Chapter Nine
After a whirlwind weekend, Drew went back to work Monday, ready to face the day. He started out his usual morning routine, but at nine o’clock he asked Seymor if he could leave to take care of some business.
“What business would you have if you don’t mind me asking?” Seymor asked.
“I’ve got to see a guy about a problem with his girl,” Drew said.
“Ah, the issue at Bobby’s place.”
“Going to see William, get this problem dealt with.”
“Women are funny creatures. I was always thankful my Julia had a good heart. Raven reminds me a little of her. A good heart, a good woman.”
“She moved in with me.”
“Congratulations.”
“I’ve also proposed, but I’ve got to do that a little better. I was going to ask later this week when my mom’s ring comes back, can I head back into town to propose to my girl?”
“Of course. You’re a hard worker, Drew. You never once turned your back on the ranch. Neither did Brice, and that means more to me than anything.”
Drew paused, glancing over at his boss. “Does it hurt sometimes?” he asked. “Seeing all of this, knowing she’s the reason it’s all here. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask.”
“Five months ago I’d have told you to get your fucking ass back to work. I’ve seen a change in you. You were a hard worker, Drew, but you were also a man living in a shell. Nothing seemed to get to you. You were closed off from everything around you. You wouldn’t look alive at times.”
He couldn’t lie. Up until Raven came back into his life, he didn’t care for anything else. The only person he wanted had been a world away. The moment she came back, that first glimpse, and it was like she’d woken him up from a long sleep.
“Yeah, it hurts. This was Julia’s home. She stayed by my side when cattle was failing, and I couldn’t pay the bills. One morning, after I’d drunk myself into oblivion, she dumped my ass in the shower, made me wake up. Next I knew we were in my office, and she had a large file of the other business ventures I could go into. Cattle wasn’t the only thing a rancher could do. She had a vision, and through that vision, she saw how good the O’Donald ranch could be. I believe she’d be proud at what she sees, at what I’ve achieved here. It’s all because of her.”
“You never had any kids?”
“No. Julia couldn’t have any, and we couldn’t adopt either. Having kids is expensive. We had each other, and that’s enough.”
“I’m going to head on out.”
“Hey, Drew,” Seymor said.
“Yes, sir.”
“How do you feel about training to take over the reins of this place?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Your father and I talked about it a few times, but we never got to talk with you. Do you think this is something you’d like to do?”
Drew glanced over and couldn’t believe it. “I’m going to have to think about it.”
“You think about it, and we’ll talk more when you’re ready.”
He was blown away, and didn’t have a clue what to make of it even as he drove into town. Avoiding passing the bakery, he made his way into the Connor building, and parked up. Climbing out, he entered the reception. The woman behind the desk looked him up and down, the disdain on her face clear.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“I’m here to talk to William.”
“Mr. Connor only takes appointments.”
“Tell him he needs to see me. It’s about his wife. I’m not going anywhere. He’ll see me.”