2. Cord
2
CORD
DECEMBER
“ C ord, can you come to the office this afternoon?” Six-pack asked when I answered his call.
“Weather’s bad over here in Crested Butte. How urgent is it?”
“I’ve received word regarding the trust’s codicil.”
We’d already gotten two feet of snow, and there were another two on the way. The last thing I wanted to do was get stuck in Gunnison overnight. While there were only thirty miles between there and home, driving to and from in a blizzard also meant running the risk of getting stranded out in the middle of nowhere.
“Let’s get together one day next week,” I suggested.
“No time, Cord. You need to be there on Monday.”
“Be where?”
“A place called East Aurora, New York. It’s near Buffalo. ”
“This isn’t even a little bit funny. There’s no way in hell I’m traveling to New York, especially at this time of year.”
“You’ve got no choice, Cord. The truth is, if I could get you there tomorrow, I would.”
None of us had looked forward to Christmas much when our dad was alive, but now that Buck had a little guy of his own and Flynn and her husband had the twins, our whole family was looking forward to it being different this year, like it was before our mom passed away. “Come on, Six-pack. I can’t leave before Christmas.”
“As I said, you don’t have a choice. You know what’s at stake here. If you don’t get there on the stipulated date, you and the rest of your family will lose everything.”
I shook my head and scrubbed my face. “I’m expected to get from Colorado to New York in the dead of winter in less than a week?”
“You could fly.”
“How long do I have to stay there?” I asked.
“You already know the answer.”
“Tell me anyway.”
“Three hundred and sixty-five days. ”
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, knowing if there was any way possible to get out of this, Buck would’ve figured it out.
“I’ll send the details via email. You do have email, don’t you, Cord?”
“You’re an asshole,” I said, ending the call. It was a tossup as to whether he’d heard me or not. Either way, I didn’t care. Six-pack might only be the messenger, but something told me he took a perverse pleasure in sticking it to us Wheatons.
I sent a group text to my brothers, asking them to meet me in the main barn as soon as they could. Each one of them must’ve sensed what was up since no one asked why.
“I heard from Six-pack,” I said when Buck, the last to arrive, walked in. “I have to be in New York by Sunday night.”
All four of us sat on hay bales, but no one spoke for several minutes.
“Where in New York?” Buck asked .
“Near Buffalo.”
He rubbed his chin. “As you know, I’ve spent time in New York City, not that I know much about it. I know even less about that part of the state. Did Six-pack say why?”
I shook my head. “He’s emailing the details.”
Porter stood and walked over to one of the horse stalls. “Good thing National Finals Rodeo is over, or we’d be fucked.” It was the biggest event of the year for roughstockers and where we made the majority of our money. Unfortunately, the second biggest was right around the corner.
“National Western Stock Show starts mid-January,” I reminded him.
“We’ll get the Rice boys to send some of their animals,” he said, chewing on a piece of straw.
“I’ll go,” Buck offered. “I’m sure we’ve got enough hands on this ranch who would jump at the chance to go to Denver for a few nights.”
Porter nodded at Buck, then looked at me.
“What?” I asked.
“It’s your decision, Cord. I’m sure as hell not going to answer for you. This operation is just as much your creation as it is mine. ”
“Whatever you do about NWSS is fine with me. My hands are tied, Port.”
I stared down at the dirt, then at my phone and the email I received from the attorney, and read as far as the line saying I’d be required to remain somewhere called the Lilacs for a period of one year from the day I arrived.
“I’ll head out at zero dark thirty tomorrow.” I kicked the same dirt I’d been staring at. “Guess I’ll see you guys next Christmas.”
I made better time than I thought I would and pulled into East Aurora—a Podunk of a town, but not any more so than Crested Butte—at eight, Saturday night.
“Welcome to the inn,” a guy younger than me said as he opened one of the two big, wooden entrance doors. “Are you in town for the holidays?” he asked.
“No.”
“Can I help you with your bags, sir?”
“No,” I said a second time. “Thanks,” I added as an afterthought.
“Right. Okay. Well, check-in is right over there.” He pointed to a desk. As I got closer, I saw two women. One was seated behind it, the other in front. I stood a few feet away, waiting for them to finish.
“Hey, Juni. We’ve got a check-in,” said the doorman.
“Sorry,” she said, getting up.
“Take your time. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“I am, though.”
I’d removed my hat when I came inside, but with my square-toe boots, barn jacket, and flannel shirt, I had to look like someone straight out of a Western movie to whoever she was. “Cord Wheaton,” I said, taking a step forward and holding out my hand. Her grip was strong when she shook it, and her eyes met mine straight on. I liked her already. Not to mention she was about the prettiest girl I’d seen in as long as I could remember. She stared up at me with her big gray-green eyes and smiled, then glanced over at the guy who stood not too far from us. Boyfriend, I’d guess. Pity.
“I’m Juni—Juniper—Chance. That’s my brother, Grayson.”
I turned to the other woman. “I’m guessin’ you must be their sister.”
She blushed. “I’d tell you complimenting me wouldn’t get you a room upgrade, but it looks like it already did.” She stood and approached me too. “I’m Patricia Chance, Juni and Gray’s mother.”
When I shook her hand, I knew where her daughter had learned how to greet people. Her eyes met mine, and her grip was firm.
“Patricia’s my mama’s name.”
She studied me. “Is she from around here?”
“No. Colorado.”
She cocked her head. “Do you have other family you’re visiting for the holidays?”
“He said he’s not here for that.”
Patricia shot her son a look. “Pardon my Grayson’s interruption. He’s about to take a dinner break and is teetering on the edge of hangry .”
I looked over at Grayson. “I’m teeterin’ there myself. Anywhere you can recommend I get a bite to eat?”
“This way.” He motioned for me to follow him.
“Gray, Mr. Wheaton hasn’t checked in yet,” said his mother.
“Please call me Cord, ma’am.” I turned back to her son. “They serve burgers wherever you were takin’ me?” I asked.
“The best,” Juniper answered for him. “How do you like it?”
“Medium rare with bacon and cheddar if they’ve got it.”
“Fries?”
“Why not? Thanks. Hey, hold up,” I said when she followed her brother. “Let me give you some money.”
“It’s okay. We’ll just put it on your room.”
I could feel her mama’s eyes on me as I watched her daughter walk away. Tight jeans, boots—although more for the snow than riding—a flannel shirt like mine, and long brown hair that swayed just above her perfect little ass.
Dreading looking at her mother, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. “Figure you need ID and a credit card,” I said, handing both to her.
“Have a seat, cowboy.” She winked and I smiled. “So, are you just passing through?”
“Nah, I’ll be here a while.”
She cocked her head.
“I, uh, got a job at a place called the Lilacs.”
Her eyes opened wide. “You must be taking over for JD. Such a shame. ”
“JD?”
“He worked for the Coverts his whole life. And his father did before him.”
“Did you say Covert?”
“I did. Do you know the name?” she asked.
I shook my head. There was something familiar about it, but I couldn’t place it.
“You’re all set,” she said after typing a few things into the computer. “Looks like you’re with us until Monday.”
“That’s right.”
She handed me an old-fashioned skeleton key. “The room is on the second floor, at the end of the hall. Kids are in the bar.”
“Thanks so much, ma’am. I’ll just drop my bag and freshen up.”
“Welcome to East Aurora, son. I hope you enjoy your time in our little village.”
“I hope so too.”
I was about to take the stairs up to the second floor when Juniper stuck her head around the corner. “Don’t be long, or your food will get cold.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, winking at her like her mama had at me.
“What do you want to drink?”
“Whatever beer is on tap would be great.”
“That’ll be a Blue.”
“Sounds good.” Before I took the first step, I caught Juniper’s mother out of the corner of my eye. Her arms were folded, but she was smiling. That was a good sign.
The burger was one of the best I’d ever had, or I’d been hungrier than I thought. I even considered ordering a second one. I settled on another beer instead.
“How long are you here for?” Grayson asked as he cleared our dishes.
“As I told your mom, I’ve got a job at the Lilacs, starting Monday.”
Juniper’s eyes opened wide. “What will you be doing?”
I shook my head. “I wish I knew. I was told to report there, so here I am. I hope that whatever comes next involves some kind of wrangling since it’s about the only thing I’m good at. ”
“There are horses on the estate,” she said.
Grayson started to say something, but his sister shook his head, and he closed his mouth.
“So, uh, horses are a good sign. You know much about the place?”
“Some. I mean everyone around here does,” said Juni.
“Why’s that?”
“The family’s wealthier than that god, Midas,” said Grayson.
Juniper shook her head at her brother. “He was a king, not a god, and he was known for greed and foolishness. You’re thinking of Plutus.”
Grayson rolled his eyes. “Who I was thinking of is beside the point, nerd-girl.” He turned to me. “The Covert family is rolling in money. They’re kind of like the Rockefellers.”
Juniper opened her mouth like she was about to contradict her brother a second time, but shut it.
“The Coverts own the Lilacs?”
Both of them nodded.
“Who are you supposed to be working for?” Grayson asked.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “I’m supposed to get in touch with someone named Hoss.”
The two made eye contact, but neither commented.
“Somethin’ you wanna tell me?” I asked.
Juniper shook her head. “We don’t really know him.”
But they knew of him. It made sense they kept whatever they had to say to themselves since I’d be working for the guy. Honestly, it wouldn’t matter what they told me. I’d be here for a year, no matter how much of an asshole he was.
When Grayson walked through a swinging door with the dishes, I took the opportunity to study Juniper, who was staring at her glass of wine. The longer I looked, the prettier she got.
“Where are you from?” she asked.
“Colorado. What about you?”
“Here. I’ve never lived anywhere else except for at college. Even then, I didn’t leave New York State.”
“Where’d you go?” I doubted her answer would mean anything to me, but I wanted to hear her talk anyway. Her pronunciation of certain words gave away an accent, albeit one very different from the one person I knew from New York City—Buck’s wife.
“Syracuse.”
I made a mental note to look it up later. “Major?”
“Dual enrollment. Business management and information studies.” She raised a brow, maybe challenging me to ask more questions.
“You’re on to me,” I said instead. “I basically have no idea where the town you named is or what information studies means.”
She laughed. “Computer programming and analytics.”
“You’re talking about college now?” asked Grayson, coming out of the kitchen and shaking his head.
I chuckled. They reminded me of how my brothers and I were with each other. We didn’t tease Flynn, our younger sister, as much as Grayson did Juniper, but that was because our father had been so cruel to her when she was a kid.
“Is everything okay?” Juniper asked.
I realized I probably had the same sneer on my face as I always did when I thought about how much of an asshole he was to all of us. Flynn, in particular. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”
“Juni, are you ready to go?” Grayson asked.
“I’ll stay until Mom can leave,” she responded.
I got the impression her brother wasn’t crazy about her hanging out with me but kept his mouth shut, given it wouldn’t be a great idea to let a stranger—me—know their mom would be here on her own.
“I can stay,” he offered.
“You did last night.”
He nodded, then turned to me. “Nice to meet you, Cord. Enjoy your stay.”
I stood and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Grayson. Cool name, by the way.” I looked over my shoulder at his sister. “Yours too.”
“Thanks.”
When her cheeks turned pink and she lowered her gaze, my cock immediately hardened. Juniper was the perfect mix of self-assured and shy, and damn if I didn’t want to whisk her upstairs and get her naked in that big ol’ bed. Good thing her mama was here—a thought that halted any move I’d make on Juni .
“So. Juniper. Where’d your mother come up with the name?”
“It was actually my dad, and he can’t really take credit. It was his great-grandmother’s name. She was the twelfth child out of fifteen, so I suppose they ran out of ideas. My dad said they must’ve looked out a window and settled on Juniper instead of Tree.”
I laughed out loud. “Regardless of how it came about, I think it’s a beautiful name”—unable to stop myself, I reached out and touched a strand of her hair—“for an equally beautiful girl.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away this time. Instead, her gaze met mine. “You aren’t so bad yourself, Cord.”
“There you are, Juni,” her mother said, walking into the bar just as I dropped my hand. “The night manager is here, so we can head home.”
She jumped down from her stool. “Nice meeting you,” she said.
I stood too. “Maybe I’ll see you around if you work again this weekend.”
“Oh, I don’t work here. Actually, only Grayson does.”
My eyes scrunched, and I looked over at her mother.
“We’re helping out so the family who owns the inn can take a few days off for the holidays,” she explained.
“Nice of you.”
She shrugged. “I’m sure they’d do it for us if the situations were reversed.”
“So, uh, do they serve breakfast?”
Juniper leaned closer. “They do, but Charlie’s Diner is much better, and it’s just down the block.”
“Sounds good, then. Thanks for the recommendation. What time do they open?”
“Around seven, I think,” she responded.
“Perfect.”
“Are you an early riser, Cord?” her mother asked.
“I’m a rancher, ma’am. Seven will be sleepin’ in for me.”
“I’m sorry to inform you that you won’t find anything open earlier than that in the village.”
“I’m good. Might as well take advantage of a couple more days off if I can.”
Patricia handed her daughter her jacket, but before I could offer to help her with it, she had it on.
“Can I walk you out?” I asked instead.
Juniper nodded. “We’re this way. Thanks. ”
I opened the passenger door for her mom once we stepped up to the only car in the back lot. When I glanced over and saw Juni’s door still closed, I went around to open it for her.
“I can get it. I was just wondering if maybe you’d like to meet at Charlie’s tomorrow. I can show you around or tell you more about the village.”
“Seven too early for you?”
She grinned, and her cheeks flushed.
“Damn, you’re pretty,” I said under my breath.
“You’re very kind.”
I shook my head. “Actually, I’m not. I am honest, though. Would eight be better?”
“You wouldn’t mind waiting?”
“For you? Never.”
I went inside, took the stairs up to my room, and sat on the bed in the suite Mrs. Chance had upgraded me to, not that I needed it. I would’ve been just as happy in a smaller one, given how nice this place was compared to where I’d slept on the road.
I opened and read the attachment on Six-pack’s email for what had to be the tenth time.
The Roaring Fork Trust stipulates that the disbursement of the assets listed herein will be reevaluated after a period of one year from the date designated by the attorney of record.
The terms of the trust require that Cordero Rooker Wheaton maintain residency at the Lilacs, an estate in East Aurora, New York, full-time, meaning he cannot leave for more than forty-eight consecutive hours. Also, at the end of the year, the ranch must continue to show a profit. If either of those things don’t happen, then the proceeds of the estate will be distributed at the discretion of the trustee, in their entirety, to include proceeds from the sale of the aforementioned assets, to local charities including, but not limited to, the Miracles of Hope Childrens’ Charity of Crested Butte, Colorado.
On this read, the words “maintain residency” jumped out at me. I sure as hell hoped there was a place for me to live on the estate.