She needs to save her company. He’s running from a public breakup. To get what they both want, they’ll have to make a deal. Alexa Black work is her life, putting her dreams of having a family on the back burner. But when her father declares his plans to step down as CEO of the family company, she must find a way to beat her scheming brother for the top spot, but it’ll come at a cost in the form of an alliance with a charming billionaire. Salvatore Bradford is the most eligible billionaire bachelor in the Pacific Northwest. After a public breakup with an A-list actress, he’s tired of hiding from the media. When his business partner, Alexa , expresses her concerns about the future of her company, he comes up with a plan to save both of their jobs… a proposal. When their marriage of convenience turns into something more, will their love prevail, or will the ones who conspire against them succeed?
View More“You’re what?” Surely, she’d misheard. Alexa leaned forward in her chair and stared at her father in disbelief.
Martin Black steepled his fingers and propped his elbows atop his desk. “I’ll be stepping down from the position of CEO by the beginning of the year. I’ll retain my title as president.”
Her brother, Aiden, leaned forward in his chair. “It’s September, Dad. Caliber is your life. I don’t understand.”
Alexa was having a hard time grasping the words herself. Why would Dad leave the company? How could Dad leave the family business?
“I’ve paid my dues and worked my life away. I’m ready to do something new. I’ve been seeing a woman, and we plan to marry and tour Europe.”
“Are you kidding? You haven’t dated in years. You don’t have to leave your career for a woman. Take a vacation, but you’re too young to retire. This is ridiculous.” Aiden stood and turned toward the window wall with his fingers interlocked behind his neck.
Alexa didn’t understand, couldn’t fathom what this would mean for the future of the company. “Dad, what’s going to happen? Fifty thousand employees look up to you.”
Her father’s eyes were sincere as he reached out to her. She’d spent all of her twenty-six years with him, and now he was going off to travel the world with a woman he’d never even mentioned until now.
“Listen, you don’t need to worry. I wanted to tell you both first because this involves you the most. I have some big decisions to make soon, and I’ll need your help. First, I need to know where you both stand with Caliber.”
Her dad squeezed her hand, and she could feel the bad news coming.
“Alexa a, do you plan to stay with the company?”
“Of course, Dad. I’ve been here every day. This company is all I have.” Sadly, it was true. Alexa had been born into an incredibly wealthy family, and true friends were hard to come by. Most people wanted her money or the amenities that came with her status. The few friends she had were here in this office.
Her dad tilted his head and asked, “Are you sure you don’t want a family? You’re always talking about kids.”
Aiden turned around and gave his undivided attention to the conversation.
Her blood ran cold as she replied, “Of course, I want kids, but I’m not even married. Kids aren’t in my immediate future.” Plus, she knew she would lose any chance at stepping into her father’s role if she slacked even a little. It was a precarious balancing act she performed every day.
Alexaknew what was happening, and she prayed for a way to stop it.
Aiden stepped closer and towered above her with his arms folded over his chest.
Their dad sighed and released her hand. “When I retire, a new CEO will be appointed.”
Was he trying to get her to concede the position to Aiden? Her brother would make a terrible CEO. He came in late, missed meetings, and had to be reminded of company policies. She wanted to scream the injustice into the room. How could she be so overlooked?
Her hard work amounted to nothing, as long as she looked like a fragile child. This wasn’t the first time her appearance had caused her trouble in the workplace. Alexa was petite and rail thin with sandy-blonde hair. Her innocent physical characteristics were a master disguise for her intelligence, and they did her no favors.
Right after college, Alexa had conducted an experiment and dyed her hair a rich mahogany color. Sure enough, she noticed the changes in how people managed business with her. They looked her in the eye, shook her hand with more force, and conversations were easier to foster. When she’d seen enough to know the problem, she’d changed her hair color back to blonde and rested easier knowing the problem was with them, not her.
But from her own father? How could he choose her lazy brother over her? She worked alongside her father every day, and she knew exactly what his job entailed. Her brother had distanced himself from them from day one and made no effort to close the gap.
She sat up straighter and swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’ve been right beside you, driving this company for years. I beg you not to discredit what I’ve done here.”
Aiden uncrossed his arms and leaned on their father’s desk. “But I’m your son, your legacy.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Alexa couldn’t hide the indignation in her voice any longer.
Aiden turned to her with a creased brow. “It means this company was built by a man, and I can carry on that tradition.” Her brother would have been considered handsome, if his face wasn’t stuck in a continuous scowl.
She stood in a flash of movement and saw her brother’s dirt-brown eyes widen for a split second. Alexa Black was never bold, never assertive, and she certainly never raised her voice. Her words now were controlled, but they held their weight in meaning, not volume. “How sexist can you possibly be? I do my job well, and not just for a woman. I would challenge you to find a man—or woman—better suited for my job here.”
“Sweetie, no one is saying you don’t do a good job,” her father crooned.
Was her dad really talking to her as if she were a child?
“Don’t patronize me, Dad. You and I both know I’m the better fit for the position.”
Aiden threw his hands up in the air. “You can’t possibly think that.”
“Oh, I most certainly do,” Alexa retorted. “I take my job seriously, which can’t be said for you. You can’t even get to work on time, and your apartment is only a few blocks from here.”
Her father inserted himself into the fray. “That’s enough. I knew this would be difficult, and that’s why I’m taking my time to decide. I’ll be announcing my replacement and stepping down on New Year’s Eve.”
Without a second’s delay, Aiden stormed from the room, leaving her standing alone before her father.
When the silence stretched before them, Alexa huffed a breath and said, “I didn’t know you were considering this. You could have confided in me. You never even introduced me to your girlfriend.”
She’d always been on the same page with her father. Running Caliber together required constant communication. It was rare that anything between them was surprising, but here she was, stunned and caught off-guard.
Martin stood and moved around the desk. He took her hand in his and focused his attention there. She knew what he was seeing. Her manicured fingernails painted the faintest color of blush, her delicate fingers, her unmarred skin—it would all discredit her ability to run a Fortune 500 company, much less one that produced power tools. She was too fragile to play with the big dogs, the men.
She tugged her hand from his, and her father’s gaze met hers. Her father began, “I’ve always enjoyed our time together, but I’ve lived alone for so long, without a woman, I want to spend some time doing things I didn’t do before. I know I wasn’t always there for your mother, but I’m getting old, and it’s time to change.”
He was right. He hadn’t been there for Mom, but how could Alexa fault him for trying to do things differently with the second chance he’d been given?
“Who is she?” she asked.
“I met her at my cardiologist’s office a few months ago. She’s a nurse, and she’s a good woman.”
Months. How had he been juggling the company and his secret relationship for so long?
“I’m happy for you, Dad. I’d love to meet her when you’re ready.” She tried to hold her smile, but it was slipping. His words, his implication from a moment ago, still stung behind her eyes.
“Soon, sweetie.”
She needed to go. Her false confidence wouldn’t hold much longer.
“I have a meeting with Salvatore Bradford at seven. I should be going.”
Salvatore Bradford and his father co-owned Bradford Hardware, the top chain of building supply stores in the country. They were Caliber’s main distributor, and it was her job to make sure they were happy with Caliber’s product and service. She met with Mr. Bradford once every quarter to discuss business updates and changes.
“Do you plan to tell him about the LED upgrade for the interchangeable battery pack?” Martin asked.
“I intend to tonight. He’ll be pleased.”
“Of course. Your ideas are always ingenious.”
She didn’t look at him as she gathered her bag and notepad. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sweetie, wait.”
She stopped with her hand on the doorknob but didn’t turn back to him.
“I do intend to spend some time abroad with Nancy. I want to take her to my homeland for a while. She’ll love Norway.”
Alexa could hear the happiness in her father’s voice, but the ache in her chest wouldn’t recede. He’d just turned her life upside down. She wanted to be happy for him, but a sting of jealousy reminded her that he’d never had the time to take her to Norway, yet he was willing to whisk a stranger away.
“But if you were to… start a family, I would want to be here for that.”
He knew she wanted a family of her own, but that dream would have to take a back seat now more than ever if she wanted to save this company, because it would certainly crumble under her brother’s leadership. She hated that he was using her desire for children to coax her into conceding the position to Aiden.
“Maybe one day, Dad.” She opened the door and left without saying good-bye.
NOAH Camille glanced over both shoulders as if checking to make sure the coast was clear before extending both hands, palms up, toward Sprite. “Take your pick, pretty lady.” One hand offered an apple and the other a sugar cube. Noah wasn’t sure who liked treat time the most, his girlfriend or the horse. Dixie circled Camille’s legs, begging for attention. He’d just watched from the tailgate as Camille rode Sprite through the pasture by the stable. “Sugar. Always a good choice.” Camille waited for the blue roan to finish the treats before nuzzling noses with the big softie. It’d been a week since Noah was released from the hospital, and he was still getting used to needing help completing small tasks. The bandages were cumbersome and needed to be changed often. Not to mention small things like showering and putting on pants had become a chore. Camille spent every moment she could helping him. He didn’t mind it when she helped, but it was an unspoken truth that any “help” from his b
“There’s a lot you don’t know about Nathan, but none of it excuses what he did,” Bonnie said. Bonnie went with Camille to her house to change clothes and pack a bag of extras, in case Noah stayed at the hospital overnight. She planned on staying there until he came home. She’d called Anita and rounded up some things she needed too. Now, Camille and her mom were back on the road, and they had a lot to talk about. “Nathan was adopted when he was four years old,” Bonnie began. “He was neglected as a child, and he had a handful of health problems that had never been treated. By the time he was taken from his parents, he was malnourished, dehydrated, and had several broken bones and bruises.” Camille turned away from her mother. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever heard this story before, but her heart told her she hadn’t. “Your grandparents didn’t have any children, but they had been in touch with the local foster care system and were contacted when Nathan was still recovering. They adopted
Her foot rested heavy on the accelerator as she drove from Cody to Blackwater. Anger and betrayal built within her with every mile that passed beneath her tires. Twisting her hands on the steering wheel, she ached for a distraction. Something to calm the storm of her emotions. How could Nathan do something so horrible? She called Jenny and let the ringing in her car speakers drown out the roiling in her ears. “Hey. What’s up?” “Noah is in the hospital in Cody. A bear attacked him this morning.” “What?” Jenny screamed. “Is he okay?” Camille’s voice shook. “He is now. It looked so bad after it happened, though. It clawed his leg up good.” Rustling sounded on Jenny’s end of the line. “Do I need to come?” “No,” Camille assured her. “He’s doing okay. They stitched him up and he’s conscious now, but he lost a lot of blood. He’ll be in quite a bit of pain while it heals.” “I can’t imagine.” “They were cleaning up a dozen cows that were shot last night when the bear attacked.” Camill
She couldn’t lose him. Not again, and not like this. Camille raked her hands through Noah’s hair while his head lay in her lap. She was trying to be brave. It wouldn’t do either of them any good to break apart right now. Noah needed her to stay alert and strong for him. “I’m glad you’re here.” His words were faint, but she’d heard him. Whatever reason he had for breaking up with her didn’t matter now. A tear slid down her face as she prayed. “Lord, please lay Your hand on Noah. Help us get him to the help he needs in time. Help me to be strong. Help us.” Her words cracked at the end, and she squeezed her eyes closed. “Please, Lord. I don’t want to lose him.” Tears burned her eyes when she opened them. He was lying still—too still. She looked to Lucas. “I think he’s unconscious!” Lucas held the injured leg stationary. “Almost there.” She turned and stretched her neck to see the main house over the next rise. The red-and-white ambulance was parked in front. The paramedics carefu
NOAH Noah tried to hold his ground, but the bear was running toward him now. He lowered the phone from his ear and yelled, “Micah!” He took two steps backward on instinct. He wasn’t running, but he was pretty sure it was the better option right now. On the third step back, his heel snagged on a fallen branch. He fell backward, arms flailing, and his phone went soaring through the air. “Micah!” Noah couldn’t take his eyes off the advancing predator to see if his brother was coming to help, but he prayed he’d yelled loud enough to be heard over the running tractor. The bear slowed as it approached Noah lying on his back. The fall had knocked the wind out of him, but he wasn’t breathing anyway. The bear’s large paw lifted and swiped down faster than any animal that large should’ve been able to move. Noah cried out once more as the claws sliced across his thigh. “Micah!” A boom filled the air, followed by another, and the bear jerked backward and fell onto its side. Noah could hear
NOAHNoah drove through the gates at Blackwater Ranch in a daze. His shift at the fire station had started the morning after he’d gone to Camille’s, and it had been a long two days.His shifts were always tiring, but this time he hadn’t been able to sleep or eat like he should to keep his energy up. Losing Camille felt like a constant, nagging hunger. His insides were empty, but he couldn’t get filled.He’d been praying, but no answers had come. Was he supposed to fix this on his own or wait for the Lord to show him how to mend his broken heart?He topped the slight hill before the main house, and a sinking feeling hit him in the chest. There weren’t any trucks parked out front. It was breakfast time. Everyone should’ve been there.Noah hastily parked by the door and ran inside, forgetting to take off his shoes.“Mom. Dad,” Noah hollered into the empty dining room.His mom stepped out of the kitchen and wiped her hands on her apron. “They’re all out,” his mom said in a shaky voice.“W
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