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Pullinginto the parking lot beside Dan King’s office, Maisie found a spot beside a brand-new BMW. The flashy sports car fit in with the mostly pickup trucks surrounding it even less than Maisie’s Honda Fit, and the fact that it was a convertible suggested the owner wasn’t planning to stick around for long. Riding with the top down in July was fine, but convertibles and harsh Wyoming winters didn’t mix.
Inside the two-story building that housed a number of law offices and similar businesses, Maisie checked the list on the wall. Dan’s office was on the first floor, to the left. When she turned to walk in that direction, Maisie came face-to-face with Jolene Davis.
Maisie should’ve guessed. Of course, the woman had bought herself a BMW. Not only had she felt cheated by her divorce settlement, she wasn’t exactly draping herself in black to mourn her ex’s death. In fact, her whole act was coming across as more of a victory dance.
“I hope you’re here for the same reason I am.” There wasn’t a lick of warmth in Jolene’s smile. “I knew once you’d had a chance to let my words sink in, we’d be on the same side of things.”
“Our chat was illuminating.” It had also made Maisie feel like she needed a hot shower, much like right now.
“I held back something. Not all ranches in these parts were created alike. Some of them have fewer resources, less acreage. You know the land Drew’s sitting on? It would easily be worth ten-million on the open market.”
“Look, Jolene, you may have found a loophole for your property, but for the remaining families, there’s no such thing as thisopen marketyou’re talking about. The only thing you’re going to end up doing is devaluing the rest of the land by having a strip mall go in, or something equally hideous.”
“Did Drew tell you that?” Jolene laughed. “A high-end country club and golf course is hardly a strip mall. And as for no one else benefitting, once Whetstone is sold, it’ll be harder and harder for that old Founders’ Compact to hold up in court. Trust me; your divorce attorney will have a field day.”
Maisie got a cold lump in her stomach at the word divorce. “What makes you think that’s where I’m headed?”
“I know Drew. I’ve known her since she was a kid, and she’s never been able to have a relationship. She’s too bitter about her mother leaving to trust anyone or ever give someone else a chance.”
“Maybe she’s changed.” Maisie wished her voice had sounded more convincing. “Or you’re just wrong.”
“I got nothing in my divorce.” For a woman accusing someone else of bitterness, it was clear she had plenty of her own. “Neither did Drew’s mom, at least not what she should’ve gotten. All I’m doing is ensuring that no other woman in this community suffers the same fate.”
Maisie looked out the window at Jolene’s fancy new car. “Yeah, you’re a real Robin Hood. I can tell.”
“You should choose your friends wisely.” Jolene took her sunglasses from the top of her head and slid them into place, signaling the conversation was over. “Drew will break your heart eventually. She’s never learned otherwise. But when that happens, don’t forget I’m the woman who’s helping you become a millionaire.”
Maisie didn’t make a move until Jolene had sashayed out the door. Clearly, the woman was insane. From everything Drew had said, the ranch was drowning in debt. If there was any chance the ranch could be worth as much as Jolene said, surely Drew would be willing to see this compact of theirs broken. It would make no sense not to, tradition or not, when survival was on the line.
Unless it was more important to Drew to make sure no one else could get a share. Like Maisie, for instance. But no. Maisie couldn’t believe that or anything said by a spiteful bitter woman.
Maisie was still gathering her wits when she reached Dan’s office. She poked her head in, and the lawyer looked up from his desk with a smile.
“Right on time, Maisie. Come in!”
“Do you have that information about the water contracts we talked about?” Maisie asked.
“Got it right here.” Dan picked up an envelope from his desk and handed it to Maisie.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Maisie clutched the envelope as she left, thinking of everything Jolene had said. No matter what, Maisie simply couldn’t believe the accusations. Sure, Drew was stubborn sometimes, but deep down, she had a heart of gold.
And Drew loved Maisie every bit as much as she loved Drew. It was an unexpected development, but no less true. Whatever Jolene thought she knew, she was wrong. Things were different now. Drew had learned to trust.
Yes, Maisie would need to leave for a while to go back to school, but that didn’t mean she and Drew would get a divorce or part ways for good. At least, they didn’t have to. No one could make them split up if they didn’t want to.
And Maisie didn’t want to.
She was even more determined now to work with Drew to stop Jolene’s deal from going through.
* * *
Maisie could barely containher jitters as she gathered up the materials she’d pulled together to present her completed marketing plan to Drew. Despite her jangling nerves, she was bursting with pride at what she’d accomplished as she thumbed through the printed pages.
This is good.
She’d even created a collage of her ideas on one of those trifold pieces of cardboard kids used for science fairs. It was a little over the top, maybe, but Maisie wanted to be sure she did the best she possibly could. In truth, she’d never worked on anything this hard before or felt as confident in the results.
