Chapter 4
4
Rachel
R achel’s heart hammered almost painfully. It was one thing to spend her trust money when she was trying to locate Athena, it was something completely different to use most of it on a purchase like this one. She’d always known that there was a part of her heart that was missing. Even though she hadn’t remembered Athena from her infancy, she knew that they needed to find one another.
Thankfully, she hadn’t needed to use much of her trust. Henry’s curiosity had aided in that. Still, her parents weren’t going to be thrilled to find out that nearly half of what she had was now invested in this property. There was still plenty for her to live off comfortably, though it was difficult seeing the numbers in her account shrink so much.
What was she thinking? She didn’t know the first thing about owning a large piece of land. She’d spent about three hours researching what it could be used for and happened to come across an article showcasing a Colorado win for keeping the wild horses around.
There was a need that wasn’t being addressed in this part of the state. Wild horses were being hauled off properties where people didn’t want them. What better place to start a wild horse refuge than right here in Copper Creek? There was plenty of space for it. And the government even had incentives for opening one’s private property for the relocation of the majestic creatures.
Of course, she’d have a lot to do in order to work that out, but the first step had been to buy the land and make sure the developers of that resort didn’t get their grubby hands on even one acre.
Her heart slammed harder into her chest as they stopped at the foot of the drive. The man in the driver’s seat was someone she’d only met a handful of times. He was the representative at the bank, who was probably too jovial for his own good. In the back seat was her realtor.
They’d both insisted that she take a tour of the property before they officially closed. It was one of the things a “smart” investor would do. Neither one of them needed to know that she had plans for the property that didn’t require her to check it out. If anything needed fixing, she’d make sure it got handled.
The funny thing was that she didn’t need some big place to live. Sure, she’d grown up in a very nice house. They’d even had a housekeeper, which around here was unheard of. But Rachel was content to live simply.
“Are you ready?”
She jumped and glanced over her shoulder as her agent leaned forward. He was an older gentleman—someone who reminded her a lot of her father. He was never without his tie and briefcase. She’d found him in a listing, and he worked mostly out of Billings, but he’d been willing to jump through the hoops she’d set out to work with her.
Mr. Hennesy was nice, and he did exactly what he set out to accomplish. But as soon as these papers were signed, she wouldn’t likely ever hear from him again.
Rachel smiled. “I don’t think I could be more ready.” Her enthusiasm lacked the conviction she knew it should have had, but both Hennesy and the bank administrator would just have to deal with it.
“And you’re sure you don’t want an official inspector? You’re legally allowed to request it.”
She couldn’t tell them the plans she had for the property. Not yet. There was still so much she had to figure out. And they probably wouldn’t back down anyway. So instead, Rachel brushed him off with a wave of her hand. “I have the funds to do what I need. This is a foreclosure. It’s being sold as is. An inspection wouldn’t do much for me anyway. It’s not like I’d back out.” She smiled at her realtor. All of what she’d said was correct, but it wasn’t the biggest reason she didn’t need one.
The fewer people on the property, the less likely she’d have to deal with the gossip in town. Only these two men knew who was really buying the land. Mr. Hennesy didn’t really care one way or the other. And as for the banker, he didn’t seem the type to share gossip with others in town. So far, her secret was likely safe. Who would care that a piece of land was no longer on the market anyway?
Hennesy climbed out of the car and walked toward the gate that blocked them from driving up the road to the house. There was a fence that stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction, and just outside of the fence line grew several large trees that shaded the highway they’d arrived on. He pushed the gate open, and the banker drove the car over the threshold. Now everything felt that much more real.
Breathe .
Just because she was alone in this venture didn’t mean she had to worry. She could make this work. She knew how to run a charity. That was essentially what this project would be. Research, endless hours, and horses. She couldn’t ask for a better gig. She could do this.
They pulled up in front of a house that looked like it was large enough for a family of five. It wasn’t a starter home by any means, but it also wasn’t as large as the home she’d grown up in. One day it might even be the place where she raised her family—if she ever decided to settle down.
Rachel pushed her door open and stared at the house. It was perfect, just the way it was. The outside walls were all rustic brick. There was also some pretty old stone and wood accents that could use a good touch up, but this place had good bones—something the realtor continued to say.
“Now, inside, you’ll notice that the house hasn’t been updated. It was built in the early 1900s, and as such, there aren’t many modern touches.”
“It’s fine, Mr. Hennesy. I’m sure it’ll be perfectly fine.”
Her realtor gave her a look. She couldn’t tell if it was his way of saying she didn’t know what she was talking about, or if it was a look of pity. Whatever, it didn’t matter. No one else would be living here. She would be alone.
They spent the better part of a half hour going through room after room. By the time her realtor and the banker decided to stay put in the kitchen, she was able to sneak out the back door and head for the barn. It looked a little worse for wear on the outside. The roof would need to be patched. There didn’t seem to be any sign of life in and around it.
The previous owner likely hadn’t even had a horse to put here. She wasn’t sure if she’d need to fix it up. If she didn’t own any of the horses herself, and they were all wild anyways, then maybe she’d end up just tearing it down. She poked her head inside but didn’t dare walk past the open doorway. The last thing she needed was to get caught in a barn collapse just before her deal was supposed to be finalized.
Rachel headed around the barn and followed an overgrown path toward a fence that had a large, wooden gate. The gate was ajar, allowing for the possibility of two people walking through it side-by-side.
She trailed her hand across the wood, admiring the smooth texture of the treated pine. This was the kind of fence that all these places around here should have used. But instead, most of the folks around here used rebar and wire.
What had happened to the times when people took pride in what they owned? Rachel continued along the trail, wondering briefly if the men in that kitchen were looking for her yet. She laughed softly to herself as she walked. If Hennesy wanted to know where she was, all he’d have to do was call her cell phone. But if she knew those men, they were likely caught up on some topic that had nothing to do with her purchase. Rachel probably had a good thirty minutes to explore her immediate surroundings before they even noticed she was gone.
The grasses in the field had become overgrown. There were wildflowers everywhere. Different colors smattered the field as far as she could see. This place was definitely more beautiful than she’d expected. It felt bigger, too.
Her heart had slowed down since she’d arrived, and an overwhelming peaceful feeling washed over her. She’d made the right decision. That much was clear. Rachel closed her eyes and turned around in the middle of an open space. The fragrant smell of the flowers inundated her senses. This whole place just felt right.
“What are you doing here?” a sharp voice demanded.
Rachel’s eyes flew wide at the intrusion, and she spun around to find a familiar cowboy seated on his horse overhead. “Hudson? What are you doing here?”
He held the reins with both hands as he stared down his nose at her. “You realize this is private property, right?” Disdain practically dripped from his words, making her feel smaller than he had any right to do.
She crossed her arms and glowered right back. “I could say the same thing to you.” At least she had a reason for being here. Hudson, on the other hand, was trespassing—or he soon would be when this place was officially hers.
Hudson didn’t even flinch at her words. Nor did he shift in his seat. His focus continued to drill a hole right through her.
“What are you doing here anyway?” She drilled him with the question he’d asked her. “You’re not supposed to be here because this place is getting sold.”
“Yeah? Well, I have more of a reason to be here than you.”
“Why’s that?” she snorted. Clearly, he didn’t realize that she was here with the bank representative.
“Because this place doesn’t belong to you. Someone else bought it, and now they’re going to make a mess of it.”
She knew better than to take the bait. Rachel was nothing if not respectful, even when she was being pushed around. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to have a little fun with him. Hudson was here for a reason, and she wanted to find out why. “Then why are you here?” She lifted her chin and gave him a demure smile. “I’m only wondering because wouldn’t that make you a trespasser as well?”
His scowl never left his face. “I’m trying to save this place.”
“And how do you suppose you’re going to do that?”
“By camping out here and waiting for the unsuspecting jerk to come take a look at what they’re getting into.” He gestured around them. “This place is too big for them to be able to control all of it at once. I’m going to show them they’re not welcome by sabotaging their construction process.”
Rachel lifted her brows. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m dead serious.” Hudson leaned closer to her, his brows lowering dangerously over his eyes. “Some of the money hungry people in this town might not care if someone comes in and turns this place into the next tourist destination, but I do. I’d rather die here defending what this town used to stand for than see some airport and skyscraper get put up.” He straightened, clearly not shy about sharing where his heart was. Her own heart fluttered as if it had found a soul mate. Neither one of them wanted to see Copper Creek change.
“Ms. Walton! There you are!”
Hudson stiffened, his eyes darting behind where she stood. Rachel glanced over her shoulder to see both men lumbering toward them. Well, now the jig would be up. There would be no hiding that she was the one who’d put in an offer. By this time tomorrow, everyone would probably know.
Rachel could feel Hudson’s gaze on her, and she slowly met it. Her small smile did a poor job of masking just how she felt at that moment—which was mostly embarrassment. “So…”
“Please tell me that you didn’t convince one of your rich friends to buy this place,” he said.
She blinked. That sounded better than the true story—that she’d spent half of what she had on the land where they stood. She ran charities. It would be the perfect cover. “I can’t help it if someone I know has an idea for this property.”