She closed the clasp on her briefcase with a snap, then pressed her lips together. “May I be blunt?”
Nodding, Ally said, “I need you to be as direct with me as possible.”
Marcy began to pace. “You can’t expect to sell to Corporate Farms-knowing full well they intend to drive everyone else out of business so they can create an outfit bigger than the King Ranch right here in Laramie County-and think it will be okay.”
“If I were to do that…” Ally swallowed and looked the real estate broker in the eye “…I’d never be able to come back, would I?”
Marcy shook her head. “I don’t see how you could.”
HOURS LATER, HANK WALKED into the living room where Ally sat beside the Christmas tree. Duchess was curled up next to her. The puppies were sleeping in a comical heap across her lap. It was a blissful scene, except for the faintly troubled look in Ally’s eyes.
Hank tossed his leather jacket over the back of the chair and loosened the knot of his tie. He wished he could tell Ally about the meeting he’d just been to. But like everything else about the negotiations he was involved in, the details were top secret until the deal was set. And that wouldn’t be for another thirty-six hours.
In the meantime, though…moments like this didn’t come along all that often. He took out his cell phone, determined to capture the moment. “Hang on a minute. I’ve got to get a picture of this.”
For a second he thought Ally might burst into sentimental tears, which was not surprising, given how attached she had gotten to all the dogs. Then she got that fiercely independent look in her eyes he knew so well. She mugged dramatically, then picked up Gracie and held her to her chest. She used her other hand to soothe the equally hyper-alert Duchess. “Since when are you into taking pictures?” she chided.
The walls were coming up around Ally’s heart again, higher than ever. Hank wanted to tear them down.
“Since I found the perfect Christmas card photo.” And the perfect woman. “And because,” he added honestly, “this is something I want us all to remember for a long time to come.”
Some of the fight drained out of Ally. “You really think the dogs are going to remember?” she asked softly, pressing a kiss on top of Gracie’s head.
The pup opened her eyes and looked up at Ally.
If Gracie wasn’t focusing on Ally’s face, Hank decided, she was darned close… Certainly, there was love and affection reflected on her cute little mug as she snuggled there.
Realizing Ally was still awaiting an answer to her question, he said, “I’m sure the dogs will recall all the love and attention they’ve received from us. In fact,” he predicted, working to disguise the small catch in his throat, “I think they are going to be as sad to leave Mesquite Ridge tomorrow as we will be to see them go.”
To his chagrin, Ally noticed the unusual huskiness in his voice. She made another face and teased, “I didn’t think ranchers got emotional about stuff like this.”
For some, the acquisition and loss of pets was a normal part of the ebb and flow of ranch life. Something accepted without much thought. For Hank, dogs were part of the family. Which was why he’d been thinking about getting one as soon as he had his own ranch.
“What can I say?” He shifted angles to make sure he captured the tree and the fireplace in the next frame. Smiling, he joined their makeshift family. Holding the cell phone out in front of him, he took a photo of all of them together. “You bring out my sentimental side.”
This time Ally’s smile was from the heart. “And your familial one,” she added softly.
That was true, too, Hank noted. Never had he wanted to have a family of his own more than he did right now, with Ally, Duchess and Gracie…
Whenever she let her guard down, Ally seemed to want that, too.
Silence fell as they looked into each other’s eyes. Ally sobered, as if suddenly recalling all that still remained unsettled, all that could drive them apart. She was right to be concerned, Hank admitted reluctantly to himself. It was time to have a serious discussion, at least about the things they could talk about at this juncture.
Such as her meeting with Marcy Lyon.
Hank pocketed his phone once again. Figuring this was one conversation best had with no distraction, he helped Ally return the puppies to the warming box, next to Duchess in the whelping pen. The warming box was situated next to the mother dog. When they’d all settled down to sleep once again, Ally motioned for Hank to follow her.
“So how did your meeting go?” he asked, while they walked back into the living room.
She sank down on the sofa, propped her feet on the coffee table and released a long, slow breath. “Premier Realty’s appraisal did not come out as I had hoped.”
Hank tensed, not sure whose side he was on-hers or his. Maybe both… He sat next to her, being careful to give her plenty of room. “How bad was it?”
Ally passed a weary hand over her eyes. “So bad Marcy is refusing to list the ranch for me, because she doesn’t want every bit of profit I might make from the sale of the property to go toward her commission.” Briefly, she explained, then looked over at him and shook her head in exasperation. “What kind of person shoots themselves in the foot professionally that way?”
Hank replied frankly, “The kind who lives in Laramie, Texas. Neighbors here help each other out. They don’t take unfair advantage for personal gain.”
“Like Corporate Farms would.”
Hank nodded, knowing he would give anything to find a way to keep Ally in his life. Even his dream of one day owning this ranch, if that’s what it would take. Because she was worth any sacrifice to him. The question was, what was he worth to her?
She released a beleaguered sigh and turned toward him, tucking one foot beneath her, her other knee nudging his. Her green eyes were full of strength and wisdom. “I’m a financial analyst.” She shifted closer, the fragrance of her hair and skin inundating his senses. “I know the smart thing to do, fiscally, would be to accept CF’s deal and not look back.”
Hank gazed at her thoughtfully, really wanting to understand her. “And yet…?” he prompted softly.
She tensed, seeming on guard once again. “They’d destroy the house, the barn and everything that is familiar about this place.”
And that, Hank noted, was something Ally couldn’t bear. He reached over and covered her hand with his. “I thought you hated Mesquite Ridge.”
Her fingers grasped his and she bit her lip. “I did, too. At least I thought I did.” She paused to look deep into his eyes. “But now that I’ve been here again and started fixing up the house, I’m remembering some not so bad times.” She shrugged. “Like sewing with my mother. Learning the ins and outs of finance and bookkeeping with my dad. As much as I hated their frugality, I have to admit no one could stretch a dollar better than the two of them.” Ally pushed her free hand through her hair, mussing the silky strands. She shook her head, her eyes glimmering moistly. “I feel like I have no good options.”
Unable to bear seeing her in so much distress, Hank shifted her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “That’s not true. You have me. I am this close-” he held his index finger and thumb half an inch apart “-to being able to help you.” This close to being able to tell you everything I feel…everything I want us both to have.
She scowled briefly. “Please don’t say that,” she begged, splaying her hands across his chest. “Really. I can’t bear any more half-baked promises. Not tonight.”
Tenderness swept through him. Not sure when he had ever felt such devotion, he shifted her closer still. Heaven help him, he wanted to make love to her here and now. And one day soon, their time would come.
“Then what can I do?” he asked quietly.
The caution that she’d been feeling the last few days, about the two of them, fled. She leaned into him and allowed herself to be vulnerable to the undeniable sparks between them once again. “Help me to forget I may soon have to sell the only real link to family that I have left. Or that tomorrow I’m going to find out whether or not I’m going to be laid off from my job.” Her voice cracked emotionally. She looked at him with raw need. “And that Duchess and Gracie and the rest of the puppies are going to be taken away…”