Page 25 of For Always
“I am attracted to you,” she said and then cleared her throat. “I don’t know why or how because it wasn’t my intention. But there it is.”
“There it is,” he said and nodded. “So what now?”
“Now I go to my car and head back to the resort. I have a meeting to prepare for. And you should probably go inside and wash Hannah’s lipstick off your cheek.”
Tyler instantly recalled Hannah’s goodnight kiss and rubbed his left cheek. Cursing he looked at his fingers and saw the smudges of red.
“It’s not what you think,” he began. “Hannah and I went to high school together. I haven’t seen or talked to her since I left Hobbs Creek twenty years ago.”
She was nodding now and grinning at him. “It’s fine, Tyler. As I said before we don’t owe each other any explanations. Besides, I know what Hannah’s intention was. She left her mark so I would stay away. I understand.”
“But I’m not hers to mark. It’s ridiculous and—”
His lips clapped shut when Gabriella rested a hand on his shoulder and leaned in to plant a kiss on his other cheek.
“There,” she said. “Now Hannah and I are even, so we can drop this.”
Tyler was going to say something else, but Gabriella had walked ahead of him and as he followed, he lost his train of thought because he couldn’t keep his eyes off the tempting sway of her ass.
“I’m keeping the ranch,” Tyler said the next day when they were all seated in the office on the first floor of the main house.
Gabriella had set up her laptop and turned it to face Jagger, Tyler, Dessie and Clyde who sat two on each side of the table. She stood at the head of the table, pressing the button on the remote she held as she’d gone through every slide with a picture of her design idea and gave a step-by-step explanation of the re-design and staging processes. Dessie had been the only one to ask questions regarding timelines, cost and staff required to see the project through. Clyde was on hand to comment on whether or not the funds for the project would come from the estate as they continued to liquidate some of the older assets George had acquired, or if the brothers’ would provide the capital. Jagger leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head, watching with absolutely no interest at all. Until Tyler made his statement.
“Oh come on, man. You’ve got to be kidding me.” Jagger complained with an exasperated sigh. “She’s milking us for cash with this project and there’s no guarantee we’re going to recoup it in the sale.”
“It is a proven fact that updated properties bring higher purchase prices,” Dessie said. “Even I know that and I’m not a rancher.”
“It doesn’t matter because I’m not selling,” Tyler told them again. “I want to keep the ranch. It’s always been in the West family and I don’t plan to be the one who changes that tradition.”
“You’re a fitness model, Tyler. You’re not a rancher. Even though you jumped through hoops to prove to Dad otherwise,” Jagger continued.
He was sitting up now, his elbows resting on the glass topped table as he glared at his brother.
“I did my best to learn everything I could from my father,” Tyler replied. “I’m not going to apologize for that.”
“You haven’t been here for twenty years. You have no idea how many changes have been made to this place or how to even run it,” Jagger continued.
“Stephen is a great ranch manager. I plan to sit down with him and talk about a permanent position which will give him even more responsibility around here.”
Jagger nodded. “Oh, ok. So now you’re going to just leave the staff to run the place.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Dessie stated. “Audrey and I have done an outstanding job with the resort. We’ve been turning a steady profit since we opened. And with Gabriella’s ideas to refresh the style of the rooms and add a full service gym and spa, we’re bound to book even more rooms. I’m excited.” She rubbed her hands together and smiled, but Clyde gave her a solemn look.
“You two have to agree,” Clyde said. “The ranch was left to both of you, equally.”
Jagger sat back then, tossing a smirk toward Gabriella. “I’m selling.”
“Then I’ll buy your half,” Tyler replied without batting an eye. “Name a price. I’ll get you a check and you can get back to New York. I know you have a wedding to plan.”
Silence fell over the room.
Jagger stood quickly, pushing the chair back so hard it fell over. Dessie jumped at the sound and Gabriella took a retreating step back. Tyler got to his feet slowly, keeping eye contact with his brother.
“I want top dollar,” Jagger said pointing a finger at Tyler. “You better hope you can pay it, muscle man.”
Tyler looked as if he wanted to jump across the table and punch his brother in the face. Gabriella wouldn’t blame him if he did. Jagger West was a certified ass.
Clyde stood then. “Maybe you two should cool off before we finish with this business.”
