swimming in debt right? And we’re not even close to being ranchers. Our father’s advice was to find a buyer for it and move on.”
Dyllan looked at me with narrowed eyes. “I’dlovea Scotch, Brandon. Let the man handle this meeting, will ya?”
“Scotch for everyone then,” the bank president told his assistant who hurried off to fetch them. Turning his attention back to us, he asked, “So, Allen hasn’t informed you?”
“I have. Not the exact numbers, but I’ve told them about everything they now own.” He sighed and looked a bit put out. “They don’t seem to get it, Bryce.”
Sandra came back with a tray of crystal glasses half-full of a dark liquid. “Here you go, gentlemen. Enjoy.” She held the tray out for us to grab a drink, and we each took one.
“A hell of a lot of hoopla, don’t ya think?” I asked as I pulled the glass to my lips.
“You’re all worth it,” Sandra said before putting the tray down on a nearby table then taking a seat on a chair that looked spoke of affluence.
Bryce picked up some documents from his desk, then handed one to each of us. “I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.”
When I looked at the page, there were more numbers in a row than I’d ever seen before. “Not sure how to say this number,” I admitted. “And not sure I understand what it even means. Our father told us there has to be debt the ranch has built up.”
Laughing, Bryce shook his head. “Whisper Ranch is one of the most profitable businesses this bank deals with. What each of you are looking at is your allotted third of the money Collin Gentry had in his personal accounts.” He handed one paper directly to me. “This is what’s in the ranch account.”
Again, more numbers in a row than I’d ever seen before. “If I’m seeing this right, the ranch is worth millions.”
Bryce shook his head. “You’re not seeing it right. Look again.”
“Oh, thousands.” I squinted trying to make sense of the numbers.
Dyllan sounded out of breath as he said, “Brandon, the ranch is worthbillions, and we’ve each inherited fifteenbilliondollars.”
That didn’t sound right. “Dad said there’d be more money to pay than receive.”
“Your father was wrong,” Bryce informed me. “Your grandfather went from raising cattle alone, to raising racehorses. You might’ve heard of some of his famous horses.The General’s Son?Old Faithful?Arny’s Burden?”
“We’ve never followed horse racing, sir,” Clayton let him know. “I guess those horses are on the estate?”
“They are. And they all are prize-winning stallions,” Bryce acknowledged. “Your grandfather began selling their semen and making a good penny from it. Those sales, along with the cattle, and the racehorses have made him a pretty penny. Pennies that now belong to the three of you.”
It hurt me to think our grandfather left his only child out of his will. “Our father isn’t mentioned?”
