Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“No, I know,” he agreed, but he still sounded off, both hurt and sad. “I just… I wasn’t…”
“But everything turned out okay,” I said, softly, coaxing, “and we’ll have a lot of time together when you get home.”
He didn’t whimper. It wasn’t that. But it was close. “You’re gonna come on home with me like you promised.”
“Wild horses and all that,” I assured him. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too,” he husked. “I really just need you and my bed.”
“Well, you’ll have both as soon as you get home.”
“Yeah,” he whispered.
He was quiet.
“Mac?”
“I was scared,” he said simply, and I heard the depth of the pain in his voice.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“No, you don’t hafta—”
“I’ll hug you and kiss you and you’ll see I’m all good.”
Heavy sigh. “Yeah. Okay. I want all that.”
I was smiling so big, I was probably glowing. “They’re gonna release me in the morning, and Stef’s gonna come and take me home with him, so that’s where I’ll be when you get here.”
“You will?”
“I will.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, and had the urge to tell him I loved him before I hung up, even though I knew it was far too soon.
ELEVEN
Stef was there around nine to spring me, and when I apologized that he’d had to take a day off work, he smacked me on my good arm.
“What the hell?” I snapped at him.
“Don’t say stupid shit,” he growled back. “Even if you hadn’t saved my life and the life of my son, I’d be here for you. When have I not been?”
And he was right. Since he’d brought me home from the rodeo with him two years ago, and even at the rodeo, Stef had been one of the people in my life I could always depend on.
“So stow that shit and let’s go.”
Not that he was sweet and nice about it. My angel was combative and prickly. “Can you carry my bag?”
The look of death that shot out of his eyes made me put up my hand and walk out the door without a backward glance. I didn’t want to piss him off anymore. Apparently that question had been really stupid.
On the way to the Red, I called Richard Jenner and put him on speaker in the car since Stef knew what was going on already, and Mr. Jenner reiterated what he’d told Kevin the day before that if, for any reason, the Bronc was asked to move off the property, that the resort would, in fact, be paying for the relocation.
“However,” he said before I could ask a question. “There have been some developments, so I don’t think you’re going to have an issue.”
“Developments?”
“Yes. This morning I spoke with their corporate office, and they directed me to the vice president of the real estate investment group that now owns King’s Crossing.”
Jesus.
“It turns out that Sutter Incorporated has purchased the resort. As I’ve worked with them in the past, I explained the situation and then asked that their head of HR join us on the call.”
“You…talked to everyone already?”
“Well, yes, of course. Your manager explained what was happening with the impending visit, and because I don’t like to wait for things to play out, I went ahead and got that situation ironed out.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Basically,” he began, “I explained to the head of HR that any racial discrimination concerns could not be mitigated by the hiring that’s been done at the Bronc, as the Bronc is in no way affiliated with the resort.”
“I see,” I said, looking over at Stef, who waggled his eyebrows at me.
“You lease a space for the restaurant from them, end of story,” Mr. Jenner went on. “They needed to have that clarification.”
“And may I ask how they responded?”
“Well, they certainly will not be including the Bronc on their corporate visit, though they’ll stop and eat there.”
I smiled into the phone. “That would be good.”
“It would, yes. As for what the resort will decide to do in regard to your restaurant, well, I suspect that’s a dead issue now, considering the discrimination lawsuit they will no doubt be hit with, as well as the costs associated with breaking your lease and relocating you. So the Bronc’s not going anywhere.”
I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Thank you, Mr. Jenner, I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“You’re very welcome,” he replied, wished me a good day, and was gone.
“Holy shit,” I said, turning to Stef. “That just happens?”
“When you have a good lawyer, yes,” he apprised me, giving me a smile. “Just remember this feeling when you get the bill for his time. He’s a partner, so I think he’s at five hundred or so an hour.”
“That’s okay,” I assured him, feeling the relief coursing through me.