hoped that would be the last time she saw him. No such luck.
"Why would I go back to New York when my wife is in Ravenwood?" Martin asked.
Samantha grimaced, turning toward Jackson. "Would you give us a minute?"
Jackson could clearly take a hint. "I'll find my way to the bathroom," he said, climbing out of the booth and moseying down the aisle.
"I can't believe you!" Samantha hissed, her eyes narrow and her heart slamming in her chest. "You're spying on me!"
He scoffed at the notion. "I came here for lunch. It was to my surprise that you were here first."
"Exactly. I was here first. You need to leave," Samantha spat.
Martin didn't budge from the booth and his position had her trapped. "I've already ordered my meal. The least you can do is be a grownup. I'm not fussed over the fact you're having lunch with, Jackson, is it?" Martin paused, thinking the name over quietly. "Is this the same Jackson that you had a former relationship with?"
"Not that it's any of your business," Samantha said, "but it's over."
"Damn straight it's over with him. You're married."
"I meant with you!" She didn't plan on starting any relationships with anyone in the near or distant future. She was done with men. Sworn off them completely. She tried to stand up, wanting to leave but he still had her trapped in the booth.
Martin didn't so much as budge from his position. "You can either climb over me." He grinned, probably imagining the image of her doing just that. "Or you can sit back down," Martin said. "You're making a scene. How do you honestly think I found you?" He asked showing her his cell phone and the pictures that he'd been tagged in with the caption 'wife retaliates.'
"Damnit!" She couldn't even get away from prying eyes back here, at home. She had honestly thought returning to Ravenwood would have meant privacy and seclusion.
Her phone interrupted their conversation. She didn't recognize the number, but the area code was New York. "Hello?" she answered the call, staring at Martin, the anger she felt slowly dissipating as she heard the good news, not that he had anything to do with it.
Her current publisher was picking up her second book and had offered her a hefty advance with more zeroes on the end then she could have ever imagined. She hung up the call, her mouth hung agape.
Jackson headed back for the table. "Everything okay?" he asked. "Should I get my food to go?"
"No. You should sit back down. We've already ordered, no sense in letting the food go to waste." Martin gestured for Jackson to join them.
Jackson cleared his throat. "Appreciated. The reason I called Samantha here was because I wanted to discuss the ranch I have and was hoping she might have some insight into who might buy it."
"You're selling your ranch," Martin said matter of factly.
"Well, it's on the market. I'm in the middle of an ugly divorce and can't afford to pay my ex-wife for half the property, so I'm looking at selling it. The only problem is the buyer that made an offer, which was above asking price, is interested in tearing the place down. I hate to think what will happen to the horses. Since the lot extends from the plaints to the other side of the mountain, they want to clear the land and put in a gas station and convenience store. They'll probably try and develop the whole damn land if it's up to them." Jackson rubbed at his forehead, his face red with frustration. "I shouldn't have called you to help but I knew you married up."
"You mean she married me, a billionaire that could help solve your problems," Martin said. "Samantha, would you give us both a minute." Martin scooted out of the booth and stepped aside gesturing for Samantha to climb out.
"Now you get up," she muttered under her breath. She climbed out of the booth. "I'll be outside for some fresh air." She didn't want to think what the two might discuss without her around. It put her stomach into a bundle of knots.
Chapter 7
Martin waited until Samantha had left the diner before he sat back down across from Jackson.
"You need a buyer and I need a ranch," Martin said. He got right to the point.
Jackson took a sip of his water that the waitress brought over. "It's not smart to mix business and pleasure."
Martin couldn't believe this guy. Really? What had he considered doing with