“Hiiii,” Junie sang.
“Hi, Junie,” I said.
She’d briefly stopped in over the New Year, super enthusiastic and raining gifts on everyone. Autumn was worried about her. According to the tabloids, Junie had broken up with some country music stud and the gossip shows enjoyed showing pictures of him and every other woman who crossed his path.
Her siblings were worried, but Tenor had claimed Junie’s troubles weren’t man-related. He insisted it wasbusiness. I didn’t know Junie, but Autumn was worried, so I cared.
Tate tented his fingers together at the end of the table. The two of us were former CEOs dressed down in jeans, a hoodie—his a Bailey Beef sweater and mine an old Silver one. I was finally getting some use out of the merchandise I’d been gifted during my time in charge.
“Autumn approached me a few weeks ago,” he said. “Then Summer. And Wynter. Junie.”
Summer cocked a brow, looking unrepentant. Wynter smirked. I glanced at Autumn.
Her smile was smug. “I figured it was time for the girls to have a talk before we ran our decision past the guys.”
Teller grunted and Tenor nodded.
Tate tapped his fingertips together. “Autumn thinks we need to sell some property.”
Myles and Jonah weren’t here. Why was I? I didn’t have a say about any of their holdings.
Autumn reached for my hand. She beamed. Puzzle pieces were starting to click into place. No. She wouldn’t ask Tate to sell?—
“She thinks we should sell Percival to you,” Tate said, confirming my realization.
They’d just put in all the expense of purchasing the property. I’d love to have a chance to buy my family home, but I didn’t want to make financial craters in this family. It wasn’t worth it. “What does everyone else think?”
The corner of Tate’s mouth lifted. “Seems like the thing to do.”
“We all agree,” Summer said.
Wynter nodded. Teller folded his arms and leaned back in his chair until it squeaked.
The offer didn’t make sense from a business standpoint. They’d be taking a loss. They’d sacrifice the plans they’d made to grow some of their own grains for Copper Summit. They couldn’t expand the ranch and use all the new fence Dad and I had repaired. “What’s in it for you?”
Tate’s smile broadened like he relished my disbelief. This was what having a sibling was like. “Autumn’s happiness. Our dad taught us that not every decision needs to benefit the company financially.”
“‘Money should never be your first priority all the time,’” Wynter said.
“We wanted to be the buyers to make sure it stayed local.” Tate spread his hands. “You’re local.”
Born and raised and here to stay. I glanced around the table. “What are you charging?”
“What we bought it for.”
I had that amount. A few business days, it’d be theirs.
No. There had to be a catch. It was too good to be true. Then it dawned on me. “No.”
Autumn squeezed my hand. “Gideon?”
I shook my head. “If you want Autumn’s property in exchange?—”
“Nope,” Teller said. “We don’t. Just buy the place back so we don’t feel like shit making plans to use it while you work for us and refuse to get paid.”
I hadn’t refused payment. I’d shamelessly taken Mae’s meals as payment.
Tate tapped his fingertips together. “We’re not even going to make the sale contingent on contracting withCopper Summit. But if you want to be a farmer, we’d be happy to do business.”
