Summer Love_ A Steamy Small Town Romance Anthology - Piper Rayne Page 0,229

was young; therefore, it hadn’t occurred to her at first that she could buy such an established business. The reality was, she’d long planned to start her own company. It wasn’t a dream she’d talked about much, but she’d been tucking away money since she’d first started working. Her hope had been to buy land and start from the ground up by the time she turned thirty. But life didn’t always work out as planned, and she was nothing if not flexible.

“So, what I want to present are two options.”

She opened the folder and spread two single sheets of paper out for Mrs. Brandon.

“One, would be for you to stay on as investors. As you can see, I’ve broken down what I can put down and the loan I’d be willing to take in that situation. As well as how your investments would pay out, what would happen on down years, and so forth. I’d be full operator of the business, having to manage any staff losses on my own, while you and your family could sit back and simply receive dividends.”

As the other woman looked over the sheet of numbers, Jewel tucked her hands into her lap and crossed her fingers. She’d never intended to take on such a large loan, and at her age, had assumed banks wouldn’t be thrilled to hand over that kind of cash. But surprisingly, in the scenario where the Brandons stayed on as investors, banks were willing to talk to her. Her reputation, as well as that of the Double B preceded her, and she had several loan officers willing to take on that risk.

“Option two would be a straight-up buyout.”

This was where things got dicey. It’s where she would bring her father on as cosigner of an even larger loan. Her parents’ retirement would be at stake, but their faith in her was solid. This was also the option she hoped would be given the most consideration.

“I’m aware that I may not equally compete with Easup’s final offer,” she went on, “but I want the Double B, Mrs. Brandon.”

The other woman looked up from the paper.

“I want it because it was Mr. Brandon’s. Because my own blood, sweat, and tears are in these bulls, as well as his. I would honor your husband’s legacy, Mrs. Brandon. That I can promise you. So, I’m asking that you and your family consider my offer. If it’s a no”—she nodded—“then I’ll totally understand. This is a business, after all, and I understand how businesses work. But if it’s a yes, then I would spend my life making your husband proud.”

Chapter Nine

Cheers rose from the crowd as bull and rider shot from the chute. It was the last night of the competition, and Jewel stood on the sidelines fighting the urge to cry. This would likely be her last night as a part of the Double B, too. Mrs. Brandon hadn’t announced the family’s decision yet, but when Jewel made her pitch the week before, Bobby’s mom had told her that Easup had already upped his offer. It came in slightly higher than hers, but the more important aspect of his offer was that if Rolls Royce remained unridden tonight, Easup would toss in a twenty percent bonus.

Who wouldn’t take that?

And granted, it was possible that Rolls wouldn’t pull it off. Nick Wilde had drawn Rolls, and Nick had been on fire lately. Which meant . . . she’d be rooting for Nick, whether that made her a bad stock contractor or not.

The rider went flying, and the crowd groaned.

“That was six point eight seconds, folks. Not quite enough to beat Urban Legend!” the announcer shouted.

After the bull fighters kept the animal from stomping on the rider, the bull left through the gate, and Jewel’s nerves inched higher. Four more before Nick and Rolls were up. They would be the last of the night.

However the evening ended, though, she wouldn’t be looking for a new job tomorrow. She’d made that decision over the last couple of weeks, as well. She no longer wanted to work for another owner. She might be young, but she was good. And she knew it. If she didn’t get the Double B, she was prepared to strike out on her own now. Not wait until she was thirty. Her parents were on board with that plan, as well, and were prepared to support her any way they could.

She caught sight of Leon farther down the railing and offered a tight smile.