together. “I know this isn’t all your fault. My father certainly had a hand in it, but businesses fail all the time.”
“ All my fault?” He rocketed toward her chair, poked a finger at her. “Let me tell you something, Paige. I trusted your father when he told me he’d run businesses all his life. He insisted on handling the financial end of things.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and drew a deep sigh, trying to calm himself. “I’m sorry for shouting. None of this is your doing. But your father purposely kept me out of the loop on some key decisions. He doctored the books he showed me and made me believe he had everything under control. By time I found out what he’d done it was too late.”
The revelation hit her like a slap of icy winter air. “I-I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Her father sounded like just as big a jerk as she’d remembered.
Jake rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Bank won’t give me a loan to buy you out. I sank everything I had into this place. I’ve been trying to get it back on its feet, but I’ve had a couple of months and I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot longer than that.”
She flashed on the tour, how he’d seemed so in his element as he recounted local history to the clients, when he’d shared his knowledge of the local architecture and the practices at the various horse farms. How could she take that from him, knowing her own father had caused the business to collapse?
No. Think with your head, not your heart.
“I’m so sorry my father deceived you. But it doesn’t change the facts. This place is losing money.”
His Adam’s apple jumped and a frown marred his handsome face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come clean with you about the ranch losing money. That’s not my style. I was just trying to get you to see how great this place could be before you saw the numbers.” Muscles around his jaw ticked.
Sure, he’d kept the information from her, but she believed him, believed that his deceit had been borne of hope, not malice. He’d never meant to hurt her.
“I have ideas, Paige. Ideas that could make the Circle O turn a profit. I’ve already saved a bunch of money by undoing some things your father put into place. Would you hear me out before you make a decision?”
The emotional thumbscrews tightened. What could it hurt to listen to him? “Of course.”
Paige settled into her chair and watched Jake’s eyes come alive as he talked about all his ideas for the ranch. Not that she knew anything about running such a business, but his plans made sense. And best of all, most would require little or no additional cash. But more than his ideas, his passion convinced her.
Chapter Six
When Jake finished speaking, he studied Paige for a reaction. She’d appeared interested a few minutes ago, but now she seemed lost in her thoughts. He schooled his expression, hoping not to come off as overconfident. Praying he’d made some headway with her, sucked in a deep breath. “Well?” he finally said after several long beats of silence.
She crossed her legs, furrowed her brows. She started to say something, but stopped herself. After a heavy sigh, she met his stare. A smile slowly formed on her face and he desperately wanted to kiss her, but he refrained. Maybe he’d read too much into her reaction.
Her brow knitted and she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She drummed her fingers on the file folder on the desk. “I like your ideas. I think you might have something here. Something that can turn a profit.”
I like your ideas.
He replayed her words again and again. But did that mean she’d agree to hold off on selling? Clamping down on his excitement, he waited, held his breath.
“What would you say to us holding off on selling—for the time being?” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “After hearing your plans, I’m definitely on board with your vision for this place. You know the ranch better than anyone. And I love that contest idea.”
Relief
“ All my fault?” He rocketed toward her chair, poked a finger at her. “Let me tell you something, Paige. I trusted your father when he told me he’d run businesses all his life. He insisted on handling the financial end of things.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and drew a deep sigh, trying to calm himself. “I’m sorry for shouting. None of this is your doing. But your father purposely kept me out of the loop on some key decisions. He doctored the books he showed me and made me believe he had everything under control. By time I found out what he’d done it was too late.”
The revelation hit her like a slap of icy winter air. “I-I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Her father sounded like just as big a jerk as she’d remembered.
Jake rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Bank won’t give me a loan to buy you out. I sank everything I had into this place. I’ve been trying to get it back on its feet, but I’ve had a couple of months and I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot longer than that.”
She flashed on the tour, how he’d seemed so in his element as he recounted local history to the clients, when he’d shared his knowledge of the local architecture and the practices at the various horse farms. How could she take that from him, knowing her own father had caused the business to collapse?
No. Think with your head, not your heart.
“I’m so sorry my father deceived you. But it doesn’t change the facts. This place is losing money.”
His Adam’s apple jumped and a frown marred his handsome face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come clean with you about the ranch losing money. That’s not my style. I was just trying to get you to see how great this place could be before you saw the numbers.” Muscles around his jaw ticked.
Sure, he’d kept the information from her, but she believed him, believed that his deceit had been borne of hope, not malice. He’d never meant to hurt her.
“I have ideas, Paige. Ideas that could make the Circle O turn a profit. I’ve already saved a bunch of money by undoing some things your father put into place. Would you hear me out before you make a decision?”
The emotional thumbscrews tightened. What could it hurt to listen to him? “Of course.”
Paige settled into her chair and watched Jake’s eyes come alive as he talked about all his ideas for the ranch. Not that she knew anything about running such a business, but his plans made sense. And best of all, most would require little or no additional cash. But more than his ideas, his passion convinced her.
Chapter Six
When Jake finished speaking, he studied Paige for a reaction. She’d appeared interested a few minutes ago, but now she seemed lost in her thoughts. He schooled his expression, hoping not to come off as overconfident. Praying he’d made some headway with her, sucked in a deep breath. “Well?” he finally said after several long beats of silence.
She crossed her legs, furrowed her brows. She started to say something, but stopped herself. After a heavy sigh, she met his stare. A smile slowly formed on her face and he desperately wanted to kiss her, but he refrained. Maybe he’d read too much into her reaction.
Her brow knitted and she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She drummed her fingers on the file folder on the desk. “I like your ideas. I think you might have something here. Something that can turn a profit.”
I like your ideas.
He replayed her words again and again. But did that mean she’d agree to hold off on selling? Clamping down on his excitement, he waited, held his breath.
“What would you say to us holding off on selling—for the time being?” She scooted to the edge of her chair. “After hearing your plans, I’m definitely on board with your vision for this place. You know the ranch better than anyone. And I love that contest idea.”
Relief
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