Rough Ride by Piper Stone

Chapter 4

Jake

There was nothing I hated more than wearing a suit. My mother had insisted that I buy at least one decent one, even though I continued to remind her that I had no use for the damn thing. I would never forget the day she patted her hand on my chest, reminding me that I’d attend my share of funerals. Of course I never expected to be standing under one of the only trees in the cemetery on a blazing hot summer day in a freaking black suit, long-sleeve white shirt, and a goddamn tie that felt more like a noose.

Sighing, I studied the crowd of people who had arrived, shaking my head. It would seem my father had been a popular man around these parts. There were at least a hundred people in attendance, maybe more. I’d waited to walk up the knoll until after the majority of them had arrived. I didn’t plan on talking to anyone. This was about honoring my mother’s wishes to pay my respects and nothing more.

From where I stood, I was able to see the casket waiting to be dumped into the ground. Damn, I hated this kind of shit. Death meant little to me. I’d yet to lose anyone I cared about, and I certainly had no feelings for a man who knew I existed yet failed to talk to me even once. That kept me enraged, but more so for my mother. She’d suffered far too much in her life.

My thoughts drifted to the night before, the encounter unexpected but absolutely delicious. My cock twitched just thinking about the girl in the gawdy costume and makeup. She’d been a little fighter all the way around, including in bed. Jesus. I could go another five rounds with her without an issue. I couldn’t help but laugh. I didn’t know the girl’s name and she certainly didn’t know mine. Maybe that was for the best. I had no intentions of hanging around any longer than necessary.

I was curious about the single person that sat in the family row. Who was the woman dressed in a conservative black dress? Maybe she would help put some pieces of the puzzle together. Then again, why would I care? I was here to sell off the estate and move on with my life.

I sensed a presence walking closer and bristled. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk and I certainly had no idea what the hell to tell anyone about who I was or why I was here.

“Mr. Travers?”

The voice was warm and friendly and decidedly female. I slowly turned, studying the petite brunette as she walked closer. “Who wants to know?”

She held out her hand, a genuine smile on her face. “I’m Sheila Nesbit. I was your father’s attorney for many years.”

Given the fact she was only a little older than I was, I had to wonder how long she could have been working with him. I shook her hand, uncertain why she was here. “Okay.”

She laughed as she lowered her arm. “I understand you might be confused about the circumstances and your inheritance.”

“Confused isn’t the word for it. I didn’t know the man and from what I’ve gathered, I didn’t miss out on anything special.”

“Then you would be wrong, Mr. Travers. Rutherford was an amazing man and a good friend, not only to me but to a lot of folks in this town. He was generous and kind, always giving to charity and volunteering when he could.”

I clapped my hands lightly together. “Well, goody for him. You can add he was a lousy father to that list.”

Exhaling, she took a few seconds to look at the crowd. “All those people are here because they loved Rutherford for one reason or another. I’m sorry for the circumstances of what happened with you and your mother but certain… things couldn’t be avoided.”

“Certain things. That’s an interesting way of putting it.”

She handed me her card, frowning as she looked into my eyes. “I’ve set up a meeting later this afternoon. I can go over the will and what that means. Then you can certainly visit the ranch, staying there if you like.”

“I have no intentions of staying in this damn town any longer than necessary, Ms. Nesbit. This place ain’t my home and I don’t intend on making it one.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“Sell the damn place. I don’t want it. I’m not an oilman. I’ve never wanted to be a rigger in my life.”

The look on her face was entirely different, something I was unable to read.

“Unfortunately, there are some additional… circumstances around owning the ranch as well. I will explain all that later. I do hope you’ll keep an open mind about keeping the place. The fields produce a significant amount of oil, more so recently. You are a very wealthy man, Mr. Travers, and I suspect will be even more so in the future. I think you’re exactly the way your father described. Strong. Powerful. Dominating. You could do very well in the industry.”

How the fuck would my father know a damn thing about me? I resisted retorting. The woman didn’t deserve my wrath.

When she walked away, I took a deep breath before studying her card. A wealthy man, eh? Well, I planned on using the money from the sale for something special. No matter the fucking circumstances. I couldn’t wait to get out of this damn state altogether.

I shifted closer to the proceedings, folding my arms. The quiet reverence everyone paid to the man was interesting, almost every person passing by the coffin and touching the lid or the white roses positioned on top. I could tell the woman in front was crying. She’d dropped her head, nodding when someone tried to console her. I’d always realized there were secrets in every family so what had my father been hiding? Another family? A sweet younger wife? I snickered at the thought.

As time progressed, I grew impatient. At least the meeting with the attorney was in less than two hours. A few minutes later, there seemed to be a change, people moving away from the casket and standing shoulder to shoulder as a man approached. From somewhere I heard the sound of classical music and realized that a violinist was located only a few feet from the gravesite. The music was beautiful, almost romantic in nature, and in my mind completely inappropriate for the event. There was nothing more I wanted more than to get the hell out of here. However, I waited out of respect as the minister began to speak.

While I couldn’t hear what he was saying, after a few minutes it was obvious that his words were moving. I waited for five minutes then couldn’t take it any longer, heading for the truck. Maybe a beer before the meeting would do me some good.

As I drove away, a strange knot formed in my stomach. I loathed the feeling. The man meant nothing to me and neither did his ranch or whatever pittance of an inheritance he was going to offer. I had all I needed to live my life the way I wanted to.

I pulled into the parking lot of the first bar I ran across, storming inside as if I owned the place, happy to see there were only a few customers inside. It wasn’t yet happy hour but when had I ever cared about that? As I headed to the bar, the knot remained churning in my gut. What the hell was wrong with me?

“Whatdya have?” the burly bartender asked.

“A cold Bud and a chaser of tequila.” Yeah, a bracer was definitely in order. I could tell the rough-looking bartender was used to serving drinks this early, especially given the road-hard-and-put-away-wet look of the customers. As soon as he slammed both on the bar, I grabbed the shot, holding it into the dingy lighting. “Here’s to you, Pops. I didn’t know you and at this point I can say I’m damn glad.”

The rotgut liquor made me cringe as it burned the back of my throat but in truth, I needed the hard edge. Maybe you need a kick in the ass. I almost laughed at the thought running through my mind. At least I could provide my mother with some luxuries. Maybe that would make her happy.

As I took a pull of my beer, I scanned the shitty-looking bar. How many crappy establishments had I ended up in after a win? Too many. And how many times had I woken up hours later in my truck after somebody had dumped my drunk-ass body inside? Almost as many. I’d been lucky that I could turn off my ugly habits when necessary, turning my full attention to whatever upcoming rodeo on the horizon. But it had gotten harder and harder. Then the fucking accident. Jesus. I’d fallen into a bottle for a solid month, little if any memories of the time.

Thirty-six years old and a has-been. Perfect.

I gulped half the bottle but neither libation seemed to help my sour mood or my furrowing anger. Why was I furious with a man I’d never met? My rage had little to do with what had happened to my mother, although that pissed me off something fierce. I thought I’d gotten used to not having a damn father. Now this. Well, fuck it. I took another gulp before realizing the alcohol was doing little other than fueling the fire.

Yanking out some cash, I tossed it onto the bar and headed out. Whatever the attorney was going to share I’d deal with. Then I’d track down a real estate agent. Period.

It would be good to sell the place. Maybe that would erase all memories of a man who hadn’t cared about his damn son. Fuck him.

* * *

I’d never had any kind of patience, an attribute my mother had joked would cause my reincarnation over and over again until it was fixed. I’d laughed at her beliefs, but maybe she was right. She usually was. I remained in the goddamn truck like some scared little kid. Meanwhile, the clock ticked. I was already ten minutes late for the meeting.

I stared at the unassuming building, taking deep breaths. “You need to get your head out of your ass, Thunder. Get it over with.”

Yup. That’s exactly what I needed to do. I jerked the keys from the ignition, still hesitating for another few minutes before getting out. I’d already yanked off my tie and jacket. After rolling up my sleeves, at least I felt more human. I chuckled as I walked toward the building. I sure wasn’t the man I used to be.

Tougher than nails.

The office was easy enough to find on the second floor, the receptionist very nice before heading toward the attorney’s office to announce my arrival. When she returned, she pointed me in the direction. Then I heard her slight exclamation.

“You’re Thunder Travers. Aren’t you?”

I turned to face her and grinned. “Why, yes, I am. Would you like an autograph?”

“Oh, my gosh, yes. That would be wonderful. I can’t believe you’re here. In person. I saw you at that rodeo a couple days ago. I mean on television. I’ve never been lucky enough to see you in person. You were magnificent. I mean to stay on that big, bad bull for thirteen seconds was amazing.”

“Thirteen point one seconds, darlin’. That is if you want to be exact.” I was in my element once again, the woman ripe for the picking if I was still into that kind of thing. My thoughts drifted to the sensuous woman from the night before. Damn, I should have gotten her name. She’d awakened the beast inside of me and he was already famished.

“You’re even more gorgeous than you are on television.” Her face turned beet red, her entire body shaking. “I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Bridget. I think that’s enough. Mr. Travers was expected at a meeting almost twenty minutes ago.”

Ms. Nesbit’s voice was ripe with admonishment, her folded arms and other body language indicating her frustration. I gave her a nasty look then shifted my attention back to the lovely Bridget, winking as I leaned over her desk. “I won’t forget before I leave.”

She nodded but bit her lower lip as she glanced at her boss.

I turned casually, gazing up and down the length of the attorney. She glared back defiantly before heading for her office, her tall heels clipping against the tile floor.

Meanwhile, I took my time, swaggering in that direction, glancing into every office as I passed by. She could wait until I was ready.

The woman’s door was partially open and as I walked inside, I realized I wasn’t going to be the only one in the meeting. After closing the door, I froze as I realized it was the girl from the funeral. Snarling inwardly, I took several deep breaths, giving Ms. Nesbit another heated look.

“Sit down, Mr. Travers. We have a lot to discuss.” Ms. Nesbit pointed toward the seat only inches away from the mysterious girl.

I debated just skipping town but knew my mother would be pissed. So I walked toward the chair, purposely glaring at the girl. When she lifted her head, I narrowed my eyes. She looked damn familiar. What I didn’t expect was her reaction, her chest heaving and the nastiest look I’d ever seen crossing her face.

“What the hell is the meaning of this?” the girl asked. “What are you doing here?” She pointed her finger in my direction.

And as soon as she did, I knew that karma had decided to give me that kick in the ass after all. The mysterious redhead was the luscious, vivacious, sexy brat from the night before. What the fuck was going on? Was this some kind of setup? I was damn well going to find out.

“I was invited. I’m not sure about your intent. Did you have some kind of secret affair with my father?”

The fury in her eyes was exactly as I’d seen the night before. I almost smiled given my body’s reaction, my cock throbbing and my mind spinning from the images of our carnal act floating back and forth in my mind.

“Fuck you, cowboy. I don’t know who you think you are.”

Her enraged statement finally brought a smile to my face. “The girl is right. Why is she here? I thought I was his only heir.” I remained standing, furious that I hadn’t been informed there was another recipient in my father’s will. My God. As if I gave a damn about whatever the man had decided to give me.

Ms. Nesbit held up her hands, glancing from one to the other. “I can see you’ve already met each other.”

“Hardly. He was a monster at a bar last night and nothing more,” the girl said with a haughty tone.

Sighing, Ms. Nesbit tilted her head before speaking. “Madisen Falwell, meet Jake Travers. Jake is Rutherford’s biological son. Rutherford was Madisen’s legal guardian. She has been living on the property since she was seven years old.”

“I was like his daughter,” Madisen added, the fury remaining on her face. Yet very quickly I could see sadness in her eyes. She actually cared about the man.

“I suggest we move to the business at hand,” Ms. Nesbit encouraged.

While I hadn’t been inclined to paying attention, at this point I wanted to know how this was going to work. As Madisen and I both sat down, I realized I was uncomfortable as hell. The girl unnerved me to the center of my being, and I wasn’t certain why.

Ms. Nesbit finally eased onto her seat, shifting some papers on her desk. “While there is quite a bit of information and details regarding your father’s will, Jake, the usual complications for a business of this nature, I will give both of you the basics. Then we can discuss in more detail what his words and wishes actually meant. Is that all right with the two of you?”

I shifted my gaze toward Madisen, allowing her to answer first.

“Fine. Just get it over with. I have work to do at the ranch,” she huffed, shooting me another hateful look.

“I agree with Madisen, Ms. Nesbit. Let’s get this over with,” I added.

“Please, call me Sheila. As I told you at the cemetery, your father and I have been friends for years.”

I tapped my fingers on the armrest of the chair, not bothering to answer her. This ought to be good.

As she read over the particulars, going through the usual legalese that was necessary, I found my mind crowded with filthy thoughts regarding Madisen. Even though she wore her hair in a bun, the conservative dress doing little to highlight her gorgeous, voluptuous features, just being able to see her stunning face without the gawdy stage makeup made my mouth water. I’d never seen a more beautiful woman in my freaking life.

“Are you listening to me, Jake?” Sheila barked a few seconds later.

“Of course. Continue.”

“On that note, your father wanted to make certain that the two of you work together to continue both the operations on the ranch as well as the oil company, which means there is a codicil that must be followed.” Sheila took another second to glance from Madisen then back in my direction.

“This should be good,” I muttered.

“Just shut up and let her talk,” Madisen admonished.

I chuckled under my breath and tried to pay attention. Then Sheila spouted off that neither one of us could sell the property in the next two years and that we had to be in agreement even then or both the ranch and the oil company would be given to the state.

“What. The. Fuck?” I growled.

“I wasn’t planning on selling the ranch in the first place. Who would do that?” Madisen glared at me for the tenth time of the afternoon. “That’s my home,” she continued in a harsh whisper.

Great. This was getting better by the minute.

“Further, Rutherford has left you sixty percent of his estate, Jake. And Madisen, he has given you forty. His hopes were that the two of you will work together to continue making Big Horn Ranch and West Coast Oil something to be proud of.” Sheila seemed satisfied that she’d provided the initial information, obviously waiting for our reaction.

“He did what?” Madisen stood quickly, her body shaking from another round of anger. “He was like my father. We were so close and he knew how much I loved him. Why would he give that much control to a… fucking stranger?”

Sheila tried to have a comforting expression on her face. “Madisen, I can understand your concern, but I don’t think that forty percent of eight hundred million dollars and growing is a slight to you in any way.”

Did she say eight hundred million? I was thrown, tossed into some surreal moment. I’d had no idea the company was worth that much. I hadn’t bothered to search the internet since I hadn’t given a damn. Now I find out this? My pulse increased, the knot in my stomach returning. Shit. I was way out of my league here.

“That doesn’t mean it’s not wrong,” Madisen continued. “This… cowboy doesn’t know anything about the oil business. Does he? He’s some kind of a freaking rodeo star who thinks his shit doesn’t stink. He can’t handle the rough and tumble real world.”

I was incensed, immediately rising to my feet, her challenge really pissing me off. “What the hell do you know about me, sugar?”

“Don’t you dare call me sugar. I have a name and I am somebody that your father loved. He knew nothing about you.” I could tell Madisen was actually ready to throw a punch. My mind went to all the bad places I’d gone before, longing to drag her over my knees and provide the spanking of her life. Maybe I’d do that in the parking lot.

“Calm the fuck down, both of you,” Sheila hissed. “You need to work together on this. Your father was very specific that you two must work together and I assure you that he had his reasons.”

“We will find a way to sell,” Madisen insisted.

“You need to understand something. Both of you.” Sheila was obviously exasperated.

“Fine. What do we need to know?” I barked the question, my blood boiling.

She seemed uncertain of how to tell us. Now I was more curious than ever.

“Rutherford actually won the plot of land in a poker game, all one thousand acres,” Sheila said in a very calm voice.

“What?” Madisen was shocked. “He never told me that.”

“That’s not something he wanted anyone to know. He wasn’t proud of the way it happened and at the time, the land hadn’t produced a drop of oil. The previous owners called it a wasteland, but Rutherford was determined to make something out of it. And as you can tell, he was very successful.” Sheila took a few seconds then walked to the window.

“What aren’t you telling us?” I demanded.

When she palmed the glass, shaking her head, I knew that whatever complication she was about to spout off wasn’t going to make either one of us happy.

“The two men who owned the joint property have been trying to get their hands on your father’s land since the day he struck oil. They’ve done everything in their power to hijack his success, including suing him more than once.”

Madisen’s mouth remained open. She darted me a quick look. “I knew the assholes were aggressive in trying to purchase the land, but I had no idea they’d sued him.”

“And you wouldn’t have. All Rutherford wanted to do was to make your life better. He didn’t want you to worry.” Sheila’s voice held more emotion, sadness and anger because of what the man had endured. “As you might have figured out, the suits were tossed out, but that didn’t keep Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Whitehorse from doing everything they could to sully your father’s reputation.”

“That’s why he hid the fact he had cancer until the end,” Madisen whispered.

Sheila nodded. “You know how private he was. Anyway, the other complication is that an access road leads to the ranch as well as the oil fields.”

“Let me guess. All three owners hold title to the road.” I laughed after saying the words.

“Not all three. Just the other two,” Sheila admitted after a few seconds.

“You’re fucking kidding me.” I yanked the paperwork off her desk, flipping through the will, still finding out what the man had been worth hard to believe.

“Unfortunately, no, and I assure you that both men have also used that against him, including trying to shut the road down. Fortunately, the lawsuit Rutherford threatened was enough for them to back off.”

“But they continue to cause issues. Don’t they?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Yes,” Sheila admitted. “That’s why your father needed a strong man to work by your side, Madisen. I assure you that his decision didn’t have anything to do with your skills or your love of the ranch.”

I kept my gaze on Sheila for a few seconds before turning my attention to Madisen. She was already staring at me with utter hatred in her eyes.

“I think I’ve heard enough. Send me a copy of all the paperwork, Sheila. As you might imagine, my father taught me well. I plan on having another attorney look into this situation. I refuse to work with a… a Neanderthal asshole.”

“There’s still a portion of the will dealing with Rutherford’s personal estate that I’m certain you want to hear about,” Sheila continued.

Madisen tensed, shifting her heated gaze in my direction. “No. I’ll just read about it.” She huffed before grabbing her purse and walking out the door, slamming it behind her.

Sheila smacked her hand on the window several times before turning around to face me. “I knew she’d have that reaction. I should have warned her, but your father was specific about how he wanted the reading of the will handled.”

“You mean pissing both of us off?”

“I know how you feel—”

“Like hell you do,” I interrupted. “I didn’t know the man existed until a few days ago. He made my mother suffer her entire life, pining away for him while he made millions. Do you know she never allowed herself to fall in love again after what she went through?”

“I know, Jake. Rutherford told me everything. He wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with her.”

“Then why didn’t he try and find her?”

She smiled in a motherly kind of way. “He did. When he realized you existed, he couldn’t bring himself to suddenly become a part of your life. I do know he loved you very much.”

“Yeah, right. He didn’t know anything about me, except whatever he read in the freaking newspapers about my glorious days on the rodeo circuit.”

“Yes, he knew all about that, but he wanted you to be a part of his world for a specific reason.”

“And what the hell is that?”

“Because he knows you’re a very caring man.”

I burst into laughter. “And how did he get that? Don’t you know I’m considered the bad boy of the rodeo world? I was given the name Thunder for a reason.”

She leaned over her desk, lifting her eyebrows. “Yes, he knew all that. He was a rodeo star in his day and his behavior was no different than yours. After he won the ranch in a poker game, his father encouraged him to start a new life. When I say encourage, I mean forced. The Wallaces were formidable people, especially his father. So, that’s what Rutherford eventually did. However, your talents in the rodeo events weren’t the reason for leaving you the bulk of his wealth, nor was his continued worry about Madisen.”

“Then what was, for God’s sake?” I continued chuckling.

“Your love of the orphanage in Montana and the fact you gave up money and time to provide the boys with a vacation from the drudgery of their everyday lives, even if only for a little while.”

A chill raced down my spine. No one knew about that. No one. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. My mother had. How dare my father… I looked away, taking several deep breaths. “My last event was almost three years ago. I’m not certain anyone gave a damn.”

“Oh, I think those boys cared more than you have any idea about. Your father knew exactly what happened and why you disappeared from the world for such a long period of time. I’m sorry about the accident, Jake. What you did with those boys, the time and love you showed them year after year touched Rutherford very much. He knew you’d be the right person to take over what he struggled to build from nothing.”

“But in accepting my father’s generosity, that means I have to work with Madisen.”

“Yes.” A sly smile crossed her face. “And when you get to know her, I think you’re going to want to learn more.”

I took a deep breath and held it. “Yeah, I doubt that.”

“Jake. Try and trust me on this. I have a file I want you to look over. It holds copies of several of the last month’s financials as well as the lucrative contracts your father had secured, some of them long term. Madisen knows a hell of a lot about this business. She grew up trying to learn everything from your father. From what I’ve heard, she makes an excellent roughneck, an even better financial advisor.”

“She’s a woman.”

Sheila shook her head. “I suggest you try and get that chip off your shoulder and see that what you’ve been given is a true gift. Madisen will be a guiding force, but only if you allow her to do the job she’s been brought up in.” She handed me a thick file, giving me a harsh look.

“In other words, I don’t have any other choice if I want to be involved.”

“Exactly.”

I was fuming inside, loathing how a man I hadn’t known had managed to manipulate circumstances even after his death.

“Here are the keys to Mr. Wallace’s house. Why don’t you consider staying for a couple of days to get the lay of the land?”

When she pushed a set of keys across the desk, I had to look away. “I don’t know if I’m ready to do that.”

“Well, as his only next of kin, you’re going to be responsible for cleaning out his house. You might as well get an understanding of what you’re dealing with.”

I glared at the keys, finally yanking them off the desk. “What about Madisen? Where the hell is she living?”

Sheila smiled in a knowing way. “She has a house on the property just down the street from your father’s place. You could take some time to try and get to know each other.”

“Yeah? I don’t think it’s in either of our best interests.”

“It is if you want to honor your father or keep your inheritance.”

Honor. That meant more to me than almost anything, but at this point it had nothing to do with a man I never met. My thoughts shifted to the rebellious woman.

While the hunger I felt for Madisen remained, my desire to strip away her clothes and ravage her like the beast I truly was continuing, I refused to work with her on any level.

That just wasn’t going tohappen.

But what I did plan on doing was enjoying every moment of taking what I wanted.

Even if doing so meant I broke down every one of her defenses.

After that? Then I’d make her mine.