Page 19 of The Forbidden Texan
“We’re listening,” Doug said. “And everyone here did like Thane.”
“For following Thane’s wishes, he deeded the Long L to Jake Ralston, and for me doing the job, Thane sent along a gift. It has nothing to do with my payment from Jake for doing the work I’ll do. I made a copy of my gift from Thane and will pass it around so all of you can see. Lucas, you can start and tell everyone what I received. Before you do, let me tell you that Vivian, Thane’s wife, knew about this gift and approved of it.”
Emily handed a paper to her brother who looked at it and looked at her with wide eyes. Then he turned to the family. “Thane gave her a check for a million dollars.”
Everyone started talking at once, except for Lucas and Doug who both turned to her. “If Thane Warner gave that to you, then it is legitimate. Thane was as honest as they come,” Lucas said.
“You’re a millionaire now,” Doug said, looking intently at her. “You can hire someone to run the shop and paint, which is what you wanted to do.”
“I guess I did interfere the other night,” Lucas said. “I thought you were on a date.”
“I know you did.” She smiled at him and waited a moment while her family talked. She saw her dad looking at her and she gave him a smile.
“You’ve decided what you’re going to do, haven’t you?” he asked her.
“Yes, I have.” She raised her voice and everyone became quiet. “Thane wanted three things—for Jake to hire me and for us to do the job together. As for the third... First, let me say that I plan to keep only half of this check. The other half I will divide evenly with all of you in this room, including the children.”
Everyone started talking again and she waved her hand. “Let me finish. Thane asked Jake to promise to do what he could to end the Ralston-Kincaid feud. Well, it’s impossible for Jake to end a feud that’s over a hundred and fifty years old, but he can do some things to start and so can I. If you accept this money, I want you to try to do your part to end this feud. Don’t take the money if you’re going to continue not speaking to Ralstons and doing things to promote the feud. We have to start somewhere. There are two little children in this room who’ll never hate a Ralston if they are not taught to hate them.” She saw her dad smile at her and give her a thumbs-up, which told her she had his support.
“Now, I have a check for each of you, which I’ll hand out. If you don’t want to end this feud, then don’t take the check. And that includes being cooperative and friendly with Jake Ralston.”
She held out an envelope to Doug and he took it. “I’ll still compete with Jake if he signs up for a rodeo,” he said.
“That doesn’t matter and isn’t part of the feud.”
He shrugged and tapped the envelope. “You’re sure you want to do this? You’re giving away money you could use.”
“I’m sure. It’s to my family. That’s different. And I don’t want a hassle, either, about working for Jake,” she said, looking at Lucas.
“I got the message and I won’t hassle him,” Doug agreed.
“That’s good to hear.”
“I’m like Doug,” Lucas said when she turned to him. “Are you sure you want to give away half of your money?”
“I’ll still have a lot of money and if this helps end that old feud, then that was what Thane wanted.”
She had to reassure each family member in turn but finally she was finished. When she turned, Lucas appeared at her side. He put his hands on his hips. “We may bring a little peace to the Ralston-Kincaid feud, but don’t go out there and fall in love with Jake Ralston, because he isn’t a marrying man.”
She had to laugh. “Lucas, thank you for the advice. I’ll remember that when I’m working with Jake.”
“You’re laughing at me. Be careful, Emily. That guy draws in women like a rock star and he isn’t going to settle down. His family is so mixed up—his mother has married two Ralstons and I know that Jake and his dad aren’t close at all. That isn’t the kind of family you have.”
Her smile faded. “I know that, Lucas. He’s not my type, anyway, and I’m not his, and we both know it.” That didn’t stop her from remembering Jake’s kisses, though. “I can take care of myself and I don’t attract men like Jake.”
“Oh, yes, you will. Just be careful. Listen, are you staying out on that ranch with him?”
“Yes. It’s a working ranch, so there are a bunch of people and they have a security crew and a guy named Rum in charge of the house. He’s nice and he hangs out sometimes at the house. Remember, Thane wanted Jake and me to work out there together. He wouldn’t try to set me up to work with Jake if he didn’t trust Jake completely.”
“You have a point there. And he wouldn’t have trusted him to deliver a cashier’s check for a million dollars, either, so I guess Jake is an okay guy.”
“He’s more than an okay guy because he risked his life for his country.”
“I’m glad about that guy, Rum, hanging out around the house and having a security crew, but you’re right. Thane wouldn’t ever put you in jeopardy and he should know Jake as well as himself. Those two had a lifelong friendship. If you want me, though, for any reason, text and I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, big brother,” she said, smiling at him.
“You guard your heart,” he repeated. “That’s where Jake’s a threat. I’ve been to parties and gone out with his old girlfriends and they don’t get over him. Just be careful.”
