“It’s not going so well for you and the people in town, huh?”
She frowned. “You already knew that.”
“You’re right, I did,” he said with a smile. “I also know how to make this bar run like a well-oiled machine. It’s more than what they drink. It’s the lifestyle here in Timber Falls. It’s what’s important to the people. The sense of community and the fun we have together. We’ve all grown up here—generations of families—and there is a way of life here that your bar is missing.”
“I know how to run a bar,” Charly defended. “I had a very successful one in Phoenix.”
“You know how to run a bar in a big city,” he countered gently. “But you don’t live in a big city anymore. What’s important to people in a big city is not important here.”
“It can’t be that different,” she said. “Nightlife is nightlife. Everyone is just looking for a good time.”
He stared at her, giving her a purposeful look of doubting, knowing she’d rise to the challenge. “How about another bargain? Tomorrow is a Sunday, so the bar is closed. Come to the ranch, spend time with people who live and work here, and I’ll show you what your bar is missing and why the locals aren’t happy.”
“What do I have to do?” she asked.
“Give me time,” he said. “Time for you to get to know me, and for me to prove I only have green flags.”
He could see it in her gaze that she was sure he’d fail, that the more time they spent together, the more she’d realize he’d mess this up somehow. “That’s the deal, then?” she asked.
He nodded and held his hand out toward her. “That’s the deal, Kitten. Do you accept?”
He could see her mind working hard. Until she finally shook his hand firmly, maintaining that same intense gaze. “I do, as long as you stop calling me Kitten.” She dropped his hand, spun on her heel and headed for the door.
A bark of laughter left his lips as he called after her jokingly, “Then stop hissing at me and I will.” When she didn’t turn back, he tucked his hands in his pockets and said, “I’ll see you at my ranch tomorrow morning, then?”
A determined look crossed her face as she responded to the challenge. “I’ll be there tomorrow morning at eight o’clock.” she affirmed.
He grinned after her, determined to win her over, no matter what it took.
Eight
“Adorable!” Willow exclaimed, scanning Charly from head to toe as she entered the centuries-old kitchen the next morning.
Charly wasn’t sure what to wear for a day at a horse ranch, so she settled on a plain T-shirt and a pair of jean overalls, with her hair pulled up in a high ponytail and minimal makeup, all the while telling herself it didn’t matter what she looked like. She had no one to impress, certainly not a devilish cowboy.
Seated at the breakfast bar, Aubrey took one look at Charly and let out a laugh. “You look like a country bumpkin, but it looks good on you!”
Charly glanced down at herself and sighed. “Why did I agree to this again?” Besides her pride, of course.
“So, we can find our way in this town and make everyone want to come to the bar,” Willow offered. “We’re trying to make this our home.”
“And because this bar can’t fail,” Aubrey added. “We have put all our money into this place. Everything is on the line.”
Charly huffed. “Right. That’s why.” She hated how persuasive Jaxon was. One second, she had things fully in control. The next, she was agreeing to this new deal.
The truth was, he was right. She needed to understand the locals better if the bar was going to succeed, so she’d swallow her pride to learn from Jaxon. She hadn’t expected the push back on bringing a little big-city luxury to the small-town, and it was becoming increasingly obviously the place meant something special to them.
And they’d ruined it.
It was a hard pill to swallow, but the truth stared at her hard in the face. She knew nothing about small-town living in Montana and the people who lived there.
She heaved another sigh before grabbing a to-go mug, then adding some coffee and sugar.
Aubrey raised an eyebrow. “Let’s not forget too that this hasnothingto do with a certain sexy cowboy.”
“I’m doing this for us,” Charly countered. “To learn from him what we’re doing so wrong. That’s it. That’s all. No funny business.” All she needed to do was keep her wits about her today. Then she’d have what she needed to ensure they got on everyone’s good side in town.
Willow leaned against the counter, eating a blueberry muffin and giving a little shrug. “It doesn’t hurt anyone to have some fun,” she said knowingly.
