Chapter 54
T he days after the court hearing will go down in infamy for being the most unpredictable, crazy, and entertaining in Swiftwater history. Now, Reid and I are getting ready for another paramount day.
While he finished outside in the stables, I made breakfast for us, and now we're attempting to get dressed. I say “attempting” because he can’t keep his hands off me.
His hands are serving as bra cups, his beard is burning my neck as he kisses me, and my ass is grinding into his cotton clad erection.
“Cowboy, we have to get going! We're going to be late.”
He bites my neck and growls. “Say it again, I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
I laugh. “Cowboy.”
“Mmm.” He thrusts against my exposed ass.
“Sugar, you’re going to be the death of me,” he groans, and I laugh.
I wriggle out of his hold and lock myself in the bathroom so I can quickly dress and make myself presentable. We have a meeting in less than an hour and we can’t be late.
We walk into the conference room with a few minutes to spare. We would’ve been early, but Reid stopped in town so I could get my dirty chai. True love is enabling your spouse’s weird habits.
Holy shit, spouse? Where did that come from?
Partner. I meant partner.
Shit am I sweating through my shirt? There's no way Reid is even thinking about marriage.
I need to be more careful inside my own brain. Shit’s crazy up in there. You don’t want to peek behind those curtains.
We sit in the large conference room at the lodge with Reid’s parents and I’m shaking from nerves, but I need to shoot my shot.
“Thank you so much for agreeing to see us today. I'm so grateful you took a chance on me. I’ve loved touring the properties and bringing my creativity and art to life in real-world spaces. As you’re aware, Reid and I have already gone through the entire roster of properties, and it’s only March.
And I imagine you won’t be wanting to do design overhauls annually. ”
Mr. and Mrs. Andersen chuckle, and Reid squeezes my knee in encouragement under the table.
“I noticed during the winter season that most of the properties are set up and marketed towards winter sports, hunting and fishing. I only saw the surroundings covered with snow, but I can imagine how stunning the areas are in spring, summer, and autumn.”
The table nods their heads in agreement.
Here goes nothing.
I pass out full color, professionally bound copies of my dream.
“I'd like to propose that Swift Property Management pivot and reimagine how the properties can be better utilized all year round. It would attract a different customer base, not to mention the number of influencers who’d want to create content in such gorgeous settings.
“As you flip through, you'll see market research and competitor comparisons for property rentals specializing in hiking, rafting, fly fishing, yoga, corporate retreats, wellness retreats, and more. Based on my research, and Swift’s existing success and customer base, this expansion could be extremely profitable.
With minimal upfront cost and labor, I believe that you'd see a worthwhile return,” I conclude.
I rest my sweating, shaking, hands in my lap, and Reid envelops them in one of his with a squeeze of pride.
Mr. and Mrs. Andersen take several minutes to review my work. They look at each other with a loving smile and then I must black out because there's no way I hear correctly.
Cecelia smiles warmly at me and says, “This is brilliant, Isabelle. We can tell that you worked incredibly hard on this proposal. Based on the increase in rentals since you started, we have no doubt you have an eye for what customers want. A real gift.”
There’s no way. There's no ever-loving way that these extremely successful business owners are excited about the ideas of a high school graduate flying by the seat of her pants with a pen, a sketchbook, and a wandering imagination.
“We’d love for you to head up this new project. I'll have a meeting with the other managers to see if there are any employees we can reallocate to work beneath you. We, and of course Reid, will be at your complete disposal, as well as marketing and finance.”
I'm speechless. I turn wide eyed to Reid, and he's beaming at me. He can see that I don’t believe what's happening, so he assures me, “You did a great job, sugar. We all believe in you.”
“No one has ever believed in me before.” This is a new feeling for me, and I'm having trouble processing it. My sentiment is received with gentle chuckles and reassurances.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea what your confidence in me means.”
Walter smiles warmly. “Of course, darlin’. Now, if that’s all, I was hoping to steal the boss lady away for an early lunch date.”
As his parents move to stand, Reid stops them. They sit back down, equally curious and concerned.
“Alright, son. You’re up,” Walter directs.
“Like Isabelle, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the family business and how I’d like to contribute. I'm committed to maintaining my full responsibilities at Swift and support the changes Isabelle wants to make. I'll be by her side every step of the way.”
There are no words for how much I love this man.
“However,” he hedges, the tension in the room notching up, “The seasonal additions to the roster of properties will only take so long, and I have a proposal of my own. I don’t have a fancy book or speech.” He winks at me and interlaces his fingers with mine, squeezing my hand tightly.
“I know the ranch will never be a cattle operation ever again, and I think we’ve all come to terms with that. I also know the ranch is in our blood, it’s who we are as Andersens, and I’d like to share that with other people.” The hope in his voice puffs my chest with pride.
“Months ago, Isabelle was so kind and genuinely curious, that I told her all about the ranch’s history. She asked if I’d ever like to see it return to its former glory. And without hesitation, I told her yes.” He looks over at me softly and smiles.
“I told her I wish other people could experience the property and see how beautiful it is—to feel the peace I feel there.”
I'm bubbling over with anticipation because this moment might change his life.
“With your permission, I'd like to honor Sam’s memory and build several small guest houses on his plot of land. It would increase Swift’s portfolio as well as bring revenue directly to the ranch, depending on how we set things up.
We could offer riding lessons, trail rides, equine therapy…
I’m more than happy to do all the labor, and Isabelle would be brilliant doing all the design. ”
He pauses, dry swallowing. “I think it would make Sam happy to know his land isn’t sitting vacant growing weeds but is making memories for families for years to come.”
His pain is palpable, I know how difficult it is for him to speak about Sam in this manner.
“I’ve talked to Quincy, and I know she already declined the property multiple times, but she genuinely wants us to keep it. She loves the idea and wants us to make the most of what we have left of Sam. Her only condition was that one cabin be armadillo-themed and be named ‘Sam’s Cabin.’”
Every one of us is crying. His dad is the first to break, he huffs a laugh. “Sam and those goddamn armadillos. The weirdest animal a kid could be obsessed with.” He looks to his wife, who's sobbing, but is nodding her head yes.
“Yes. Reid, you have our full permission and support to make this happen. For you, for the company, and for Sam. Anything we have is at your complete disposal. Time off, money, contractors, you name it, and we’ll make it happen. We're so damn proud of you.”
Cecelia joins in and says through tears, “We're so glad you’re happy again. You’ve been lost for so many years.” She turns to Isabelle. “We owe a great deal of thanks to you, for helping him find his way back.”
And with that, we part ways with Reid’s parents and walk out to the truck. We stand in stunned silence letting it all soak in, until I can’t take it anymore and jump into Reid’s arms, whooping and hollering, ecstatic that all our dreams are coming true.
We rain praise and kisses and adoration on each other, soaking in this moment we’ll remember forever.
Reid’s phone rings and he goes stiff. He sets me down to take the call and turns slightly away from me. “This is Reid. Today? Thanks.”
I look at him quizzically, but he doesn’t offer an explanation, looking wooden and uncomfortable.
“Everything ok?” I ask.
“Yep. Yes. Everything is ok. Great actually.” He’s being weird. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s tugging on the collar of his shirt and fidgeting.
“You, uh, are meeting the girls for lunch, right?”
“Yesssss…”
“I need to take care of something. Do you think Olivia could drive you home when you ladies are done this afternoon?” he asks, all twitchy.
“Oh, sure. I know she won’t mind.”
“Great. Awesome. Great. Ok. Let’s get you to the restaurant then.” His words all blur together.
I chuckle. “What's up with you, cowboy? You're acting weird.” He's adorable. It’s like he's broken from all the emotions in the meeting and is glitching like a huge, sexy robot.
“Nothing!” he nearly shouts.
“I have to go take care of, um, something.” He ushers me to the passenger side and practically tosses me in and buckles me up to drive me to the pub.
I'm on cloud nine from my proposal being accepted, and Reid’s surprise proposal of his dream for the ranch. I don’t even care that he’s being weird.
I'm so lucky to be loved by this incredible man, and to be living this crazy life by his side.