Ann Roth - A Rancher's Christmas

“Waste your money like that? There’s no need, honey. I’ll be waiting for you at the baggage claim.”

Uncle Redd made a choking sound, and Gina suspected he was crying. Uncle Lucky had been his last living brother and they’d been close.

Gina had also been close to him, had spent most every summer of her childhood at his Lucky A ranch. She teared up, too.

Lately, Uncle Lucky had been begging her to come back and visit, saying he missed her and needed to talk to her about something important. Now she’d never know what he’d wanted to say.

Why hadn’t she made more of an effort?

She managed to tell her uncle goodbye before she hung up. She was sniffling and looking up the number for the airline on her smartphone when the com line buzzed.

“It’s me,” her assistant whispered. “Where are you? Everyone’s here.”

By everyone, she meant Evelyn Grant, the great-granddaughter of William Grant and Grant Industries’ first female CEO. That she’d even come to the meeting showed how important this campaign was to her. She wouldn’t like to be kept waiting.

There was no time to grieve. Gina wiped her eyes, grabbed her iPad and left for the meeting room.

* * *

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Gina sat in her office with Carrie reviewing what needed to be done with each of their clients when Gina’s boss, Kevin, knocked on the door. Wearing an elegant cashmere coat and scarf over his bespoke suit, he looked put-together, handsome and successful. Sure, he was a bit on the ruthless side and on his third marriage, but careerwise, Kevin was her kind of man.

Someday, Gina hoped to meet and fall in love with someone with her boss’s drive and determination. “Carrie and I are just reviewing my client to-do list,” she said. “What can I do for you, Kevin?”

“Are you sure you can handle the Grant campaign from Montana?”

This was the third time he’d asked her that question since she’d told him about her uncle’s passing. “Absolutely,” she repeated with a reassuring smile.

As the only member of her family under seventy, she would be expected to handle her uncle’s estate, meet with the attorney and cull his papers and personal effects before Uncle Redd moved into the house and took over the ranch.

But that shouldn’t consume too much of her time, and she was sure she would still have plenty of opportunities to focus on her job. “Anything I can’t do from there, Carrie will take care of. She’s been in on this campaign from the start and she’s up to speed on everything. And don’t forget that next week is Thanksgiving. The office is only open Monday and Tuesday. That means I’m really only out three days this week and two days the next.”

Gina’s assistant, who’d worked for her for the past six months and was only a year out of college, nodded enthusiastically. Like Gina, she dressed in stylish suits and great shoes. She was smart and eager to get ahead, reminding Gina of herself at that age—of herself to this day.

“I’m excited about this challenge,” Carrie said.

Seeming satisfied, Kevin nodded and checked his Rolex. “I have a dinner meeting tonight with clients and I don’t want to be late. I’ll leave you two to hash over any details. What time does your plane leave, Gina?”

“Six a.m.” Way too early, given that she’d probably get to bed around midnight tonight. But for more than a month now, she’d pretty much lived on sleep fumes. With the help of copious amounts of caffeine and plenty of chocolate, she’d managed just fine.

“You’ll be back the Monday after Thanksgiving.”

It was a statement, not a question. “That’s right,” Gina said.

She’d booked a return flight for that Sunday, giving her ten full days in Montana. That should be enough time to see everyone and straighten out her uncle’s affairs.

“Give my condolences to your family, and have a good holiday.”

It wouldn’t be much of a holiday. “Thank you, Kevin.”

Her boss left.

Gina hadn’t spent Thanksgiving or any other holiday with her relatives since her mother had died. They would probably expect her to cook Thanksgiving dinner, which was okay with her. She enjoyed cooking but never had the time anymore.

“Um, Gina?” Carrie said, bringing Gina back to the task at hand. “I’m meeting some friends in a little while and I should get going.”

“Right,” she said. “Let’s review day by day what’s supposed to happen between now and when I return. We’ll start with Grant Industries and then go over the other accounts.”

“I’m ready.”

Carrie didn’t quite manage to stifle a yawn, which caused Gina to yawn, too. They were both exhausted, but she needed to know she could depend on her assistant. A lot was riding on this campaign.

“This is a huge responsibility, Carrie. Are you sure you can handle it? Because I can easily bring in someone else.” Several of her colleagues, including her best friend, Lise, would do anything for the Grant account. But when Grant Industries had signed with Andersen, Coats and Mueller, Kevin had selected Gina to manage it, and she preferred to keep Lise away from her “baby.”

Carrie perked right up. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to prove myself.”

Gina smiled, relieved. After reviewing all of their clients’ accounts, Gina shut down her desktop computer. “That’s it, then. My uncle’s ranch only has dial-up, but I found a hot spot for wireless so I’ll be able to stay connected.” She would have to drive about five miles into town to get internet, which was inconvenient but better than nothing.

“Seriously? No wireless?”

“Unfortunately not. My uncle was a rancher and didn’t use the internet much. I expect frequent reports from you on the Grant account and the rest of our clients. Numbers, feedback plus any ideas or concerns you have. That way I can keep tabs on everything and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.”

“No problem.”

“Great. You have my cell phone number. If you need me for anything at all, text me or call—day or night. Oh, and Montana is an hour ahead of us, by the way.”

Carrie nodded. “Don’t worry about a thing, Gina. I can handle this.”

Gina hoped she was right. Her job and her creditors depended on it.

* * *

DUSK WAS FALLING when Zach Horton exited Redd’s battered Ford wagon. Icy wind blew across the airport parking lot, and he clapped his hand on his Stetson to keep it from flying across the pavement. Time to switch to a wool cap.

Redd blew on his gloved hands and squinted at the cloud-filled sky. “Looks like it’s fixing to snow tonight. Good thing Gina’s flight is due to arrive on time. I sure appreciate you driving my old heap to pick her up.”

The seventy-one-year-old was too shaken up by his older brother’s unexpected death to drive the forty miles to the airport alone, let alone in the dark. “I’m happy to help,” Zach said. “I’ve been hearing about Lucky’s niece since he hired me. It’s time I met her.”

She didn’t know it, but Lucky had left her the ranch. He wanted her to take it over. Correction: he wanted Zach to persuade her to take it over. “Where did she say to meet her?” he asked.

“In the baggage claim area.”

“She checked bags?”

“That’s what she said.”

Zach shrugged. According to Lucky, Gina Arnett was a marketing whiz, steadily climbing the corporate ladder. She’d recently been promoted to assistant vice president at her company. The whole family was proud of her.

Zach was familiar with the type. Uptight, driven, goal oriented—he’d had his fill of women like her. He’d had his fill of corporate deals and one-upmanships, period.

He doubted Gina Arnett would want anything to do with the Lucky A and had told Lucky so. But Lucky had asked Zach to do everything possible to persuade her. The rancher had taken Zach in when he was a broken man, and Zach owed him.