Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
C ameron had not stayed to decorate the Christmas tree last night. Instead he’d gone to his room and done as much research as he could on the Mistletoe Ranch. He’d also sent his cousin Tucker an email and asked the status of the report. Yes, he was pushing him, but he really needed that intel before he could make a decision.
This morning, he’d had breakfast and then searched everywhere for Edward. The man had not shown up for their ride and while Cameron had contemplated going out on his own, he’d decided to wait to see if he could speak to the accountant.
He’d noticed an additional set of offices off the back of the barn and he wondered if that’s where their bookkeeper’s office was.
Wandering in that direction, he noticed construction workers were busy trying to get the cupola for the bell hung on the barn. If this was his ranch, he would be right in there helping the workers and making certain that the bell was hung correctly. Edward was nowhere to be found.
Not only had the man not been there for their riding date this morning, but he wasn’t here making certain that none of the workers took a big chance or were injured while doing dangerous tasks.
Skirting the area, he found the office he was looking for.
The name on the door said Casey Anderson. She was a family member. Samantha did say she had one cousin who worked on the ranch.
“Hello,” he said.
“Hello,” she replied, looking up from her computer. “Are you lost?”
“No,” he said, knowing she would never show him the books without Edward’s permission. Had he left word for her to let him see the accounting numbers?
“Did Edward contact you about letting me see the books?”
“Yes, he did,” she said. “He told me you were friends in college and that you’re a CPA who might have some suggestions for us.”
The man had lied again. Cameron was not a CPA. He didn’t know the first thing about accounting except that he looked at the balance sheets his own CPA gave him to let him know how his business was doing.
“I’ve prepared for you a report on our last month. This month, because of the wedding, our expenses are even higher. I’ve just taken over the books at the request of Samantha. There’s some funny things going on here that I have yet to figure out. I’m working with the banker,” she said.
She handed him a printout that he glanced over. Their expenses were extremely high compared to what his own properties ran. What would cause that?
As he glanced through the report, it seemed they had exceptionally high feed bills. Was that because of the winter? In Texas, their feed bills were not near this high.
“Edward is always bringing me bills from the LaGrange Feed and Supply store in town. I’ve never seen bills so high,” she said.
“Me either,” he said staring. “I think I’ll drive into town and pay them a visit.”
“You’ll miss the sleigh ride,” she said.
That had sounded like fun, but only if Samantha was sitting next to him. And he doubted she would have time for that, but then again. Maybe she would ride out with the wedding planner.
Glancing at the paperwork, he smiled at her. “Thanks for your help. If I have any questions, I’ll get back to you.”
The first thing he was going to do was send this information to Tucker. Then he would sneak into town and speak to the feed store. Maybe he could make it back before the sleigh ride.
As he walked back across the lot, he saw Samantha hurrying toward the house. He caught up with her.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Hey, you,” she said, turning those gorgeous brown eyes to him. He so wanted to pull her to him and kiss the tip of her upturned nose. This morning she wore a jacket over her sweater, and her jeans were tucked into snow boots.
“Where are you in a hurry to?”
“I’ve got to get everything ready for the sleigh ride this afternoon. I’m missing a driver. Edward isn’t here. I don’t know where he is.” A frown crossed her face. “Weren’t the two of you going riding this morning?”
“Yes, he was a no-show,” he said. “Hey, I can drive a team of horses if you need me to,” he said.
Her big brown eyes lit up with a sparkle that went straight to his heart.
“Would you? I mean, if Edward returns, he could step in, but otherwise, we’re short a driver. I could do it, but I’m setting up hot cocoa and cookies for a snack.”
Damn, she wouldn’t be there beside him, but this would help her out, and he wanted to make her life easier. But where was Edward?
“Of course,” he said. “As long as you save me an extra cookie and some cocoa with you.”
A big smile filled her beautiful face and it was so tempting to reach down and kiss those soft pink lips.
“It’s a deal,” she said. “Be at the barn at two o’clock.”
He glanced at his watch. “I need to run to town. Will that give me enough time?”
“Yes,” she said, gazing at him with a quizzical glance. “Do you need something we don’t have?”
“No, I have to run to the bank,” he lied.
What was he doing? This job had caused him to lie more than ever, and he didn’t want to do this. But he couldn’t tell her he was spying on her suppliers to find out if Edward was lying. Because that would only bring her pain.
“If you happen to see Edward in town, tell him to get home. He’s needed. Sometimes he likes to hang out at the Bear Claw, a local bar. Now is not the time for that,” she said.
He was now also going to the Bear Claw to ask questions of the bartender.
“I better go so I’ll be back in time,” he told her. “Is there anything you need me to pick up in town?”
She bit her lower lip, and he knew she was too polite to ask.
“We’re good, but thank you,” she said. “Be careful. If it starts to snow, the roads will become slick really quick. You Texans don’t know how to drive in snow,” she teased.
What could he say? He had very little experience driving in snow.
“No, we don’t,” he said. “See you soon.”
Turning, she walked away and he couldn’t help but notice the soft, gentle sway of her hips. Edward didn’t deserve to have such a sweet sister. Edward didn’t deserve the good life he had.
After backing out his rental car, Cameron headed toward town. The drive was beautiful and he couldn’t help but like the sleepy little mountain town. He found the seed store and went inside.
“Can we help you?” an older man asked.
“Yes,” he said. “I’m from the Burnett Dude Ranch down in Texas and I’m here for a wedding out at the Mistletoe Inn. We’re thinking of buying some property up here and I was wondering at the cost of cattle feed?”
The man stared at him. “I’ve heard of the Burnett Dude Ranch. That’s a big spread. You’re thinking of buying up here? Is there a particular piece of property you’re looking at?”
Cameron didn’t want to tell him which property because then it would spread through town like an out-of-control prairie fire.
“Right now, we’re just looking at the area, assessing the possibilities,” he said.
The older man nodded.
“How’s cattle prices up here?”
“Last year we had a great year,” he said. “The price of feed was low and we had enough summer grass that the cost of the beef on the hoof was very profitable for most ranchers.”
“That’s good to know,” Cameron said. “How about in the wintertime? I’m sure that’s when your feed costs go way up.”
The man nodded. “It can be. But most of the ranchers stock up on hay and even grow their own.”
Cameron pushed his cowboy hat back and nodded. “So what is the cost of feed right now?”
The man told him, and while it was higher than in Texas, the Mistletoe Ranch could’ve fed thousands of cattle with the amount they’d spent.
Did Edward think him a fool? Did he expect him to believe those costs he’d seen?
“What about the Mistletoe Ranch, where I’m staying? How is their feed bill compared to other ranches?”
He didn’t know if the man would tell him, but all he could do was ask.
The man sighed. “Since Ted died, that ranch has been floundering. His son doesn’t know squat about ranching. Rumor is that they’re in trouble, but I don’t know. I try to mind my own business. I feel sorry for Samantha and Betty. They don’t deserve to lose that place.”
Cameron nodded. It didn’t seem like the man thought Edward was the brightest bulb on the block.
“You’ve been a big help, thank you,” he said and left.
Next, he went to the Bear Claw, a typical small-town bar. When he walked in, it was so dark, it took him a minute to adjust to the dimness in the room.
When he sat at the bar, a woman came up to him. “What can I get for you?”
“A beer,” he said not planning to drink much since he was going to drive the sleigh for Samantha.
The woman slapped it down on the bar and he paid. He sat, gazing about the place.
“You’re not from around here,” she said.
“No, I’m not,” he said. “Looking at some properties in the area. Thinking about buying. Tell me which ones you think would sell.”
The woman narrowed her gaze at him and then sighed.
She named off several properties and then she leaned in close. “I hear that the Mistletoe Ranch is about to go under. You might get that one for a good price.”
“Oh really,” he said, sipping on his beer. “Why are they going under?”
She sighed and leaned against the counter. “Since Old Man Anderson died, his son’s been running the place. He’s not really the ranching type.”
Cameron nodded.
Leaning in close to him, she whispered, “He owes a lot of money to some unsavory types. He’s got to sell. The sooner, the better.”
Stunned, Cameron stared at her. Why would she tell him this information? Why would Edward have let his inheritance slip away like this?
Like she realized she’d said too much, she stood tall and walked away. There was so much more he wanted to ask her, but feared if he said too much, she would just clam up.
A few minutes later, she returned.
“Before I make an offer, I don’t want these unsavory types to think they can just continue with me. What do I need to watch out for?”
She gave a chuckle. “As long as you don’t gamble, you’ll be fine. Edward likes to play cards. And he’s not real good at it.”
That made perfect sense. In college, he’d been one to play cards. It seemed he’d never learned his lesson.
Reaching into his pocket, he laid down a twenty-dollar bill.
“Thanks,” he said. “Keep the change.”
Walking out of the bar, he hurried to the car. Now he knew part of the truth, but how deep was Edward in?
And did Samantha have any idea her brother was in so much trouble?