Page 40 of Fool's Gold

She'd have to confide in Zeke if she wanted his cooperation. "The reasons are totally different. I left my grandfather, the man who raised me, because there were too many strings attached to his affections. I left Rafe because I thought he married me for my family connections. Being kin to a hotel tycoon wouldn't hurt a man who wanted to open a dude ranch."

"Of all the damned fool notions, where'd you ever get an idea like that?"

"I found a note on the bed after our wedding explaining it. When I went to ask Rafe if it was true, I overheard him talking to you about the dude ranch, jumped to conclusions, and ran out, just like you said. If it makes any difference to you, I now know that the note was a lie."

"Well, it's about time. So, what're you plannin' to do about it?"

"Aside from the fact that Rafe couldn't blow me out of here with dynamite, I'm going to rescue his ranch. I've got some money saved up and I'm going to use it to start up the dude ranch. All I need to know from you is how much capital he needs to start the operation."

Zeke shook his head. "He'd never take it from you."

She nodded. "I know how stubborn he is, but I could do it on the sly. He'd never know until it was too late to stop me."

He pushed to his feet. "I don't think he'd cotton to the idea. So, you aren’t going to get nothin’ out of me. I don't want to talk no more."

She stood, narrowing her eyes. He wasn't going to wiggle out of helping her that easily. She was prepared to fight dirty to rescue the man she loved.

"You tell me what you know, or I'll tell everyone I saw you smooching Rose after dinner tonight."

He spat on the ground. "You been spying on me?"

She grinned, unrepentant. "I was in the right place at the right time."

He looked down. "The boss told me he needs fifty grand to make improvements before he opens. He hasn’t got the money, and the bank turned him down. So, now he's fixin' to sell off some acreage to Jim."

Sarah thought about the nest egg she'd been building to start her own production company. It would be just enough.

Sarah dialed her cousin Pipi's private number. She glanced around warily to make sure she wouldn't be overheard. The kitchen was deserted.

"Hello."

Sarah sighed with relief. "Pipi, it's Sarah. Listen, because I need a big favor from you."

"You never ask for favors so it must be something important."

"Yes, it's vital."

"Name it, and it's yours."

She gave another glance over her shoulder. "I need you to take the funds out of my private account and wire them to the Shelbyville Bank for me."

"Okay, how much?"

"All of it. There should be sixty thousand dollars, all told."

"All of it! For what?"

"I'm going to help Rafe out of some financial problems."

"Are you crazy? What are you trying to do? Pay him off to soothe his pride?"

"No, I'm not crazy. I'm in love." She'd known Pipi would kick up a fuss, but she wasn't about to knuckle under. "Rafe has no idea what I'm up to. If he knew I was planning to finance his dude ranch, he'd be furious."

"Why don't you just ask Grandfather to put his ranch under the Maxwell Hotel Banner. They'd give him the seed money."

Sarah tensed at the thought. "You know better than that, cousin. I don't want to be linked to that man in any way. I'm going to help Rafe myself."

Pipi sighed, then said begrudgingly, "Well, if you've made up your mind, I don't suppose my arguments are going to dissuade you. You always were stubborn. I think that's why you and Grandfather were always at loggerheads."

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