and bring his father’s legacy to life.
From the time Colt was a young boy, he’d itched to see this property grow, to see people from all over flock in and see what they’d created. He refused to let anything stand in the way of his goal, even the sassy, beautiful Ms. Carter.
After putting the saddle and blanket away, he grabbed the brush to groom the dust from Lightning. While stroking the stallion, an epiphany struck him. Colt was a smarter businessman than Neil, clearly. Hell, Colt knew Neil had no idea what he’d agreed to when he’d accepted the money to pay off the loan—the man had been too desperate. But Colt would give Annabelle a chance to pay that debt. There were six installments left. Three months was all that stood between him and everything he’d ever wanted.
Suddenly being one stable hand short wasn’t such a hardship. Perhaps Annabelle would be interested in a little work to help pay off the debt. She no doubt wanted to discuss the arrangement. She’d controlled her anger with him, thinking she’d just been talking to a stable hand, but there had been fury in those deep green eyes. Well, he’d use that fury to his advantage and make her an offer she couldn’t refuse.
Colt patted the side of the stallion and finished brushing him as his brilliant plan took shape. He had no intention of ever handing that land over again. It finally belonged to him, but her father had to learn a lesson. He owed more than just this debt, but Annabelle didn’t need to know that.
Having such a beautiful woman on his property sure would perk things up around here. She had drive and determination. He couldn’t help but admire her spirit.
Colt whistled as he headed back toward the main house. His limp from the accident wasn’t even bothering him today. Sometimes it ached, but right now, he had his mind on other things...like the sexy redhead he needed to properly introduce himself to.
He made his way to his third-floor master suite to get ready for a very important meeting. He owned the land, now he wanted to own the woman. And Colt Elliott always got what he wanted.
Infuriating man.
Annabelle found herself on Colt Elliott’s property for the second time today. She’d wanted to have the meeting in her house, where she could have some level of control. But when Colt’s assistant or minion, or whatever, had called, he’d made it clear that Colt would meet with her, and only her, at precisely 7:00 p.m. at Pebblebrook. Otherwise, the meeting was off.
Damn infuriating man. She’d never met him and she already despised the air he breathed.
Whatever. She just wanted this to be over with. The sooner she could get Colt to agree to her terms, the better. Hopefully he’d see that this new arrangement would be beneficial to both of them. No matter what he threw at her, Annabelle wasn’t leaving until she had something to cling to, some hope that she wasn’t doomed to a life of failure when she was only twenty-four years old.
She was a mother to two beautiful twin girls now. Her father was doting all over them at the moment and would have to be her babysitter when she found a job. He was responsible with children, just not money. Besides, she couldn’t afford to pay a sitter for one kid, let alone two.
First, she had to get this debt straightened out, and then she’d focus on getting that job. Surely, there was something in town she could do. At this point, she wasn’t going to be picky.
Smoothing her hands down her green sundress, she pulled in a deep breath. Her nerves weren’t about to abate, so she rang the bell and stepped back...waiting to enter the enemy’s lair.
This place was so huge, it was almost intimidating. A wooden bridge arched slightly over a creek that ran in front of the house between the drive and the entrance.
The man literally sat in his castle, complete with moat, waiting on the town peons to enter his kingdom. Oh, how she wished someone would knock him down a peg or two. She had an unhealthy dose of anger stored up with Colt Elliott’s name written all over it.
She wasn’t even getting into the anger she had toward her father for putting her in this position to begin with. All he’d told her is that Colt had fronted the money and the loan was paid off. Now they owed Colt, not the bank. She made sure her father got that in writing from Colt and Neil had said he did sign a paper and it had been notarized. So, at least her father had been smart enough not to just do things the old-fashioned way with a handshake and a promise. Because Annabelle didn’t trust Colt Elliott. Not one iota.
The double doors swung open and an elderly man stood before her. Annabelle thought the Elliott boys’ father had passed some years ago, so she wasn’t sure who this man was.
“Come in, Ms. Carter. Mr. Elliott is expecting you.”
She stepped over the threshold and nearly gasped. If she’d thought the outside was spectacular, the inside was breathtaking.
The entryway allowed her to see all the way up to the third story. An open walkway on both floors connected each side of the house, allowing anyone upstairs to see the entire foyer.
Annabelle was getting a vibe that Colt liked to look down on people, to belittle them. Well, he may have pushed her father around, but he was about to deal with a whole new game player. She wanted to know precisely why he’d extended his hand of generosity to her family. Nobody did something like this just to play nice.
“I’m Charlie.” The older gentleman closed the door and tipped his head down in greeting. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to Mr. Elliott.”
Annabelle continued taking in all the beauty of this home, and tried not to let jealousy take over. The Elliotts existed on a whole other level than her family ever had, especially now that they had nothing. But Annabelle wasn’t about to let life run her over. She’d had enough and Colt Elliott was about to get the brunt of her frustrations.
The calming trickle of water drew her attention as she passed by a sunken living area. Who the hell had a waterfall wall in their home? Oh, right. The people who counted their billions as a hobby.
Annabelle forced her frustrations aside and continued on behind Charlie. There was a bigger issue at hand. She wasn’t going to spend her time assessing how this family lived so lavishly when everything had been robbed from hers. Everyone created their own destiny; unfortunately, she was the victim of her father’s.
No more. Annabelle had a vision for her future and it certainly didn’t involve giving up her childhood home. Once she got to the bottom of this ordeal, she could start on rebuilding her life. Because she wasn’t just worried about herself anymore, there were two sweet babies to consider.
Charlie led her through a maze and she wondered if she’d ever find her way out once this meeting was over. Finally, he stopped in front of an oversize arched doorway. He tapped his knuckles on the door before easing it open.
“Sir, Ms. Carter is here.”
Nerves gathered heavily in her belly as she smoothed her sundress down one last time. She didn’t care what her emotions were, and there were plenty, but she had to keep them hidden. Someone like Colt Elliott would home in on any weakness and use it to his advantage. Clearly, or she wouldn’t be here trying to get her house back from the man who’d snatched it from her father during one of his worst moments.
Charlie
