“Like that’s going to happen.”
“She’s a determined woman.”
“Tell me about it. And while you’re at it, tell me what you know about a hotel casino project called the Lucky Lady.”
He waited while Dante typed on his computer. There was a second of silence, followed by a low whistle. “Impressive.” He read off the statistics, how many rooms, number of acres, the approximate cost of the project. “Janack Construction has this sewn up. We can’t get in on it.”
“We don’t have to.” He thought about his mother’s
ranch and the thousands of acres with nothing on them. “Maybe my time here isn’t a complete waste. That hotel and casino is going to need employees. There can’t be enough housing in Fool’s Gold, which means a potential opportunity for us.”
“I’ll put somebody on the preliminaries,” Dante told him. “Find out zoning restrictions, if anyone else has been getting permits, that sort of thing. You know.…” Dante paused. “You could use this to help with the judge.”
“How?”
“Your mom wants you to fix up the ranch. I say go for it. Putting money into the house and the land might give you a stronger case. Even if the judge rules against you, you can appeal. With that casino and hotel going in, you’ve got even more reason you want to win.”
Potentially several million in profit, Rafe thought. Money always worked for him.
“If you get involved in the community, you’ll look good to the judge,” Rafe added.
“I’m not getting involved.”
“It wouldn’t kill you.”
“It might,” Rafe said. “We have to win this case, Dante. I’m not going to be defeated by a woman who raises goats.”
“She’s pretty enough.”
“I’m unmoved.”
“Maybe I’m moved enough for both of us.”
Rafe laughed. “She’s not your type.”
Dante preferred his women well dressed, sophisticated and easy. Heidi might have a string of excellent qualities, but none of them matched Dante’s interests.
“Keeping her for yourself?” his friend asked. “Should I be worried?”
“That I’m going to fall for goat girl and go soft?”
“Okay. When you put it like that… I’ll get you a report on the potential for your mom’s land by the end of the day.”
“Thanks.”
Rafe hung up and went inside the lumber store. He was approached by an old guy wearing an apron and a name tag that said Frank.
“How can I help you?” the man asked.
“I need about ten miles of fence line and to repair an old barn.” He pulled out of his shirt pocket a list of supplies he’d made and handed it over. Since learning about the Lucky Lady, he was more enthused about his mother’s projects. “You know anybody looking for a few days’ work?”
Frank scanned the list, then gave a low whistle. “You’re serious. Okay, then, let’s get your supplies ordered. As for guys to help, the best place to get them is through Ethan Hendrix. He owns the biggest home construction firm in town. Also the most reliable and experienced. Hendrix Construction. I have a card up front.”
Rafe followed the man, ducking around a teenager with two-by-fours on his shoulder. Interesting that Ethan Hendrix had been recommended. Rafe remembered the name and the kid who’d gone with it. Rafe and Ethan had been friends, along with another kid. Josh Golden. He knew that the latter, the former professional cyclist and Tour de France winner had settled in Fool’s Gold, but he hadn’t realized that Ethan was still here.
Frank took him out into the lumber yard and pointed out the various options for the fencing. Rafe made his decision, then picked lumber for the barn. Frank showed him the small selection of roofing material they kept on hand, and made sure they had plenty of what Rafe needed. Just as they were wrapping up their conversation, two massive construction trucks backed into the yard, sending men scattering.
“Those guys mean business,” Rafe said once he and Frank were inside. Big trucks meant big projects. “Are they here for the casino and hotel construction?”
“You’ve heard about that?”
“Yes.”
Frank grinned. “Lucky for us, the contractor believes in buying local. They’re employing lots of people, too. You looking for a job?”
Rafe shook his head. “No. Just curious.”
He paid for the lumber and other supplies and arranged for them to be delivered in two days. When he returned to his car, he pulled out his cell and made a quick check of his email. There was a note from Nina Blanchard. He scanned it, then dialed her number.
He was put through immediately.
“Rafe,” Nina purred.
Purred was not a word that would come to his mind under most circumstances, but there was no other way to think of the smooth tone of her voice.
“Nina.”
“You’re being elusive. Can you guess it’s not my favorite characteristic in a client? All your rather formidable assistant would say was that you were out of town.”
“She’s right. I’m in Fool’s Gold. Do you know it?”
“I’ve been a few times. They have charming festivals.”
“So I’ve been told. I’m here on a family matter, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back in San Francisco. We’ll have to table our plans until then.”
“Don’t be silly. If you can’t come to the ladies, then they’ll come to you.”
He glanced at the lumber yard. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? You’ll be in neutral territory. If they won’t make the drive, they’re not worth the trouble, right? You’ve hired me to find you the perfect wife. I take that responsibility very seriously.”
“Fine. If one of the candidates wants to come here, I’ll meet her.”
“Thank you. Now, let me get you some names and we’ll take it from there.”
“Sure.”
He hung up, knowing he should probably be more enthused than he was about the whole idea of getting married. Honestly, if he didn’t want kids, he wouldn’t bother with a permanent relationship. But he couldn’t seem to shake the traditional idea of a mother and a father when it came to children. He’d watched his mother struggle after his dad had died.
He had a feeling that his idea of perfect and Nina’s might not be the same. He’d done his best to explain he wasn’t looking for love. He’d tried that once and it had blown up in his face. This time, he was going to be realistic. Find someone he could be friends with, someone he would enjoy sleeping with, and with whom he could imagine raising children. Nothing else was
required. Love was a myth, and he was too old to
believe in fairy tales.
* * *
HEIDI RELEASED ATHENA back into the goat corral, then stripped off her gloves. Three very fat, very sassy cats gazed at her expectantly.
“Where did you come from?” she asked, even as she poured fresh, still-warm goat milk into