7. Jaxon #2
“Wait, back up. What loans?” Rhett asks, pushing aside his plate.
“That’s the other thing James told me after you guys left his office.
This farm is carrying a lot of debt.” I get up from the table and pull the loan documents out of the folder, passing them around.
“The loan Dad took out against Dakota Lightning still hasn’t been paid off.
And the balloon payment is coming due.” I toss my napkin on the table.
“I don’t know how we’re going to save this place. ”
Grady sets the documents down. “Mom probably didn’t want us worrying. You know her.”
I chew my bottom lip. “It is our worry now that the farm’s in trouble. And if the bank takes it, that’s the end of four generations of Chances on this land.”
“Maybe we could pool our money?” Rhett suggests.
I shake my head. “Mom wouldn’t want us to. Even Earl admitted that the horse industry is risky. We couldn’t afford to gamble our money if things went sideways. Lucky Chance needs to earn back what it owes.”
I stare out the window at a horse grazing and think about what Earl told me today—how Hank Branford’s father cheated our family. Dad never trusted a Branford after that.
With my hockey career over, I’ve got nothing lined up. Maybe it’s time to stop waiting for a door to open somewhere else. It doesn’t mean I have to stay here forever. I just have to make sure Branford doesn’t get Lucky Chance.
I rest my elbows on the table. “What if we were to come up with a plan? Would you all be in?”
“To save the farm?” Wyatt clarifies.
“We get it profitable enough that the bank leaves us alone. And in two years, we become the owners and decide what comes next.” I look around the table. “Well?”
Wyatt lifts a hand. “I’m in.”
“Same,” Grady adds.
Rhett throws his napkin on his empty plate, the last holdout. “I’ll do it. But only because I refuse to lose to you three at something.”
“Yes!” Wyatt fist-pumps the air. “I’m getting a hat and boots. The whole nine yards.”
“This is not cowboy cosplay,” I remind him. “It’s a business.”
“Can’t it be both?” Wyatt asks.
Grady holds up his hand. “Before we get too excited here, do we have any ideas on how to make this work?”
“Based on what Earl told me, the boarding barn is a pretty reliable income,” I say. “Thirty-five horses are paying monthly board right now. Maybe we should increase that. Add a few more broodmares and foals. And our prize stallion, Gent, still has a name in the industry and a decent stud fee.”
“You’re forgetting one thing.” Grady leans back. “All that requires someone who knows the clients and horses.”
I shift in my chair. “Which brings us back to the same problem.”
The table goes quiet.
“Summer,” I mutter.
“She’s been doing this job for years,” Grady says. “She knows everything Mom knew. We’d be idiots to waste that.”
Outside, horses graze in the far pasture. Dad knew what he was doing when he put this place in a trust. He probably guessed that we’d all have reasons not to come back, so he made sure we’d spend time here.
The screen door bangs from the kitchen, and I hear Ada Mae say, “Summer, did you eat dinner yet? There are plenty of leftovers.”
What is she doing here?
“Oh, I really shouldn’t stay,” Summer says.
“Sure you should, honey,” Ada Mae says. “Eat something before you head home. I know you won’t have the energy to cook anything decent tonight.”
Ada Mae appears with Summer right behind her, still in her work clothes—light-wash jeans and a tank top. The little straps show off her tan shoulders, and the cotton fabric clings to her body in a way I shouldn’t be noticing.
She stops when she sees us sitting around the table, and her eyes land on me.
“Oh. I didn’t know you were all still eating. I’ll come back later.”
“Sit down,” Wyatt invites. “No need to leave.” He motions toward a chair, right next to me.
Her gaze cuts to the chair, then me. “No, I’m interrupting your family time.”
“We were just talking about you, actually.” Grady stands and pulls out the chair for her, like a Southern gentleman. It’s irritating the way my brothers are falling all over themselves for Summer’s sake.
“You were?” she asks.
Heat pricks the back of my neck.
“How valuable you are to the farm.” Grady catches my eye, like he’s up to something. “Jaxon’s going to need your help now that he’s running the place.”
I clench my teeth.
“Is that so?” she asks as Ada Mae sets a plate in front of her. “He doesn’t act like he wants my help.”
“Most women would beg to be in your boots, working for me.” As soon as it slips out, I wish I could take it back.
“Well, I’m not most women,” she says coolly.
“I don’t think you have a choice. We need everyone on board.” Then I turn to face her fully. “That is, if you think you can take direction from me.”
She eyes me warily. “The question is whether you’re willing to take direction from me. I’m the one who knows the operation.”
The stare she gives me sends heat through me.
We glare at each other for a moment, like we’re waiting to see who will back down first. And the longer I stare, the more that attraction spreads, even though I know she can’t stand being around me.
But I need her if we’re going to save Lucky Chance—which means I’m going to be spending every waking hour with her from now on.
My throat suddenly goes dry, and I grab my glass, draining it in one gulp.
Wyatt laughs. “Good luck getting him to take direction from anybody.”
“I can take direction,” I fire back, setting my glass on the table a little too hard. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
She arches a brow, and I already know that I’m going to regret agreeing to this.
“Great,” she says with a smirk that’s almost dangerous. “I’ve been waiting fourteen years to boss you around on this farm.”
I lean back in my chair and cross my arms. “Wouldn’t dream of taking that away from you, Daniels.” Then I lean toward her, just enough to catch the flare in her eyes. “Besides, I love a bossy woman.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow before sunrise.” She picks up her fork. “Don’t make me wait.”