Cougar in Texas (Rugged and Risque 3)

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The first order of business was for Caleb and Sam to meet with their lawyers and financial advisors, working out an operating plan for the new direction of the entire setup and solidifying their new partnership. Nadine Sadler researched the zoning for the land and confirmed it was acceptable for commercial purposes. Reese spent nearly a week outlining a staffing plan for him that included front desk agents, guest services help, servers and bartenders, chefs and prep cooks, bookkeepers, housekeepers, linen pickup and delivery, and maintenance workers. She also mapped out all the necessities, right down to the Egyptian cotton sheets for the beds and the hand towels for the bathroom. Caleb had insisted on going first class all the way. Though the air about the place would not be stuffy or pretentious, he wanted his guests to feel as though they were being treated to something special. “Country elegance” was the term Reese coined and both he and Sam had agreed with it.

Late one night, about two weeks into their planning efforts, Reese had a surprise for him.

They lay on their stomachs on the rug in front of the fire, facing each other. They’d both stacked their hands and rested their chins on them as they’d talked about the inn. Several large sheets of sketching paper sat between them, but Reese hadn’t turned them over yet to reveal the drawings.

She said, “Ginger is a fantastic artist. She sketches all of her window displays before creating them. If she weren’t so enamored with lingerie, she could easily make a living with her artwork.”

Caleb grinned. “What’d she draw for me?”

Excitement radiated from Reese, telling him he was going to like her surprise.

“I asked Ginger to create a few visuals for you so you could see the full potential of the inn.”

She flipped over the sheets and the first drawing was of the front of the house, with a large sign in the lawn that read, Welcome Guests and Horses to the Painted Horse Ranch & Inn. Beneath the large, scrolled print was Reese’s signature slogan—Country Elegance Awaits You.

“Damn, darlin’,” he said with a grin. “That’s nice.”

“She really enjoyed sketching the facade from the photos I took.”

“You know, this is suitable for framing.”

Reese nodded enthusiastically. “I thought so too. She worked really hard on these drawings. ’Course Jess, Liza and I had to make more wedding decorations to free up her time, but it was well worth it.”

The next sketch was less elaborate, but it showcased the grand staircase in the foyer.

“This sweeping staircase is straight out of Gone with the Wind,” she said. “Just needs a chandelier in this large, open area before it, with a round table and a large floral arrangement.” She pointed out the features Ginger had drawn. “That reminds me, Jess has agreed to give the inn a substantial discount on flowers for both everyday accents and events.”

“You’ve got friends in all the right places, don’t you?”

“Everyone wants to help out. Even Lydia Bain said she’d provide discount cards to give to guests for special occasions that require hair and makeup services. And I think bridal parties will want to stop into Ginger’s shop as well, so she’s offering a discount too. They just have to mention they’re staying at the inn. And Jack has a list of recommended suppliers for the bar provisions and liquor.”

Caleb shook his head in sheer admiration. “You think of everything, don’t you?”

“As of a matter of fact,” she said, a hint of mischief in her tawny eyes, “I even had Ginger sketch out the dining room and study.” She showed him both, elegantly and sophisticatedly portrayed, and yet…comfort and warmth oozed from the pages.

“What do you think of following the horse theme and hanging paintings of Arabians and thoroughbreds and the like? Paints too, of course, given the ranch’s namesake.”

“Of course.” He was overwhelmed. Blown away. “You’ve outdone yourself, darlin’. I don’t know what to say, except… Oh, yeah…” He winked at her and then reached for the papers he had for her. Lifting them from the coffee table, he handed over the short stack as she shifted into a sitting position. “Had these drawn up a few days ago. I was waiting for the right time to give them to you.”

She stared quizzically at him. “This looks like a contract.”

“It’s an outline of all the things Sam and I are willingly putting you in charge of at the inn and what we’ll be paying you.”

She scanned the documents, then gasped when she reached the third and final page. “Oh my God.” Her head snapped up. “You cannot be serious. This is like, five times what I make in a year with the B&B. Plus a startup bonus?”

“You’re doing a lot of front-end work, sweetheart. Good help does not come cheap. And you’ll have your hands full.”

“I was hoping to have my hands full. I really want to manage the inn, Caleb. But this…it’s too much.”

“I researched salaries and factored in your desire to do marketing and event planning as well.”

She stared at the papers she held in her hands, then glanced over at him. “What on earth would I do with this sort of money?”

He chuckled. God, it was refreshing to not have a woman fixated on amassing a fortune. “Take a vacation in Bora Bora. I don’t know. Reese, it’s a fair offer. Don’t think we’re building anything in because of my involvement with you. We’re also taking into account the time and effort you’re expending now, and the fact Sam and I both know for certain you won’t leave any stone unturned once we get rolling.”

“Geez, Caleb.” She let out a long breath and dropped her hands to her lap. “I’m pretty sure even George doesn’t make this kind of money as a dentist.”