How To Rope A Rich Cowboy (Silver Springs Ranch #2) - Anya Summers Page 0,37

the testing. Then she notified the Airbnb place she was renting in Bermuda to give them the change in her arrival date, and sent off an email to her pilots who flew the family jet to make sure they were aware of the changes—that way, they could get the departures and arrivals all cleared through the FAA.

The Morgan family had two private jets. Avery’s grandma had designated one for her exclusive use. It definitely made travelling more convenient. Although, she would have to leave her trusty SUV behind at the penthouse in Vegas.

She wondered if she could convince Colt to travel with her to Bermuda, even for just a week or two. He seemed ripe for adventure, like he was only searching for the right place and time to head off. And perhaps, even if he wasn’t looking for complications, they could continue to enjoy one another’s company for a while longer than her stay in Colorado.

Checking the time, she headed inside to fix some dinner before getting herself set up for another night of watching the stars.

She would love to have Colt come with her. All she had to do was figure out the right time to ask him.

8

On Tuesday morning, Colt sat at his desk across from his baby sister, Amber, in his office. The two of them glared at one another. He loved Amber. She was a decade his junior, smart as a whip, and full of life. They shared similar features: the shape of their eyes, the way they tilted their heads to the right a bit when they were studying a problem. But that was where the resemblance ended. She looked like a younger version of their mom, with her sable hair and eyes the color of smoke. And unlike the rest of the workers on the ranch, Amber wasn’t in jeans and a flannel, but wearing a pantsuit the color of eggshells, and bright red heels.

Amber gestured with the file in her hand. “I’m telling you, Colt, these changes will make the ranch run much smoother and faster. The computer systems we are currently working on are ancient, we’re talking dinosaurs bound for extinction old. We run the risk of the entire system crashing and, because it’s as old as it is, there won’t be any tech support to help get it back up and running. We could lose all our files.”

“I understand your concerns, Amber, but everyone knows the current system and how it works. Are you calculating the time needed to train the staff on the new system, or the downtime should any hiccups arise—which, when it comes to technology, always happens?”

She pegged him with a frosty glare. “Of course I have. Do you think I’m stupid? Look, I realize that you are mired in doing things the old fashioned way like the stubborn stick in the mud you are, but I’m telling you, I have researched the numbers backwards and forwards. In the long run, this new system will save both time and money. I have it all outlined in my prospectus with charts, graphs, and spreadsheets. I know I got the position of VP because I’m your sister and an Anderson. I understand that. But I’ve also gone to school to train to help you run things, to cover for you if need be. Not that it ever happens, because you never leave. I realize it’s been the tradition to pass the business on to the men in this family. And I say it’s outdated, sexist, and am willing to prove I can do just as good of a job running the company as you. In fact, I bet I could do it better.”

Colt studied his sister, and the fierce determination that emanated off her. She wasn’t wrong, on multiple accounts. It was tradition that the company was handed over to the men in the family. As much as he loved this place, it was also a chain around his neck, keeping him attached to the land and the ranch. Perhaps he was being short-sighted about the new technology and programs Amber wanted to have installed. If Colt wanted to lessen his load a bit, it was time he trusted his sister with more responsibility, even if that meant bucking tradition. Tradition didn’t mean squat if they were both unhappy with their roles.

Besides, meeting Avery had stirred up an unrelenting desire to visit and experience places beyond the borders of Silver Springs Ranch. And he wasn’t talking about a cattle