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Chase narrowed his eyes. “Don’t forget that crate, beautiful.”
* * *
After dropping Houdini off at the vet clinic with Leah, Chase drove the fifteen minutes to his parents’ ranch. He slowed the truck as he passed through the big iron gates, BLACKSHAW CATTLE CO. etched into the wrought iron with AND GUEST RANCH recently added below.
Besides the grand entrance, there was nothing fancy about his parents’ home. The farmhouse had been built in the 1800s, and while a small addition had been added on at some point to make a new living room, the stone farmhouse was still modest.
When he pulled up to the twelve newly built log cabins surrounding the large limestone fire pit, all of which were across from the farmhouse and adjacent to the newly built comfort station of bathrooms and showers, he saw his two brothers and Colin Hadgart, the CEO of Blackshaw Cattle. Colin was a longtime friend of his father’s and a topnotch businessman. When his father stepped down as the CEO of Blackshaw Cattle, Colin had taken over running the company, though all major decisions had remained with their father. Colin had mainly handled day-to-day business. Now that their father had passed away, Colin took over the majority of the control, especially since none of the Blackshaw sons wanted the company their father had left them.
Chase parked his truck next to Shep’s black truck and quickly exited. The moment his boots hit the dirt, Gus, Nash’s yellow Labrador retriever, greeted him, slamming into his legs. He patted Gus, who promptly ran away, chasing birds flying in the sky.
Chase strode forward, approaching the others. He was proud of what he had accomplished in the three short months he had been given to turn his late father’s cattle ranch into a working guest ranch, and nothing made him happier than that the CEO of Blackshaw Cattle was there to see what he had done. “It’s about time you’ve come for a visit,” he said to Colin as he approached.
“I thought it was time.” Colin smiled, his trusting brown eyes creasing at the corners. In his mid-forties and fit, dressed in a suit, he played the part of big business that Chase and his brothers would never be caught playing. “Shep was showing me around. Hope that’s all right.”
“Of course, it’s all right.” Chase offered his hand. “I’m happy you’re finally seeing what we’ve done here.”
“What you’ve done,” Shep, the oldest Blackshaw brother, said. His light brown eyes, the same shade of Chase’s and their late father’s, twinkled with obvious amusement. “About time you got here. Running late?”
Chase nodded, noticing that his team was already in the cabins, working full steam ahead. “I had something to do this morning.”
“Something to do . . . or someone?” Nash, his youngest brother, quipped.
Chase turned to Nash. “You are a child.” Nash took after their mother, Jenny. While they all stood over six-foot-two, with Shep being slightly taller than the rest of them, Nash’s brown hair was a shade lighter and his eyes were blue.
“I’m also right.” Nash grinned, then picked up a big stick and tossed it for Gus to chase.
Ignoring his younger brother, who made it a habit to be a pain in all their asses as often as possible, Chase focused on Colin. “What do you think so far?” Because making Colin happy was as important as making the guest ranch a success.
“I like what I’m seeing,” Colin commented, studying the cabins.
Chase watched his expression, trying desperately to read his thoughts. This visit had been a long time coming. After their father, Rick Blackshaw, passed away from a heart attack, they had learned that Blackshaw Cattle was on the brink of bankruptcy. Trying to protect them and their mother, Rick had kept the company’s imminent demise a secret for reasons unknown. Shep had tried to find a solution to save the company from financial ruin, which nearly ended in their having to sell their land to Blackshaw Cattle’s greatest competitor, Irish Creek Ranch, owned by Clint Harrison, Megan’s father.
In the end, Shep’s girlfriend, Emma, offered up the idea of turning the cattle ranch into a working guest ranch where visitors could run the cattle alongside the Blackshaw Cattle cowboys. This new venture gave them a way to bring in new income to replace the clients their father lost to Irish Creek Ranch. While the risk was there for Chase and his brothers, Colin was also risking a lot by staying on as CEO of a possible sinking ship.
Colin finally looked at Chase and gave a firm nod. “It’s really great, guys. I cannot believe how much you’ve gotten done in three months.”
“It’s remarkable,” Shep said, crossing his arms over his BLACKSHAW SURVIVAL T-shirt, which was his company where he held a contract with the government to train soldiers and police to survive in the elements. To Chase, he asked, “Any concerns on the build, or is everything on schedule?”
“We’ve got the inspection on Monday. I allotted these extra two weeks before the grand opening because inspections always turn up small things we’ll need to fix.” Though Chase hoped they didn’t face any. There was a lot riding on the guest ranch. This venture needed to succeed, or they’d have to close the company that had made the Blackshaw name. “But I anticipate they’ll be small, easy fixes. Shouldn’t be much of a problem for us.”
“That’s good to hear.” Colin glanced over the area and then gave a crisp nod. “It’s all really great.” He offered his hand to Shep first. “Emma sent me the link to the new website.” In her prior life, before she had met Shep and moved into her late grandmother’s farm, she had worked in marketing when she lived in New York City. Her sharp mind and incredible ideas impressed
Chase constantly. “I think you’ve got something really special here,” Colin continued. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this new venture.”
Before Shep could reply, a soft voice came behind them. “Hi, Colin.”
Chase glanced over his shoulder to find his mother approaching, a flower-patterned dishcloth over her shoulder. She had been putting on a front these past months that she was holding up well, but between losing her husband and the revelation of the company’s trouble, Chase knew she was stressed. Her tender blue eyes had dark circles beneath them, though her salt-and-pepper long hair was pulled back into a neat bun, as always.
“Jenny.” Colin stepped forward, taking her into a hug. “You’re looking lovely as always.”
Nash rolled his eyes. Chase smiled. Colin was damn good at schmoozing. That’s what made him a great CEO.
“Hasn’t Chase done such a wonderful job?” Jenny proudly waved out at the cabins.
“Yes, ma’am, it’s quite impressive,” Colin replied. To Chase he said, “Let me know if you need anything from me for the grand opening.” He offered his hand.
Chase nodded and returned the handshake. “Thanks, Colin.”
