An Intimate Bargain

Five

The pathetic little puppy scampered across the hardwood floor of Zach’s compact suite on the third floor of the castle. He sideswiped the sofa, canted out of control and bumped his head against the ottoman, giving a little yelp.

Abigail glanced up from where she was typing on Zach’s laptop. He’d set her up at the small dining table in one corner of the living area and logged her onto the company network.

“He’s blind in one eye,” she explained.

“He’s also a little lopsided,” Zach noted, observing Ozzy’s odd gait. One front leg was shorter than all the others. The puppy sniffed his way along the fireplace hearth.

“That’s why nobody wanted him.” Abigail paused in her typing and turned in her chair.

Zach let his gaze rest on her pretty face. She’d changed into a feminine blouse and a pair of snug-fitting black jeans that showed off her curves. Her shoes were sexy now, too. She’d told him she’d stopped by her brother the mayor’s mansion in Lyndon. He supposed the mansion had a stricter dress code than Craig Mountain. Or maybe it was because she liked her brother enough to dress up for him-unlike the way she felt about Zach.

“Do you always take pity on strays?” he asked.

The puppy plunked himself down at Zach’s feet, gazing hopefully up at him with big brown eyes. Since Zach’s heart wasn’t made of stone, he lifted Ozzy into his lap.

“One more out at the ranch won’t make a difference.”

“You could have said no.”

She shrugged. “Why would I?”

Zach felt a sudden curiosity about this welcoming family utopia that was apparently the Jacobs ranch. He speculated how much of her description translated into real life.

She turned back to the laptop. “How many new jobs will the Craig Mountain expansion create?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Got a guess?”

“Why?”

Ozzy settled into Zach’s lap.

“There are three mandatory exemptions to the water-license moratorium. One, if a state of emergency is declared in the region. Two, if a strategic regional industry is threatened. Or, three, if the issuing of the license or variance has a fundamental impact on employment creation in the region.”

“Maybe a dozen new jobs,” he reasoned. “Give or take.”

She frowned. “That doesn’t sound like much of an impact.”

“Can we argue that beer is strategic?”

“This is cowboy country.” She allowed what seemed like a reluctant smile along with her answer.

“And who has to declare the state of emergency?”

“The governor.”

“So, not me.”

She ended up smiling at that one, too. “Not you.”

“So much for a mandatory exemption.”

She hit a few keys. “Our other option is to make representation to the committee.”

Ozzy shifted his little body, whimpering in his sleep, and Zach smoothed his palm down the puppy’s soft coat. “How do we do that?”

“We fill out form 731-800(e) and submit appendix Q along with supporting documentation and letters of intent.”

“I should be paying you to do this.”

She typed out a sentence on the screen. “You think money’s going to make me feel any better about the situation?”

Ozzy shifted again and twitched, his eyes blinking open.

“It would make me feel better.”

“You should feel great. You’re getting exactly what you want. Free of charge.”

Ozzy whined and twisted, sniffing at the arm of the chair.

“Any chance this little guy needs a walk?” asked Zach.

Abigail paused to look at them. She grimaced. “Probably, he does.”

“Okay, champ,” Zach rose, lifting Ozzy to the floor and brushing traces of black-and-white fur from his lap.

“Care to check out the grounds?” he asked Abigail. The walk would be a whole lot more fun if she came along.

“Sure,” she agreed. She quickly rose and headed directly for the suite door, obviously considering time of the essence.

The three of them made their way down the narrow hall, along a back staircase to the second floor, where they picked up the grand staircase that led to the foyer.

The ancient hinges creaked as Zach pushed open one side of the heavy, oak doors. He couldn’t help admiring Abigail as she passed by. There was a sinuous grace in her movements, and unconscious sensuality in the sway of her hips, the tilt of her chin and the silky flow of her hair.

“The mayor’s office has a dress code?” he asked, falling in behind her as they crossed the lighted porch toward the illuminated front grounds. Stars were scattered in the black sky, while the moon rose above the northern horizon.

“I did a little shopping in town.” There was a hint of censure in her tone. “Had some time to kill this afternoon.”

“Sorry about that.”

She shrugged as they started down the wide, stone steps. “Oh, well, I needed a manicure anyway.”

He glanced down at her fingers, noting what must have been her favorite lavender color. “I guess ranch work can be hard on the hands.”

Ozzy chugged enthusiastically ahead, beelining for a clump of shrubbery.

“A little,” she allowed, following in the general direction of the puppy.

As she stepped onto the thick lawn, she stumbled in her high shoes. Zach quickly reached out to grab her, steadying her with a hand at her hip, another on her shoulder. His body’s reaction was instantaneous. His muscles zipped tight, and his senses went on high alert. Her soft scent surrounded him, and he remembered her taste, craved the feel of her in his arms.

“I’m fine,” she insisted, pulling to get away.

But his brain was slow to react. He didn’t let go.

“I’m fine,” she repeated, jerking back.

He forced himself to release her.

He cleared his throat. “So, how are things going back home?”

“Fine.” She made a show of straightening her blouse.

“You’re really not much of a conversationalist, are you?” But he knew it wasn’t true. He’d talked to her for hours on end that first night, one topic flowing into the other, discovering a shared sense of humor and shared opinions on books, films and many current news events.

“You know perfectly well how I feel about the ranch,” she pointed out.

“I do,” he allowed.

“So, why do you think I’d want to talk about it?”

“Exactly how unhappy are you?” Not that he could fix it for her. But he realized he would if he could.

She tossed her auburn hair and lifted her pert nose. “I’m not unhappy at all.”

“I didn’t take you for a liar.”

“And I didn’t take you for a blackmailer.”

They faced each other, and the night air seemed to smolder between them. Every nuance of their lovemaking rushed back to him. He searched deeply into her eyes, subconsciously easing closer. His hands twitched with the need to reach out to her. But it wouldn’t be right, and it wouldn’t be fair. She’d made her position clear, and he’d already made the hard choice between his company and his feelings for her. There was nothing left but for him to be a gentleman.

“I really do like you, Abby,” he allowed himself.

“Funny, I don’t like you at all.”

“Liar,” he whispered.

“Not about that.” But her golden eyes had gone liquid, cheeks flushed, and her lips softened in the glowing light. Her chest rose and fell with deep, indrawn breaths.

Zach threw propriety to the wind. “Tell me you don’t want me to kiss you.”

“I don’t want you to kiss me.”

He shook his head. “I guess that was predictable.”

She pivoted sharply away from him, taking a couple of steps across the lawn. “Ozzy?” she called. “Where are you, puppy?”

Zach glanced around the expanse of lawn, searching for the pup’s movement. The lawn was night black, interspersed with pools of lamplight. He squinted to find the flashes of white in Ozzy’s mottled fur.

“Ozzy?” Abigail called again, voice louder this time.

They heard a yelp, then a whimper. It was from the direction of the cliffs.

Abigail glanced back. “Zach?”

“He probably banged into a boulder.” But Zach quickened his steps, striding toward the rocky ledges that overlooked the lake.

Ozzy whimpered again, and the sound of the waves grew louder.

Abigail took a few running steps, catching up to Zach. He saw that she’d stripped off her shoes.

“Wait here,” he instructed as they came to the edge of the lawn. “The rocks are sharp.”

“Ozzy?” she called.

The puppy let out a long whine.

Zach zeroed in on the sound. “I’ll get him,” he assured Abigail.

Walking carefully from rock to rock, skirting the biggest boulders, he made his way toward the cliff edge. He’d been out here this afternoon, so he knew it was dangerous terrain. He also had a pretty good idea of how close he could safely get to the edge.

Ozzy barked, and Zach stopped, looking right.

In the traces of moonlight, he could just make out the shape of the puppy. He’d either jumped or fallen into a rocky depression that boxed him in. It couldn’t have been more than two feet deep, but he seemed perplexed by the task of climbing back out.

Zach chuckled low, squatting on his haunches to reach down.

“You poor, poor thing,” he muttered, scooping his palm under the pup’s belly.

Ozzy went limp with compliance, content to have Zach lift him out. Zach secured him against his chest.

“Got him,” he called out to Abigail, rising to make his way back across the uneven ground.

She looked relieved as they approached.

“He’s a bit of a candy-ass,” said Zach. “I hope ranch life won’t be too tough for him.”

She reached out and scratched the pup’s head, her knuckles grazing Zach’s chest, causing him to suck in a breath.

“Kind of reminds me of my sister Katrina.”

“Katrina?”

“Yes, she’s a gorgeous, graceful ballerina in New York. But ranch work was too much for her.”

“So, she gets to live her dream instead?”

“She does.” There was pride in Abigail’s eyes as she glanced up. “She’s a principal dancer with the Liberty Ballet in New York City.”

“But you don’t get to live yours?” he asked.

“She started boarding school when she was ten years old. She only comes back for visits, not to work the ranch.”

“So?”

“So, it’s a completely different thing.”

“I don’t see how.”

“That’s because you’re not trying.” She dropped her hand and headed for the castle.

He began walking next to her. “I’m simply pointing out a double standard.”

“What’ve you got against my family, anyway?”

“I’ve never even met most of them.”

“But you’re judging them.”

“I’m judging you. And your apparent unwillingness to stand up to them.”

“I don’t hate ranching, Lucky.”

She didn’t appear to notice her use of his nickname, and he wasn’t inclined to correct her. He liked hearing that name on her lips.

“Life isn’t about doing things you ‘don’t hate.’ It’s about doing things you love.”

“Easy for you to say. I’m sure your family has absolutely no problem whatsoever with you being a rich, successful brewery owner.”

“I don’t have a family.”

“I mean your parents. You already told me you don’t have brothers and sisters.”

“I don’t have parents either.”

She stopped to look at him. “Did they die?”

“They did. When I was two.”

Her eyes widened. “Seriously.”

Zach was long past the place where having been orphaned was a problem for him. It simply was. He nodded in answer to her question.

“Wow,” her breath whooshed out.

“Happens to a lot of people,” he told her.

“I know.” She nodded. “So, were you adopted?”

“I grew up in foster homes. Well, foster homes when I was really little, then a group home.”

“A group home?”

“Like an orphanage. But smaller and less, you know, Oliver Twist.”

“Oh, Zach.” She blinked a couple of times.

“It’s fine.” He gave her an encouraging grin. “This conversation isn’t about me.”

“It is now.”

“No, it’s not. I’m all grown up. Everything’s good.”

“But you have no family.”

“I have Alex. And I have my company.”

“But-”

“It’s okay, Doll-Face. Now stop looking at me like that.”

“I’m sad for you.”

He rolled his eyes. “You should be sad about mucking out stalls, not about my misbegotten childhood.”

“We have hands who muck out the stalls.”

“That’s good to hear.” Zach turned to start back to the castle again, thinking Abigail’s feet must be getting cold, and Ozzy was probably getting hungry.

They walked a few yards in silence, Ozzy snuggled contentedly against Zach’s chest, watching the nighttime world go by.

“My cousin was adopted,” said Abigail.

“That’s nice.”

“I only just met her tonight. I mean, well, I’d met her lots of times before. She was involved in Seth’s campaign. But I only just found out tonight that she is my cousin.”

“While you were down in Lyndon?”

“Uh-uh. We got to talking.” Abigail paused. “We were talking about her and about Seth, and she blurted it out. She came here looking for us a couple of months back. We never even knew about her. Did you ever look for your family, Zach?”

“Nobody to look for.”

“Did you ever think about trying?”

“The state of Texas had no wish to pay for my education and upbringing. Believe me, if there’d been long-lost relatives to foist me upon, they’d have found them.”

Abigail fell silent at that. And they made their way to the castle and mounted the stairs, heading back inside. Though there’d been a few moments in Zach’s childhood when he’d fantasized about finding some long-lost relatives, he was a realist. Even if there was somebody out there with a tenuous genetic connection to him, what would be the point in finding them? His life was what it was, and he fully intended to live it.

Abigail blinked open her eyes to bright sunlight. It took a couple of seconds to realize she was on Zach’s couch. The laptop was on the coffee table in front of her, and she was covered in a soft quilt, a throw pillow tucked under her head.

She’d reviewed the annual reports from Zach’s six breweries until her eyes blurred and her head began to pound. As near as she could remember, she must have dozed off around five. She wasn’t sure how long she’d slept, but it wasn’t nearly long enough. Her eyes were scratchy, and a painful pulse throbbed at the base of her neck.

The suite was completely quiet.

She pulled into a sitting position, checking her watch and discovering it was nearly 10:00 a.m. She threw back the quilt then staggered her way to the bathroom, washing her face and scrubbing toothpaste across her teeth with her finger. She combed her hair and did the best she could to straighten her clothes. The small window provided a view of the front grounds and the parking lot. Several dozen vehicles were parked, and a number of people wandered the area. They looked more like tourists than employees, but she knew there’d be employees working both in the castle and the brewery by now. There would definitely be people down there who might recognize her. She suddenly felt like a princess imprisoned in a tower.

Ozzy’s little nails clattered on the living-area floor, and she opened the bathroom door.

“Morning,” Zach intoned, setting a tray down on the small corner table.

“You let me sleep,” she accused, slipping out of the bathroom.

“You were exhausted. I slept, too.”

“I should have gone back to Lyndon.”

Delicious aromas rose as Zach removed the silver covers from the tray. “You were way too tired to drive.”

“But it’s daytime and I’m not supposed to be here.”

“Nobody’ll see you up here.”

“So, I’m your prisoner?”

He lifted a silver pot and began to pour coffee. “You do have a flare for the dramatic.”

She was drawn to the coffee, and moved across the room. “Can I leave?”

“Not in the daylight.”

“There you go. I’m not being dramatic, I’m simply stating the facts at hand.”

He grinned in response to her indignation. “You need anything?”

“Coffee.” She lifted one of the cups and took a grateful sip. “I don’t do well on five hours’ sleep.”

“Cream or sugar?”

“Straight up is fine with me.”

“Like a cowboy?” he joked.

“I can do it over a campfire if necessary.”

“Not necessary this morning.” He gestured to the fine china and silver. It was quite beautiful.

“Where’d you get this stuff?”

“I think it might be antique.” He pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit down. It seemed pointless to argue, so she sat.

“Lucas is lobbying to open a small restaurant here at the brewery,” Zach continued, taking the chair across from her. “He says people like touring the castle as much as they like touring the brewery, and this would help make Craig Mountain a destination.”

“Seems like a good idea to me.” Abigail helped herself to a small pot of strawberry jam and spread it on a slice of toast.

“I’d only consider it if it helped to market the beer.”

“You don’t want to diversify?”

“We’re not a bed-and-breakfast.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” She bit down on the toast.

Zach chuckled. “These are extraordinary circumstances.”

Abigail contemplated while she chewed and swallowed. “Zach, how many people do you think you could reasonably employ in a new restaurant?”

He raised his brows. “Are you thinking about the employment exemption?”

“We’re definitely not going to get anyone to declare a state of emergency. And we’ll never sell you as a strategic industry.”

“I can ask Lucas. But I’m guessing, maybe twenty.”

She knew it wouldn’t be enough. “Even combined with the additional brewery staff, I don’t think that’ll work. You’d need to be adding a couple hundred new jobs at least.”

“That’s definitely not going to happen,” said Zach, cutting into the omelet on his plate.

“Then we’re back to the committee presentation.”

“What about job losses if we close?”

“Those don’t count.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “I guess because every business in the valley that wanted a change to their license would threaten to close.”

“How long do you think the committee process will take?”

“Weeks, at least. The application will take a while to write, and there’s no guessing how long the committee will take to review it.” The process was going to be longer than she’d hoped, that was for sure.

Zach set down his fork. “The bulldozers show up tomorrow.”

“What bulldozers?”

“First thing we need to do here is dig the foundation for the expansion.”

She sat up straight. “You’re starting already?”

“I’ve got no choice. If we’re not up and running by November, and into increased production by January, we won’t make our spring orders.”

“But-”

“There’s no point in me sitting on my hands while you fill out the paperwork.”

“But what if you don’t get the license?”

He lifted his coffee cup in a mock salute. “I’m counting on you, Abigail.”

Her stomach instantly hollowed out. He’d already told her DFB was in financial trouble. He was about to spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars on what might be useless renovations.

“Don’t count on me,” she begged. Then she reflexively reached for his hand. “Seriously, Zach. This a long shot.” She could fill out the paperwork for him, but many had tried this route. So far nobody had been successful.

His steel gaze moved from her hand to her face. “I don’t have a choice.”

She squeezed. “Of course you have a choice. You can wait to spend your money until we know for sure whether you’re getting the variance.”

“The clock’s ticking.”

“This is a mistake.”

“It’s a risk, not a mistake.”

She swallowed, letting go of his hand and pushing back from her breakfast. Then she closed her eyes for a long second, knowing she had to be honest with him. “You’re not going to get it, Zach. They’re not going to grant you license variation.”

“They will if you help me.”

She shook her head. “I’m not magic. I’m trying because you’re forcing me to try, but it’s not going to work.”

“We don’t know that yet.”

She rose to her feet, pacing to the window. “Lucky, you’re living in denial. Don’t do it. Call off the bulldozers. It’s too big a risk.”

He rose more slowly. “Everything I’ve ever done in life has been a risk.”

“Not like this.”

“Exactly like this. If I wait any longer, there’ll be no point in even getting the license, because we’ll lose the spring orders and the company will go under.”

She advanced on him. “The Craig Mountain expansion will tie a brick to the entire company and drag it straight down to the bottom.”

His dark eyes seemed to pin her in place. “You can do this, Abby.”

She slowly shook her head.

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I know you can.”

“Don’t put this on me. It’s too much. I can’t be responsible-”

“I’m only asking you to do your best.”

For some reason, her eyes stung. “My best won’t be good enough.”

He stepped forward, gathering her in his arms and holding her in a comforting embrace. He spoke against the top of her head. “It’ll be good enough.”

Her voice was muffled against his chest. The thought of having that much riding on her work was overwhelming. “Let me quit. Let me go home.”

“I can’t do that.”

He continued to hold her, and the warmth of his body seeped into hers. She breathed in his scent and fisted her hands against the overwhelming rush of desire that swarmed her. She wanted to hug him back, to hold him close, to kiss him hard and deep and bury her emotions in the passion she knew they’d find all over again.

He drew back, gazing down at her, palms rubbing circles against her shoulders.

She told herself to step away. She had about five seconds to make the right choice. His eyes darkened, and his lips parted. She knew that expression, could feel the pulse of his thoughts. She held her breath as he bent forward.

She forced herself to jerk back. “No.”

The word stopped him cold. His jaw clenched, and his hands convulsed, squeezing her shoulders for a second longer.

“We can’t,” she managed to say.

He dropped his hands and stepped back, voice clipped. “Sorry.”

She turned her head, afraid to look at him while she gave a short nod. “I’ll get back to work.”

“Yeah.”

She heard him turn. Heard the clatter of Ozzy’s footsteps. Heard the door open then close, and their sounds disappeared.

Zach slouched in a dusty, French-provincial chair in the topmost reaches of a castle tower, Ozzy curled sleeping in his lap, and his cell phone squeezed in one hand as the bulldozers rumbled into the rear, gravel parking lot. Alex was speed-dial one, but Zach couldn’t bring himself to press the button just yet.

Abigail had agreed to stay another day. She’d made it crystal clear that she had her doubts about their success with the license. Truth was, he had his doubts, too. But he couldn’t dwell on that. There was only one route forward.

He’d signed off on the construction contract this morning, and it was the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. In his experience, any action was better than no action. He knew that if he sat here and did nothing, the company would trickle down to an inevitable death.

He pressed his thumb on the one key and lifted the phone to his ear.

Alex picked up on the first ring. “Hey, Zach.”

The clatter of background noise quickly faded as Alex obviously moved to a different location.

“How’s it going?” Zach asked his business partner.

“I just found out that Shetland Trucking went bankrupt,” Alex rattled off in a matter-of-fact voice. “There’s a mechanical breakdown at the bottling plant in Charlotte. And Stephanie walked out on me last night. So, pretty much business as usual.”

“Again?” Zach asked.

“Which part?”

“Stephanie.”

“It was inevitable,” said Alex.

“She serious this time?”

“If she’s not, I am. I don’t know what other guys do, but I’m not into working sixteen-hour days then coming home to talk about my feelings.”

“So, how’re you feeling about that?” Zach couldn’t help joking.

“Shut up.”

“We can talk about it if you like.”

“Then can we braid each other’s hair?”

“You get a new trucking company?” Zach went back to business.

“As of this morning. What about you?”

“I’m looking at the bulldozers now.”

“Fantastic. So, you got the license?”

“Not yet.”

Alex paused. “What do you mean, not yet?”

“Abigail’s still working on it.”

Another pause. “But you started anyway?”

“We’re out of time.”

It took a minute for Alex to speak. “You’re putting it all on one roll of the dice?”

“I am.”

“And if we don’t get the license?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?”

“It’s a veiled criticism.”

“You’d have done the same thing.”

“Maybe. Probably.” Alex heaved a sigh. “Hell, what’ve we got to lose?”

“Beer.”

Alex coughed out a laugh. “At least we’re both still employable as bartenders,” he said, referring to the first jobs they’d had after they left the group home.

“I could start all over.” Zach wasn’t worried about himself. He’d give up the Houston penthouse, the sports car and his platinum credit card in the blink of an eye. Some of the happiest times of his life were when he and Alex had shared a tiny basement suite while they saved up the down payment for their first brewery.

But he’d hate to be forced to lay off even one employee. Many of them had kids and mortgages, and for the first time were settling into normal lives.

“Need a roommate while you start over?” asked Alex. “The apartment lease is in Stephanie’s name.”

“You’re homeless?”

“I am.”

“You’ve got my spare key.”

“I guess it’s either your place or the Four Seasons.”

“Hey, we’re on a budget now.” Zach glanced at the third bulldozer rumbling and clanking its way off the trailer. If this all went bad, their days at the Four Seasons were definitely over.

“The Family Inn on Hawthorn Street?” Alex suggested.

“Get your ass to my place.”

“Yeah, I probably will. How long do you think you’ll be in Colorado?”

“A couple more days, anyway. Hopefully, Lucas can take it from there.”

The aging door to the tower room creaked. Both Zach and Ozzy looked toward the sound. Abigail peeked around the end of the thick, oak panels.

“Gotta go,” said Zach, meeting her eyes.

“Keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

“You’d better bring this one home,” Alex warned.

It was probably the hundredth time Alex had said that to Zach over the years. They’d been in many tight spots before, taken plenty of risks, but this was truly a make-or-break moment.

“I know.” Zach clicked off the phone and tucked it into the breast pocket of his shirt. “Hey.”

“Hi.” She moved around the end of the door and into the room, glancing at the curved walls, dusty furniture, boxes and crates, and the collection of knickknacks and outright junk that covered every horizontal surface.

“Wow,” she breathed.

“Quite the collection,” he acknowledged, dislodging Ozzy as he came to his feet.

“Don’t get up.”

“I’m already up.”

She gave him a rueful grimace. “I just came to tell you that something’s come up.”

He didn’t like the sound of that. “To do with the license?”

“To do with me. I have to go to Houston.”

“Why?” Was it an excuse to get away from him?

“It’s a long story. My parents are down there. And, well, I told you about Lisa, the newly discovered cousin? We need to tell my mom about her before other people find out. I just talked to Seth and then to Travis. They want me to do it. In person. Of all the sisters, I know Lisa best. And Katrina and Mandy are-”

“Living their own lives?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I suppose not,” he allowed. Though it still galled him that she seemed to be the one in the family bearing the most burden.

“I know you’re in a hurry.” Despite everything, there was an apology in her voice.

“We can keep working while you’re in Houston,” he pointed out. “In fact, it’ll be easier. DFB headquarters is there.”

“Whoa.” She held up her palms. “I’m not going to have spare time in Houston.”

“You won’t be busy twenty-four seven.”

“Zach-”

“Abby-”

“Abigail.”

“Yeah, ’cause that’s our biggest problem.” It might not be fair to her, but he was frustrated by the situation. And he was getting genuinely worried about losing his entire company.

Her tone was tart. “I have to focus on my family right now. I’m sorry if it slows down your personal agenda for me, but I have obligations.”

He pointed out the window. “See that? Do you have any idea how much it costs per hour to dig that hole?”

She tightened her jaw. “You don’t own me, Zach.”

“Maybe not, but we have a deal.”

“I’m altering the terms.”

“That’s not your choice to make.”

“Are you drawing a line in the sand?”

He was. But maybe that wasn’t the smart choice. Maybe he’d pushed her as far as he could. It was time to change tactics. “You can have time with your family in Houston.”

“Thank you so very much.”

“But you’ll also need to find time for me. Five other breweries are waiting to press the go button on spring orders. If I can’t confirm Craig Mountain, I’m going to have a way bigger problem than a useless hole in the ground.”

She hesitated, and her teeth came down on her bottom lip.

“I’ll spring for your plane ticket.” He sweetened the pot. “Hell, for your hotel, your meals, anything you need.” He didn’t give a damn about the cost.

“My sister Mandy’s fiancé has a jet.”

“He coming with us?”

“There is no us.”

“I need you, Abby.”

He realized the words were true on far too many levels.

“We can bring Ozzy,” he offered. “He can stay in my penthouse.”

She cracked a smile at that. “You’re bribing me with a dog?”

“I am.”

“You’re going to spoil him,” she accused. “And then he’s going to hate me when I make him live at the ranch.”

Zach bent and picked up the pup, scratching under his chin. “He really doesn’t strike me as the ranch-dog type.”

There was total sympathy in her eyes when she gazed at Ozzy.

“Fine.” She capitulated. “You take the dog, and I’ll see you in Houston. But I’m not promising anything. I’m going to be busy.”

“Thank you,” Zach offered sincerely.

“Are you ever going to be out of my life?”

He hesitated over his answer. What an intriguing question. He didn’t really want to be out of her life. And he sure didn’t want her out of his. Not yet, anyway, and it had nothing whatsoever to do with any water license.