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“I came over to help today, sir. I’m more than happy to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
Carlos nodded. “I’ll give my lawyer a call and discuss everything we’ve talked about. We’ll get the original contract drawn up, and then I’ll let you know if your offer would be manageable.”
A thrill shot through Elijah at Carlos’s words. He’d been putting his blood, sweat and tears into his own family’s ranch for so long, and he wasn’t under any assumption that the place would be his. Wade had always said the ranch would belong to whoever wanted to stay. But only so many families could live on that acreage. Wade already had Brielle, and they’d be starting their family soon. He had several siblings who would be sticking around until they got on their feet.
This might be the opportunity that Elijah needed to spread his wings and fly from the nest.
His gaze swept over the property and a feeling of excitement and peace filled his chest. This would be the perfect place to start.
6
Scarlett
Scarlett paced like a caged animal in the parlor of her childhood home. From this vantage point she could see her father and Elijah talking—colluding with each other. That might have been too strong of a word.
Her father needed help. She’d seen that the second she’d come home. It looked like her father had only done the bare minimum. She couldn’t blame him, but to have Elijah come and offer to help free of charge seemed sketchy at best.
Why was he even here? If her father had contacted Lucas, then Lucas should have been the one to show up. At least he didn’t seem to despise her.
She let out a growl of frustration as she stopped and watched the two continue to talk. Then Elijah stared at the house. It was almost like he could see her through the window. She nearly dropped down to her knees, then thought better of it.
If Elijah could see her watching them, then all the better. He needed to know she wasn’t going to let him just swoop in here and take over.
What if they were out there making some kind of crazy deal?
This farm still belonged to her father, and by proxy, it belonged to her. There was no way she’d allow anyone to come in and take it from them.
Elijah turned back to her father and they disappeared into the barn. Her world spun with the possibilities of what might be happening. It could be fine, and she was overreacting to her father pushing her out of the conversation. But there was also a very real possibility that Elijah was sweet-talking her father into something. He could be as bad as Rumpelstiltskin.
Scarlett drummed her fingers on the console table in front of the window, waiting for them to make a reappearance. There were only a few things she didn’t think she could do. And if Elijah could fill in the blanks, then she’d be fine.
They’d all be fine.
Finally, her father came trudging across the property, leaving Elijah near the barn alone. Then Elijah disappeared around the side of the structure. Her focus shifted to her father, noting just how tired he looked. He hadn’t seemed that worn out when he’d come to get her for lunch. How had she missed it?
She had to be mistaken. He was just worn out from having to give Elijah a tour. He’d get some water or a cup of coffee and then he’d perk up.
He climbed the steps to the house and pushed through the doorway.
She lost no time in pouncing.
“What did he say? Is he really going to help for free? Why would he even offer that? You’re the one who taught me that nothing good in this life is free.” The words tumbled from her lips as she followed her father through the house and toward the kitchen. “I hope you didn’t agree to anything that could hurt us.”
Her father turned at that statement and set his weary eyes on her. “What do you mean by that? Why would you think that fine young man would hurt us?”
She blinked. Actually, she knew Elijah well enough that she could honestly say she trusted him. She knew good and well that he wasn’t a slimeball or anything. But he disliked her, and that seemed to rub her the wrong way more than she’d ever admit. “Okay, maybe he wouldn’thurtus, but he might do something that isn’t what you want.”
“And what is it that you think I want, Scarlett? You haven’t exactly sat down and had a big, long conversation with me since your arrival. All you’ve said to me is that you plan on staying and you want to help me with the farm. Then what? What are your plans after we do that?”
She froze. “That’s it. I’m staying. I’m not going anywhere. More time with you—this farm—this is what I want.”
He smiled at her. It wasn’t the kind of smile that she’d grown up with—the one that said he was proud of her. This smile had only made an appearance a few times in her life. It was the kind that said he didn’t think she’d be able to follow through with what she said, though her intentions were admirable.
She knew her father well enough to know he would never say such a thing to her out loud, but it still irked her all the same. She crossed her arms to hide the fact she was clenching her hands into small fists. “Mom loved this place. And so do you. I don’t want to see anything happen to it.”
“And that is why Elijah’s help will be necessary.”
“You never answered my question. Is he really going to help for free?”
