“We all have twenty-five million dollars.” By his tone, she could tell his cheeks had turned a mottled red. “We have more than that. That’s why we run foundations and give as much as we do. Why on earth do you think your mother works so tirelessly with her philanthropies? From whom much is given, much is expected. We raised you with that belief, and I won’t let one month in America change that.”
“That’s not what’s happening. You’re not listening to me. Andrew, I’ve fallen in love. Not just with a man but with my life here, and I want to see it through. I want to live on this ranch in this amazing town. I want to meet people and find out what curious and interesting things they do in their spare time. I love the idea of selling products they thought were just a hobby, of giving them an income, and sharing their passions with others in the community.” Yes. Everything she’d said restored her confidence and her spirt.
“Enough.” His voice cracked. “You are required to take this job. If you don’t, it will reflect on us, and it will have real impact on our memberships, invitations, and business. You’re either inside the circle, or you’re outside, and the Crutchley family’s been in it for four hundred years.”
She understood what he was saying. The Lumleys had an exclusive contract with Andrew’s linen-supply business. Plus, she’d already turned down Cameron’s proposal. Walking away from the foundation after coming into a sizable inheritance would make her family look horrifyingly bad. But she couldn’t lose the beautiful life she’d just created. She wouldn’t. “I’m sorry for any inconvenience I’ve caused you and my mum. I love you both very much, and I would never want to hurt you.” She took in a shaky breath. “But I’m not going to take the job.”
Andrew went quiet, and it killed her. Every second that ticked past accelerated her heartbeat. A cold bead of perspiration trickled down her back.
“I didn’t want to tell you this, but I see I must.” He stopped speaking, the only sound coming from his labored breaths. “I’ve suffered some financial setbacks in the past few years. Between the market crash and a few bad investments, I’m in a precarious situation. Losing the Lumley contracts would devastate this family.”
“Oh, God.” She’d had no idea.
“You mustn’t tell your mother. She’s not to know. But it’s imperative that you ring Mrs. Lumley back and take this job. I cannot sustain the loss of their business. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“We would have to sell our home and the country estate that’s been in my family for generations. Think about the impact on your mum. You remember how your friends turned their backs on you? The same thing will happen to your mother, only it will be so much worse. She’ll be cast out of society. Do you want that for her?”
“No.” Reeling as though she’d been struck by a lorry, her voice was barely a whisper. Of course, she had no choice in the matter. She couldn’t possibly let her parents suffer like that. “I’ll do it this year, and then I’m moving out here to be with Declan.”
“That’s perfectly fine. And when you’re home, we’ll meet with Frederick to set up a portfolio, so you’ll never have to worry about money again. We’ll even open a Fun Money account so you can play with these business ideas of yours.”
Fun money. God, how little he thought of her. She couldn’t bear talking to him one more minute. “I’ll call Mrs. Lumley now.”
Disconnecting, she lowered her head in her hands and closed her eyes. The world wavered like a boat at sea.
Of course, she would do what was right for her family. Between the debacle with Cameron and now the job, she was the one who’d jeopardized the relationship. She had to save them.
She just hoped like the hell it didn’t cost her the love of her life.
Declan stood in the bunkhouse addressing Kurt’s staff. “I’m sure everyone knows by now that Phinny won the trivia contest, but there was another codicil to the will, and I wanted to let you know that I’ve inherited the ranch.”
The room went perfectly quiet. And then a moment later, a chair scraped back on the concrete floor and Tina got up, making her way to him, arms open. “That’s real good news.” She hugged him. “Real good.”
Mitch clapped him on the back. “Guess I’ll reserve my thoughts until I hear what your plans are.”
Tina waved him off. “You know what this place means to him.”
“Need to hear it.” Mitch gestured to the others. “We all do.”
“That’s fair.” He was damn glad he could give them the answer they all hoped for. “Kurt had time before he passed to write up very clear instructions for his vision, including the research he was investing in, so he’s made it easy for me to take over exactly how he intended. And in order to implement that, I don’t have a choice but to keep all of you. Otherwise, I might’ve gone with better-looking people.”
A few people burst out laughing.
“Probably even some hockey players since I understand what they’re talking about.”
They were all cracking up, and he knew it was more relief than humor. It felt good. Everything felt good. The ranch stayed intact, and he got Phinny. He didn’t know how or why a woman like that wanted his moody ass, but she did. He was pissed at himself for underestimating her, thinking she’d want to go back to her fancy world when anyone could see how happy she was here. How she’d come into her own.
“What about hockey?” Mitch asked. “Are you here full-time or are you going back to Pittsburgh?”
“I’ve got part ownership of the Renegades, so I’m staying right here.” It sucked, giving up his shot at coaching an NHL team. But Phinny had given up running the auction, so he could do the same. Because he loved her. Loved her harder and deeper than anything.
Phinny was his heart. Hockey was a career.
Time to finish up and let them get back to work. “In any event, I’ll be around, learning as much as I can, but I’m not going to get in anyone’s way. Kurt trusted all of you to do your jobs, and thanks to your efforts, this place is one of the most profitable ranches in the west.”
“In the whole country,” someone shouted.
“In the fucking world.”
He chuckled. “True, true. All right, that’s it. Until there’s a reason to change something, it’s going to be business as usual. Including those bonuses he gives you guys.”
And right there—that’s what cleared all their expressions. Knowing they could afford to do the work they loved seemed to seal the deal. As they all headed outside and back to work, Mitch and Tina caught up with him.
“I think it all worked out the way it should,” Tina said.
“I don’t know about that. I’m not a Grevers, and I know he’d rather have kept it in the family. But it’s better than selling the place.”
She tipped her head in confusion. “Don’t you know? You were his family. He loved all you boys, but you were like a son to him. Take it from someone who knew Kurt for over two decades, he’s resting in peace now that he knows this place is in your hands.”