The Sticky Cowgirl (Lone Star Sweets, Book 2) (11 page)

Chapter Twelve

“I didn’t expect to see you today.”

Samuel crossed his legs and relaxed into the top of the line leather chair across the equally top of the line desk Brandt sat behind. “I was cleaning out my office.”

“Your mother was a little disappointed after you left last night. That little stunt you pulled, bringing Samantha Dawson to dinner…” Brandt shook his head. “I can’t begin to imagine what you were thinking.”

“That I don’t need my mother finding me women to marry and that you and Samantha needed to meet. That’s what I was thinking. I am pretty smart and my means are always leading to an end.”

“I don’t see why you thought she and I meeting was relevant to anything, Samuel.”

“I know, sir. But, I have learned one thing about business through the time I’ve spent with her and I wanted you to learn it too. She’s a human being, not just a name on a page.”

“No one is ever just a name on a page. I have to keep the human part out of it though in order to do the things I need to do. We have a job here, just as she has a job in her little shop.”

Samuel did his best to hide his surprise. Brandt talking that way almost sounded as though he cared about the people and businesses he displaced.

Almost.

“I can’t do that anymore.”

“You can. You have many times. This project changed you. That woman has changed you.”

The denial that once might have been on his tongue didn’t even rear its head. “Yes. We’ve never gone against anyone who put up such a fight. She’s fighting for something that goes beyond the bottom line and that did change me.”

“You in love with this girl?”

The question caught Samuel off guard. Brandt never asked personal questions. Their relationship was business and casual, friendly when needed.

Brandt Worthington was the only father he’d ever known and yet they’d never been father and son. Maybe Brandt had never wanted kids. Samuel had never wanted for anything material after his mother married Brandt and he knew his mother loved him. There was always something missing though, and until he met Samantha Dawson and became involved with her, he hadn’t been able to pinpoint what that something was.

Now, he knew.

A glance at Brandt, Samuel realized the man was still waiting for an answer. Patiently. That was a new one for both of them. Samuel couldn’t remember the last time Brandt had been patient with him about anything. He wasn’t a man who waited.

“I don’t know,” Samuel replied, though it tasted not quite honest. “I’m not sure I’d be able to say yes, even if I was.”

“When you know, son, you know. There’s no question, no doubt, no uncertainty.”

Brandt called him son. He’d never used that particular word in their entire relationship. Not once in all the years they’d been related by marriage. It was odd to hear it and Samuel didn’t know how that made him feel.

More and more lately, he didn’t know a whole lot when it came to his own emotions. It was annoying to say the least.

“She seemed to take pleasure in your discomfort at dinner.”

Samuel laughed. “Yes, she did and I deserved every snide remark she made. My intentions were good, where you and she meeting were concerned. You and her family have a history.”

“Whatever that history, I can’t let my personal feelings or thoughts on the matter interfere with the company. But you’re compromised and you not working for me anymore is the best decision.”

“Good thing I don’t want my job back then.”

“You plannin’ to join forces with her in this fight?”

“I don’t think she’d let me do that. She’s all about doing it on her own. Whether it’s winning or losing, she wouldn’t accept my help.”

“Not sure that’s smart. You have inside information. You’re likely the only one who could help her win against me.”

“I know, but I wouldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be right.”

“Might should’ve thought about that before getting personally involved with her.”

“Might.” Samuel shifted in his seat and leaned forward. “Jock Dawson had an idea.”

At the mention of the other man’s name, Samuel noticed the slight tightening of Brandt’s lips. He wouldn’t let it deter him. The idea was a little odd, but not outlandish.

“I’m listening.”

“Incorporate her store into the tower. Make her part of it.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Why? Other than changing the layout of the plans and some of the infrastructure, you could do it and maintain the integrity of the neighborhood.”

“It’s a couple city blocks, not a neighborhood.”

“It could become one. An urban center. Instead of expensive and exclusive to the high income sector. Change from condos to lofts. Add some local retail on the ground floor rather than business offices. You’ll draw the up and coming rather than the already arrived. There’s demand for this type of live/work residence. Use brick, not steel and concrete. Give the tower some personality, let it blend.”

“You’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

“I have. I dismissed what Mr. Dawson said at first, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Samantha’s assessment is that the new tower would sit half empty after it’s completed and she’s not wrong. You and I both know that. There are a number of buildings around every city that do, including some of our buildings right here in San Antonio and the new one in Dallas. The rent is too high, the parking isn’t right, the businesses aren’t unique or new. It’s the same thing everywhere. Why don’t we do something different?”

“We?” Brandt asked with a small, ironic smile.

Samuel smirked at his slip of the tongue. “You. Turner Enterprises.”

Brandt gave a nod and turned his chair toward the window. It was a tell of sorts. He was either thinking about what Samuel had said or he was giving a dramatic pause, trying to instill false hope. Samuel had seen Brandt do it many times.

Several moments later, Brandt swiveled to face Samuel again. “Tell you what. If you can get me some specs of what you’re proposing, I’ll give it some thought.”

For the second time since he’d entered the office, Brandt had succeeded in surprising Samuel. Brandt Worthington never changed his mind once he made it up, but Samuel would take the opening.. “All right. Give me a few days and I’ll put something together.”

“Good.”

Brandt stood and offered his hand across the desk. Samuel took it. The air between them was different, the mood changed. “Why are you doing this? Why are you giving me this chance?” he asked before he could stop the words. “I’ve seen you lose friends, hell, your own brother didn’t speak to you for a couple of years after you wouldn’t back down on that Worthington North building in Dallas. Why are you wavering now?”

“You’re my son,” Brandt said without missing a beat.

Samuel laughed. “Come on. We both know that’s not a good enough reason for you.”

“It is this time. Look, there’s obviously something that I’m missing. You chose to walk away from your job and move out of your apartment upstairs over this. Maybe it’s the woman. Maybe it’s the way we do business. But something got to you on this deal. I need to salvage what I can. Including you.”

“Mother didn’t know I’d quit, did she?”

“She did not.”

“That couldn’t have been fun for you after we all left the other night.”

“It was not. But Samuel, this isn’t about your mother and the tongue lashing I received. Get me those specs and we’ll talk again.”

Samuel inclined his head. “All right. I’ll have something for you soon.”

“Why are you here?”

Samuel smirked and shook his head. “Second time today that I’ve gotten that reaction.”

“Guess that should tell you something, huh?”

Jackson Dawson crossed his arms over his chest and dipped his head low. His cowboy hat shielded his eyes and his unsmiling mouth lent him an unfriendly countenance. Samuel definitely wouldn’t want to meet the cowboy in a dark alleyway.

“I’m here to see Samantha. I went by The Sticky Cowgirl and was told she was here.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want to see you.”

“I suppose it’s possible, but can we let her make that decision?”

“Nah. More fun this way.”

“Okay. She’s your little sister. I understand that.” Samuel lifted his hands in surrender. “Let me have it.”

Jackson snorted. “Shit. It’s too easy if you’re going to get all rational and understanding on me.” He pushed his hat back and relaxed his posture, leaning against the truck. Samuel breathed a small sigh of relief. He could defend himself without a problem and liked his chances for the most part against Samantha’s brother, but the man had grown up on a ranch doing hard, physical labor. Not to mention, getting into a fight with Jackson wouldn’t help his case with Samantha at all.

“Is she inside?”

“Yeah. Don’t hurt her, man. She’s deep in this with you. Whatever it is… All I ask is that you don’t hurt her anymore than you already have.”

“Was never my intention to hurt her.”

“I’ll kick your ass from here to El Paso if you do. She’s a straight shooter. No bullshit, no masks. What you see is what you get with her. And your silence lately? I’ve never seen her like this over a man. You keep this shit up and I’ll drop kick you beyond El Paso.”

Inwardly, Samuel cringed. Outwardly, he didn’t flinch at the threat wrapped in a promise. “I would expect it.”

“Glad we’re in agreement,” Jackson said. Samuel gave a short nod and started to step up into the truck. Jackson nudged his arm and Samuel looked over. “No free cupcakes for you, either.”

“Deal.”

Samantha was at the far end of The Cupcake Cowboy cupcake truck, leaning toward the open order window. A breeze blew loose strands of her blonde hair around her face. She was smiling and shifting her weight from one foot to the other, wiggling her hips.

She wore red boots today with a black and red sundress.

There were two other people in the truck with her. A man sitting at a laptop working on a spreadsheet and the young woman with teal hair he’d seen at Samantha’s store the day of the fundraiser. He hadn’t caught her name that day, but had heard comments about the coffee she made being incredible.

She wasn’t working on coffee at the moment. She was swirling frosting on cupcakes.

This world of sugar and cake was so new to him. He had never been around the business end of any of it until he met Samantha. Hell, until her, he hadn’t been around the pleasure end of it, either.

“What are you doing here?”

Samuel smiled. She hadn’t even looked at him yet when she spoke. He supposed he deserved that. “I came to talk to you.”

“You could have called.”

“I know, but I wanted to see you.”

“You could have called any day in the last five days.” Her tone was curt and clipped. She wasn’t going to make this easy for him and truthfully, if she did, she wouldn’t be half the woman he expected she was or needed her to be.

“Yes. I’ve been busy.”

“Too busy to stop in the shop when you were in the neighborhood two days ago? You could have said hi. You could have knocked on the window and waved. But you stood out front writing on a tablet and…” She sighed and shook her head. “What do you want?”

“You.” The word was out of his mouth before he knew it was on the tip of his tongue to say. He couldn’t call it back and he wouldn’t if he could. The look on her face when she turned her head in his direction was one of disbelief, hope, desire.

“Funny way of showing it,” she muttered, turning her head away from him again.

“Take a walk with me. I’d like to talk to you so I can explain.”

“I’m working.”

“We can handle it,” Jackson said from behind Samuel. Samantha’s brother might not be too happy with Samuel, but he did seem supportive.

“Jacks…”

“Go for a walk with the man. This couldn’t have been easy for him.”