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Maybe if I entered by the kitchen, I could sneak up to my room and quickly change. I wished to hell I had time for coffee. I truly didn’t know if I could face my father without it. Maryellen would have some ready in the kitchen, but I doubted my father wanted me showing up with a mug in hand.
I’d manage somehow. I had to get dressed sitting on the floor to keep my stomach from revolting again. As I tried to convince myself I could walk to the main house without getting sick again, I realized I had a text from Blake.
When I finished reading it, my stomach felt more settled. I still didn’t know what the hell was going on, but Blake assured me everything was okay. I could trust Blake, that was one thing I was sure of.
I survived the walk to the house, and a few minutes after I got there, I entered my father’s office, wearing a clean t-shirt and having managed about half of the coffee I’d poured myself before sneaking upstairs. Blake and my father were talking over figures for the ranch. Blake gave me a reassuring smile, but my father didn’t acknowledge me until he was done speaking to Blake. “That took long enough.”
“I thought you’d prefer me to be showered, sir.”
“Hmpf. I’d prefer you to wake up at a decent hour and be on time.”
Blake gave me a look that reminded me to keep my temper in check, so instead of pointing out that it was hard to be on time for a meeting I didn’t know existed, I kept my mouth closed.
“I’m thinking about proposing to Leanne,” my father announced. I’d never even met the woman, but he obviously didn’t care about such formalities. “That will mean she’ll be moving here to the ranch. Having the two of you here together isn’t going to work.”
So he was kicking me out in favor of a trophy wife. Perfect. A few weeks ago, I probably wouldn’t have cared. I was used to the fact he didn’t give a damn about me, but now I wanted to stay. I didn’t mind the work I was doing like I’d thought I would, and I wasn’t ready to leave Blake, not when there was the possibility of more between us, even if that “more” was only fucking. “I don’t want to—”
“I’m not finished, son.”
“Yes, sir.” I barely got the words out through gritted teeth. I hoped to God Blake knew something I didn’t. He’d told me to go along with whatever my father said, but I wasn’t sure how much more I could stand.
“I was going to send you to my Houston office, but I don’t have the right opening there, and I’m reluctant to push someone else out of a job you’ll no doubt fail at.”
Wow. Such confidence in me. This was exactly how I’d hoped to start my day.
“Blake had another idea, though, and since I’m desperate, I’m going to give it a go.”
I glanced at Blake. He wouldn’t sell me out, would he? Not after the way he’d taken care of me last night.
“Son? Are you even listening?”
Not really. “Yes, sir.”
“You have two months to learn all there is to know about running this ranch. If you can prove to me that you’ve listened to Blake and learned from him, then I’ll advance you half the amount in your trust fund, and you can spend it however you’d like. That’s it, though. No more allowance and not another cent of tuition money.”
Was he serious? Had Blake really suggested this? I would never have thought my father would agree to it. That was a hell of a lot to learn in a short time, but it would totally be worth it if I could gain my freedom from my dad. I’d have enough money to be comfortable while I figured out my next step. No more business classes or jobs he forced me into. Could I do it? Blake would be there to help me. If nothing else, I’d get two more months with him, hopefully with him in my bed.
I held out my hand to my father. “It’s a deal.”
“You haven’t asked what happens if you can’t prove your knowledge to me when your time is up.”
My heart pounded. I should have known there was a catch. “What happens?”
“You either take whatever job is available in Houston, or you walk away with nothing.”
“The trust fund is still mine when I turn thirty.”
My father gave a reluctant nod. “Yes. There’s nothing I can do about that.”
Thank God for my grandparents’ foresight. The bastard would take it from me if he could.
So worse case, I would have a few rough years. I did have a little saved up, and I would just have to do my best to be a good student and take in everything Blake told me.
