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Nash stuffed his hands into his pockets, glancing out at the guests. “Let’s hope we have this much interest once the place opens.”
“Well, I, for one, am just over the moon right now,” said Mom proudly. “You boys saved what your father created, and I hope you know how happy that makes me.” Tears welled in her eyes and her chin quivered, as she glanced at each one of them. “How happy it would have made Dad.” She moved to Shep, cupped his face, and he dipped his chin so she could kiss his cheek. “I love you,” she said, staring at him. She moved along to Nash, dropping a kiss on his cheek. “I love you too.” Nash smiled, and she backed away, finishing up with Chase. When she stopped in front of him, her smile warmed further. “I love you, Chase.”
“I love you too, Ma.” Chase dropped his head so she could kiss his cheek.
When he leaned away, she said, “Today is a big day, huh?”
He nodded. “Very big.”
“The weather is beautiful. The heavens are shining down on us.” She smiled then obviously noticed her friends again. “Oh, Annie, here I’ll help you with that.” She hurried off to help one of her friends open the wine bottles that Shep had brought in for the grand opening.
“She’s a bit distracted today.” Shep chuckled.
“I see that,” Chase said with a laugh.
“Chase Blackshaw?”
He glanced sideways, discovering a man not much older than him. He wore a black Polo shirt and dark blue jeans with shiny black shoes. His hair was slicked back with gel, his dark aviator sunglasses covering his tanned skin. “That’s right.” He offered his hand.
“Ian Stark.” The man returned the handshake. “You’ve got quite the beautiful place here.”
Shep and Nash stiffened. Even Chase’s thoughts stuttered at the introduction to Joel’s investor, but he recovered quick. “Pleasure to meet you, Ian.” He gestured next to him. “My brothers, Shep and Nash.”
Ian shook their hands, then shoved one hand into his pocket. “I have to tell you, Chase, I’m impressed by what you’ve done here. The design elements are fresh and very much rustic elegance. I know that your company is new, but I’d love to get together and see your ideas for a new resort we’re working on in Colorado Springs.”
Adrenaline pulsed through Chase’s veins and his heart nearly pounded right out of his chest. He took in a deep breath to steady himself then answered, “I could definitely do that. What’s your schedule looking like?”
Ian reached into his pocket, taking out his cell phone, the sun sparkling off his gold Rolex. “I need to get back to the New York office as soon as possible.” He scrolled through his phone a moment before returning his gaze to Chase. “How about tomorrow morning at nine? I’m staying at the Broadmoor. Could you meet me there?”
Even if Chase didn’t have the time, he would make the time. “That’ll work.”
Ian smiled and gave a tight nod. “We’ve got a couple other builders in the running for this project.” Ian glanced out looking at the cabins, giving them a long, assessing look. “But I think the other investors, and the developer, will like what I’m seeing here. It’s got the right feel for what we’ve been looking for.” He pulled his sunglasses down his nose, revealing brown eyes. “Not much impresses me anymore. Your work does.” He offered his hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Chase returned the handshake again. “Thank you. I’ll see you then.”
Ian pushed his sunglasses back up his nose then nodded at Shep and Nash, striding off toward his fully loaded Mercedes Benz sports car behind them.
“Damn,” Nash quipped and slapped a hand on Chase’s back. “That’s how Blackshaws do it. Now I see why Joel was so concerned.”
Chase accepted the compliment with a smile, finally feeling on top of the world instead of swimming through the chaos.
“I couldn’t agree more. You deserve this,” said Shep, drawing Chase’s attention to his older brother. He gave him a proud smile and cupped his shoulder. “All of it. You killed this, Chase.”
Nash nodded and smiled, crossing his arms.
Chase glanced out, looking at all the people examining the cabins and sitting by the fire pit, enjoying their drinks. “Not only me,” he said to his brothers. “We all made this happen. And so did Emma.” Without her, none of this would have come to fruition, and Blackshaw Cattle would have been shut down for good.
Shep’s gaze swept the crowd until he found Emma, and he gave a soft smile. “She is pretty spectacular.”
Before Chase could reply, Harper’s soft voice came behind him, “I hope I’m not too late.”
He discovered that she’d gone home and changed, wearing her hair down and straight. She wore light makeup and had jean shorts and a lacy top that teased him with the perfect amount of cleavage. “Actually, you’ve come at exactly the right time.”
He gave his brothers a quick look, and they both nodded firmly, huge grins spreading across their faces.
When his attention shifted back to Harper, he reached for her hand, then tugged her into him. Needing to be close, he pressed his lips against hers, feeling her soften beneath him. He would never grow tired of how good she felt and how amazing her fruity perfume smelled.
When he broke the kiss and leaned away, her eyes slowly opened. “Try to forgive me for putting you on the spot,” he told her.
