I nod once.
“It’s why I can’t lose it, Tessa. I need to save it. Whatever we have to do, I’ll do it. I love this land, the barns, the horses.”
The way his voice quivers sends an ache through my heart. “I know, we’ll figure it out.”
His big green eyes lock on mine, and I pray I can deliver on my promise.
And now, my professional feelings just got personal.
nine
Killian
Iroll over, hearing a buzzing on the nightstand, see what time it is, and force myself to grab it.
Who the fuck is calling at four-thirty in the morning?
Nathaniel. That’s who.
“Do you ever sleep?” I ask, rubbing my eyes.
“I get a solid four hours a night.”
“You know they say sleep is necessary to be a functioning human.”
Nathaniel laughs. “We sold six more houses this week, and by we, I mean me. Plus I’m on mile six of my morning run. I’m pretty sure I’m functioning just fine.”
“I’m glad one of us is,” I grumble and sit up, leaning against the headboard. “What can I do for you this fine—ridiculously early—morning?”
He answers without any huffing and puffing. “I wanted to see how things are going down there.”
“I’m not really sure. For now we have no answers.”
“How is that possible? You’re the smartest man I know. You can always see the puzzle pieces.”
Not this time apparently. “Normally, yeah, but right now, nothing adds up.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
If I thought he could, he would’ve been one of my first calls. Nathaniel and I have been friends since college. Just two football players who got bunked up from completely opposite sides of the world. He grew up in New York City, came from money, went to a private school with tutors and all that shit. I came from small-town Colorado with not a pot to piss in. What we did share, was a love for football—and girls.
“Just don’t let our business go under or I’ll really be fucked.”
“Do you need a loan?”
The fact he even offered it shows how he’s more of a family member than a friend. “No, I appreciate it, though.”
I’ve always been a planner. My entire life I’ve always seen my future goals and done the work to get to them. When I bought this farm, I took a huge gamble because it was the first time I didn’t have a real vision.
All the money I’d saved, the years of busting my ass and putting everything away, I used to buy this place.
The goal was to use my investments to invest in this place and then sell it when my sister was gone. Only nothing went to plan. I fell in love with the land and no longer wanted to get rid of it. It’s special to me, it holds memories of Alicia, and it became lucrative. I was rebuilding the nest egg I cracked wide the hell open to give me back some savings.
That has now been flattened as I’ve had to cover the costs out of that to keep this place afloat.
“I’m serious, Killian, I can give you whatever you need. If you’re uncomfortable with it being a loan, we’ll work out something business-wise. Sell me some shares or whatever the fuck you need to feel better about it,” Nathaniel offers.
I sigh, hating that this is even a possibility. “If it comes to that, I’ll let you know.”
