Read Online Between Hope & the Highway by Charissa Stastny - Free Book Online Page A

talk…when you’ve had a chance to impress me.”
    “You’re impossible to please.”
    “I didn’t say please me. I said impress me. Show me you have what it takes to run this ranch. Intellectual research isn’t enough. Any city slicker can make things work on paper. I know you’re smart, but your genius has landed you in trouble in the past, and I haven’t seen evidence of change. I don’t want smarts. I want dedicated commitment. That means you make wise choices in your time, your family relationships, and your friends.”
    “Oh, not this again. Are you going to hold Damon over me forever? It was a mistake, Dad. He paid the price. Let it go.”
    “You’re a smart kid, Rawson, but—”
    “I’m not a kid. I’m a man.”
    “As long as you live under my roof and subsist on my money, you’re a kid to me. And if you even sniff in the direction of that loser friend of yours, I’ll never trust you to handle even the chicken coop. Do I make myself clear?”
    “Crystal.” I grabbed my folder, making sure my middle finger was aimed at him before marching out of his office.
    As I started down the stairs, I felt more determined than ever to help Damon, if only to spite my stubborn old man.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 13
    Liz
    “Oh, I’m sorry.” I stooped to gather papers I’d caused Rawson Law to drop as I ran into him at the bottom of the stairs. Crashing into each other was becoming a nasty habit. “I didn’t see you.”
    “Obviously.” He grit his teeth as he yanked the loose papers from my hands.
    Ever since he showed up last night, a charged cloud of tension had hung about the ranch, ready to shock anyone who got too close. I’d felt sorry for him at first, but didn’t pity him anymore. The man was rude. At meals, he threw condescending smirks or questions my way, and I could read dislike in his beautiful eyes as plain as if it had been written there in permanent black ink.
    “Are you going to stand there and stare at me, Miss Ruthersford?”
    Too late, I realized I’d been doing just that…but not for the reason the arrogant man insinuated. I was only trying to decide what I had done to deserve his scorn.
    “Uh, I need to speak to your father.”
    With a mocking bow, he gestured for me to pass. “Enter at your own risk. He’s in a foul mood.”
    That was certainly calling the kettle black. I started up the steps, rubbing my arms. Negative vibes clung to Rawson like static electricity, shocking everyone he passed. Even sweet Benny seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. I frowned as I recalled how he’d ditched out on our movie adventure for this afternoon.
    When I reached Mr. Law’s office, I took a deep breath and knocked.
    “Come in,” he called.
    I entered with a smile, the best weapon against bad moods, or so I hoped. “Larry said you needed to talk to me.”
    He motioned for me to take a seat. “He told me what you did with Fargo Noon. I wanted to pick your brain about some of the other horses.”
    Oh, good. He wasn’t going to fire me. I’d worried about that now that his son had returned. Breathing a little easier, I leaned forward to talk about my favorite subject. Fears fell away and time ceased to exist as we discussed all of my equine charges in detail. When he began sharing his ideas for the future, I became overconfident and shook my head.
    “I don’t think that’s the best plan.”
    As his eyes narrowed, I wished to snatch back my word. He leaned back in his seat.
    “What do you have against selling off the two-year-olds?”
    I squirmed. “Uh, I just think you could get more back on your investment if you put in another year of training.”
    His fingers tapped together. “Remind me of your credentials. You went to the University of Utah, correct?”
    My cheeks flamed. “Only for a semester. I don’t have any formal equestrian training. It’s just a hunch, but I feel strongly that it’d be a win-win for you and your clients.”
    “Well, your