KADE
Staring at myself in the mirror, I give myself one last pep talk.
“You can do this. You’ve done a lot harder things.”
Yeah, like bumping into Presley for the first time after six years. Not like I talked to her, but what would I have said?
Nice to see you again?
How have you been?
What’s been going on with you the last few years?
She had a kid.
Presley has a daughter. One that is the spitting image of her. That’s something I’m still not over. Once I figured out the connection, I couldn’t stay there.
She moved on with her life. I guess I was the only one holding a torch. Not that I didn’t try to move on, but no relationship ever stuck. I was more scarred than I thought from Presley getting engaged to another man.
That’s the last thing I need to be worried about today.
Today? I’m meeting the staff here at the ranch. Whether I keep this place or not, it’s going to affect all of these people. The very least I can do is talk to them.
I have no idea how it’s going to go over. I don’t know whoworks here. What if they only see an outsider, even though I was born and raised here?
Fuck.
I really need to stop letting my train of thought run away.
Grabbing my phone, I stuff it in my pocket and head down to the lobby with a few minutes to spare. I stop on the stairs to see everyone is already gathered.
That’s a good sign. At least I won’t have to wait on anyone.
When my foot hits the bottom step, all eyes turn to me and the chatter stops immediately.
“Hi, everyone.”
All eyes are fixed on me, but it doesn’t bother me. Merger meetings are way harder than this.
“What are you going to do with the place?”
I don’t have to worry about beating around the bush with that one.
“Right now? We’re going to get this place fixed up. After that, we’ll see.”
“Are we going to have jobs?” someone else calls out from the back.
“For the time being, yes. I want to keep things running as normally as possible. I know we have a few guests for the next couple of weeks, but hopefully we can increase revenue streams.”
“Do you even know our revenue?”
I don’t miss the bitterness in whoever’s voice this is.
I scrub a hand down my face. “I only got to town last week. I’ve got a lot to learn about the ranch, so I’m counting on all of you to help me out.”
A scoff.
I have my work cut out for me.
