Renee Ryan - The Marriage Agreement

But now they were as close as any brothers Jonathon had run across. They even owned neighboring ranches connected to their parents’ larger spread, which said a lot about their commitment to family.

At last, the door swung open and Garrett Mitchell entered the conference room in a rush.

“Sorry I’m late.” The besotted smile on his face said otherwise. “Molly needed me to help her switch hats, and then we somehow got tangled up. The laughing began next, and well, here I am at last, better late than never.”

“Save the excuses, little brother.” Logan lifted his hand in the air. “We all know you just wanted to spend extra time with Molly.”

Garrett’s grin widened. “Jealous?”

Logan snorted. “Have you seen my wife? She’s always the most beautiful woman in the room.”

“Unless, of course,” Garrett countered, “ my wife is in the room.”

“Or mine,” Hunter added.

Since Jonathon had known all three women in question before they’d met and married the Mitchell men, he kept his mouth shut on the matter. Each of their wives was special in her own way. Beautiful, smart, the very essence of goodness.

Jonathon nodded to Burke. His assistant shut the outer door to the conference room.

The brothers fell silent.

“Gentleman, if you will have a seat.” Jonathon motioned them to the table in the middle of the room. “We’ll begin.”

They remained where they were, standing shoulder to shoulder. Three against one. Not the worst odds Jonathon had ever faced.

Normally, he enjoyed a tough negotiation, especially if pitted against a worthy opponent or, as in this particular case, several worthy opponents. However, the outcome of today’s meeting was too important to indulge in the thrill that came from a proper battle.

Jonathon got straight to the point. “I recently acquired the property that runs along your northern border and—”

“So you’re the anonymous Denver businessman who purchased Ebenezer Foley’s ranch,” Logan said, with the barest hint of bitterness.

Jonathon understood the man’s frustration. It was no secret the Mitchell brothers had wanted the land. But Ebenezer Foley had nursed a lifelong hatred for the entire family. He’d carried that animosity to the grave. On his deathbed, he’d instructed his son to sell his ranch to anyone but a Mitchell.

Mouth set in a grim line, Hunter crossed his arms over his chest. “You didn’t ask us here merely to tell us you bought the land directly north of ours.”

“No. I want to make an offer on the three hundred acres you jointly own that run along my southern border, including the dilapidated train depot. I’m willing to pay 10 percent above the going rate, as you will see in the offer my attorney drew up. Take a look.”

He pointed to the files laid out on the conference table in a tidy row.

A silent message passed between the brothers before they stepped forward and opened the files with identical flicks of their wrists.

Hunter and Logan skimmed their gazes across the top page. Garrett Mitchell actually picked up the sale agreement and read through the legal document, page by page. It made sense he would take the time to consider the offer in its entirety, being an attorney who specialized in sales and acquisitions.

After a moment, Garrett looked up. “The asking price is more than fair, as are the other terms.”

“Nevertheless.” Hunter took a step back from the table. “We have one rule in our family when it comes to business. Mitchell land stays in Mitchell hands. We can’t sell you the property.”

Every muscle in Jonathon’s back tightened and coiled. He forcibly relaxed his shoulders, then felt them bunch again. “Can’t or won’t?”

“Does it matter?”

No. He supposed it didn’t.

Jonathon showed none of his reaction on his face, but inside he burned with frustration. To come so far...

“I’ll pay an additional 10 percent per acre.”

“Still no.” Hunter said the words, but the other two men nodded in silent agreement.

And that, Jonathon realized, was the end of the negotiations. Five minutes, that’s all it had taken.

The worst part, the very worst part, was that he respected the Mitchell brothers’ reasons for not selling. Mitchell land stays in Mitchell hands.

There were other comparable properties near Denver. Two even had run-down train depots similar to the one on the Mitchell property. But none of the available parcels had a river running through the land. The natural water source made the Mitchell parcel ideal.

“You’re a busy man,” Hunter said. “Our decision is final. We won’t take up any more of your time.”

“I appreciate you hearing me out.” Jonathon shook hands with each man. The oldest two brothers left the room almost immediately after that.

While Burke gathered up the files and followed them out, Garrett Mitchell hung back. “I’d like a quick word with you.”

Eyebrows lifted, Jonathon gave a brief nod. “All right.”

“Tell me your plan for the train depot. I know you have one or you wouldn’t have mentioned it specifically in the contract.”

Having worked with the young attorney before, Jonathon sensed the man’s interest was genuine. Garrett Mitchell had a keen mind for business and a penchant for taking risks.

What harm could there be in sharing the basics of his idea? “My ultimate goal is to turn the stop into a premiere destination, with restaurants, shops, lodging and more.”

Garrett rubbed his chin in thoughtful silence. “Entire towns have been built on less.”

The other man’s insight was spot on. “My hope is to create a community, not precisely a town, not at first, anyway. Rather a safe haven for my employees and their children.”

He paused, thinking of his mother, of the desperation that had led her to make bad decisions out of terrible choices. “Each position will include a fair wage, on-the-job training, as well as room and board.”

“If done right,” Garrett mused, “the venture could bring you a great fortune.”

“Money isn’t the driving force behind the project.” He went on to explain about the types of employees he would hire, mostly women like his mother.

“Ah, now I understand.”

Jonathon believed Garrett Mitchell did, indeed, comprehend his motives. After all, the man was married to Molly, a woman whose mother had worked in Mattie’s brothel, and whose older sister had adopted her when she was five.

“Let me speak to my brothers. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement.”

Jonathon appreciated the gesture, but he needed to make one point perfectly clear. “I won’t accept a lease, no matter how agreeable the terms.”

“Understood.” Now that their business was concluded, Jonathon expected the other man to take his leave.

Once again, this younger Mitchell brother surprised him. “Now that that’s settled, tell me how my sister is faring in her new position here at the hotel.”

Jonathon hesitated. He didn’t feel right discussing Fanny with her brother. It felt like a betrayal to their friendship. “Why not ask her yourself?”

The other man shrugged. “I could. But she’ll merely tell me she’s doing fine.”

True enough. “I can’t speak for Fanny, but I can tell you she’s doing an exceptional job. In truth, she’s become indispensable to me.” At her brother’s lifted eyebrow, Jonathon added, “I mean, of course, here , at the hotel.”

“Have a care, Hawkins.” Garrett’s eyes took on a hard edge. “Fanny has brothers who’ll take on any man who tries to take advantage of her.”

The warning was unnecessary. Jonathon would never hurt Fanny. If anyone dared to harm her or threaten her well-being, he would be first in line to deal with the rogue.