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BACK IN THE CORRAL, Carter half jumped, and half fell off his horse. When their client, Ed Thompson, invited the firm to his ranch, he didn’t mention horseback riding. He should have put ranch and horse together in his mind, but he had been too busy studying the man’s real estate investments.
His father dismounted and then handed the reins to one of the ranch hands. He glanced back at the other lawyers in the firm who were still far behind. “Talk to him now while you have a chance,” he whispered to Carter. “I’ll be sitting on that bench until I can feel my legs again.”
“Mr. Thompson.” Carter cleared his throat. I can’t believe I sound like a frog. “Earlier today, I told you I had an idea for the apartments you own near downtown Phoenix.”
“That’s right.” The wealthy real-estate developer patted the Appaloosa’s neck. Thompson, with his hair graying at the temples, always looked distinguished, even in jeans and a heavy denim jacket. “We never did finish that conversation.”
Because Douglas brought up the fact his nephew specializes in estate planning and how he graduated from Harvard. If he mentions that one more time . . . “Yes, well, there are plans to open an upscale grocery store downtown to bring more people into the area. This would be the perfect time to turn those apartments into condominiums. They are newly remodeled, and the complex is in excellent condition. You can bank the profits and not worry about the upkeep of the individual units after they sell. I know you want to reduce your workload.”
“You have my attention.” Thompson ambled to the corral fence.
Carter quickened his pace to catch up. Turning, he noticed his father had stayed behind, and he motioned for him to continue the discussion without him. “We can meet in the morning to go over the details,” he told their host. “If you don’t have other plans.”
“And next week, when I have questions, are we going to be able to meet?”
“We can make arrangements to discuss the matter. I understand you prefer face-to-face conversations. I’m willing to drive up here at least once a week for your convenience.”
“And if there is an urgent matter?”
“In those rare circumstances, we would need to resort to phone calls,” Carter confessed. That is not the answer he wants to hear. “Of course, I don’t foresee any emergencies. I have spent a lot of time on these plans.”
“There are always emergencies.” Thompson held his hands out, palms up. “Young man, look around you. Take in the magnificence.”
Carter leaned against the wooden fence and scanned the expanse of snow-covered rolling hills. The dense forest populated with ponderosa pine trees lined the edge of the area cleared for the ranch. The lush beauty began to calm his spirit. He noticed the aroma of evergreens and realized it spoke to his need for a simpler life. He hadn’t even realized he felt that way. Work had overshadowed his emotions. With a sudden desire to breathe deeply, he shifted away from the horse smell and drew in the crisp, clean, mountain air. It could have been his imagination, but he visualized the purity of the air fueling his body at a cellular level.
A knowing smile spread across Thompson’s face. “Son, I have worked hard my entire adult life. I am tired of spending fifteen-hour days inside offices, plucking away at a computer screen and holding conference calls. I have earned the right to spend my days in the great outdoors, and I am rich enough to insist that anyone who wants to do business with me needs to do it on my terms.”
Carter spotted the rest of their group approaching on their horses and the sense of calm faded away. He needed more time alone with their client. “What are your terms?”
“If your firm wants my business and the gross amount of money I pay you, then you need a man here in town. Are you willing to move up here? I could see when this land spoke to you.”
Carter pressed his lips into a thin line before admitting the truth. “I’m being considered for partner. That would require me to spend time in Scottsdale.”
Wheeler, the senior partner, trotted his horse into the corral as they finished their conversation.
Thompson glanced up at Wheeler, making sure he had his attention as well. “Last I heard, I’m your firm’s biggest account. If you want to continue to represent my businesses, you will need a man living in Garland Creek.”
Wheeler ran his hand over the horse’s mane. “Thompson, you aren’t trying to convince one of my best lawyers to move up here, are you? I’m going to need him free to handle the accounts his heiress girlfriend is sending our way.”
Carter’s jaw fell open. What heiress girlfriend? He studied Wheeler’s amused face for a clue, but there was no further explanation of any kind. If this is a crazy plan to persuade Thompson he needs us more than we need him, it will backfire.
He watched his father rejoin the group and whispered, “Palmer, what is he talking about?”
“The photographer, Gina Ferari,” he whispered back. “I saw you two together and asked questions.” His father beamed with pride. “You needed a boost in this race, so I mentioned the possibilities to Wheeler.”
Oh no. Carter grew sick with the realization that his father actually believed he was dating an heiress. He tried to suppress the horror he felt but failed. I can’t say anything in front of Thompson; we’ll all look like idiots.
Douglas, the last of the partners, trotted into the corral with his nephew close behind. “Carter, I hope you aren’t boring our host with those condos you keep discussing. Owen wants a few minutes of his time.” He turned to Thompson. “My nephew graduated from Harvard.”
Their client smirked. “I believe you mentioned that a time or two before.” Thompson held onto Owen’s reins while he dismounted. “So, young man, what do you think of Garland Creek? Could you make it your home?”
Owen’s gaze drifted from one lawyer to another as though trying to figure out what he had missed.
****
AS GINA TUGGED OPEN the door to the resort’s boutique, she caught sight of Carter marching into the lobby. Her pulse skipped a beat at the sight of him. The reaction surprised her, but then she realized she had been thinking about him much more than any other man she had ever wanted to date. He has been a gentleman, helping me without expecting anything in return. It probably wouldn’t hurt to spend time with him socially. He’ll only be in town for a few more days. She waved until he said something to the men who flanked him and then broke off to join her.
Still holding the door open, she felt a growing sense of anticipation as he drew near. “How did your meeting go?”
The grimace marring his handsome face said it all. “My father’s idea of helping me is to jump to conclusions and say something he shouldn’t have. Now I have a huge mess on my hands.” He paused for a deep breath. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Sounds like you need some time away from your troubles.” She pushed the boutique’s door open further and took a step inside. “After I get done in here, I’m heading to town to take pictures in the square. Want to come along? I’ll introduce you to Santa.”
He thought for a long moment and her breath caught in her throat. Stop this! He’s leaving soon.
“Sure. I could use a change of scenery.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll take a quick shower and meet you back here in about fifteen minutes.”
“See you then,” she said, making a point not to show her eagerness. “I’ll wait for you here.” She watched his long strides across the lobby. Nice view, she thought as she entered the store. Turning, she found Violet, the boutique’s petite assistant manager beaming. Gina had run into the woman at several staff meetings. She seemed pleasant enough.
“Hunky guy.” Violet quirked a brow.
“He’s a friend,” Gina answered.
“Today, he’s a friend. Tomorrow, who knows.” Her short, curly blonde hair swayed when she abruptly shifted her stance to spray her display case with cleaner and then wipe it down with a paper towel. “What can I do for you today? Is your visit for business or pleasure?” She winked. “I have an exquisite watch if you’re shopping for a special man.”
Gina rolled her eyes at the thought of spending that kind of money. “I’m not shopping,” she admitted. “I wanted to ask you a few questions about jewelry if you don’t mind. I’m sure you’ve heard about the recent burglaries.”
“I still can’t believe someone is breaking into rooms. That is horrible!”
She tried to gauge the woman’s age. Fine lines near her eyes led Gina to believe Violet might be in her late twenties, but she acted much younger when the subject turned to men.
As the woman wiped another section of the display case with a flourish, a blue topaz ring caught Gina’s eye. Not because of its beauty but because of the blackbird stamp on the tag. The cursive font read Raven Designs. The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe came to her mind. “Once upon a midnight dreary—"
“While I pondered, weak and weary,” Violet continued. “I didn’t know you were a Poe fan.”
“I do love the poem, but I have to admit that is the only part I have committed to memory. I noticed the tag on the ring, and it reminded me of Poe.”
Violet chuckled. “If we’re coming clean, I’ll admit I took an interest in this jewelry line because of the name. I am a huge Poe fan.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t include these pieces in the resort’s collection if they weren’t beautiful.”
“True.” Violet removed a key from her pocket, unlocked the case, and removed the topaz ring. She placed it gingerly in Gina’s hand. “Luckily, the designer has good taste in name and merchandise. The setting is twenty-four-karat gold.” She waited for her to try on the ring, which turned out to be too small. “You wanted to ask me questions?”
“Yes. I’m afraid I got distracted by shiny objects.” Gina tapped her fingers on the case that displayed a wide variety of gems: emeralds, rubies, garnets, diamonds, etc. “I’m assuming the person who stole the jewelry from the guests will want to sell it to make money. How do you go about doing that?”
“Well.” Violet slipped the ring back onto an acrylic finger and locked the case. “I suppose they need a fence. At least that is what I’ve seen on television. I’m not an expert on the subject. I only sell what we buy from our suppliers.”
“Suppliers?”
“Jewelers. Some are known names and others are local designers we have built a relationship with based on referrals from the jewelry store downtown.”
“No known fences, huh?”
Violet laughed. “No. I’m sure the police will work on that angle.”
Gina spotted Carter entering the lobby. “Thanks for your help. I have to go.”
“If you get tired of that good-looking man, send him my way.”
“We’re just friends,” she claimed again as she shrugged her camera bag higher onto her shoulder. She joined Carter in the lobby near the concierge stand. “Let’s take a carriage ride into town. There are a few bends in the trail where there are scenic views of the snow-covered mountains.”
“Sure.” He held her gaze. “Carriage rides remind me of old movies.”
“I love old movies,” she admitted. “The Chamber of Commerce plays them in the square each spring. They call it, ‘Picnic and a Movie.’”
“We’ll need to attend together,” he said. “I’ll bring the picnic.”
Gina felt a blush sweep over her face. “I’ll bring the blanket.”