Page 54 of Stranded with the Billionaire
“Only one way to find out,” Dixby said philosophically. “Gun it and give it a go.”
Jake decided enough was enough. He’d probably wreck the rental car in that pit. “We went around the corner with the red barn with the weathervane on top three times. You’ve been taking me in circles Dixby. Now you want me to go through this?”
Dixby grinned. “You’ve been letting me take you in circles without saying anything. If you had said something, I might have been a little more creative.”
“Sterling told me about others who have had the joy of country directions,” Jake said dryly.
“She did?” Dixby mused. SaraLee confiding about her country roots. He wondered just how cozy the pair had gotten.
“Now what is this really about?” Jake put the car in park and gave the man beside him his full attention.
“I’m just trying to get a sense of the sort of man you are,” Dixby responded. “She told me about you.”
“What did she say?” Jake looked out over the brush and farm fields, trying to pretend that it didn’t matter what Sterling might have said about him.
“She likes you and I wonder why,” Dixby replied baldly. “You had yourself a temper tantrum and ruined her career which had helped to support our town. Not exactly the most forgivable thing.”
Jake had the grace to wince. “I didn’t know that she was helping to prop up Pendle.”
“There’s a whole town of people ready to lynch you, Jake Ramesly. We take care of our own as best we can,” Dixby scowled at Jake. “If you’re here to make things even worse for her, you’ll have to get through all of us.”
Jake sighed as he watched a flock of birds fly past. It was so quiet here compared to the city. “You’re right. I was angry and I did everything I could to make her as miserable as I was. When it comes to business, I was taught to cut the competition out quickly and harshly. I did that with Sterling, but this wasn’t business, it was personal. I’m embarrassed by how far I took it now that I’ve had time to reflect on what I’ve done. My actions were inexcusable.”
“They were,” Dixby agreed readily. “What is the point of your visit? If you’re just here to apologize, that’s not going to cut it.”
“I know,” Jake far preferred the city. Everything was much more convenient. Need a coffee? Within one block was a coffee chain. Dry cleaning? Three to five blocks. Restaurant? Just turn a corner. Parking was a nightmare, but everything was close at hand and easy to find. Plus, the GPS was rarely wrong unlike here. He decided to level with Dixby. “I need her to help with an investigation we have going on. Plus, I’d like to just talk to her and try to clear things up. I never thought I’d say it, but I miss her.”
Dixby shook his head with a small measure of disgust. “You’re gonna get shot down if you come at her like that.”
“What do you suggest I do?” Jake asked dryly.
Dixby grinned. “I thought you’d never ask. If you want to win her back, Mr. Moneybags, you’re going to need to…”
