“What?” Claire gasped behind him.
Tanner stopped. Turned. “Emailed our registration last night.”
Denton Creek had potential for lucrative sales once he brought operations up to date. Once it’d been a national-champion-producing bull ranch and he’d help restore its reputation. Martin might not have the vigor to go to trade shows and auctions the way he used to, but for the next month, at least, Tanner would do his best to attend them and help other buyers rediscover Denton bulls. After that, hopefully Claire would step up and get the ranch back on track instead of trying to get rid of it.
“We’ll be there,” Bill said, rubbing his hands together, his gaze locking on a massive bull penned alone at the end of the barn. “Sure would like to get a deal done before then, though.”
“Happy to consider your offer, Bill.” Tanner nodded toward the lone bull. “That’s Revelation if you two would like a closer look.”
Claire rounded on him as the murmuring reps moved ahead.
“We don’t have money for competitions. Are you trying to make us go under sooner?”
He studied her. “Hardly. We’re looking for new buyers and we can’t get their attention without trade show presence and wins.”
When she stepped close he found it impossible to break eye contact. “Why are you making commitments? We both know you’re going back to rodeo.”
“I’m here to help your father,” he said quietly, voice pitched so the murmuring reps over at Revelation’s pen wouldn’t hear. This close he could trace the curve of her cheek. He stuffed his hands in his pockets when the right one rose, seemingly of its own volition.
“Look. I get it. My dad was good to you. But you owe me, too. And I. Don’t. Want. This.” She punctuated each of her last words with a finger jab to his chest.
Unable to resist, he caught her raised hand in his. The feel of her soft skin made his pulse speed. He resisted the urge to press his lips against her palm, to see if she still tasted as sweet as he remembered. “Claire, I’m speaking for your father. Doing what he wants.”
Her eyes glistened and something softened inside him. “You made him believe in something that won’t come true. He’s desperate.”
“He loves you.” He cupped her cheek and for a heart-stopping moment she didn’t move away. “And he doesn’t need the stress of seeing us argue.”
Her eyebrows lowered and she considered him for a long moment. At last her rigid shoulders relaxed. “No. No, he doesn’t.”
“So—truce?”
“In front of him? I suppose.” She shooed away a fly buzzing round her face and turned back to the approaching business reps.
He didn’t bother holding back the grin that surged out of him. One small step toward civility with Claire.
He’d take it.
Though any more steps might bring them too close. Better keep his guard up around this spirited woman. Her fighting nature sparked his need to dominate. Made him want to vanquish when he needed to steer clear or risk getting penned down to a life with too many question marks.
“That’s one heck of a bull,” Rick said as he and his partner joined them.
Tanner ushered the small group through the front of the barn and back toward the house.
“He should be a contender for the Houston Livestock Show. I imagine you’re taking him to Throckmorton next.” Bill cupped the front of his hat, curling the brim.
Tanner lengthened his stride, hoping the fast pace would slow down Claire’s interference. “We’re thinking of auctioning him there if we don’t get investors beforehand.”
Rick matched him pace for pace. “We’d be interested in talking more about syndication on Revelation if you have time.” Tanner tracked the man’s gaze as it slid to a frowning Claire. He hustled them up the main house’s stairs and there, just as he’d hoped, sat Claire’s father reading the morning paper. She’d agreed not to argue in front of Martin. Time to put that to the test.
After making introductions, the men sat down to sweet tea offered up by Marie. Martin beamed under the compliments the men showered on his herd. Claire drummed her fingernails against the side of her bubbled glass, but otherwise kept quiet.
When the conversation began to head into hard numbers, Martin steadied himself and rose. “Won’t you gentleman join Tanner and me in my office?”
Claire bolted to her feet. “I’d like to come, too.”
“What about the cookies?” All eyes swerved to the young boy who looked far too pale for country living. The kid had to get out more, Tanner thought, and he’d make it a point to find a way.
“I—I—” Claire’s head swiveled between her son and the group. At last she hugged Jonathan. “Of course. A promise is a promise. Enjoy your conversation, gentlemen,” she said, her tone lighthearted, her eyes anything but.
Unfettered, Tanner steered the group into Martin’s office and they sat around a large oak desk, discussing numbers that weren’t living up to the praise the men had heaped on Revelation.
Martin’s gaze darted between Tanner and the Carne Incorporado reps. Tanner could tell the desperate rancher didn’t like the lowball bid, but felt pressure to accept. Time to gamble.
He stood and offered a hand to each of the men. “Rick, Bill, it’s been a pleasure. We’ll keep your offer in mind as we take Revelation to shows and possible auction.”
Rick took the toothpick out of his mouth, suddenly looking less sure than he had a moment ago. “This deal’s only good if we can secure a majority share before Revelation shows. After that, we can’t guarantee this price.”
“So noted.” Tanner forced a confident grin and nodded briskly to Martin who followed his cue and shook the men’s hands as they exited.
“We were hoping to conclude our business today,” Bill protested, donning his hat as they stepped past a wide-eyed Claire back out into the bright noon sun.
Tanner nodded to a card in Rick’s hand. “You have the number we expect for a majority share pre-show. If you want to make a serious offer, give us a call. In the meantime, we’ll look for you in Houston.”
“But—” Rick’s sharp-eyed glare snuffed out Bill’s protest.
“See you in Houston.” Rick tipped his hat. “It’ll be a pleasure negotiating with you further once you’ve been out in the market again.”
“Same,” Martin said firmly, his mouth a thin line, his features not unpleasant, but harder. Certain. Less the recovering victim. More the head of an esteemed ranch. The man he was born to be. Tanner grinned to see his old mentor get back his vigor.
They watched the truck roll away. At a low chuckle Tanner turned, surprised.
“You got those suits on the ropes,” rumbled Martin, one side of his mouth hitching. “They didn’t expect you’d shoot down their offer.”
Tanner adjusted his hat in the sweltering heat. “Nothing like a little pressure to up the ante.”
Martin met his eye. “You’re willing to take a chance on Revelation getting a better offer at the Houston Livestock show?”
“Yes, sir. We’ll get higher numbers once the public sees Revelation.”
“I appreciate your help.” Martin thumped Tanner on the shoulder and turned. “I surely do.”
Tanner studied Claire as she stood in the doorway, her expression