Chapter One
T ori pushed herself up from the comfy cushion seat of the high-back rocker. It was her latest purchase and one she kept patting herself on the back for buying the moment she saw it at a recent arts and crafts festival she’d visited in a neighboring town. The wood was smooth and a golden brown in color, carved by an artisan’s hand with skill and love. At least that’s what she told herself. The artisan had offered it for sale but left no personal information about him or herself. The shop seller was just as reticent when it came to passing anything along to her as they loaded up her purchase. Once home, she had added the colorful cushion to the seat and it became her favorite spot for the early morning coffee she enjoyed as she began her day with the rising of the sun.
“Well, Peanut,” she said to the large orange tabby cat that lounged in its usual place on the cushioned bench that sat in the corner of the porch, not far from Tori’s usual rocking chair. The pair of them had their morning routine and their evening routine, as established over the years together. “You’re in charge. I must get moving early this morning if I want to catch that worm,” she said with a grin and a quick scratch behind a furry ear.
Driving along the tree-lined street that would wind its way toward the outskirts of the town toward Lockwood Ranch, she pushed a button and allowed the sunroof to slide open, the morning air fresh and welcoming to her spirit. Drawing in a deep breath, she felt it was going to be a good day. She would explain to Caden Lockwood her vision for the warm springs on his ranch and how it would benefit so many of the townspeople, he would see the logic, and all would be fine. And he would understand why she hadn’t simply waited until one of his assistants got back with a suitable time for an appointment with him. They had put her off one too many times already. Take the bull by the horns. That had become her motto, handed down from her grandmother, and she couldn’t agree more. Caleb had to be a reasonable man, a smart man, to be in control of such an empire. They would have a business discussion. She had a positive feeling about it.
That positive feeling soon evaporated at the appearance of three cowboys on horseback standing just inside the double gates. She pushed the button and lowered her window, a smile ready on her face. Finally, one cowboy moved his horse closer to where she wouldn’t have to speak so loudly to announce herself. He was an older gentleman, skin like weathered leather, and dressed in pure cowboy: spurs, chaps, hat—a hat that looked like it might have seen better days a decade or so ago. She had to give him props for that grayed handlebar moustache. He was straight from central casting for the next western film.
He tipped a finger to the brim of his hat and said in a slow drawl, “Howdy, ma’am. Are you in need of directions? Maybe lost?”
“Thank you, but no. I am in search, however, of Mr. Cade Lockwood. I’m mayor of Destiny’s River, and if you would be so good as to point me in…” She didn’t get to finish. A second horse moved forward to rest beside the other cowboy, and the rider was younger. He didn’t have a welcoming smile. In fact, he didn’t have a smile of any kind.
The first cowboy retreated. That left Tori to face the man seated on a very large black animal who looked like his unwelcome demeanor might match that of his rider. Did they practice that imperious gaze together? Again, she attempted her smile, but that was as far as she got.
“Once again, Ms. Mayor —” and the way he said those words did not bode well for them becoming friends “—you ignored instructions to apply for an appointment before coming onto my land. That might be how you do things in town, but not out here.”
My land. The words caught and stuck in her brain. So, this was the almighty, powerful Caden Lockwood. Just great. And he had just made it abundantly clear that they were not destined to become friends anytime soon. Well, she had come too far and waited too long to let one moment go by before he threw her off his precious land.
Tori opened her door and stepped out, preferring to think better on her feet. Unfortunately, he seemed even taller than before for some reason. She raised her hand to help shield her eyes from the glare of the sun that was not in a most advantageous spot behind his shoulder. And it was a broad shoulder. And if she were not trying her best to hold her ground and patience, she might have taken in the fact that he was one of those cowboys women would enjoy staring at in awe as they passed by on the streets of town. But she was not here to ogle like a silly female. She was here on important business.
“No one invited you to step onto my ranch. In case you need it put any plainer, trespassing is an offense where we can employ force under our Texas laws. You need to get back inside your vehicle and head back to where you belong. My men and I have work to do.”
“And so do I,” she rounded back on him. “I have tried to obtain an appointment. I have been put off for almost a month now. I am just as busy in my office, I can assure you. But I represent Destiny’s River, and the matter I need to speak with you about can wait no longer. Since you are here and I am here, I see no reason why we can’t discuss the issue right now if need be. I won’t take up your time any more than necessary, and then I’ll be on my way.”
“You already have taken up too much of my time this morning.” He nodded at the third cowboy. He and his horse moved toward the panel next to the gate.
“I suggest you back your car out while you can. The gates are slow, but they can pack a punch. Nice chatting, Ms. Mayor. You have a good day.” With that, minus a smile, he turned his mount and the pair of them left her in the dust…literally. The second cowboy followed in his wake. The third sat with solemn face, but his hand reached for the buttons inside the panel he had opened. She got the message.
Once inside the vehicle, she reversed and then wished she had her own cloud of dust on the highway she could kick up to punctuate her departure. Never had she been dismissed in such a rude manner. Well, he had another think coming if he thought she was some weak-minded female easily scared off once a male had put her in her place. She shook her head. If he wanted to play the game that way, then so be it. But waving a white flag in surrender on something so important as the warm springs was not in her DNA.
She saw how much people in and around their community could benefit by having access to those springs for health and rehabilitation issues. She wasn’t asking for the keys to his kingdom. Just simple access to something that was merely sitting there and could mean so much to so many. Tori would regroup. Cade Lockwood hadn’t seen the last of her.