Freshman year, Patrick had been one of only a handful of minority students, and most students he met were surprised that he was there on an academic scholarship. Weary of the assumption that he must have been recruited for the basketball team, he found Garrison’s invitation to go play hoops with a group of his friends hitting him the wrong way. The two had bumped heads, hard, almost coming to blows. Both were ready to change roommates when an astute resident advisor pulled them aside and insisted they mediate their issues. Working through their personal biases had come with a challenge or two, but then, before either realized it, they’d become the best of friends. Patrick had no siblings and he and Garrison both referred to each other as brothers from another mother.
This was going to be a big day for his best buddy. Since assuming the reins for the family business, this would be his first major project without his father’s input. Since forever, Nolan Perry had been a stern taskmaster, never quite letting go, his hands somewhere in the mix of everything going on at the Perry Group. But this time he’d sworn to stand back and let Garrison rise or fall all on his own. Determined to prove himself worthy, Garrison was set on making his father proud.
Understanding completely, Patrick was committed to helping his friend make that happen. His thoughts suddenly flew to the exquisite woman who would be at the auction...and who wanted the land as much as Garrison did. She was going to be highly disappointed, and that thought suddenly pierced Patrick’s spirit.
He came to an abrupt stop not far from the Starbucks on Main Street, his hands on his hips, his breathing slightly labored. Naomi Stallion was going to be disappointed. The finality of that had him off-kilter. He didn’t know how deep her pockets were, but he couldn’t imagine she could keep up with the bankroll the Perry Group had their hands on. Garrison wanted that property and Patrick didn’t imagine him holding back. His friend had a selfish streak and he didn’t like to lose.
Patrick blew out a soft sigh. He hadn’t been able to get Naomi Stallion out of his head since meeting her. Those few minutes in her presence had him intrigued, and he wanted to know more. A Google search hadn’t turned up anything about her. No Facebook or Twitter page to follow. Nothing about her farm or her business.
In his mind, she was like a brand-new book, waiting to be explored and devoured. Everything about her was intriguing, like a new language to be learned and appreciated, with the promise of a happy ending. She was that sweet discovery on the top shelf in the back of the bookstore and he wanted to study her, to uncover the nuances that lay between the lines.
A woman suddenly brushed by him, bumping him slightly and pulling him from his thoughts. “Excuse me,” she said, juggling the cup of coffee in her hand. Her blue eyes shimmered, and her long auburn hair curled past her shoulders. Her expression was curious and inviting, and though there was once a time when he might have taken the bait, right then he wasn’t falling for it.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, stepping to the side and out of the way.
She smiled, stopping in her tracks as she eyed him curiously. “Beautiful morning, isn’t it?” she said, in an attempt to draw him into conversation.
“It is,” he responded. “Have a nice day.” And he turned abruptly and resumed his run, thoughts of Naomi Stallion chasing after him.
* * *
Patrick O’Brien was standing just inside the doorway of the Cushman and Wakefield offices. His imposing stature caught Naomi off guard and made her breath hitch. Although she had expected him to be there, seeing him so suddenly had her nerves frazzled, and she couldn’t begin to explain why. He wore a designer suit that fitted him like a second skin. He looked different from how he had the other day, in the gray silk jacket, white dress shirt and paisley-printed necktie. His shoulders were pulled back even straighter, pushing his broad chest forward more and complementing his narrow waist and long legs. His shoes were polished to a high sheen and his silky curls had been tamed with a fresh haircut. His stance was majestic and he commanded attention. As she looked around, she saw there wasn’t anyone in the room who wasn’t giving him his due.
Naomi turned swiftly, hiding behind her brother’s large frame. She suddenly regretted not having gone home to change out of the denim coveralls she wore into something more feminine. The dress she’d considered still lay across the foot of her bed, matching sandals kicked beneath a chair. She brushed her hands over her cheeks, praying that there wasn’t a speck of farm dirt or dust looking like bad makeup on her face.
Noah eyed her anxiously. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, looking past his shoulder toward the other side of the room. “Yeah. I’m fine,” she snapped, everything about her expression saying otherwise.
Noah turned to see where she was staring, and burst out laughing. He shook his head, chuckling warmly. “Get it together, little sister. You can’t afford to fall apart now,” he said.
“I’m fine!” she snapped again. “Just anxious for this to be over so I can get back to work.”
Her brother nodded. “What can I do to help?”
She lifted her eyes to his. “Pray,” she said. “Just pray.”
* * *
When the auction started, Naomi pushed her way to the front of the crowd. She clutched the numbered bid paddle so tightly that her hand had begun to cramp and her fingers turn white from the restricted blood flow. She shot a look in Patrick’s direction and found him eyeing her with a warm smile. She gave him a slight smile back, then shifted her eyes away. He’d tried a few times to get her attention and draw her into conversation, but she’d gone out of her way to avoid him. She didn’t need the distraction. She needed to be focused now more than ever.
A sudden commotion at the door drew everyone’s attention. Turning to look, Naomi was shocked to see the renowned Nolan Perry and his son enter the room. Both glanced quickly about, then moved to where Patrick was standing. The trio spoke in hushed tones and then the two newcomers moved to the back of the room to hold up the wall, their arms crossed over their chests. Patrick shot another look in her direction and smiled, his expression almost consoling. Naomi felt herself bristle and then her body began to shake, her knees threatening to give out beneath her. Her brother’s strong hand pressing tightly against her shoulder was the only thing that kept her standing.
Noah spoke, his voice controlled and even. “It’s okay, Naomi. You knew this was a possibility.” He gave her shoulder another light squeeze.
Naomi nodded, tapping his hand with her own.
The auctioneer called for everyone’s attention, announcing the start of the auction. There was a brief description of the lot up for sale and then it started. “We will open the bidding at one hundred thousand dollars,” he said.
Naomi lifted her paddle and gave the man a slight nod.
“I have one hundred. Do I hear one twenty-five?”
Someone else answered the call. “One twenty-five.”
Patrick countered. “One fifty.”
“Two hundred thousand,” Naomi called, cutting a quick glance in his direction.
“Two fifty,” he responded.
Naomi took a quick breath and held it. That land had been appraised at just over one million dollars. She had no desire to see the bidding go that high, but something told her with the Perry Group in the mix she wasn’t going to have much choice. She blew the air she’d been holding past her lips and countered, “Three hundred thousand.”
The back-and-forth intensified. By the time the bidding hit eight hundred thousand dollars, Naomi and Patrick were the only two still in the game. Garrison had moved to the other man’s side, urging him on. With each bid she countered, he glared in her direction and Naomi glared back.
She felt her heartbeat quicken, and her chest tightened