Claire Keenan smiled. “You can always change your career. And all men claim to be loners before they realize they can’t live without us. From what I can see Holt Rawlins is interested in you.”
Leah couldn’t consider that possibility. She had a feeling, whether intentionally or not, the man could hurt her.
Holt looked up from the conversation and glanced across the hall at Leah. He knew she was enjoying this. He’d met so many people tonight he’d never be able to remember their names.
“I hear that you were a financial advisor in New York.”
He turned to the blond woman named Kaley something. She was attractive in a too-made-up sort of way. Her jeans were a little too tight as was her tank top that carried one of those sayings that he didn’t dare attempt to read.
Luckily the mayor was walking their way. He reached for her arm and pulled her into the circle. “Hello, Morgan.”
“Holt, it’s nice that you could make it,” she told him with a smile that reminded him of Leah.
“Your sister thought it was time I met a few people.”
“I, for one, am glad he came,” Kaley said as she moved in a little closer.
“So am I,” Morgan said. “Holt, if you have a minute, I need to speak with you.” She glanced at Kaley. “If you’ll excuse us for a moment …”
Kaley frowned, but finally managed a tight smile. “I guess I can let Holt go…for a while. Maybe later we can share some refreshments.”
“Maybe,” Holt said as he took Morgan’s arm. “What do I owe you?” he said when they found a deserted area.
“Sorry, Kaley is a little…overeager.”
“You’re too nice. If you hadn’t shown up she’d be naming our children.”
Morgan laughed. “Well, she’s used to men giving her attention. But I only want to discuss a little business.” She took a breath. “First, I want to say that, speaking for the town, we’re glad you’ve decided to stay in Destiny.”
“Thank you. I’m glad I’m staying, too.”
“And secondly, I want to talk to you about a section of your property. Maybe Leah has already mentioned it to you.”
He shook his head. “No, she hasn’t said anything. So what’s this about my land?”
“I’m been looking for a way to bring revenue into town, and it seems logical that we build a ski resort. The town owns an ideal parcel of land, but we just need access from the highway before we can develop the area.”
“Where is this land?”
“It’s Silver Wolf Pass.”
Holt knew the location. It would cut right by Hidden Falls. “You want to build a road through my property?”
Morgan raised an eyebrow. “It’s not as drastic as it sounds. Maybe you should come by my office so you can see the plans.”
Holt didn’t like being blindsided like this. Was Leah supposed to butter him up so he’d be more agreeable when approached? “Did you ever talk about this with my…with John?”
“I did, in fact.”
“And what did he say to your idea?”
“I’m afraid we didn’t have much time to discuss it, but he did promise to think about it.”
“Well, I’m not going to think about it, because I don’t want anyone building a highway across my land. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find Corey.” Holt knew he was being rude, but at this point he wasn’t sure he could contain his anger. Had Leah planned to get him to agree to this?
Before he could reach her, Leah was cornered by another group of people just as the meeting was called to order.
He forced himself to take a seat, but he wasn’t finished with this. He would just have to wait until he got Leah back to the ranch, then he’d set her straight.
Set everyone straight.
CHAPTER SEVEN
LATER that evening, Leah was in the ranch’s kitchen when Holt finally came in from checking on Lulu. Her foal was due anytime and he’d been watching her closely.
“How’s the mother-to-be doing?”
He walked to the coffeepot and poured a cup. “She’s getting close. Zach’s going to call when it’s time.”
Leah was excited. “Could I go down, too? It’s been a long time since I’ve watched a birth.”
He shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with that.”
He sure knew how to make a girl feel welcome. “I promised Corey he could go, too, I should wake him.” He started to leave the kitchen when Leah stopped him.
“Holt, is there something wrong?”
He looked at her with that unreadable hooded gaze of his. “Why should there be something wrong?”
“Maybe because you haven’t said more than a few words to me since last night when you came into my room. I thought that …”
“You thought what?”
“I thought we could now at least talk to each other if something was bothering one of us.”
He frowned and crossed the room to her. “Okay, maybe we should talk. When were you planning on telling me about the town wanting me to sell land for an access road?”
She swallowed hard. “I’d forgotten all about it.”
“Were you elected to sweet-talk me into agreeing to give the town access?”
Leah was starting to get angry over his constant mistrust. “Well, whatever the plan, it seems that I’ve failed miserably.”
“I don’t like being used.”
“And I don’t like you thinking I would use a friend like that. Besides, all Morgan wanted me to do was present the idea to you. You have the choice to look over the plans and tell them yes or no.” She threw up her hands in defeat. “Word was people in town thought you came here to sell the ranch, then head back to New York.”
“Well, I’m staying,” he said.
“Then prove it. Stop closing yourself away from everyone and get to know your neighbors.”
He opened his mouth to protest and she stopped him. “And don’t say they’re just curious because you’re John’s son, or I’ll clobber you. You are John Rawlins’s son. If you’re not proud of that, there’s something wrong.”
Raw emotion flashed across his face. “I am tired of being compared to the man. He wasn’t in my life. This ranch, this land, is all I ever had of him.”
“I’m sorry about that, Holt.” She stepped closer and placed her hand on his arm. “I know you never had the chance to know John, and I wish so much you had.” She felt him start to pull away and she tightened her grip. “No, please listen to me. The man I knew would have loved his child—his son. There had to be something that happened between your parents to keep him away.”
“Well, whatever it was, it worked. I never saw him after I left here.” Holt broke free and walked out the door. As much as Leah wanted to stop him, Holt Rawlins wasn’t going to listen to anything she had to say.
“Wow, look, Holt.” Corey gasped. “She’s getting up.”
“I see,” Holt said as he leaned back on the railing in the birthing pen. He was exhausted, but even more amazed