“I’m sorry,” the man said, stepping forward with his hands outstretched in front of him as if to stop her from panicking. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He looked contrite as he hooked his thumb over his shoulder toward the hall. “I would have asked Silas, but he’s taking his afternoon nap and it’s easier to wake the dead than to try to rouse him once he’s asleep.”
“Silas does seem to be able to sleep through anything.” She’d noticed that fact while working to set up her workspace in the library a couple of days ago. Feeling calmer, Karly smiled. “Blake is out in the arena working with a new stallion.”
The man nodded. “Thanks.” He turned to leave, then turned back. “By the way, I’m Sean Hartwell, Blake’s brother.”
Once he’d introduced himself, she could immediately see the resemblance between the two men. About the same height, Sean had the same dark brown hair and brown eyes as Blake.
“I’m Karly Ewing,” she said, not sure if Blake had mentioned he had a wife.
“Are you his new secretary or assistant?” Sean asked.
She wondered why Blake would need an assistant. It suddenly dawned on her that Sean must have meant to ask if she was the ranch owner’s new secretary.
Smiling, she shook her head. “No, I’m staying with Blake for a few days over at the foreman’s cottage.”
Sean surprised her when he frowned. “Why are the two of you staying over there? He hasn’t lived there since he built this place and moved in almost two years ago.”
Karly stared at Sean for several long moments as reality began to sink in. “I-I’m not sure,” she said slowly. “I suppose you’ll have to ask him.”
“You can count on it,” he said, nodding.
“Do you and Blake own the ranch together?” she asked, feeling as if she had a knot the size of her fist in her stomach.
“No. My ranch is about forty-five minutes away on the other side of the ridge,” he said, apparently unaware of his brother’s ruse. He pointed toward the laptop on the library table. “I’ll let you get back to whatever it is you’re doing. It was nice to meet you, Karly. I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit to the Wolf Creek.”
“It was nice to meet you, too, Sean,” she murmured when he turned toward the door.
As she watched him leave, her chest tightened and it was extremely difficult to draw air into her lungs. Why would Blake lie to her? Why hadn’t he told her he owned the Wolf Creek Ranch when they were in Las Vegas?
Of course they hadn’t talked about much of anything personal. But that didn’t explain why he had failed to tell her when she arrived to have him sign the new set of divorce papers.
A cold wave of sadness suddenly swept over her. He hadn’t asked her to sign a prenuptial agreement. When she told him it would be best for them to end their marriage, Blake had obviously been afraid she would try to get part of his ranch.
She looked around the library and it became crystal clear that Blake had to be extremely wealthy. Log homes were some of the most expensive types of houses to build and one the size of this mansion would cost several millions of dollars just for the construction. The custom-built furnishings for a place this size would cost at least that much more. Then there was the pool area, with its waterfalls and tropical oasis hot tub. No telling how much that cost. Factor in a huge indoor arena and heated stable, the house and barns down the road and thousands of acres of land...
“Oh, my God,” she said, sinking back down onto the chair at the table. “He thought I would try to take...” She covered her mouth with her hand to hold back a sob. His assets and hanging on to them was obviously more important to him than telling her the truth. He hadn’t even given her the opportunity to assure him she had no interest in taking anything away from him.
Yes, she’d broken her promise to him when she’d asked for a divorce, but never once had she deliberately lied to him.
Standing up, she hurried into the foyer, threw open the massive front door, ran out to the ranch truck Blake had been using and got into the driver’s seat. He made a habit of leaving the keys in the ignition whenever they were on ranch land and she was thankful he did.