Page 53 of Cowboy in Colorado
He spins his chair around and stretches out his long legs, crossing a heel over an ankle, and leaning back in the chair. “I suppose I may have taken Theo for granted in terms of the work involved in running the village and keeping an eye on the business end of things. My territory has always been the horses, same for Dad and Grandpa and everyone going back six generations.” He reaches out, snags a pen, and fiddles with it—a sure sign that he’s nervous. “So after a couple weeks of dealing with the books and the ordering and the saloons needing this and that, arranging repairs, needing a new air-conditioning unit, blah blah fucking blah, I realized why Theo said what she said before she left.”
I suppress a grin. “And what was that, William?”
“We got in a fight. Apparently I’ve been a little…out of sorts lately—” Here, his eyes meet mine, and the expression in them speaks the million words his mouth never could. “Um. Yeah. We argued. She said I was being a real bastard, and the second biggest mistake I’ve ever made was letting you leave without even hearing your proposal.”
“So, what would the first biggest mistake have been, then, if I may ask?”
“That also has to do with you, Brooklyn, but I’m afraid that part is…something I don’t want to discuss just yet.”
I try to keep the ghost of a smirk away from my lips. “Carry on.”
Will shrugs. “I asked her to be more specific, but she refused to say anything else. Just being stubborn, I figured.”
I laugh. “Well, if I know your sister at all, I’d say that’s a fairly accurate assumption.”
He chuckles. “Yes, you’d be right. But she’s a crafty one.” He gestures at the office. “She forced my hand. Said if I wanted to know what you would have said, I’d have to beg you to tell me.”
I bite my lower lip. “Haven’t heard much begging, William.”
He narrows his eyes at me, and his jaw clenches hard. “Stop calling me William.”
“Why should I?”
He sucks in a deep breath. “The fact is, keeping the village running is a drain on Bar-A Ranch resources. Times have been hard, and we’ve lost a few major clients through no fault of our own. We can ill afford the expense of the village, now more than ever. All Theo would say was that she knew damned well how tight our books were, how close the ranch is to…not bankruptcy, necessarily, but having to downsize significantly to avoid real trouble. And that your deal could have saved us.” He pauses, chews on the inside of his cheek. “Still could, maybe, if I could locate you, and talk to you.”
“Sounds like you fucked up,Will.”
Will turns his gaze to the ceiling, heaves a sigh, shakes his head, and then meets my gaze. “Yes, that would be about right.”
“There is only one thing to do when caught up in blind male idiocy, Will.”
“What’s that?”
“Stop digging, look around, and find a way out of the hole.”
“Sounds easier said than done.”
“Well, who said it would be easy?” My voice is downright poisonous.
Will lets out another hiss. “Brooklyn, come on.” His eyes, full of conflict and hurt, meet mine. “Enough of that.”
I laugh. “Oh, is that right? Just like that? You disrespect me and then expect a free pass?”
Will nods, inhales deeply, and lets it out slowly—and just like that, I watch him summon the stillness within himself. He sets the pen aside and sits up straight as a board, folds his hands on his lap, and addresses me, his gaze never wavering.
“What I’m saying is, I would very much appreciate it, Brooklyn, if you would give me another chance to hear your proposed deal.” Will’s eyes fix on mine, searching, waiting.
“I’ve already worked out a different deal, William.” I shrug. “Myresources are committed, at this point.”
His eyes, though—they’re what get me. “Please?” His voice is low and hesitant—this is a man who never begs, and rarely asks.
I sigh, trying to at least set aside my bitterness and anger.
“Look—” I pause, drawing deep on my reserve of professional objectivity. “The idea is that we would have purchased the land containing Auden Town, all the buildings therein as well as the related businesses and contents. We then planned to expand upon what your family has developed and maintained—a working historical village, with a period-specific feel. Expand, not change, I emphasize. This isn’t a big corporation taking over and turning it into a little Disneyland attraction. Yes, there would be an uptick in visitors, but that’s the goal—bring more business to the village. All this would take resources you currently don’t have, and which Bellanger Industries does.”
“If you own the village and the businesses, how would we benefit?” Will asks.
“We would own a majority stake, but you would retain at least part ownership. We would establish it as a business, and your family, the Audens, would retain a portion of the shares. Not a controlling majority, but enough that you would see profits, while running none of the risk.”