Up to you, but feel free to bring them along.
Where and when?
Riverfront Grill at six.
Well be there. He ended the call.
Mandy arched a brown. Well be where?
He pocketed his phone and pulled the shifter into Reverse. Is there any chance I can trust you?
Mandy buckled up. To do what?
To behave yourself-
She sputtered an unintelligible protest.
Frank Cummings has a buyer, he finished.
She froze, jaw dropping. For the ranch?
He reversed the SUV out of the parking spot, tires slipping to a stop on the gravel scattered on top of the pavement. Then he shifted into Drive. Only thing Im selling.
But You Thats too fast!
I dont think there are any speed regulations.
Whos the buyer? What does he want? Is he going to keep it as a working ranch?
Caleb shot her a look of annoyance. You cant ask him questions like that. Its none of our business.
She clenched her jaw.
I mean it, Mandy. If you come to dinner, you have to behave yourself.
You make me sound like a child.
Youre about as emotional as one.
Can you blame me? Really, Caleb. Can you blame me for trying to protect your land and your family-
Its not yours to protect.
-from someone so determined to make such a stupid mistake?
Youre referring to me?
If the shoe fits.
He glanced sternly at her one more time. You want to come to this dinner, or not? Im serious, Mandy. I dont want to dump you off on the side of the road, but Im not taking a lit stick of dynamite into a business meeting.
She seemed to have to think about it for a moment.
He waited.
I wont ask him his plans for the ranch, she finally promised, folding her hands primly on her lap, staring straight ahead and looking for all the world like a mischievous young girl.
He squelched an urge to waggle his finger at her. You are to say nothing but cheerful, positive things about Terrell Ranch and the Lyndon Valley.
She turned to him, tone dripping with sarcasm. I love the Lyndon Valley.
And if you could do that little pouty thing with your mouth, make the guy think hell have a sexy, farmers daughter living next door-
Mandy socked Caleb soundly in the shoulder. Watch your mouth.
Id rather watch yours.
And youre worried about my behavior?
He cracked a grin. Ill be good if you will.
And then he found himself second-guessing the wisdom of that particular promise. Honestly, it might be worth letting her blow the sale if it meant they could flirt instead.
Five
At a window table at the Riverfront Grill, Mandy plucked the cherry from the top of her hot-fudge sundae. She considered it consolation food, since Calebs sales meeting was going so well. Frank Cummings had come prepared with everything from surveyors drawings to photographs and climate charts. Nathan Brooks, a fifty-something man from Colorado Springs, was enthusiastic and obviously interested in the ranch.
She licked the whipped cream from the cherry and popped the fruit into her mouth, catching Calebs gaze as she chewed contemplatively and swallowed.
Im sorry? Caleb turned his attention back to Nathan. Can you repeat the question?
The upkeep of the house?
Has been regular, thorough maintenance, from paint and fixtures to plumbing and electrical.
Mandy selected one of the dessert spoons. The waiter had provided four and set them in the middle of the table. She assumed it was to make her feel less self-conscious about being the only person at the table to order dessert. Not that she cared. It was only a chocolate sundae. Caleb was about to sell his birthright.
She scooped up a mound of whipped cream.
The house is on a separate well? asked Nathan.
A well for the house. One for the outbuildings, and a third for the staff quarters.
Those cabins are all less than five years old, Frank put in. Theyre a great draw for couples or families who are interested in working at the ranch.
What about irrigation? asked Nathan.
Two-hundred acres are irrigated and seeded to hay, Caleb answered.
Four-hundred, Mandy put in.
Everyone looked her way.
They doubled it, she explained, seeing no reason to leave the man with a misconception.
Thanks, said Caleb.
She waved her spoon in acknowledgment, then dug into the ice cream and warm fudge.
There are water rights on the river. Frank produced a sheaf of papers. Spelled out in the agreement with the state.
Mandy swallowed her smooth, cool mouthful. You might want to tell him about the review.
Both Calebs and Franks eyes went wide. Nathan turned to look at her. Review?
The water rights are up for review. She dug her spoon in again, going for a big glob of the thick, cooling fudge. Its a provision under the regulations. The first stakeholders meeting is this weekend. Here. In Lyndon. You must have seen the notices.
Well, Frank put in heartily. I dont think its so much a review of existing-
Nathans eyes narrowed across the table at Frank. You knew about this?
Mandy stopped midbite, taking in the mens expressions. Nathan looked angry. Frank looked like a deer in the headlights. While Caleb was glaring at her in obvious frustration.
Okay, can of worms, shed own up to that. But surely they hadnt expected to keep the review a secret. The man deserved to know what he was getting into.
Nathan pushed back his chair and threw his napkin down on the table. Thank you for your time, gentlemen. Ms. Jacobs.
Frank quickly hopped up. Its not what you might think. If youd like, I can email a link to the Colorado information site.
Nathan headed for the exit, with Frank hustling along behind.
Mandy finished the bite of fudge sauce.
You did that on purpose, Caleb accused, as he waved a waiter over to the table.
I did not. She brandished her spoon. But I hope youre not going to sit there and defend a plan to keep Nathan Brooks in the dark about the water review.
No ones officially served notice to the property owners.
You were going to keep him in the dark, Mandy accused. She couldnt believe it. She never would have expected it of Caleb.
And you were going to behave yourself at this meeting, he countered.
The waiter stopped beside their table.
Glen Klavitt, on the rocks. A double, said Caleb.
I cant believe you would intentionally keep a buyer in the dark.
Hey, Im not his nursemaid.
But you know the water rights are under review.
I also know its a routine review. And were talking about preliminary discussions to determine if there should even be an official review.
Youve been doing your homework. Despite her disappointment in his principles, Mandy had to admire that.
Which is what Nathan Brooks ought to have done. And what he likely would have done, after hed seen the ranch and maybe fallen in love with it. And at that point, he would have been far more interested in making a compromise and listening to reason.
Okay. Mandy had to admit, when you looked at it like that, Caleb wasnt completely amoral.
You dont lead with your flaws, Mandy.
The waiter set Calebs drink down on the table.
Caleb nodded his thanks. Marketing 101.
I never studied marketing, she told him, scooping up another bite of ice cream, feeling a little like celebrating now. The sale was dead. She had some more time to find Reed.
Did you study manipulation? Caleb asked.
They didnt have it as an elective at Metro State.
Too bad. Youre a natural.
Do you really think I did that on purpose? She hadnt meant to scare Nathan off. Then again, her heart wasnt exactly on the side of selling, either.
I think you were very effective.
She made a show of shaking her head. You must have studied paranoia.
He took a swig of the scotch. Are you trying to tell me, you had no idea telling him about the review might scare him off? None at all? It never occurred to you? Not for one second?
Okay, so as the words were coming out of her mouth, particularly when she saw Calebs expression, of course it had occurred to her. But it didnt seem prudent to admit that now. I was simply providing information. She stuck to her original story.
Serves me right, said Caleb, polishing off the drink. I never should have brought you along.
Mandy battled a twinge of guilt, setting down her dessert spoon, deciding shed had enough of the sweet concoction.
Frank returned to the table. Im afraid we lost him. Permanently. Then his affable expression hardened as he focused on Mandy. And you. I trust you learned a valuable lesson-
Leave her out of it, Caleb immediately put in, tone dark.
But- Frank began. The he took in Calebs expression and cut himself off.
Win some, you lose some. Caleb tossed his credit card on the table. Thank you for your time, Frank.
I Frank snapped his mouth shut. Right. Ill be in touch.
Caleb nodded a dismissal, and Frank deliberately straightened his suit jacket, tugged at the sleeves and headed for the exit.
You didnt need to defend me, Mandy felt compelled to point out. Caleb standing up for her made her feel even guiltier than she had a few moments ago.
The waiter came by and smoothly accepted Calebs credit card.
Its none of his business what you do or do not say. Caleb swirled the ice cubes in his glass. But it is my business. And its my responsibility to make sure youre never in a position to do anything like that again.
The intensity of his expression made a shiver run through her. That sounded like a threat.
He tapped his fingertips against the white tablecloth. I dont threaten. Its a waste of time. I just deliver.
In this instance- she couldnt seem to stop herself from asking -what exactly are you going to deliver?
While she waited on his answer, he helped himself to one of the extra dessert spoons and took a scoop of the sundae. You, Mandy Jacobs, are off the list.
Okay, that didnt sound too dire. Theres a list?
He took his time savoring the mouthful of ice cream. The list of people who are invited to my meetings with perspective buyers.
She took his lead and retrieved her own dessert spoon. I thought I added value to the conversation. I was the one who knew about the four-hundred acres.
Ill give you that, he allowed, scooping into a swirl of whipped cream. You were doing great, right up until you blew the entire deal.
Theres another way of looking at this, you know.
And, how is that?
A second chance.
Didnt you hear Frank? That buyer is gone for good.
She concentrated on mining a vein of the gooey fudge. I didnt mean a second chance with the buyer. I meant, a chance to make the right decision.