The Billionaire’s Christmas Contract by Laura Haley-McNeil
Chapter 2
Bryg guided the luxury SUV to the home he’d rented while he scouted Mardale and the surrounding countryside. He wouldn’t be here if his front team had successfully negotiated contracts with the ranchers. When Bryg had asked his staff about their progress, they’d said one man stood in their way―Mayor Vern Rendell. The other ranchers in the area wouldn’t sell until they talked to the mayor.
Bryg told the team to return to New York. He’d talk to the mayor. A muscle worked in his jaw. There was nothing he liked more than a challenge.
He’d spent a couple of days driving around town and through the countryside, meeting people, discussing his plans, then he called the mayor. Vern had said he didn’t think they had much to discuss, but agreed to meet with Bryg. He had invited Bryg for Thanksgiving dinner, but Bryg always spent that day with Adam and Cheryl Moore, the foster parents who had welcomed him into their home when he was twelve years old. He had thought it the worst day of his short life. It turned out to be the best.
This afternoon, Bryg would drive to the Rendell Ranch and present the plans his development company had created. He had no doubt Vern would like his ideas.
His employees had consulted with several manufacturing companies who wanted to move their plants to a small town near a big city but needed tax incentives for the jobs they’d bring to the area. Mardale, Colorado, would be the perfect place. It was in the country, and it was close to Denver.
Until three months ago, Bryg had never heard of Mardale, but when his scout team brought him the data for the area, he knew he’d found the perfect place. What had struck him were the views. The friendly townsfolk provided the pristine setting to raise a family. Sadly, the town’s population was aging. The children who had been raised here went to college and never came back.
Bryg’s throat felt tight. If he’d been raised in a town like Mardale, he never would’ve left. Pushing that thought from his mind, he sped down the country road and gazed at the snow covered meadows. Already, he could see the homes with families enjoying fresh air and sunshine. When he’d shared his ideas with the landowners, many had resisted, but he knew these old ranchers had no one to inherit their land. They had to sell, and he’d offer them more than the appraised values.
He felt pleased with what he could do for these people. The retiring ranchers would win, the families moving to the area would win. The companies opening their new manufacturing plants would bring in the revenue that would make Mardale a thriving town again. Under Bryg’s guidance, his staff had created the perfect plan.
He had made several offers to the ranchers. Though they wanted to discuss their decisions with the mayor, they did seem interested in Bryg’s proposals.
Vern Rendell had been reticent, but he’d agreed to meet with Bryg today and discuss the benefits of having corporations build plants in the area.
Bryg’s mouth tightened. The Rendell ranch was the most beautiful in the valley with the river flowing through its meadows, and its gently rolling hills. Now Bryg had met the mayor’s daughter.
The willowy woman with dark brown hair and golden eyes aroused an emotion in Bryg he’d never felt before. The air in his lungs stilled. He couldn’t gauge his feelings because what seized his stomach when he met Leah was far too unnerving.
In the distance, he saw the home he’d rented, and released his breath slowly. He’d flown to Colorado to revitalize a community. He wouldn’t let a woman distract him. Once his staff had forwarded the proposals for the ranches to him, he’d schedule meetings with the ranchers so they’d understand how selling their land to him would benefit them and the community.
The familiar energy he felt when he was about to close a deal rushed through him. He couldn’t wait to make these offers to the locals, and he couldn’t wait to change Mardale from a dying town to a revitalized community.
He turned into the rental house driveway and guided the SUV into the garage. Inside, he strode to the master bedroom and shrugged out of the ruined jacket and pants. He tossed them to a corner. He had appreciated Leah’s offer to clean the clothes, but he didn’t need them⸻a far cry from his struggling childhood. Even when he lived with the Moores, his life had been modest.
Though he sometimes yearned for those days, they disappeared when a major corporation bought the company he’d started in his dorm room. With that came the changes including the Milanese fashion designer who flew to Bryg’s New York penthouse once a month. Bryg always had his assistant order several sets of each style he selected. Sacrificing these clothes was a small price to pay if it meant buying the Rendell ranch. Once the mayor agreed to sell his ranch, the other landowners would do the same.
Bryg climbed into the shower and let the water stream through his hair. This morning, he’d met the woman whose image hadn’t left his mind since she’d looked at him. In her eyes pulsed apology, and not recognition, which was a refreshing change. Most women he met were more interested in what he could do for their careers.
Having his clothes splattered was a sacrifice he was glad to make if it meant seeing Leah again. With any luck, he would this afternoon. Maybe he’d bring the stained clothes with him. If anything, she could clean the clothes well enough so someone else could wear them.
An emptiness rolled through him. He regretted he wouldn’t be in town long enough to get to know her, but he had a business to run. Once he had the signed contracts, there’d be no reason for him to stay.
In his mind rose Leah’s smiling face, and his heart quickened sharply, because in that instant he knew leaving this town would be harder than he’d ever thought possible.
* * *
When Leahand the boys returned to the ranch, the boys showed Leah’s parents the clothes they’d bought. Though Zeke tried to hide his excitement, his eyes shone with the pleasure of having something new to wear.
After lunch, Leah helped the boys clean the kitchen, then she and her parents made sure the boys were settled in their rooms and understood their homework.
Leah followed her parents into the living room and told them she’d met Bryg Winslow.
“He said he’s coming here this afternoon to meet with you.” Leah looked from her father to her mother. She didn’t miss the cautious look in her parents’ eyes.
“He is,” her father said on an exhaled breath. “He has plans for this area. I told him I’d hear him out.”
“Plans? As in buying the ranches around here?” A hint of panic stirred in Leah’s chest. Tara had said Bryg would buy the Johnson ranch.
Her father looked at her, his mouth tipping ruefully.
“Will you sell him the ranch?” Leah forced calmness into her voice.
She hadn’t lived here in ten years, though she loved visiting her parents and returned whenever she could. This Christmas vacation had given her respite from her broken engagement. She released her breath slowly. She’d never thought her parents might want to sell the place.
“I can’t answer that until I know his plans.” Her father’s eyes held the reluctance of making this decision. “But we won’t do anything until these boys have been raised. Join us in the meeting. I’d like to hear what you think.”
She could already tell him what she thought, but she nodded and went upstairs to her room to change. She’d been stunned when Tara told her Bryg’s plans for the area. Why hadn’t her parents said anything?
Her second thought made her still. Maybe her parents were ready to sell. They weren’t the young couple who had bought this ranch thirty-five years ago. Because they couldn’t have children, they’d adopted Leah’s brother David. Four years later, they adopted Leah. Her parents’ desire to raise children never waned, and over the years they opened their hearts and their home to boys in need of guidance.
Leah slipped into a sweater and a pair of slacks that had been her favorite outfit when she taught. The clothes were comfortable and looked nice, though they couldn’t compare to the clothes Bryg Winslow had worn this afternoon.
She flushed deeply. She wished Zeke hadn’t stepped into the puddle and splashed Bryg, but Zeke was a boy and a mischievous one. When he’d confessed to Leah’s parents what he did, their surprised looks seemed to make Zeke wish he’d been more careful. Relief flooded Leah. Maybe Zeke wasn’t as hard-hearted as he pretended to be.
Leah wished Bryg had allowed her to clean the jacket and pants. Then he could wear them again, but being a billionaire, he’d have a magnificent wardrobe. He wouldn’t miss the clothes he’d worn today.
Sitting at her vanity, Leah ran a brush through her hair. Her cell phone rang, and she glanced at the screen, at Charlie’s name wavering in big, white letters. She’d been here four days, and now he was calling her? If he could wait to call her when he was ready, she’d answer his call when she was ready. Still, the pain inside her chest felt raw. Her jaw set, she disconnected the call.
She was still trying to catch her breath when she glanced in the mirror. The pale face staring at her made her gasp. She’d been here four days, and she still looked as if she spent her life cloistered inside Braxton College’s hallowed halls. She grabbed a lipstick. A little color would make her look more like she belonged in Mardale.
From downstairs rose voices. One was deep, and she set her jaw against the emotion that washed through her. She definitely needed lipstick for this meeting, not that she was trying to impress Bryg Winslow, but she wanted to look presentable. She smoothed the pink color over her lips and dashed out of her room. At the top of the stairs, she felt someone watch her and turned to the room Zeke and Frankie shared. Zeke leaned against the doorjamb, his dark eyes filled with a pain he was too young to know.
“Do you need help with homework?” Leah asked the boy.
Zeke shook his head. His gaze shifted to the staircase before he stepped into his room and closed the door.
A quiver of alarm raced through Leah’s chest. Did Zeke suspect a change was about to take place? After his unstable life, he didn’t need another change. She’d talk to her parents about how to approach this concern. They’d make sure the boys knew the Rendell Ranch was their home until they graduated high school―Zeke and Frankie in a year and a half, Harry and Carl two years after that.
She took a calming breath and stepped to the staircase.
In the entrance stood Bryg, his powerful form filling the tiny area. He had a portfolio tucked beneath one arm. In his other hand, he held a paper bag. Leah’s father took Bryg’s coat, which had to be cashmere, and hung it in the coat closet. The jacket and pants he wore looked more expensive than the ones he’d worn this morning―the clothing Zeke had splashed.
Leah clenched her jaw, forced a smile, and moved down the stairs.
Bryg spoke to her parents, his manner easy and relaxed. When Leah reached the bottom step, Bryg lifted his gaze to hers and smiled.
Her heart picked up speed, and she chided herself that this man affected her. She’d met handsome billionaires before. She had to when the faculty hosted alumni fundraisers. Those billionairesnever made her nervous. It was her job to convince the alumni to gift the college with generous donations, and she usually succeeded.
Tonight, the discussion would center on the town of Mardale, and Bryg’s plan for this struggling community.
Bryg held up the bag to her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I changed my mind about the clothes. If your offer still holds, and you think you can get the stains out, I’m willing to accept your offer.”
“Yes, I’d be happy to do that.” She took the bag, the guilt in her chest easing slightly. She set the bag on the table in the entryway. “I guarantee you, they’ll look brand new.”
“I’d settle for just the removal of the stains,” he said, his mouth tipping in a way that made a strange sensation move through her.
Leah’s father led Bryg to the living room and made small talk while Leah helped her mother serve tea.
“I appreciate your taking the time to meet with me.” Bryg leaned forward in his chair and clasped his hands between his knees.
“We’re always willing to hear what people have to say,” Vern said, and Leah’s head came up.
Looking at her parents, she noticed lines in their faces she’d never seen before. Her chest squeezed. After decades of working the ranch and taking in boys who needed help, they had to be tired.
“I appreciate that.” Bryg pulled spreadsheets and professionally bound proposals from his portfolio. He handed copies to Leah’s parents and her. “My staff ran some numbers, and this is the value they came up with for your ranch. I suggest you present this to your attorney for review.”
Leah leafed through the proposal. Her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such a generous offer. Looking at her parents, she saw they were surprised, too. Bryg’s features remained schooled, which she should’ve expected. A master negotiator, he would’ve learned long ago not to reveal any reaction during a business transaction.
“What do you think, honey?” Vern lifted his gaze to Leah.
“It’s very substantial, which makes me wonder why.” Leah looked at Bryg. This didn’t look like an offer. It looked like a bribe, which would explain why Holly Johnson wanted to sell her ranch.
Bryg looked at Leah, but said nothing, which was an excellent tactic. It would give her the opportunity to talk, but this wasn’t her ranch. Her parents would make the final decision. If they were ready to sell, she’d have to respect that.
“Since my parents own the ranch, and I don’t, the final decision will be theirs, but I’m curious to know why you want to own land in a ranching community,” Leah said.
“I’m glad you asked. Several companies are interested in building corporate centers in the area, because it’s in the country, and it’s near Denver. My team and I are still finalizing the plans, but we’ve designed residential communities and shopping centers that will complement the surrounding region. Once we’ve completed the plan, I’ll release that information,” Bryg said.
“You’re aware other companies have presented similar plans to other towns only to abandon the projects.” Leah studied his gaze, which showed no reaction. “That left the communities stuck with abandoned housing developments and shopping centers.”
“That never should’ve happened,” Bryg said, remorse in his tone. “And I’ll make sure Mardale doesn’t endure the same fate.”
Leah’s mouth flattened. The response sounded automatic, as if he’d said that to the other owners in the area. She looked at her parents. If they asked her opinion, she’d give it. Right now, she didn’t want them to do anything until they knew Bryg’s plan. She’d tell them that, too.
“Then, I guess we’ll wait to hear what you want to do with the property,” Vern said.
Something flickered in Bryg’s eyes. Had Leah’s father said something Bryg hadn’t expected? She tried to hide the smile she felt. Her father had always been forthright.
“Maybe you’d like to see the rest of the ranch,” Leah said.
“I’ve seen the area with the satellite pictures,” Bryg said. He picked up his portfolio.
A wave of disappointment poured over Leah like cold water. Glancing at her parents, she saw in their faces what she felt―Bryg didn’t plan to maintain the property as a ranch. Why look at anything when he planned to change everything?
“It’s hard to see the inner workings from the satellite,” Leah said and stood. “I’ll give you a quick tour. It’s still light enough, and the animals will be active. Taking care of them is work, but it never felt like that to me.” She stepped to the coat closet and pulled out his coat and hers. “And I promise you won’t get dirty.”
She wouldn’t take “no” for an answer and was surprised and relieved when he didn’t argue.
“I trust you,” he said, his laugh deep and sincere, and she wished it didn’t make her like him more. He took her coat from her and held it open so she could slip into it.
Leah blinked. How long had it been since a man had helped her with her coat? Charlie had when they first dated, but that act of chivalry disappeared quickly. Was this Bryg’s way to soften her, so she’d tell her parents to accept his offer? It wouldn’t matter what she thought. Selling the ranch was her parents’ decision.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled in a way that made her heart flip over.
She looked away. “We won’t be gone long,” she said to her parents and led Bryg through the kitchen and out the backdoor.
He stopped at the edge of the deck and looked around. His gaze swept over the yard that sloped gently to the barn.
Was Bryg visualizing the changes he’d make once he owned the place?
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Leah looked at him. Beauty should take priority over profits.
“Yes, it is,” he said, his gaze resting on her in a way that was decidedly unsettling, “but don’t worry about what will happen to it. I’ll preserve the essence of the ranch.”
“I don’t know that my parents will agree to sell their property to you. If they do, I hope you’ll preserve this rugged beauty, though I think that will be hard with homes and businesses packed together.” She looked at him and wondered at the intensity in his eyes.
“Let’s see the animals,” he said and extended his hand toward the barn.
She released a slow breath and moved down the path. She didn’t know how, but she’d make Bryg understand the importance of preserving the gently rolling plains.
When they reached the barn, a loud snort sounded from the pen at the end of the barn.
“You have pigs?” Bryg’s voice filled with surprise.
“You didn’t see the pen in the satellite pictures?” Leah looked at him and smiled.
“Apparently not,” he said and studied the pen. “And there’s no smell.”
“Because pigs are clean animals,” Leah said. “Their health is important for proper breeding. That welcome you heard came from Miss Piggy.”
“I like the name,” Bryg said, and chuckled, a deep, soothing sound that made Leah’s heart trip.
She wished she could hear that chuckle again and again.
“We’ve had a few Miss Piggies,” Leah said. “I think this sow is our tenth. We’ve given different names to other sows, but this one is our favorite.”
“I can understand why.” Bryg looked at her, his blue gaze thoughtful and caring. “It’s a name that evokes elegance and determination.”
“These pigs can be determined.” Leah laughed softly.
Miss Piggy lifted her head from the trough and looked at Leah and Bryg as if wondering what they were saying about her. Around her sounded the squeals of her piglets, their tiny heads bobbing around her. She nosed them out of the way, then dropped her snout to the trough.
“What about the piglets?” Bryg asked. “Do you have names for them?”
“Not unless they’re good for breeding. Once they have names, we become attached to them,” Leah said as she watched the piglets crawl over each other to get to their mother. Anxious squeals rose from the pen during the struggle. “If they don’t have names, it’s easier to send them to market.”
“What do the boys think of the pigs?” Bryg asked with a raised brow.
“At first, they’re not too crazy about them and especially cleaning up after them. Most have never owned animals. Not even a dog or cat, but once they learn how to care for the animals, they become attached. They’re usually surprised to learn animals can have personalities like humans.” She looked at Bryg and wondered what he knew about animals. Did he spend any time at his thoroughbred farm? If he did, he’d know the horses would each have their own personalities.
The skirmish in the pen grew louder, and Leah frowned.
“Don’t tell me there’s trouble in paradise.” Bryg looked at her. The corner of his mouth tipped, though his eyes held concern.
“Someone isn’t happy,” Leah said. “I’ll be right back.” She stepped through the rails of the riding corral. She heard footsteps behind her and looked over her shoulder. “You should probably wait here. These animals can be unpredictable, and I don’t want you to ruin another set of clothes.”
“I’ll be fine,” he said, his smile confident.
The squeal grew louder, and Leah broke into a run.
A flash of pink squeezed from beneath the pen’s slats and dashed across the corral. The piglet stopped in the middle of the enclosure and looked around. As if realizing it had found freedom from the crowded pen, it ran in a circle then toward the rails―toward the prairie bordering the ranch.
“Oh, no.” Leah dashed after the piglet. “It can’t go out there. It’ll never survive.”
“I’ll get him.” Bryg’s arms and legs pumping, he ran passed Leah.
“But your clothes.” Leah ran after him. She felt responsible for his first ruined set of clothes. She wouldn’t let him ruin another set.
“I’ll be fine,” he shouted, and scooped up the piglet.
The tiny creature yelped and squirmed. A loud snort sounded from the pigpen. Miss Piggy nosed her brood aside and peered through the bars. She released a wailful howl. The other piglets stilled.
Bryg juggled the piglet that pawed at his coat as if determined to pursue its new found freedom.
Leah braked to a stop, her lungs heaving for air. She gasped at the mud stains the piglet left on Bryg’s coat.
“Let it go.” Leah tried to shout past her air starved lungs.
Bryg glanced at her, his eyes wide with surprise. The struggling piglet scrambled at Bryg’s shoulder. Bryg twisted around. His legs slipped to the side. The piglet clutched to his chest, he turned in the air and thudded to the ground.