Two days later
Annalee took a seat across the table from Edward. They were meeting in the dining room at Dakota Farm, and she was pleased beyond words that her twin sister was seated beside him. Hawk had helped her draft the proposal she was about to present to him, but it was best that Mirabelle was present since the proposal concerned her, too.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.” She was convinced she’d made the right decision to continue employing Edward. It was only a matter of getting his agreement and signature on the appropriate forms. Then they could all move forward from the beautiful but terrible position they’d been thrown in.
Edward rested his hands on the table. “You’re the boss,” he said easily, “assuming I still have a job.”
“Absolutely!” Annalee was thrilled to receive confirmation that he wanted to stay. A vindictive person might’ve resigned and left her in the lurch. “From what I’ve seen of the profitability numbers and everything else, Dakota Farm couldn’t be in better hands.”
His expression softened. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I want you to stay, Edward.” She couldn’t stress that strongly enough. “Not just in the interim, but for the long haul.” If not for a twist of fate, all of this would’ve been his — from the house they were sitting in to the many acres of farmland that comprised Dakota Farm. “Together, I believe the three of us can take this place to new levels.”
His expression was cautious. “What do you have in mind?”
“Several things.” She understood his reservations about having her at the helm, considering that the only farm she’d ever managed before this had been foreclosed on. “First of all, I’d like to be clear that Gilbert Farm was purposely run into the ground through exorbitant legal fees, sabotage, and eventually murder. At one point, my late husband had it operating at a profit, but circumstances were unfairly stacked against us. You’re welcome to think whatever you want about what happened next, but that’s my side of the story.” It seemed best to address the elephant in the room right away.
He nodded gravely. “Fair enough.”
“As for what I have in mind for the direction of Dakota Farm, it’s pretty simple.” She didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding between them. “It will be business as usual with one exception. This company will no longer be focused solely on maximizing profits. Yes, the bottomline is important. I don’t think any of us will disagree about that, but so is quality. I want the name Dakota Farm to be associated with the highest quality organic produce on the market!” Her voice rose passionately. “I’d like to honor my late husband’s memory by incorporating his garden-to-the-table legacy into our business strategy. That means no more pesticides and no GMO seeds, seedlings, or chemicals used. Ever. It’ll cost more in the short-term, but it’ll pay off in the long haul.”
A slow grin spread across Edward’s handsome features. “I can get behind that.”
“Good.” She was thankful they wouldn’t be locking horns over green initiatives. “Your first assignment will be writing up a new job description for yourself. We’ll discuss it and negotiate any details that need to be negotiated.”
His eyes glowed with appreciation. “I’ll have the first draft to you within a day or two.”
“Take as long as you need.” She didn’t want to rush something so important. She wanted to get it right.
“We-e-ell,” he drawled, “the thing is…my room and board were included in my previous salary and benefits.” He pointed vaguely to the east side of the farm. “I’ve been living in a smaller farmhouse on a five-acre lot that the previous owner built for his in-laws.”
She didn’t recall seeing anything in the property description about a separate five-acre lot, which probably meant it had been fully annexed at some point. “I’m assuming the home has already been modified to suit your needs?” If it didn’t have proper wheelchair accessibility, installing it would go to the very top of her to-do list.
“It has.” His mouth twisted ruefully. “For obvious reasons, every outbuilding has also been modified to accommodate wheelchair access.”
“Good.” She mentally crossed it off her to-do list. “I’m going to need a tour of your home in the near future, so I can take snapshots and present them to my attorney and CPA. Here’s why. Call it a bonus, a share in my inheritance, or whatever you want; but I plan to deed off the farmhouse and five-acre lot to you.” It was a decision she was making on the spot, and it felt like the right one.
While he gaped at her like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, she plunged on. “As for you, Mirabelle…” She met her sister’s gaze, knowing there was nothing she could do to restore everything that had been taken from her. However, there were a few things she could do to make her twin’s transition into farm life a little easier — or a lot easier.
“Feel free to consider it a sign-on bonus, a share in my inheritance, or whatever else tickles your fancy, but I’m going to deed this mammoth farmhouse over to you plus a percentage ownership in the farm that will cover its upkeep and then some.”
She talked right over Mirabelle’s gasp of astonishment. “Naturally, there are strings attached. I’m hoping to entice you to come on board as a full-time employee. As you’ve already heard me say, this isn’t a one-person operation. You’ll report directly to Edward, who will hopefully agree to help me pen an official job description for you, as well.”
“Of course.” Edward and Mirabelle exchanged a searching look with each other.
He gave her the faintest of head nods, which propelled her to announce shyly, “In case it affects any of your decisions concerning the direction of Dakota Farm, Edward and I are dating.”
“Oh, Mirabelle!” Their love story had taken some horrible twists and turns, but it was finally heading toward the happy ending they both deserved. “I’m so happy for you guys!”
“Thanks.” Her sister blushed.
Annalee glanced between the two of them. “What questions do you have for me, if any?”
“I’ll need some training, of course.” The way Mirabelle was leaning toward Edward told Annalee that they were holding hands beneath the table. “But I’m willing to train if you’re willing to do the training, Edward.”
“You know I am.” His voice was tender.
“Then, no,” Mirabelle declared breathlessly. “I don’t have any questions.”
“Nor do I,” Edward echoed. “You’ll have the rough draft of both job descriptions within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”
Annalee nodded in satisfaction. “I have one last request before getting out of your hair.” She slid a list of names and numbers across the table to them. “These are all the employees I was forced to lay off from Gilbert Farm. Though there’s no guarantee any of them are still available for employment, I’d like you to give this list priority for farm hand replacements.”
“Gladly.” Edward eagerly reached for the list. “We currently have two positions open. In light of full disclosure, I dismissed the two men previously holding the positions. Their loyalty to my mother was so strong that I didn’t trust they would transfer their loyalty to the new sheriff in town.” He inclined his head respectfully at her. “Your family has already suffered enough at the hands of my family. Plus, I’d like to keep my scalp intact during all forthcoming encounters with Hawk and Running Bear.”
Annalee’s heart warmed another few degrees toward him. “The fact that you terminated two questionable employees before our meeting underscores just how right you are for managing Dakota Farm.” She had no regrets about following her heart on the matter. The fact that Hawk was in full agreement had made the decision that much easier.
She couldn’t wait to tell him that Edward and Mirabelle had readily agreed to each of her proposals. He’d wanted to drive her to Dakota Farm today, but Running Bear had insisted his presence was needed at a tribal council meeting. It was the first time in months she’d traveled anywhere without her bodyguard, which felt like a novel experience. She hoped everything was okay with the tribal council. The one thing they were good at, it seemed, was bickering amongst themselves.
She pushed back her chair and stood. “I’m going to hit the road so I don’t have to drive in the dark.” Hawk had lent her his pickup truck, finally letting her in on a little secret. The new windows he’d installed after the accident were bulletproof, and parts of the body were now composed of reinforced steel panels.
She said her goodbyes and climbed into his tank-like truck. The interior smelled faintly of his woodsy aftershave, making her miss him like crazy. She seriously couldn’t wait to get home. It had very little to do with his humble cabin, though, and everything to do with the fact that she was going home to him .
* * *
One hour later
Hawk paced the living room of his cabin, unable to sit down or rest easily until he laid eyes on Annalee again. He hoped that letting her travel to Dakota Farm without him wouldn’t turn out to be the biggest mistake of his life. Watching her drive away hadn’t set right with him.
Running Bear hadn’t been joking, though, about the seriousness of today’s tribal council meeting. In a stunning turn of events, he’d resigned from his decades-old position as a revered councilman. Then he’d immediately nominated his replacement and called for a special vote.
Hawk reached up to touch the beaded necklace that every councilman wore. He couldn’t wait to tell Annalee that he was no longer a councilman in training. He was the real deal now. It was still sinking in.
A knock sounded on the front door. He pivoted toward the sound, wondering who his unexpected visitor was. It couldn’t be Annalee, because his truck was still gone.
Striding across the room, he pulled open the door and found himself facing Running Bear. His mentor was holding the carved wooden box from the storage shed that Annalee had been so curious about.
“Come in.” Hawk pushed the door wider.
Running Bear shook his head. “I need to head back to camp and take care of a few errands before nightfall.” He held the wooden box out to Hawk. “I just wanted to give this to you before I go. It’s yours now.”
Hawk had mixed feelings as he accepted the box. “Is there a snake inside?” He meant it as a joke, but there was no answering humor in Running Bear’s gaze.
“To some folks, it’s far deadlier than a snake,” he warned. “It all depends on what you do with it. My advice is to not open it until Annalee returns. Tell her it’s a wedding gift.” After that cryptic statement, he turned around and stalked off.
A wedding gift that’s deadlier than a snake. Check.
Hawk watched him until he disappeared into the trees. Almost immediately, his ears picked up on the drone of a truck motor. Setting the box on the small table inside the door, he headed outside and jogged down the porch steps to intercept Annalee.
As she parked and set the emergency brake, he was there to open the door for her.
She practically fell into his arms. “It’s so good to be home!” There was a tremor in her voice that made his heart twist with concern.
He pivoted with her so he could lean back against the side of the truck. “Was it a tough meeting with Edward and Mirabelle?” He’d been worried that it might be.
“Not at all.” She slid her arms around his neck. “They agreed to everything. It was almost too easy.”
His heart leaped with elation. Edward’s willingness to continue running Dakota Farm meant that Hawk’s future wife wouldn’t be torn between here and there. “You’re really home then.” He spoke the words in wonder. It was going to take a little time for that to sink in.
“I’m really home.” Her eyes grew glassy with unshed tears.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quickly.
“I missed you!” She hugged him tighter. “I hope that’s okay. No doubt you were glad to finally get a break from me.”
“Not even,” he assured huskily. He couldn’t believe she’d wasted a second worrying about something so foolish.
“It’s just that we’ve been attached at the hip for months,” she fretted, “practically breathing the same air. As suffocating as that may have been for you, it’s become my new normal. My safe place. My Heaven on Earth. There’s no place I’d rather be,” she concluded in a broken voice, “than where I am right now.”
Wow! There was only one appropriate response to such a heartfelt declaration. He dragged his mouth over hers. “I missed you, too, and worried about you nonstop.” He kissed her again. “And selfishly prayed that your new responsibilities at Dakota Farm wouldn’t keep you there overnight. Nothing felt right on my end, either, until you drove up.”
He could feel her smile against his lips, reveling in the way she was running her fingers up and down the back of his neck. He adored being hers and would never stop craving her touch.
Her fingers brushed across his councilman necklace a few times and grew still as it dawned on her that he had a new string of beads resting there.
“Aw, Hawk,” she teased, pulling back a little so she could examine the beads. “Did you go therapy shopping to cope with my absence?”
He swooped closer to bump noses with her. “I believe you meant to say Councilman Hawk Chesney, ma’am.”
A squeal of delight slid out of her. “Is that what your urgent tribal council business was all about?”
“Yep.” He claimed her mouth again, loving the way she always melted into his kisses. When he finally let her up for air, he muttered, “I’m done waiting. Can we get married now?”
“Now?” Her voice adopted an anxious squeak. “How soon are we talking about?”
“As soon as possible.” He couldn’t wait to be married to her, which reminded him of the wooden box sitting inside the cabin. “Before I forget, Running Bear brought us a wedding gift a few minutes before you got home. You only missed him by a minute, maybe less.”
“A gift?” She sounded as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.
“Whatever it is, it’s inside that carved wooden box that had you so curious.”
“Oh, my goodness!” She reached for his hands, tugging him backward toward the entrance of the cabin. “Let’s go find out what’s in it.”
The glint of the setting sun caught the oval diamond on her engagement ring, making it flash like lightning. His mother’s ring looked good on her. Really good.
Once they were inside the cabin, she waved at the mysterious box. “I’m almost afraid to touch it.”
“You should be.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully at her. “According to Running Bear, whatever is inside is more dangerous than a snake.”
“Ooo!” She clapped her hands in anticipation. “The plot thickens, as they like to say in all the old detective movies.”
He lifted the box and carried it to the living room. “Where would you like to do the honors?”
“On the sofa.” She took a seat and patted the cushion beside her.
He sat and reached for the lid. “Are you ready?”
“Not at all.” She chuckled. “But maybe we should just get it over with.”
He lifted the lid, and they stared down at the sheaf of papers inside. “No way!”
It was a stack of U.S. Savings Bonds. He picked up the first few to examine them more closely. One was over twenty years old. Another one was nearly thirty years old. They were in varying increments. Most of them, however, as he thumbed through them were for $10,000. Since there were dozens of them, he estimated that they were looking at a few hundred thousand dollars.
“What a generous wedding gift!” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“No kidding!” Which in no way explained Running Bear’s warning. “How is this worse than a snake?” He no longer had any questions about where Running Bear had gotten the money to build the park and gardens behind the cabin.
“It only has the potential to be bad, depending on what we do with it,” she reminded. “As the old saying goes, the love of money is the root of all evil .”
“Makes sense.” Running Bear’s gift wasn’t just generous. It was insanely generous. He hoped the fella could afford to give that much money away, not that he ever spent much money on anything for himself. His Harley motorcycle was his one indulgence.
Annalee’s forehead wrinkled with the same questions. “I wonder where he got so much money.”
“With him, there’s no telling.” It probably wouldn’t do any good to ask, either. Running Bear was an open book about so many things, but there were a few things he never talked about. His personal wealth was one of those things, probably because so many members of their tribe lived in poverty. He certainly didn’t live like he was wealthy, always spending more on others than he spent on himself. There was an important lesson embedded in his actions that Hawk took to heart.
He would be praying for wisdom to be the councilman his tribe deserved as well as the husband that Annalee deserved.
“Can you hold off another week or two?” she asked softly.
He raised his eyebrows at her.
“To get married?” she explained hastily.
“One week sounds a lot better than two,” he countered.
“Okay,” she agreed. “One week.”