“That’s never been a policy.”
“We’ve never had a ranch employee before.” Charlotte finished washing her hands and grabbed the towel. Based on Gunner’s emails, she’d pictured him older somehow. In his forties at least, with a receding hairline and a saggy little paunch shadowing his belt buckle. Instead he was lean and muscular with a full head of dark hair and green eyes that seemed to see right through her somehow.
Emerson’s eyes twinkled. “You realize every female horse owner in a fifty-mile radius will suddenly have a problem horse.”
“Great, we could use the business.”
“What are these doing out?” Emerson nodded toward the binoculars Charlotte had dropped on the island.
“Um... I was keeping an eye on the construction. Of the, uh, stable.”
“That’s a little weird. You know that, right?”
“I never claimed to be normal.” So Charlotte hadn’t exactly mentioned her recent discovery about her biological dad and siblings. Even though Emerson was her sister in every way that mattered, they weren’t related by blood, and Charlotte didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She’d have to tell her soon though.Certainly before she ever revealed the truth to the Robinsons—if she ever got up the nerve.
Emerson finished the glass of water. “I’m going to visit April for a few days.”
Charlotte’s shoulders sank. She had her hands full with the new trail horses, the new trainer, the stable, the upcoming open house, and her job at the Trailhead Bar and Grill. “Can’t you put it off for a bit? There’s so much to do around here.”
“She needs help with her computer—she’s trying to get her jewelry business off the ground—and it’s been forever since I’ve gotten away.”
Charlotte couldn’t remember the last timeshe’dhad so much as a day off. But they’d always spoiled Emerson a little. Charlotte was as guilty as her parents. “I hear you, but I rely on your help with the horses, especially since we bought the new ones.”
Emerson cut her a glare. “You mean sinceyoubought them.”
“Since theranchbought them, and you are half owner. You really shouldn’t be taking off like this when there’s so much to do for the expansion. I was hoping to brainstorm with you about our big open house.” At least she hoped it would be big. They had to get this place in the black.
Emerson crossed her arms. “That’s why I wanted to sell it. Think what we could’ve done with the money.”
“I can’t be the one to lose the ranch that’s been in our family for three generations.” Expansion was the only way to turn the ranch into a full-time operation. “I promised Mom.” How many times had they had this same conversation?
“That’s right.Youpromised her and you shouldn’t have! It’s as much mine as yours, and you gave me no say.”
“I thought we’d settled this.”
“No, you settled it because I can’t sell my half without yours. So fine, have it your way. But I won’t be tied down to this stupid ranch for the rest of my life. I have things I want to do, too, you know.”
As if Emerson had shown so much initiative. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. Like start a coffee shop or bakery or go to college or travel.”
Charlotte gave her head a shake. “This town already has a bakery, you hated school, and you don’t have the money to travel.”
“Well, I would’ve if we’d sold the ranch. I love to bake and make food. Maybe I could go to culinary school.”
Charlotte blinked. This seemed to come out of left field. Then again, in middle school Emmie wanted to be a ballerina and in high school a forensic artist, an astronaut, and a professional basketball player.
“You’re a great cook. We can certainly talk about that. But can we focus on the ranch for now? It’s too much work for one person.”
“I don’t want to work with four-legged animals all the livelong day. You can’t even earn a decent living on this place. Mom never made it work.”
It was true that their dad’s truck-driving salary had been all that kept the place running. And after the divorce, Mom struggled to make ends meet. Dad moved to Asheville. Since Emerson had just started high school and Dad was often off driving his routes, she’d stayed here.
“We’ll make it work,” Charlotte said. “Why do you think we’re doing all this—the stable, the open house, the expansion?”
Emerson let out a wry laugh. “Yes, let’s talk about thestable—and the eighty thousand dollars from Mom’s pension you’re using to build it. We could’ve used that to pay down the loan or just put the property up for—”
“I had no idea you felt so strongly about—”
