“You’ve got to be kidding me.” It was two in the morning and Dylan added another outstanding invoice to the growing mound beside him. Sleep had evaded him as he pored over the ranch’s financial records in his uncle’s office. He’d uncovered more debts Jax had hidden from him. Maybe hidden wasn’t fair. But they were debts Dylan hadn’t known about. “What are you doing to me Jax?”
His uncle had handled most of the business affairs while he oversaw the management and maintenance of the many ranch buildings, including the lodge, private guest cabins and stables, along with the ranch’s 730 acres and almost a hundred horses.
Dylan had gone to the lodge office to get Emma out of his head. He thought if he searched hard enough, he’d uncover an overlooked bank account or discover some way to keep the ranch and send her packing. The farther she was from him, the better. His heart had grown restless ever since she stepped foot on Silver Bells putting him in a dangerous and vulnerable position. And those were two words he refused to entertain.
The increased debt meant the money he had in savings wouldn’t carry the ranch for as long as he’d anticipated. He was in more trouble than he thought. There had to be a way out. He just hadn’t found it yet. He sighed heavily and removed another unmarked folder from one of many file boxes next to the desk. It was either this or call everyone they’d done business with over the years and ask if the ranch owed them money. At this point, he didn’t know which would be easier.
By the time Dylan entered the stables later that morning, he had already downed two pots of coffee and was no closer to a solution.
Regardless of how many times he said he wouldn’t sell Emma’s company the ranch, if he didn’t come up with alternative financing soon, he feared he would have to sell to someone. But it wouldn’t be Emma. They wanted to destroy the place he loved.
Garrett and his two kids were visiting for Christmas and Dylan debated about asking his brother one more time if he’d consider buying into the ranch. He’d asked him a year ago, when Jax first started his rumblings about selling the ranch, but Garrett said he didn’t want to uproot the kids. It had been almost three years since his sister-in-law Rebecca had died from cancer and his brother had thrown himself into managing her parents’ cattle ranch in Wyoming.
Every time they spoke on the phone, Garrett sounded wearier of living under their roof. He had said numerous times he felt like they were living in a constant state of depression. Maybe he’d reconsider this time. The only thing stopping Dylan was his conscience. Did he really want to be responsible for his brother sinking his savings into a ranch that may not turn around when he had two kids to support?
“Hey, man,” Wes said from behind Dylan’s desk as he entered his office. “I expected you here an hour ago.”
“And I expected you not to show up for work again.” Dylan crossed the room and hitched his thumb signaling for Wes to get up. “I was at the lodge going through Jax’s less-than-stellar filing system.”
“Find anything to help you?” Wes grabbed his coffee and a notepad before standing.
“Nope.” Dylan rubbed his morning stubble. He should shave before visiting Emma at the hospital. Then again, it wasn’t like he had to impress her. “What are you working on?” Dylan angled his head to read the notes tucked under Wes’s arm as he walked by.
“Just working out some dates.” Wes pushed up his hat. “A rodeo school in Ramblewood, Texas, offered me a teaching position during my last competition. I called them yesterday and accepted. I’m going to head down there on the second. The job will still allow me to compete and I’ll be doing what I love most. Bull riding.”
“That soon, huh?” Dylan hated losing another employee, not that Wes was around much. But even more so, he hated losing his brother. “It sounds like a great opportunity, but are you sure this is what you want?”
“Staying is too hard.” Wes shook his head. “Even harder now that Jax is gone. There are too many reminders here. Every time I drive into town I keep thinking I see Dad’s truck or Mom coming out of a store. It’s been five years and I still hear people talking behind my back about Ryder. Garrett had the right idea. He got far away from Saddle Ridge. I need that clean break. I want to spend one last Christmas with you guys, and then I’m out.”
His brother’s words felt like a fist to the gut. “One last Christmas? You’re not planning to come home ever again?”
“Don’t you get it?” Deep lines creased Wes’s forehead. “Saddle Ridge isn’t home anymore. Ryder destroyed that. I have tried, Lord help me, I’ve tried, but I can’t do this anymore. I need to be some place where every corner doesn’t hold a memory of what once was. I’m tired of looking backwards.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Out of the five brothers, Wes had taken their father’s death the hardest, not counting the guilt Ryder had to live with. “If you ever change your mind, the door here is always open.”
Wes laughed under his breath. “Providing you still have a door to keep open.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Dylan sat down behind his desk. “If you can think of any potential investors, let me know. I’d ask you, but I already know the answer.”
“Sell.”
“What?”
Wes took the last swig of his coffee and tossed the cup in the trash. “Sell this place and start over someplace else. Come to Texas with me. You can do this same thing down there, only without the snow.”
“I can’t give up.”
“You can’t or you won’t?” Wes strode to the office door. “Just remember, wherever I am, my door’s always open, too.”
Dylan leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. He wished letting go was as easy for him as it was for Wes. It would make his life a hell of a lot easier.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, Dylan arrived at the hospital to check on Emma. She’d been at the forefront of his mind all morning. Despite their temporary truce, he needed to continually remind himself who he was dealing with. The woman wanted to destroy the place that had become his sanctuary. The Silver Bells Ranch wasn’t intended to be a five-star couples-only luxury resort with yoga and mud baths. The only mud you’d find here was on the bottom of your boots and chances were it wasn’t mud. His ranch was a chuck wagon, line dancing, horse-riding-in-the-Montana-mountains experience. That’s what people wanted. At least, they had until other guest ranches had cropped up in the Saddle Ridge area. Now Silver Bells had to compete with the new. He needed to find a way to keep the ranch open without going further in debt. Time was ticking down and all income would officially end in two weeks. If the ranch went under that meant the last five years of his life had been for naught.
He had lost everything he loved most when he invested in the ranch and had devoted every waking hour since to forget Lauren and the kids. He had succeeded up until now. Emma’s presence reminded him how much he still wanted a family. At thirty-five, his chances grew slimmer each day. Especially when he didn’t have the time to meet someone or go out on a date.
He envied the families Garrett and Harlan had created. Granted, he wasn’t the only Slade sibling without kids. His brother Wes was adamantly against them while his other brother Ryder still had five and a half years left on his ten-year prison sentence.
“I have to be able to travel.” Dylan heard Emma say as he approached her hospital room. “Once I wrap up my business here, I have a job to get back to. I can’t stay in Montana until New Year’s Day. You just mean I can’t fly, right?”
“No travel at all. Definitely no planes from this point forward. Trains are too dangerous because medical care isn’t immediately available if you need it. The same with driving, although the likelihood of a hospital being close by is greater. I don’t want you in a seated position for that long. Light exercise is the best thing for you. I will give you a list of what you can and can’t do. I’m releasing you from the hospital, but you’re not out of the woods yet. Providing there are no further issues during the next two weeks, the train would be your safest bet because you can get up and move around. But not now.”
Dylan removed his hat and raked his hand through his hair. He couldn’t handle Emma on his ranch for another two weeks. She’d drive him insane.
He cleared his throat loudly to announce his presence before entering the room. “How’s the patient this morning?” He didn’t want to let on he had overheard their conversation. “You look better.” Her color had returned to a delicate pink porcelain compared to the borderline red she had exhibited yesterday. Her blood pressure monitor registered 125/80. Definite improvement there.
“The doctor just told me I can’t travel for two weeks.” A nurse unfastened one of Emma’s belly bands.
Dylan swallowed hard. “Um, is that really necessary?”
The doctor’s eyes narrowed at his question. “For the sake of my patient and her unborn child, yes. Yes, it is.” She redirected her attention to Emma. “You can choose to do what you want, but I strongly advise you to stay put. Your contractions went on longer than we had anticipated last night. We received your records from your obstetrician in Chicago. After conferring with him, we feel it’s best if you stay where I can monitor you closely. I’ll get your discharge papers ready and I’ll be in to see you before you leave.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Emma shifted so the nurse could remove the second belly band and fetal monitor. “This was only supposed to be a two-or three-day trip. My doctor told me I could fly up to thirty-four weeks. So much for that.”
Dylan’s mind raced in a million directions. As much as he didn’t want to get involved, he couldn’t possibly turn her out in the cold with only six days until Christmas.
“You’re welcome to stay at the ranch for as long as you need.”
“I appreciate that. I promise not to be too much trouble.”
Dylan wasn’t so sure about that. “No more arguing with me over the ranch, though. It just upsets both of us.”
The nurse stopped unhooking Emma from her various monitors and regarded him briefly before continuing. Dylan had tried to sound as sympathetic yet firm as possible without coming across as an insensitive jerk. Apparently, he failed at sensitivity.
Emma mumbled a halfhearted okay before easing out of the opposite side of the bed. Dylan averted his eyes just as she realized he had been privy to her pink cotton-clad bottom thanks to the open-backed gown. He had to hand it to her...she was in fine shape at eight months pregnant.
She gripped at her gown. “I can’t wait to get into my own clothes. Make that a change of clothes.” She grabbed the sweater and leggings she had worn yesterday from a chair and padded toward the bathroom in her thin hospital slippers. “I’ll be out in a minute.” She began to close the door and then hesitated. “Are the roads open or did you take the snowcat halfway here again?”
“They’re open.”
“Then would you mind giving me a ride to the ranch?”
“You don’t even have to ask.”
“Thank you.” She smiled sweetly before closing the door. Now that was a smile he could get used to. Not that he wanted to get used to her smile, because Emma wasn’t going to be in town long enough for him to get attached to it. She was there for two weeks only.
“I’m going to run down to the cafeteria,” Dylan said to the nurse. “That should give her time to do what she needs to do before we go home. I mean back to the ranch. We don’t live together.”
Dylan groaned. He couldn’t escape the room fast enough. He half walked, half ran down the corridor, desperate to distance himself from all things Emma.
Two weeks. He didn’t know how he’d survive two weeks and the holidays near her every day. Sure, he could make a point of avoiding her, but even he wasn’t that heartless. Maybe he could convince his sister-in-law, Belle, to spend some time with Emma. They could talk babies and pregnancy.
Dylan’s mind was racing by the time he reached the cafeteria. He wanted Emma and her baby off his ranch, but the image of the ultrasound had been burned in his brain. Scared as she may be, Emma was far from weak. He had a suspicion she just hadn’t realized her own strength. It wasn’t his job to point it out or steer her in the right direction. And it certainly wasn’t his place to build her daughter a rocking horse, yet he had found himself sketching one repeatedly on his notepad last night. He’d taken up woodworking in high school and had always found the hobby relaxing. He hadn’t thought of building anything child-related since Lauren had packed up her kids and left.
He poured a cup of coffee and sighed. The next two weeks couldn’t go by fast enough.
* * *
CLIMBING INTO THE passenger side of Dylan’s lifted pickup truck was no easy feat in her condition, even with Dylan’s assistance. Emma wasn’t a big fan of lifted trucks, or any truck for that matter. What was it about boys and their toys? She couldn’t even fathom getting a child fastened in a car seat in one of these contraptions. But then, she guessed that was the point. What man wanted to be bothered toting an infant around town? Sure, it looked well and good on television, but most of the men she worked with drove sports cars they had purchased with their yearly bonuses and she guaranteed they were car-seat free. They were in a league she had worked hard to join for the last six years. Unless she closed this deal, it would be forever out of her reach. But how could she convince Dylan to see things her way when he had refused to discuss it further?
“She’s only eighteen weeks along, but I’m sure she’d love to get together with you.”
“Huh?” Emma stared at him.
“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”
“No, I’m sorry. My mind was...elsewhere.”
“I was talking about my sister-in-law, Belle. She’s eighteen weeks pregnant and I’m sure she would love to meet you.” Dylan steered the truck out of the hospital parking lot. “She and Harlan live on the other side of town. Maybe we can even go over there if you’re up to it. She runs an animal rescue center if you’re into that sort of thing.”
“Like a dog shelter?”
“No like a farm animal sanctuary. She takes in animals that were injured or born with deformities. Some have suffered ill-treatment or have been rescued from backyard butchers. Any animal in need of a safe forever home can live out their life at Belle’s Forever Ranch. They even have a cow named Cash—after Johnny Cash—who will be fitted with a prosthesis shortly, since he had a lower leg amputation this past summer. She does have a few Great Pyrenees watchdogs, though. They protect the center from predators.”
“I didn’t know places like that existed.”
“You need to get out of the city more.”
“I will have you know I’ve traveled the world over numerous times. It’s just that most of my destinations are—how should I phrase it—a little more exclusive.” Dylan winced at her description and she immediately regretted her poor choice of words. “Not that Saddle Ridge isn’t exclusive.”
“No, I get it. Saddle Ridge is a small town. So, I have to ask, why are you so interested in my property when places like Aspen and Lake Tahoe fit the lifestyle you’re promoting?”
“Price and acreage for one. Saddle Ridge has the same outdoor attractions the well-known resort areas have. We’ve been looking to acquire a large ranch away from the usual travel destinations but not completely off the beaten path. We want to take full advantage of northwestern Montana’s year-round activities without sacrificing an ounce of luxury. I get that you’re against my vision, but people can enjoy the rugged outdoors and still be pampered once they return to the resort. It’s like outfitting a bunkhouse with cots versus feather beds. What you’re sleeping on doesn’t make it any less of a bunkhouse.”
“It does when you’re gutting the interior and exterior of the bunkhouse and then hanging a sign on the door that says yoga retreat.”
“Nobody wants to gut Silver Bells. But even you must admit, it needs some serious updating. And I know you’ve put a lot of time, money and effort into the place. Your uncle told me everything you’ve done and what you have accomplished is great. But turning this ranch around is bigger than that. It costs much more money than you have. I want to preserve the log cabins, but they need renovations. Especially the bathrooms, along with all the bathrooms in the lodge. And we have many plans for that building. A state-of-the-art kitchen along with new energy-efficient windows throughout. The heating system needs an upgrade and the guest rooms need new furnishings. That’s just the beginning. We want to bring the buildings back to life, not cover them up. I’ve done a solid year of market research and our capital partners have signed off on our ideas. We have the resources to create a beautiful resort experience, if you’ll let us.”
Emma wanted to say more, but already feared she’d said too much. She had agreed not to mention the sale again, at least not until she found another angle to work.
“Say I agree to your terms,” Dylan began, giving her a glimmer of hope. “What are the chances of your acquisitions firm or another of your investors buying more properties in Saddle Ridge with the idea of capitalizing on your luxury spa resort? As it stands now, Saddle Ridge is a very affordable place to live. If your investors begin buying smaller mom-and-pop stores to set up high-end boutiques that will push our local businessmen and women out, which would eventually raise the median real estate prices, then the town becomes unaffordable for those who live here now. Austin, Charleston, Nashville are prime examples, never mind Aspen itself.”
The man clearly did his homework. “I can’t say that hasn’t happened in the past and there’s always that possibility. But with the increased home prices and business sales comes an influx of cash to those who sell.”
“You’re under the assumption it’s about money. I know a lot of people here who would stay regardless of what they were offered. That and the fact we like our sleepy town just the way it is.”
“If that’s the case, then why are you so concerned?”
“Because there’s an equal amount that would sell. My uncle was one of them.” Emma watched Dylan’s knuckles turn white as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. “What about my horses? What are your plans for them?” He braked at a red light and faced her. “I know Jax had them written into the sale, despite my protests.”
“Some would remain here, but others would most likely be sold.”
“To who? Sold to other local ranches or sold for slaughter? And what would you do with the horses that remained during your six-month renovation?”
“They wouldn’t be left to fend for themselves, Dylan. They would have caretakers assigned to them. Most likely people who are already working on your ranch. Or you, if that’s what you want. We can write it into the contract.” Emma hadn’t expected a barrage of questions on the way back. “As for selling the horses, I can’t imagine they would be sold for slaughter.”
“Then you have a lot to learn about the horse industry.” Dylan held up his hand to stop her from saying anything further as he stepped on the accelerator. “I said I wasn’t going to do this and I won’t debate it further. It doesn’t matter what your answer is, I’m not selling.”
Emma remained silent for the remainder of the short drive, chastising herself for once again blowing her opportunity to change Dylan’s mind. His questions were valid and had piqued her curiosity. She hadn’t thought about who the horses would be sold to before. Now she wondered herself.
By the time they reached the ranch, Emma was barely able to keep her eyes open. She hadn’t slept much last night courtesy of the butter bean. Tired as she was, the massive Christmas tree at the front entrance of the Silver Bells lodge snapped her awake.
“Oh, how pretty!” Large silver bell ornaments glistened in the morning sun on the two-story tree. “How did you get it up and decorated so fast?”
Dylan cut the engine and silently stared at her as if she had two heads.
“What? Am I not supposed to ask questions, now?”
“No, you can ask whatever you’d like.”
“Then what’s the problem? Don’t you like Christmas?” she asked.
Dylan laughed. “I love Christmas. I’m just surprised you didn’t notice that blue spruce yesterday or during your previous visits to the ranch. It’s been growing in that very spot probably since before you were born. We always decorate it on the first of December.”
How could she have missed a giant Christmas tree? How could she have missed the tree period since it was a permanent fixture?
Dylan hopped out of the truck and held the passenger door open for her. “Maybe you need to slow down a little and appreciate what’s in front of you instead of trying to change what you never really saw in the first place.” He held out his hand to help her step down onto the pavement. “Humor me for a second. Do your new plans for the ranch include this tree? Or was it eliminated from the architectural drawings?”
Emma shook her head. “I don’t remember seeing it on any of the sketches. I can only assume it was removed to showcase the lodge’s facade instead of hiding it.”
“Is that how you see it right now? A tree covering up a building?”
“No.” Emma’s palm seared against his. “It’s the most beautiful Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen Christmas all over the world. I get what you’re saying. It does enhance the place. It doesn’t detract from it. I’m ashamed to admit I hadn’t noticed it before.”
“Then it would be fair to say you may have overlooked other parts of the ranch as well?”
Emma released his hand. “Possibly, but you can’t disregard all my suggestions because I overlooked a tree. Based on what your uncle told me, even you’ve admitted the ranch needs more updates than you can afford.”
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Dylan held open the lodge entrance door for her. “If you can miss something as big as a tree, you’re running in the wrong gear. I know Saddle Ridge isn’t where you had planned to spend Christmas. Since you’re stuck here, take the time to get to know some of my employees. Now that the roads are open, go in to town and meet people. Go baby shopping. You can send things back to Chicago after the holiday. You’re surrounded by the Swan Range and Mission Mountains. Enjoy the scenery and focus on your daughter. I’m sure your job will understand when you tell them you’re laid up for medical reasons. And we have Wi-Fi so it’s not like you’re cut off from the outside world.”
Emma closed her eyes. She already dreaded telling Charlie about her travel restrictions. Knowing him, he’d see it as another advantage. And if she returned to Chicago after two weeks without a contract in hand, she’d be lucky to still have any job at the firm.
“Thank you for yesterday, this morning and in advance for the next two weeks.” She dug in her bag for her room key.
Emma didn’t wait for him to respond. She was in desperate need of a shower and a change of clothes. She wound her way past the numerous poinsettia plants surrounding the front desk and then looked up and saw the enormous Christmas wreath hanging from the second-floor balcony and the garland draped along the railing on either side of it. Could she have been that blind? She wanted to believe Dylan was playing a colossal joke on her. As much as she wanted to think it wasn’t her fault, he was right.
She had been laser focused on acquiring Silver Bells. What was wrong with that, though? So she was career-oriented. She had goals she wanted to obtain for her and her daughter. Financial security was everything. She had two weeks to come up with an alternate plan and she’d stop at nothing to succeed. Her daughter’s future depended on it.