Chapter 13
cade
“This is so awesome,” Noelle says as she looks around in awe at Landon’s place.
His house is all polished metal and glare, every corner gleaming, every rug probably costing more than one of my prize heifers. Not a hint of ranch dust anywhere. It doesn’t feel like a home but a stage.
I try not to think about how he spends his half of the profits on bullshit like original art that Violet can show off, while I put it all back into the ranch so I can see a profit the following year.
I didn’t want to bring Noelle. I wanted to end things with her. But showing up to an event like this without a plus-one would mean a whole hell of a lot of annoyed bullshit from Violet.
So, I hitched up and went along ‘cause Landon insisted that this was important for his campaign and career.
“They need to see you and hear from you. It legitimizes where I’m from.”
Great. Now I’m a way for him to demonstrate his understanding of the blue-collar ranching community.
Noelle snuggles up to me.
She’s wearing a flimsy dress she bought in Aspen for the occasion. It’s cream-colored and resembles underwear. She tells me it’s made by some designer.
Whatever. As long as I didn’t have to pay for it, we’re all good ‘cause I’d rather spend two grand on feed than clothing.
She shifts and winces softly, uncomfortable as hell in the high heels she insisted on putting on. I have no idea why a woman wears things she’s not relaxed in.
But then, I don’t have moral high ground on comfort because I’m wearing a fucking suit.
I hate wearing a suit. It feels like a noose dressed up in silk.
“Cade. Noelle.” Violet’s voice floats across the foyer as she sweeps toward me in some slinky dress. It’s burgundy red and has a similar look and feel to what Noelle is wearing.
“Oh, Noelle, the Gucci looks stunning on you.” Violet gives Noelle air kisses, like we’re in Paris or something.
Aspen ain’t that fancy, doll.
“And the Schiaparelli looks so good on you,” Noelle gushes.
The who looks good on her? Yeah, give me a gun so I can blow my brains out. Please?
“So glad you made it, Cade.”
Violet is smiling, but her face is tight—she doesn’t like me on a good day, but she really dislikes me right now because she wants to sell the ranch, and I won’t. She’s made her displeasure with me loud and clear.
I grunt a greeting, tugging at my collar. I’d rather be knee-deep in mud pulling a calf than standing here.
When Violet leaves to hug and kiss someone else, Noelle decides that we must get champagne and mingle. What that means is talk to people we don’t know and pretend we do, and laugh at dumb jokes that ain’t funny, not even after two fingers of bourbon.
Where the fuck is that gun?
It isn’t until we’re about to be seated for dinner that I spot a familiar face.
Kaz. He doesn’t look out of place like I feel.
What is that son of a bitch doing here?
“Cade.”
We shake hands.
“This is Madison.” He introduces me to his companion, a sharp-eyed woman in a dress that looks like it’s been painted on her.
She has a nice pair of tits, and at least one of her legs, the one hanging out of the slit in her dress, looks like it goes all the way to her armpits.
“She’s a prominent developer. Madison, this is Cade Mercer. ”
Madison laughs. “Landon Mercer’s brother! I’ve been dyin’ to meet you, Cade.” She has a Texan twang.
Noelle nudges me, so I make the introduction. Madison barely spares her a glance before locking on to me like a coyote sizing up supper.
It’s not a good feeling.
“I hear a lot about Blue Rock Ranch.” She puts her manicured hand on my arm.
I step away, not caring how obvious it is that I don’t like her familiar manner.
If she notices, I can’t see it. Kaz does notice and smirks.
“You know, Cade, Otis…you know, Senator Jessup?” Madison continues.
I nod but don’t say anything. I don’t know the man. I know of him.
I’m a fucking cattle rancher. How would I know a senator?
I’m not Mav or Duke; they have big fucking ranches, and they hobnob with politicians. I’m just trying to make a living.
“Well, Senator Jessup and I are working on an exciting land deal in Wildflower Canyon.”
“Are you?” I tug at my tie. I want the fucking thing gone. I’m getting a rash on my neck thanks to it.
“Yes.” She looks me in the eyes. “Don’t you think Wildflower Canyon needs an airport?”
Actually, any kind of gun will do? In fact, a hammer would be fine. I can knock myself out with it.
“I think Wildflower Canyon needs better irrigation channels and support from FEMA to fix the damn floodplain,” I shoot back dryly. “Nobody’s complainin’ about an airport, ma’am. They’re complaining about losing calves in the spring thaw.”
Her smile doesn’t waver. If anything, it sharpens.
“That’s a narrow view, Cade.” She says my name huskily as if we’re in bed. Jesus! “You’ve got land sitting on untapped value. Resorts, golf, an airstrip….”
“Can you imagine that?” Noelle puts a hand to her heart. “You know, Madison, my father owns Dunn Ranch and—”
“We need a larger piece of land than that.” Madison doesn’t even look at Noelle. She’s got her eye on me.
Fucking hell!
Kaz swirls the whiskey in his glass, his grin just this side of amused. He’s letting Madison do the talking, but I can feel his eyes on me, waiting to see how I’ll react.
“Wildflower Canyon could be the next Jackson Hole,” Madison adds, her eyebrow arched.
Well, I’ll be hog-tied!
“Jackson Hole?” I snort. “Lady, folks out here ain’t looking for spas and sushi bars. They’re raisin’ cattle. Beef that ends up on your plate. What you call ‘untapped value’ is the only reason this place still makes sense to live in.”
Madison leans in, undeterred. “And what if the beef money dries up? Prices swing. Droughts kill. Development brings stability. Security. Why work yourself into the ground when your land could be making ten times the return with half the effort?”
“Honey”—I use the word like a swear—“If we develop all ranch land, how on earth will you be able to order your hundred-dollar filet mignon at some overpriced restaurant in Aspen?”
Her eyes narrow, and I see temper flare in her eyes. She masks it, but not quick enough. It’s obvious that she’s pissed with my attitude.
Well, hell, join the club, honey!
I tug my tie loose this time. Fuck this shit. I remove it and stuff it unceremoniously into my coat pocket. It’s one of Landon’s. Violet insisted that I wear something Hermes.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Her painted smile stays fixed, but I see irritation behind it. “You’re not the only cattle ranch in the country.”
I let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “I’m sure you say that to all the ranchers whose land you wanna trample over. You can look down your hoity-toity nose at us ranchers, but dirt and sweat’s the only thing that feeds families out here. Not your Goddamn golf course.”
Kaz chuckles low. “Told you he was stubborn.”
“Stubborn,” Madison purrs condescendingly, “or short-sighted?”
“Come on, Cade, don’t you think it would be fun to have a spa in Wildflower Canyon?” Noelle rubs her tits against my arm. “I won’t have to go all the way to Aspen to get buffed and polished.”
Kaz looks like he’s about to double over laughing. The bastard is enjoying this. I shoot him a flat, unimpressed look.
“Not interested in your buff and polish, darlin’.” I tuck my hands in my suit pants before I do something uncouth with them, like give Madison and Noelle a one-finger salute.
“Progress is coming whether you like it or not,” Madison assures me in a tone that is definitely a threat.
I plant my boots a little wider, meeting her gaze. “Call it whatever you want. Blue Rock is gonna stay cattle.”
After that, the evening gets worse.
I’m seated next to a woman with big tits. Celeste Jessup is the wife of Senator Otis Jessup. She’s wearing more bright rocks than even Violet.
She’s window dressing, I figure, because Otis Jessup is interested in talking to me, quite like Madison Whatshername.
“Heard a lot about you, Cade.” He leans in, his eyes on me, as if I’m an important person. “You know, I nearly bought Wilder Ranch once. Came close, but….”
Yeah, we all know how close you came… And in the words my kid’s been singing all week, that don’t impress me much.
A surprise chuckle slips out. “Duke and Elena will never sell.”
Celeste laughs lightly, like I said something cute. “Everyone eventually sells.”
“Not them.” And not me.
“Of course, of course,” the senator says smoothly. “Still, such prime land. Always wondered what could’ve been.”
And that’s when it clicks. This isn’t a dinner. It’s a setup.
“Cade, a man like you could make a fortune.” Good old Otis figures he’s tightening the cinch that’ll bring me in line. Instead, it’s the last damn straw. “Sell Blue Rock, take the cash, invest smart. You’d never have to lift another feed bucket in your life.”
I give him a sardonic look. “I like lifting feed buckets.”
Landon’s campaign manager, Reed Malloy, who is sitting across from us, slides into the conversation, slick as a snake-oil salesman. His teeth are shiny, his smile wide. It’s creepy as fuck.
“The Senator is right, Cade. That land is worth a fortune. With the right deal, your brother could have the funds to blow his opponent out of the water. Imagine the ads, the reach; he could lock in Congress and set his sights on the Senate.”
The senator nods appreciatively. “I’m stepping down soon. I’m thinking of joining Madison’s development firm. They’re the future.” He nods at Kaz’s date, who beams at him.
Christ on a crutch!
Campaign funds. Development deals. They’re carving up Wildflower Canyon at the dinner table, and all they need is me to hand over the reins and sign away my legacy.