Page 25 of Branded Betrayal

“Oh,” Tom says. “Wow. That must be a lot to handle. But I’m sure there are management companies you can hire to look after things—”

“Yeah, there are.” I bite down on my lower lip. “But the stipulation in the will is that I have to make this place profitable in six months, or the ranch will be sold at auction. I was going to call you today to let you know.”

“So . . . are you planning to come back? Or is this you resigning?”

“Oh, heck no,” I say. “I love my job. But I need to know if you’ll work with me while I get all of this straightened out. I need six months here to get the ranch in the black, and I was hoping I could work from here. Just until I can get things up and running. I can use my vacation time in the meantime, but after that, I just don’t know how I’ll be able to balance work with the ranch operations. And I . . . I really need the income.”

Tom pauses for a minute. “There are circumstances where employees can be eligible for a paid sabbatical after being with the company for at least two years, which you have,” he finally says. “I’ll have to run this past Caroline and human resources to see if this is a workable option and how much time we might be able to give you.”

“That would be incredible,” I say. “And I really appreciate you looking into it for me. I just can’t leave. Not right now.”

“I understand. Take care of yourself and your ranch, okay? I’ll be in touch when I know more.”

“Thank you, Tom,” I say. “Speak to you soon.”

I stick my phone back in my pocket after ending the call and wipe my forehead with the back of my shirtsleeve. A silver Dodge Ram pulls onto the property. I squint, using my hand to shield my eyes from the bright sun.

The truck stops, and the door opens. Tyler Burgess jumps out. He pushes his glasses up his nose and flashes a sheepish grin. “Hope you don’t mind. Mrs. Brixton gave me the address. Said you forgot this yesterday.” He holds up a jar of raspberry jam. “And I volunteered to bring it to you.”

A smile stretches across my face. “Thank you so much. I can’t believe I forgot it yesterday.”

“I figured if I didn’t wait for you to call, then I wouldn’t be wishing a problem on you. So this is me being proactive.”

“You have just made my entire day. I’ve been itching to bake a chocolate-raspberry cake, and now I have the missing ingredient.”

“Well, since I’m here, why don’t I take a look at the livestock? Just to make sure they’re doing okay?”

“That would be great. And while you do that, I’ll get to baking.” I wink at him. “Hope you’re not allergic to chocolate.”

“Nope, I’m a chocoholic,” he says, grabbing his medical bag from the cab.

“Perfect.” I wave to the house behind me. “Come on in when you’re finished. I’ll make some coffee.”

It isn’t long before the sweet smells of chocolate and coffee beans float into the air. I catch a glimpse of Tyler out by the pasture. He pets one of our nurse cattle, Mom’s favorite, Miss Bea. She’s got a patch of white behind her left ear, so I can always pick her out of the herd.

The front door opens, and I peek into the foyer from the kitchen. “There’s a washroom on your right. You can clean up in there.”

A couple of minutes later, we’re sitting across from each other at the table.

“So I heard about your aunt,” Tyler says. “I’m really sorry. Were you close?”

I nod. “Yes. But I wasn’t here when she died. I was in Denver. I live there.”

“And now you’re back?” He picks up the mug of coffee and takes a sip.

“For now. According to my aunt’s will, I need to make this ranch profitable in six months, or I’ll lose it. And I have no idea what I’m doing.”

He smiles. “You seem pretty capable to me. So what happens in six months? Are you staying if you get the rights to the ranch?”

“To be honest, I haven’t really thought much about it. My goal right now is to make sure it doesn’t get sold to any freaking land barons who are hovering around like vultures.” I shake my head. “I really just want to do right by my aunt and keep our family legacy alive.”

“I get that. Pretty noble of you.” His lips tilt upward. “I’ll be cheering you on, especially if it means you’d have to stay.”

A nervous giggle slips from my lips. “Thanks. On both counts.”

“What did you leave behind in Denver to take this on?”

“I work for a business-strategy-consulting firm. I was actually in line for a promotion right before I got the call about my aunt. But since I need to be here working the ranch, I have to figure out a way to keep my job and still get paid in the meantime. Based on the way things have gone over the past few days, I know I can’t handle both.”