Chapter 6 #2
“Yes, sir.” Taking a sheet out of my portfolio, I slid it towards him.
“I currently have two hundred applicants on the waitlist, and we haven’t even opened yet.
All men and women who have fought for our country and sacrificed so much for our freedom, just like you.
They could go anywhere, and yet they want to come here. I think that speaks for itself.”
The corners of his mouth tilted down, his brows raising as he studied the information.
I continued, explaining my credentials and experience with veterans, outlining the process they’d go through at the ranch, showing him pictures and schematics for the old barn and the stables.
It was all state-of-the-art thanks to Claire and me winning that partnership with Cavendish Academy.
As I spoke, Ethan asked questions that showed he not only was listening, but that he cared.
It would’ve been easy for him to throw wads of cash at us to make him look good, but I knew that wasn’t why he donated to places like Freedom Reins.
And that was exactly why I wanted him backing us more than anyone else.
“You seem to really care about this, Delilah,” he pointed out, handing back a sample questionnaire the patients would take to match them with a horse and let me know their individual needs. “You’ve truly done your homework. I’m impressed.”
I tucked some hair behind my ear, nodding.
“Because I do really care.” I fiddled with the stack of papers in front of me, wondering if I should elaborate.
My eyes met Ethan’s, and something in them compelled me to keep talking.
“My dad served and took his life when I was a baby because of his PTSD. And someone very special to me also served, and watching him struggle with the aftermath has been devastating, to say the least, but also inspiring in a way. I want to help him and other vets in his shoes process the things they’ve seen and done so that they can live peacefully and avoid the pain that my father experienced.
My career has been spent focusing on veteran rehabilitation because of him and my father. ”
I didn’t remember my dad, obviously, but my mom did.
She said he came home a changed man. Cold and sometimes cruel.
Refused to get help. Too proud to admit that he wasn’t okay.
Spent his time drinking to numb it all. Then one day, he was gone.
Left her a note that he was sorry and to take care of me—which she didn’t—and that was that.
Something flickered across Ethan’s face. Recognition, maybe, or respect. I wasn’t sure. He glanced at the table, nodding solemnly. “This is exactly the kind of facility I want to support, and you are the kind of people I want to be helping.” With a heavy breath, he patted the table. “Count me in.”
Relief swelled so big in my chest I thought I might float out of my chair.
I couldn’t wait to tell everyone. This was like catching a great white with a fishing rod from the dollar section.
I grinned ear to ear, unable to hide it.
“Thank you so much, Ethan. Really. You have no idea how much this means to me. To all of us at Golden Circle.”
His eyes twinkled with his smile. “It’s my pleasure. Transitioning veterans need purpose, and what you’re building here provides that. You’ve got a solid vision and more heart than most people I come across these days, Delilah. Don’t ever lose that.”
His words settled deep, and I took them to heart. I nodded, and we both stood once the waitress left with the check. “I’ll be in touch in a few days about numbers. Let me know when the building is finished, and I’ll come take a tour.”
“Sounds perfect,” I replied, following after him. “We’d be more than happy to have you.”
He extended his hand when we reached the valet. “It’s really been great to meet you, Delilah, and I look forward to working with you and your ranch.”
I could’ve sworn I was levitating when I shook his hand again. “You too, Ethan.”
The ride back to Golden Circle went by in a blink.
I was buzzing with excitement as I floored the golf cart out to where Claire and Beau were overseeing construction of the new arena and stables for the Cavendish show horses that would be bred and trained here.
Both of them were scowling and nitpicking every single detail.
It was so eldest sibling, control freak of them.
“You guys are gonna shit!” Some of the construction workers stopped what they were doing to give me a questioning glance.
I ignored them and practically skipped over to Claire and Beau.
“I got a sponsor!” I jostled Claire by her shoulders.
My heart was racing, my skin tingling. I couldn’t believe that I bagged him. Me. All on my own.
Claire’s expression went from amused to shocked confusion. She grabbed my wrists, taking my hands off her. “What? What do you mean a sponsor?”
“Ethan Carmichael. You know, the guy Richard Cavendish told you about. I just had lunch with him at the country club, and he’s in!” Just saying the words sent a satisfied, proud zing through me.
“You had a lunch meeting without us?” Beau frowned, placing his hands on his hips. He and Claire shared a look that made my stomach twist. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
My smile faltered, and I felt instantly defensive.
This was my win, and I wasn’t about to let them take that away from me.
“Yeah, and you paid for it.” His glower only deepened.
“I didn’t know I needed your permission.
You’re both busy overseeing all this.” I waved to the arena.
“I thought I’d take something off your plates. ”
Claire sighed in that disappointed maternal way that made my pride deflate like a balloon.
Win effectively yanked away. She tucked some auburn hair behind her ear, taking a step towards me.
“You shouldn’t have done that, Delilah. Ethan Carmichael isn’t just some donor—he’s a national name.
If anything went wrong, it wouldn’t just reflect on you; it’d reflect on all of us.
We should’ve been there to back you up.”
My lips parted, my brows furrowing, stunned. What the hell? They should’ve been thanking me! “You can’t be serious.” My eyes darted between them, and a slicing, burning pain raced through my chest. “Oh my God, you’re fucking serious.”
Beau’s expression cracked with something like remorse. “Del—”
I flung a hand up. “Save it,” I snapped.
“I just got us probably a multi-million dollar sponsorship, and you’re going to scold me for not running it past Mommy and Daddy?
No. Fuck that.” My chest ached as I backed away from them.
“We’re supposed to be a team. Equal. All twelve of us.
But you still don’t trust me. Still think I’ll screw it up.
” My throat closed. “If that’s how it is…
then what the hell am I even doing here? ”
Claire called after me as I stormed off to the golf cart, but I ignored her. I couldn’t believe them. That after everything I’d done for them, for this ranch, they still didn’t trust me.
It hurt more than I thought it would. All my life, I’d been underestimated.
I was Hurricane Delilah. The partier. The casual dater.
No one had ever entrusted me with important things, thinking I’d ruin them.
But I’d never even been given a real chance to try.
I’d assumed—hoped—that Claire and Beau having me oversee Freedom Reins meant that had changed, and this was my chance.
But turns out, that was just a bunch of words. Bullshit. Meaningless.