Page 8 of Montana Born

Chapter Four

Although Sully hated to admit it, Elle Tyler had somehow gotten under his skin. He’d meant to tell her at the end of the night the deal was over and, after shaking hands, going on his way. Instead, he’d arranged a meeting first thing this morning.

It was eight o’clock and while reviewing his emails for the day, he kept thinking back to the night before.

She’d been on edge the entire time acting as a referee with her unruly, but likeable family. The women had kept him laughing all night. After the initial shock of what Elle had planned, he’d relaxed and actually enjoyed dinner with the ladies.

When he’d told Elle he’d had an enjoyable evening, it was the truth. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent time with women that although at first flirted had resumed their true personalities and began a constant banter of jokes and competitive digs at one another. When they’d begun picking on him, he knew they’d accepted them.

His own family was close, with two sisters and a brother. They often enjoyed evenings with their cousins and parents where laughter filled the room. The dynamic of the night before which Elle had set out to trip him had been more familiar than his usual stoic business meals or even his dates.

“Sully, what time do you want the nine o’clock conference rescheduled to?” his assistant, Stacia, asked from the doorway.

He smiled at the pretty woman, who’d become his close friend over the years. “Nine-thirty. I doubt this visitor will stay long. She doesn’t like me.” He smiled at Stacia and shrugged.

“Oh boy.”

“What does that mean?” He attempted an innocent look. “There are women on the planet who don’t like me. It’s a strange phenomenon, yet it happens.”

Stacia gave him a droll look. “I can think of about ten women who don’t like you right off the bat. Give me a minute and I’ll come up with another batch.”

“They actually do like me. Just pretend not to.”

With a shake of her head, she went back to her desk.

“So I don't usually like to date someone more than once. It’s not a crime,” he called after her.

At nine o’clock sharp his intercom dinged. “Miss Tyler is here.”

It troubled Sully when his stomach tumbled. He stood to meet Elle at the door. Once again, she wore business attire. This time she had on a red dress with a navy blue jacket. She carried a slim handbag and he spotted the bright pink sparkling bracelet on her wrist again. The only hint she was not all business all the time to a potential client.

By her austere expression, she was not happy to be there. When he held out his hand, she hesitated before shaking it. “Good morning, Miss Tyler.”

“Mr. Cole.”

“I thought we’d agreed to you calling me Sully?”

After a barely noticeable nod, she went to the chair in front of the desk he motioned to. While making his way to the chair opposite her, he raked his brain to come up with a reason for their meeting.

“Tell me, what plan were you considering that would ensure my family cemetery would not be disturbed?”

There was a flicker of surprise, but she hid it quickly. “There are conditions that could be written into the sales agreement. I can include it into the plans and make the cemetery a type of remembrance to the history of the area. Your family has been central to Alder Gulch for a couple centuries.”

It was a good reply, which Sully presumed had been practiced. “If I stand on my decision to not sell, what is your plan B?”

She blinked indicating this question too, was unexpected. “I have scouted out some land east of yours near where the mines are.”

It was impressive. Although her client banked on his land, she’d gone out of her way to ensure there was a backup plan. It was interesting that Elle said “I” and not “we”, which meant her partner was not as motivated to pursue another area. The man had already called him twice leaving invitations for lunch.

“Your partner seems to think I could be persuaded to change my mind.”

“Is that why you agreed to dinner last night? Did you think I was part of said tactic?”

“If you’ll remember, it was me who suggested dinner. It was not because I’ll change my mind, but because I am curious to know more about you.”

Bristling, her eyes widened and she swallowed visibly. “Exactly why am I here this morning?”

“I wanted to explain why I am not selling...”