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A sleek Mercedes parks in front of the main house, and I immediately recognize it as Wilson Tan’s vehicle, the executor of Mr. Foster’s will. Next to him is a familiar sedan. Silver with a dent on the back bumper.
It can’t be.
There must be thousands of silver cars driving around Montana. Just because this particular car looks like the one I followed last night—the one belonging to Adeline—doesn’t mean it actually is hers.
But that belief is short-lived when she joins Tan, her quilted jacket zipped tight and glasses quickly adjusted, and they approach the steps leading to a wraparound porch, both of them huddled against the harsh wind that decided to grace us this morning.
By the time I enter the house, Samantha has them seated in the living room with steaming cups of coffee in hand.
“Heath, I was just about to text you. Mr. Tan arrived with the first inheritor. Ms. Adeline Croup.” Samantha’s smile is strained, her eyes conveying shock and anxiety.
We knew this day was coming. When the first heir to Foster’s fortune would swoop in and claim the ranch. But we didn’t expect to be ambushed.
No warning. No call from Tan. Just him introducing Serenity Ranch’s new owner like it’s not a monumental moment for us.
In more ways than one.
Because the person receiving my family’s legacy—the stranger inheriting our home, becoming our boss—is none other than the woman who kept me up most of last night with dreams of what could’ve been.
Of kissing and caressing every inch of her curvy body.
Forget our age difference. That’s the least of my worries now.
Because Adeline Croup, the sweet and innocent girl of my fantasies, stole my home right out from under me... and ripped my heart out in the process.
CHAPTER SIX
ADELINE
“He’s not the best at expressing his emotions beyond a grunt and a scowl.”
I OWN A RANCH.
Not just any ranch either.
I own the land Heath’s family has worked for generations, and he’s none too happy about it if the scowl on his face is anything to go by.
“A heads up would’ve been appreciated,” he grumbles, going to stand behind his sister’s chair and resting a hand on her shoulder.
“I apologize for the inconvenience.” Mr. Tan doesn’t sound very sorry, though. I get the impression that he’s itching to escape Guardian Valley and return to his home office in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he’s required to be present as each heir settles on the ranch, then he’s free to flee this ‘one-horse town’.
His words not mine.
The irony is Guardian Valley is the largest town in the area. I’d hate to hear his thoughts on poor little Alberton or Drexel.
“As Ms. Croup is the first to arrive at Serenity Ranch, she will receive the deed to the land, animals, and structures on the property.” He went over all of this when we met in his office yesterday afternoon, but its effect on my nerves is no less impacted from hearing it again.
What the heck was Mr. Foster thinking bequeathing a freaking ranch to the first person to arrive in Guardian Valley? And to keep it a secret, too.
I don’t know anything about running a ranch. I’m a city girl. I’ve never ridden a horse. Never even been on a vacation outside the city limits.
If I’d known about this stipulation of the will, I would’ve taken my time moving. Asked Mr. Tan to notify me when someone else got the prize of an entire ranching enterprise.
Because, surely, there’s someone more qualified than me amongst the other heirs.
They’re all strangers.
We met briefly as children after the plane crash. During press conferences and the ensuing lawsuit that ultimately failed due to Mr. Foster’s lawyers finding a loophole which alleviated them of responsibility for damages. But that’s it.
