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“Don’t lie.” Drew picked up her phone. “You and Jolene were both at Dan King’s office at exactly the same time. Claire told me as much just now. She saw you there.”
“I mean, yes, Jolene was in the building,” Maisie rushed to explain. “I saw her leaving in her new BMW. But she barely said a word to me, and we definitely weren’t meeting with Dan together.”
“But youweremeeting with him.” Drew’s eyes narrowed, the cold coming off her palpable. “About what?”
Maisie’s blood reached a simmer. “What exactly am I being accused of?”
“No one’s accusing. I guess I find it fascinating that all this happened before your bigpresentation.” Drew used air quotes on the word presentation, which was enough to tip Maisie beyond the boiling point.
“I worked for months on that presentation.”
“Is that how long it took to come up with a plan to bankrupt me? Or maybe Jolene provided the details for you the other day.”
“What are you talking about?” Maisie spluttered. “I’m trying to earn you money, not lose it.”
Maisie didn’t know whether she felt more wounded or angry over Drew’s ludicrous insinuations. It was like the woman didn’t know her at all.
“YouTube, advertising, merchandising, and whatever else you came up with, they’ll cost a fortune. One I don’t have.”
“We’ve talked about all of that before,” Maisie pleaded. “What did you think I was going to suggest?”
“I’d expected ways to sell more jerky and jam online with some pretty labels. Find a way to buy more cows. You know, the things that happen on a typical Wyoming ranch. I wasn’t expecting to hear about a YouTube channel, starring me, with vlogs about ranch life and live Q&As, a weekly newsletter, Patreon—whatever the fuck that is—upgrading our WiFi, and all the other over-the-top and expensive foolishness on your list.”
“Over-the-top,” Maisie mumbled, stinging like she’d been dealt a physical blow. All her hard work and Drew was dismissing it completely. “Tell me what you really think of my plan.”
“It’s untenable, and it’ll only hurt the ranch, not save it. I’ll end up having to sell, and I bet Jolene will be first in line to buy, along with her big shot real estate developer. What did she do, promise you half?”
“Seriously, Drew. If you’re going to believe crazy conspiracy theories like that, I’m going to have to replace that tattered cowboy hat of yours with one made out of tinfoil.” Maisie tossed her hands in the air, totally at a loss. “You honestly think I could do any of that?”
Instead of replying in words, Drew offered one very loaded shrug.
Maisie tilted her head to the ceiling and let out a scream. “I know you have a low opinion of women, but I didn’t know it was that bad. Do you really think I’ve been going to bed with you every night after plotting all day for your downfall? You really think I’m that devious?”
“It’s the trend in Rock Creek Valley ex-wives.”
Maisie shut her eyes, trying to ignore this latest dig. “I’m not yourex-wife, Drew.”
“Not yet, but you will be.” Drew was trembling, about two seconds away from foaming at the mouth. “That’s what this is about. Getting your share. Just like Jolene. Just like my mother.”
This train was seriously careening off the tracks. “Drew, you can’t possibly think—”
“Do you know why we have so much debt? Because my mother did everything she could to take as much as possible when she left. She refused to believe it wasn’t there. She had delusions of having married this wealthy cattle rancher like some goddam Hollywood movie, and when the lawyer explained to her what was what, you know what she did? Hired a private investigator to find out if Dad was hiding money in an offshore account.”
“Please, Drew,” Maisie begged. “I understand the situation here. I’m not delusional. You have to believe I really am trying to help. None of what I put in that business plan was even a surprise.”
“Building a new hunting lodge for tourists?” Drew spat.
“Okay, that one was new.” Maisie shrank back as Drew started to pace the floor, so worked up it was like her body couldn’t contain her in one place. “I came up with it the other day, and it made sense, especially knowing a golf course might be going in. I know you don’t like that possibility, and I think I know a way to stop it, but before you decide, it’s worth considering from every angle.”
Shit.The minute she’d said it, Maisie knew it was the exact wrong thing. She could see Drew gearing to pounce, and she only had herself to blame.
“What I’m considering right now is maybe you planned this to ruin me on purpose.” Drew picked up the printed report Maisie had prepared and waved it in the air, the sheets of paper spreading out like a fan. “Or maybe it was your complete lack of experience that did the job for you, and if you actually had a degree in this stuff, you’d have known better. Either way, I can’t trust you.”
Maisie was reeling. Had Drew honestly said that about her lack of experience? When Maisie had confided to Drew about her lack of a degree, she’d never dreamed the woman would use it as a weapon to tear the heart out of her chest. She hadn’t meant it, had she?
But Drew’s mouth was tight, her lips a thin, angry line. Her gaze raked over Maisie with the searing intensity of hot coals. It was a look that saidwe’re done, and not just the conversation, either. Maisie could see it in her eyes, an emptiness that threatened to swallow her whole.
Maisie started to speak but stopped herself. It was no use when Drew was like this. With her gaze locked on Drew, she snapped the computer shut. She picked up her notes, and together with the beautiful trifold poster she’d created, dumped them in the wastebasket beside the door. After that, and without ever losing her cool, she silently stalked to her room—the guest room as opposed to the one she’d been sharing with Drew. She shut the door, threw herself onto the bed, and started to cry.
