Hidden Trails by Bonnie R. Paulson

Author:Bonnie R. Paulson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western, western series, western romance, cowboy romance, cowboy, cowgirl, Montana, montana romance, montana series, sweet romance, clean and wholesome, clearwater, clean rom, clean romance, clearwater county, clean, second chance romance, second chance, cowboy romance series
Publisher: Captiva Publishing
Published: 2017-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Stefanie

Stefanie fidgeted with her thumbs, unable to get comfortable on the microsuede couch Cyan had told her to wait on.

She’d meant to be at the Burns’ house only a day or two, but that had turned into four. Cyan had promised her dad would be there, but Mr. Burns kept getting waylaid by medical issues.

Stefanie had been waiting in their living room for over two hours. Another promise she’d broken, Cyan swore he’d be there that morning right after breakfast.

Time was running out and the stress might be the death of her, if Stefanie didn’t get a chance to say something to Mr. Burns.

Cyan hovered over an older man as they ambled into the room.

His cane thumped on the floor, held by a hand with gnarly knuckles and fingers that twisted in painful directions. Stringy, long hair hung limply around his tan, wrinkle-lined face.

Cyan had warned Stefanie about her dad. He’d been afflicted with an autoimmune disease for as long as Cyan could remember. Unfortunately, his symptoms were getting worse. Even the marijuana he used for medical reasons wasn’t helping anymore. Nothing was slowing the disease down.

Even with all of his money, he wasn’t getting any better.

Sickness took you whether you were rich or poor.

Cyan’s soft voice broke through Stefanie’s reverie. Her normally exuberant tone had turned dulcet. “Stefanie, this is my dad. He’s ready to listen to what you have to say.” Cyan helped her father to the chair.

Jareth wasn’t there since he had gotten a job at a neighboring ranch. He had to fix relationships with the neighboring ranchers after he’d broken trusts when he and Cyan had first met.

The community didn’t forgive easily. And Jareth had betrayed Cyan’s father, one of their own.

Stefanie leaned forward, nodding slightly at Mr. Burns. “Mr. Burns, it’s nice to finally meet you. I am sorry that you’re having problems.”

Tight lines around his pinched mouth didn’t keep Mr. Burns from smiling. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for the comment though. What can I do for you, Stefanie?”

Stefanie clenched her fingers together between her knees. She took a deep breath. “Well, Cyan said you might be interested in backing an investment. Or, I mean, investing or, loaning... I mean.”

She closed her eyes and then opened them again, catching the quizzical glance between Cyan and her father.

She was making a fool of herself. Over something she may or may not get. Something that wouldn’t kill her, if she lost it. Wouldn’t save Emma, if she gained it.

She let go of the pressures she put on herself. At that point in time, she had no money to buy Bella Acres. If she got the loan from Mr. Burns, she’d be better off, but if she didn’t, she wouldn’t be worse off.

Stefanie licked her dry lips and offered a slight laugh at her stumbling. “Let me start over. I’m so nervous. Would you be willing to invest in me and my family’s ranch? I need to buy it before it goes to auction.” She settled into her topic, warming to the interest on Mr.

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