Possessed by Passion (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 9)
Page 30
“Not at all. When I started working for Jennifer, I found my passion in life. Nothing is like being atop a horse and looking over the livestock as the sun comes up in the morning.”
“Mick, you came to my ranch right when I needed you.” Jennifer smiled. “My husband built Steele Ranch with blood, sweet, and tears. I did my best to keep it running.”
“And you did an amazing job, too.”
“Yes, but it was struggling until you agreed to help me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. Thank you so much.”
“No, thank you.”
“Have you given any more thought to my proposal?”
Proposal. The word evoked an image of him on his knee in front of Paris in his mind. But that wasn’t what Jennifer was talking about. She’d sell him the entire Steele Ranch, carrying the note on his behalf. He’d put her off, thinking the price was too low and her offer was too generous. But now, knowing he was about to marry the love of his life, he had to reconsider.
“I am thinking about your proposition, Jennifer, but we need to adjust some of the details if we are to move forward.”
Phoebe looked up from her laptop. “What details are you talking about?”
“You know about this?”
“I’m Jennifer’s attorney, Mick. Of course I know.”
“Good. The price isn’t right.”
“You want her to lower it?”
He shook his head. “No. I want her to get a fair price for it. It needs to be adjusted up by at least fifteen percent per acre. And the loan terms need to be raised as well to a fair market level.”
Jennifer laughed. “Hold on, Mr. Ryder, are you worried I’m going to be destitute after this deal?”
“No, Jen. Not at all, but—”
“I couldn’t spend the money Bill left me if I lived five hundred years. This is what I want. This is what I need.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Yes, ma’am. We have a deal. Same price. Same interest rate.”
“Good.” She held out her hand and he shook it. “Phoebe, can you draw up the papers for us?”
“I’ll have them ready by tomorrow, Jen.”
Jennifer sat back. “Tell me something, Mick. What changed your mind about this? The last time we talked you were on the fence about it.”
“It’s a big step. I needed to think about it.”
Ethel walked over, grinning. “Sorry, but I
couldn’t help but eavesdrop on your conversation. I’m glad you came around, Mick Ryder. You were born to be a rancher.”
He looked at the silver-haired woman. “Yes, I was.”
The dear lady smiled. Then her face turned a pale white, her eyes went wide, and she collapsed to the floor.
Chapter Nine
Paris applied a cold cloth to Amber’s head. “Hang in there, sweetie.”
Mick ran in. “Ethel just passed out in the waiting room.”
Dustin nodded. “Katy, you’re with me. Paris, I’ll be back as soon as I can. You know what to do.”