How To Rope A Rich Cowboy (Silver Springs Ranch #2) - Anya Summers Page 0,38
drive, or trip into Denver for the Rodeo, or up to Montana.
He’d never seen the ocean. The ranch was a demanding mistress, with multiple working parts. And he was responsible for overseeing it all.
He hated to play devil’s advocate, but it had to be pointed out. “You’ve also not lived on the ranch for a few years, Amber. You don’t know all the ranch personnel any longer. And you are, in fact, a woman. It doesn’t bother me one bit, but some of the older ranch hands might buck at a woman supervising their jobs.”
“Well, they will have to get used to it. It’s the twenty-first century, and women are no longer barefoot and pregnant all the time as the only viable career path. I’ve been getting to know all the new workers. Are you going to be an asshole on this? Because if you are, I want to sell my shares so I can buy my own freaking place and compete with Silver Springs.”
“You would do that?”
“Why not? If you and Dad are going to keep me out of things, why should I stay? Family loyalty? That works both ways, bro. You’re not the only one who grew up on this ranch and knows it inside and out. I love this place as much as you do. The only difference between us is I’ve got girl parts. Here are all the numbers I put together.” She handed him a thick file. “Just promise me you will review what I put together before you write it off altogether. And then, if you don’t like what is laid out, turn my idea down.”
He’d been impressed with her performance since she returned from college. Amber was chomping at the bit for more responsibility. He couldn’t fault her work ethic, or the magic she had worked with the marketing department. Perhaps it was time. He could certainly use the assistance—transfer some of his responsibilities to her, and see how she did with them. It could end up being a viable solution all round. “Fine, you win. I will look through your proposal and get back to you on it. Give me a week or so to go over it before you start hounding me. But if you are wanting more involvement, more responsibilities in the running of the company, I have some departments I would be willing to hand over into your capable hands. I’d like you to manage both reservations and staffing, in addition to the marketing department. They are both time consuming departments and you will be up to your eyeballs in work. I will expect weekly reports on guest capacity, any changes that you implement, problems that arise with staff and guests alike. I will expect the reports on my desk every Friday by noon. How does that sound?” That way, at least for the foreseeable future, while Avery was here, his time would be freed up considerably so he could be with her.
“You won’t be sorry about this, Colt. I swear to you, I’m ready. I won’t let you or the family down.”
“I know you won’t. You’re an Anderson, it’s in our blood to excel at whatever we put our minds to.” He was pleased that she was thrilled at the prospect of more responsibility, while he was relieved. It lifted a weight off his shoulders.
Amber came around the desk, bent down, and hugged him. “I appreciate this. Really, I do. By the way,” she backed off with an interested stare, “where have you been spending all your time lately? You were gone most of the weekend. Haven’t even heard you coming or going from the house most days. Have you been you spending time at Cabin X?”
“Cabin X is not a place for you, and is off limits. I’m not sure how you even know about that cabin,” he fumed with a scowl.
Amber rolled her eyes. “Do you really think that at my age, I don’t know about sex or the kinkier aspects of it that go on at Cabin X? Do you really think I’m still virginal, brother dear?”
He winced. The last thing he wanted to know about was his sister’s sex life. “I don’t want to know one way or the other. All I will say is that Cabin X is off limits for you.”
She shot him an unamused glare. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, big brother.”
Like hell it was. Colt vowed to put the word out with his friends that