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“Don’t get me wrong,” the older man said testily. “I’ve offered her . . . a reasonable price for that pathetic farm.”
“But she won’t sell and you’ve come up against the first person you’ve ever met who wouldn’t bend.”
“I wouldn’t get so lofty, if I were you. Remember, I bought you a couple of years ago.”
Chase didn’t bother to hide his cynicism. “I remember.”
“Good. Then as long as we understand each other, why don’t you find a way to get Dani Summers to sell her land to me?”
“That wasn’t part of the bargain. I said I’d check out the streams and do the work to make sure that the trout will run again, but I’m not dealing with that woman. No way.” Chase finished his drink and placed his empty glass on the windowsill.
“What if I said that I’m willing to sell you back my part of your company if you can get her to sign on the dotted line?”
Chase tensed. He’d wanted to get rid of the yoke of Caleb Johnson’s partnership for nearly as long as he’d agreed to it in the first place. Coming to Caleb’s ranch had been the first step and now Caleb was dangling the final carrot in front of Chase’s nose; the remaining twenty-five percent of the company would be his again, if he could convince Dani to sell her land. In all conscience, Chase could hardly afford to turn the offer down, yet he regretfully answered, “Can’t do it.”
“Why not?”
“The lady doesn’t want to sell. She does have that right.”
“Persuade her.”
“Ha!” His gaze centered on Caleb’s calm face. “She doesn’t look like the type who’s easily convinced.”
Caleb smiled again. “Well, it’s up to you, McEnroe. Either you want your company back, or you don’t.”
“I just don’t like all the strings attached.”
“Think of it this way, without Dani Summers’s land, you won’t be able to make Grizzly Creek viable for restocking of the trout, will you? The stream cuts right across her property. One way or the other, you’ve got to convince Dani Summers she has to sell her land to me.”
Chase felt his back stiffen. “And how do you expect me to do that?”
“That’s your problem.” Caleb winked wickedly. “Use your imagination. She’s been without a husband for over six years. Almost alone all that time.” He took a long satisfied swallow of his bourbon. “Women have needs, y’know.”
Chase laughed aloud at the arrogance of the man. “You expect me to try to seduce her?”
“Why not? Pleasant enough business, I’d say. Good lookin’ woman.”
“You’ve got to be out of your mind! That lady wanted to kill me today!”
“What can I say? She’s passionate. I bet she’d be a regular she-cat in bed.”
“And you’re a ruthless bastard, you know that, don’t you? I can’t believe we’re having this conversation!” Chase moved off of the sill and looked through the window at the well-maintained buildings comprising the center of the Johnson property. He tried to ignore the unwelcome sensation stirring inside him at the thought of making love to Dani Summers. In his mind’s eye he could envision her supple, tanned body, her rich, honey-brown hair streaked by the sun, her small firm breasts . . . God, it had been a long time since he’d been with a woman....
Caleb smiled to himself at Chase’s reaction. “I didn’t get where I am today by letting opportunities slip by me.”
“And I’ll wager that you’ve made a few of your own.”
The older man smiled. “When I had to.”
Chase stood and shook his head. “This time you’re completely on your own. I don’t bed women for business.”
“Your mistake.”
“Look, I’ve already told you that I’m out of this problem between you and Dani Summers.” Chase walked to the door, placed his hand on the knob and jerked open the door. When he turned to face Caleb again, the fire in his eyes had died. “Why don’t you just leave her alone? From what you’ve said tonight, I think the lady needs a friend rather than another enemy.”
“Precisely my point,” Caleb agreed with a crooked smile as Chase walke
d out of the room. “Precisely my point.”
