Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

“I’m meeting with Mr. Fidderman on Thursday,” she said.

“We can’t afford to blow this,” Brody said slowly. “It’s not like companies are lining up to buy the business. I think we should tell Liam about the potential deal. They probably already saw the recently purchased tractor-trailers and the chipper on the inventory.”

“Not yet,” Katie shot back. Why was it so hard for her brothers to trust her? They let her manage the bookkeeping, but when it came to the big decisions, it was as if they turned a blind eye to the fact that she had studied finance and been on track to go to business school. Then Eric Moore, and his new equity partner Liam Trulane, entered the picture and they started second-guessing her.

“Katie,” Brody said. “There’s a chance this thing with Black Hills isn’t worth as much as you think. If that’s the case, we need to do what is best for the company.”

Katie ground her teeth. “It is also possible Liam would ruin the deal. This offer, it could all be a scheme to ruin our negotiations with Moore Timber’s leading competitor.”

“I don’t like Liam either, but I don’t think he would do something like that,” Brody said. “This might be the best offer we’ll get. And the timing . . . Katie, I want you to take that job if the woman in Montana offers it.”

Katie closed her eyes. She hated hearing the defeated note in her big brother’s voice. And the thought of leaving Brody without the business he’d fought to hold on to? In exchange for so little?

“Maybe we should put this to a vote?” Josh offered.

Katie opened her eyes, glancing around the table and confirming her suspicions. Her brothers were willing to take the deal. She could see it in their expressions. Well, maybe not Chad. He appeared to be on the fence. But Josh wanted out. And Brody would put everyone else’s wishes first.

“We’re worth more,” she said. “I know we are. Let’s put together a counteroffer. And then as soon as the contract with Black Hills is finalized, we can make the call. But please, let’s not do it because we feel trapped. We’re not.”

“I’m willing to see if they’ll bump up the price,” Brody said. “But make it reasonable. We don’t want to drag this out. Not with you moving to Montana.”

“I might not get the job,” she said.

“You will,” Brody insisted.

Katie smiled. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I still need to ace the interview. Until then, I’ll be drafting our response to Moore Timber.”

Katie stood and headed for the study. Inside, she shut the door and leaned back against the solid wood surface. Last week, finding a location for Georgia’s bachelorette had felt like the most pressing issue. But now? She had to keep her oldest brother from sacrificing everything, make certain Black Hills signed, and deal with the man who’d broken her heart.

Liam.

Had he known when he asked her to dinner that he planned to toss out a lowball offer? Running into her on the side of the road had not felt premeditated. Neither had the gas station. But Liam Trulane had tricked her before.

“I’m not some inexperienced little girl anymore,” she whispered to the empty room. She wasn’t going to let Liam mess with her future. No, she’d given him power over her once. She’d do anything to prevent that from happening again.

“I still can’t believe they let him in the front door,” she muttered as she went over to the desk and sat down, her hands moving over the keys as she opened the documents and started drafting their counteroffer. She paused and stared at the screen. The number was too low. She deleted it and started typing again. “I spend one night with him and they threaten him. But when he comes after our business, they don’t chase him away.”

Her hands stilled on the keys. What if her brothers found out Liam was coming after her again? If she said yes to Liam’s dinner invitation, and maybe more, word would get back to her brothers. What if she took it a step further, and this time, she seduced him?

The plan forming in her mind had revenge written all over it. But part of her wanted to be the one who walked away this time. And she couldn’t help feeling as if Liam deserved it.

It would have been one thing if he’d come to her seven years ago and ended their fling. She would have been just as heartbroken. And she would have felt just as stupid for believing that one night with him meant he loved her. But it would have spared her the humiliation of facing her brothers—and finding out from them that what she’d thought of as special had amounted to nothing more than down-and-dirty fucking.

She squeezed her eyes shut at the memory. A soft knock on the study door drew her back to the present.

“Katie?” Chad poked his head in. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

Her brother sank into the armchair across from the desk. Chad looked out of place with his torn jeans and grease-stained T-shirt. Of course, it was only late afternoon. In a few hours, once he’d showered and changed, he’d present a very different side of the hardworking truck driver to the women at the bar in town.

She suspected that of all her brothers, Chad used the apartment over the barn—the only bedroom removed from the house, the one they were supposed to save for visiting guests—the most.

“I just wanted to let you know that if it comes to a vote, I’m on your side. I want to make enough from the sale for a down payment on a chopper.” Her brother, who was seldom serious, appeared lost in sentiment. “I don’t want to give up the business unless I can make Dad’s dream a reality. Flying helicopters was his first love, but he set it aside to keep the trucking company, to support us. And I’m with you, I don’t want to give it away.”

“We’re not going to,” Katie said firmly. “I have a plan. I’m going to talk to Liam.”

Chad leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. “If he tries anything, you tell me, OK?”