Trusting Her Rancher Boss (Mountainbrook Ranch Book 1) Read online

  Weaving past several guests, she closed the distance between them. His gaze slowly passed over her before he smiled. She drew in a breath, not wanting to lose her composure.

  “You just can’t stay away from me,” she joked.

  “It was a mistake to keep away from you,” he said softly. She let that sink in, glad to hear that he regretted how it’d gone as much as she did. Leaving abruptly was her way of avoiding potential pain, but it simply made it worse, and going a few weeks without talking to him had been hard to endure.

  “How’d you know Matt?” she prompted.

  “When I was CFO, I needed to ascertain prominent financial risks. I served as Matt’s advisor, offered him a deal. He used it to buy some high profile shares that entailed a high risk. I told him it would pay off. All I cared for was that he boosted my portfolio so I could take a shot at CEO. When the shares collapsed, he lost thousands.”

  “Oh! Because of you, my sister…”

  “It wasn’t me. Matt also set up fake charities for tax havens, and that’s the route that landed him in jail. None of that was my doing, I swear.”

  She shook her head. It was Matt’s fault more so than Jared’s that Megan had been drawn into his financial misdemeanors. Blaming Jared was pointless, yet hearing about this side of him was troubling. If it hadn’t been Jared, Matt would’ve found another way, yet all of it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  “I understand. You cared about your benefit only.”

  Jared nodded, his eyes hard. “I forged a successful career from it and I’m not proud of it. I’ve put those desperate times behind me, the heartlessness, backstabbing and financial stakes. You said it sounds like the opposite of who I am now. That’s true. I’ve left that person behind. It was never me. I found God and changed completely.”

  She searched his face. Of course she believed that, even if her stomach churned from hearing about his former ruthlessness. “I can see you’re not like that at all, and I’m really glad.”

  “I’m sorry about Megan, how she got drawn into it.”

  “People made it a bigger deal than it was, they did more long term damage to our family than the courts.”

  “I get that.”

  She took hold of his hand and squeezed gently. “I don’t have any bad feelings towards you, okay? Just like you didn’t judge me, and look how we met.”

  That prompted a smile from him. “That’s something I’ll never forget.”

  She hesitated, wanting to tell him about the sleepless nights, the constant prayers that God would bring him back to her somehow. Yet he was here, and she didn’t know the right words to say to express herself.

  “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but why’d you come here?”

  “To set this right because I didn’t know what to say before. And I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

  His gaze moved past her and she followed it to see Megan and Matt separate, with Megan heading toward the buffet table.

  “Hang on honey, I’ll go talk to him.” Jared squeezed her hand before leaving. He strode toward Matt with that assurance she admired and she watched with bated breath, hoping this wouldn’t go badly.

  Matt straightened upon seeing him. Jared braced himself, anticipating a punch or some outwardly aggressive display. He knew he deserved it after the stunt he’d pulled just to elevate himself – not that Matt was entirely blameless, since he’d dabbled in other means of gaining money that eventually landed him in prison.

  Still, he’d deceived someone for his own selfishness and regardless of the outcome, the guilt lingered.

  “Hey, before you say anything, I need to say I’m sorry,” Jared began.

  Matt stiffened. “You gave me no warning! You mislead me. I lost four grand that I had to get back somehow!”

  “I know. My reasoning was if I’d told you the truth, you’d have refused the deal. That’s no justification. None of it is. My priorities were different, I valued money before family. I sacrificed myself for a pointless gain. It was meaningless.”

  Matt chewed his bottom lip and stayed silent for a moment. “I can relate. To be fair, I don’t think an apology would’ve made a difference, even back then.”

  Jared nodded. “Well, I hope I didn’t force you to resort to other means to get your money back.”

  Matt barked a laugh. “You mean you think just because of you I landed myself in jail? No, I actually got caught up in false promises. Trusted the wrong people. I was also a person I didn’t like. I see what I’ve got now and I do everything to keep it, but good things, nothing immoral. My wife. Our family. Our new home. That’s all meaningful.”

  “I turned my life around, too.”

  “You aren’t working at that uppity New York tower?”

  “I passed it off to someone else. Brandon and Green Investments won’t have a…stable future.”

  Matt blinked, and his jaw slackened. “Interesting. If you’re looking for forgiveness-”

  “I don’t expect it, not after what I did.”

  “I forgive you. You’ve repented, so have I. You’ve got a woman, and we’re both looking out for them. That’s the way our lives are now.”

  Jared smiled, feeling a weight lift off his chest. “Meaningful.”

  “Right. I better get back to my wife. Catch you around.”

  “At church, maybe?”

  Matt paused as if contemplating it. “Yeah.”

  Jared watched him leave, expecting to feel more relief than he did, but instead there was gratitude. He’d finally abandoned his past so he could focus on the present – and a better future.

  Rachel watched the terse exchange between Matt and Jared, surprised that Jared would confront him at all.

  Megan appeared beside her. “I’m in awe. Matt hated him for years. I thought a fight would break out.”

  “Did you know about Jared being his advisor?”

  She shook her head. “The worst of Matt’s crimes was his own doing. He was trying to set up a future for me and he played a game that hurt all of us, but he had good intentions. I’ve forgiven him for it. Mom’s found the heart to forgive him, Dad’s really warming up to him again.” She hesitated. “I’d love your approval, Rachel.”

  It was surprising to hear her family had set aside their discrepancies to forgive. She recalled how much their father cursed Matt for involving Megan in his crimes. But to have her sister ask for her support….

  She met her blue eyed gaze, concerned at the distress in them. “You’ve always had it.”

  Megan pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you! Matt put us through a lot, but it all worked out. He was only trying to help me.” She released her, giving a wide smile. “I’m not surprised Jared showed up. He’s completely smitten with you.”

  “I know.”

  “He’s doing all this for you. Turning up at my wedding, risking a chat with Matt….”

  And he didn’t move to New York.

  Sure, he screwed up with his words but his actions now were telling a completely different story. Looking around the dance floor, she noticed Jared and Matt had parted. Then her eyes fell on him. Jared. Looking breathtakingly handsome and sharing that look reserved only for her.

  She gave Megan a reassuring smile before heading through the crowd to stand before the man she loved. “How’d it go with Matt?”

  “We decided to forgive and forget. More important things in our lives now.”

  Jared smiled, touching the side of her face. She bit her lip and stepped in close. He wrapped an arm around her and held her as they started dancing. He knew how to guide, to be gentle, and she rested her head against his chest, aware that their future was ambiguous, but right now, this was more than enough.

  Jared parked up outside the ranch. It was brightly lit, and Rachel noticed the parking spaces reserved for guests were taken. Mountainbrook was still busy and she couldn’t help but smile at that.

  “Did you notice a boost in visitors last week?” she had to ask. “That’s when
I posted more photos online.”

  Jared smirked. “Yeah. Your photos were beyond impressive.”

  So he had been keeping tabs on her, not completely shutting her out. She grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”

  A brief silence lingered. Unlike the first time they were in his jeep when he’d taken her back to her car, there was no tension, just a welcome familiarity. She was so tempted to touch his hand and lean closer.

  When Jared had offered for her to visit the ranch after the wedding, she wanted to refuse out of the stubborn intention to remind him of the pain he’d caused her. But all she felt in her heart now was peace, and a relief that her prayers had been answered. Jared had chosen to come back to her, and that meant something.

  “You know, something’s occurred to me,” Jared said. “Were you aware you were trespassing on Mountainbrook?”

  The apprehensive tone in his voice stunned her - and struck a chord. Mountainbrook wasn’t an accidental find, but she’d an idea of where she was before she entered. “I…knew where I was going.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Okay. I had a ridiculous situation come to mind - that you trespassed to seek me out for Megan’s husband. Maybe take photos of the ranch and publish them to spite me.”

  Her mouth fell open. “It was nothing to do with them! It was my fault, as I explained. I never would’ve published the photos without your permission. How could you assume that?”

  “Sorry, I’m not. Just stating what I thought, what I would’ve believed if things were different.”

  “Things are different between us! I risked my career when I trespassed, but I risked more when I fell for you. And it scares me to think I’m willing to throw my photography job in Spokane away, to disregard everything I’ve worked for, to be with you.”

  Jared’s blue eyes widened. There. She’d blatantly revealed how much he meant to her and left herself open to the very hurt she intended to avoid again.

  “The next time we dance, it’ll be for our wedding.”

  She lost track of her thoughts. “What? I…”

  “I’m in love with you. I’m saying that right now and I’ll keep saying it for the rest of my life, honey. Because I was a fool not to tell you earlier. I shut down, refused to face what truly mattered, to accept the way I was towards my father and Mountainbrook. You’ve opened my eyes, Rachel. I want to show you every part of me I’ve concealed. Even the corrupt dealings back in New York and the sacrifices I made.”

  Absorbing his words, she had to say, “I also made a reckless decision when I came here.”

  “It was the best thing you could’ve done. You’re selfless and accepting.”

  He was saying everything she wanted to hear. Tears blurred her eyes. No, she couldn’t fall apart from a few words. Not when her heart was at stake.

  “How do I know you won’t do it again? Close off from me? Hide away? Being in love means exposing everything about each other.”

  “I learned from my mistake. You confronted your greatest fear. I overcame mine.”

  He cupped her chin and she leaned in close, letting his lips take hers. This was what she’d missed so badly. His kiss was slow, tense, drawing out all the emotions she thought she’d repressed. Her chest rose and fell in time with his and she was tempted to grab that tuxedo jacket and peel it off him.

  Jared pulled away. “Still want you as much as I did when we first met.”

  Her lips tingled. “When you caught me being bad. Trust me, one criminal act is enough for me.”

  He stroked her hair, his eyes not leaving hers. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you how I felt, back when I knew without a doubt. It was after we had that picnic. I knew New York was no longer an option, you were. You were part of my future and it scared me.”

  “I understand, and it’s okay.” She paused. “What happened with Karen?”

  “I decided Brandon and Green Investments needed a downgrade. I recommended her for the position with a glowing reference. She got the job. I predict the business will fail within a few months, she doesn’t have the skills or experience required, but that place deserves to go down. It was built and sustained on corrupt dealings.”

  “Wow. Didn’t expect that.”

  “I just recognized what needed to be done. Come on. I’m eager to get out of this formal wear.”

  Jared turned and slid out of the jeep, opening her door before she could maneuver to do so. Her head was still spinning as she followed him up the familiar dirt path to the ranch. He’d set up his business to fail. He’d come to her sister’s wedding for her. He was full of surprises.

  Derek was at the reception desk and smiled broadly upon seeing them. “Rachel! Good to see you again.”

  “Great to see you too.”

  “Turns out we have a new job opening for a ranch photographer. I think you’d be best suited to it. Tourists are eager to buy your photos.”

  She smiled, catching sight of a few of her panoramas on the walls. “I think I’ll be free for the job.”

  “Well, we can wait. Heck, Jared’s been waiting long enough.”

  The two men shared a knowing look. Rachel glanced between them before Jared took her hand and led her down the hall to his room. He opened the door, gesturing for her to go inside. She did so.

  Turning around, she noticed Jared had dropped to one knee. “Rachel Mills, I’d love for you to be my wife and live out your days here with me in Mountainbrook. Take photos to your heart’s content and if you’re up for it, go on the occasional ride with me.”

  She laughed. Here was the man she loved, proposing to her in a way she wouldn’t have dreamed of. To have believed this moment wouldn’t occur…

  “Oh Jared, I wasn’t expecting this so soon.”

  For the first time since she’d known him, he looked worried. “It’s too much?”

  “No, it’s everything I want.”

  “I love you.” He straightened, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

  “And I love you.”

  “That’s all I need to hear.” Jared smiled and raised his hand to show a ring box. He snapped it open to reveal a yellow gold diamond solitaire ring. Her breath caught in her throat. It was beautiful.

  “If it’s not to your liking, we can choose another.”

  “Are you kidding? It’s perfect!”

  “Good. I want everything to be that way for you.”

  She smiled, looking upon the man who’d assiduously cared for her during ranching duties, who’d left his troubled past behind for her. Her former boss, now fiancé and future husband. “It already is.”

  Epilogue

  Two months later…

  “This one has to be my favorite.”

  Rachel spread out a glossy print of a photo brandishing Jared on Honor overlooking the Selkirk mountain range. It was also the first photo she’d published of Mountainbrook back when she’d done some promotion and the memory evoked a warm smile.

  Linda peered over her shoulder. “I can see why you think that. Jared’s in it.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “It happens to be a top seller.”

  After a peak of selling several photos a day at the height of Mountainbrook’s popularity, it’d tapered down to an odd photo every week. Not that she minded having an inconsistent income and for that matter, Jared didn’t either. It wasn’t about the money, after all.

  “It’s a tie between that one and the barn. I’ll think it over,” Linda said.

  “Take your time.” Rachel gave her a smile. “You’ll get a discount, of course.”

  Hearing footsteps on the porch, Rachel glanced at the open door. Sunlight spilled through to reveal Owen standing there. He took off his Stetson and gave a sheepish wave.

  “Rachel, hi. Linda, you ready to go?”

  “Sure.” Linda leaned over to Rachel. “We’re heading to his place. He seems to enjoy my company, plus he has a cute dog.”

  She had to laugh, pleased that Owen had someone to spend time with and she knew Linda would be
easygoing and take things slow. Whether that would lead to something, she didn’t know.

  “Okay then. Have fun, you two.”

  Watching them leave, she leaned back in her chair and took in the tranquility of the log cabin. She’d moved in a few weeks after Jared proposed and together, they’d made it their own place. It was several feet from the ranch house, enough of a distance away from the bustle when it was fully booked. She couldn’t think of settling down anywhere else.

  A knock on the open door drew her attention. “Honey, I’m home.”

  She stood and went to Jared. He took her into his arms and held her tight before kissing her forehead. Just like every other day, she smiled, full of gratitude.

  “I’m glad you made it. I was worried you’d get lost on the commute,” she teased.

  He laughed. “Yeah, it’s such a long walk back from work.”

  She pulled back to meet his sharp blue eyes, glimmering with contentment. He kissed her and she enjoyed the sensation, the warmth of getting to feel and see him every waking moment.

  “How’s your dad?” Rachel asked.

  “Really good. No one’s said a bad thing about his food, so he’s delighted about that.” He paused. “Keeps asking about our wedding plans, though. Have you got a venue in mind yet?”

  “I have a few. We can look them over tonight after dinner?”

  “Perfect. Let’s get started on it. What is it, roast again?” He headed for the kitchen and she followed.

  “Yeah, your favorite.”

  Jared pulled out a cutting board and went to the fridge to withdraw some vegetables. “Ran into Faye when I went to the market this morning.”

  “Oh. I remember her.”

  “She doesn’t have much to say anymore.”

  She pursed her lips, relieved. Thankfully, no nasty rumors were spreading about her family since Mountainbrook opened. If anything, people were likely more curious about their upcoming wedding. Establishing her position as Mountainbrook’s photographer had not only drawn attention but earned the respect of those who once doubted her.

  But it was simply Jared and his opinion of her that mattered.

  She leaned over the kitchen counter to observe her soon to be husband. “So, what do you have to say? About our wedding?”