Page 6 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

She shrugged, then folded her arms. “You know. If he’s going to buy the land, what could he turn it into? How would he make that investment back? What are you thinking would be a way to serve this community that we don’t already have?”

He didn’t have the slightest clue what he could add to the community. He’d been so stuck on what he wanted to stop from coming that he hadn’t considered what to put in its place. Hudson could feel the heat rising up the back of his neck under her scrutiny. Now that he’d mentioned that he was interested, he couldn’t be certain she wouldn’t bring it up with her father.

Then what would happen? He could be made out a fool if Zeke were to seek him out. That’s the last thing he needed. What happened to flying under the radar?

“Well, I better look over what I have and see if it’s ready to present.”

Her smile reappeared. “Don’t wait too long. In my experience, when my dad has a long period where he’s not actively looking for something to invest in, it doesn’t last.”

Hudson nodded. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll see what I can do.”

He couldn’t get away from her fast enough. There was only one thing he’d gained from that conversation, and it was that if he wanted to do something about the injustice that was about to take place, then he needed to take action now. Hudson didn’t have any time to dwell on it. Maybe he could still go speak to Zeke without a plan in mind. They could bounce ideas off each other and come up with something worthy of a Callahan investment.

Hudson spent about an hour building up his courage. He probably should have grabbed Liam. Zeke had a soft spot for Hudson’s younger brother ever since he started working at the Callahan ranch when he was seventeen.

It was too late now. As Hudson stood in front of the Callahan house, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do or say. It wouldn’t have mattered how much time he spent building up his nerve; he wasn’t going to come across as intelligent on this matter.

What was the worst that could happen? Zeke would tell him no and that he was an idiot. His pride was the only thing at stake. Hudson rolled back his shoulders and headed up to the house. He knocked a couple sharp taps on the door, then waited. When no one answered, he backed away from the door and peered around the side of the house from the edge of the patio.

There were various people coming and going around the whole property. Zeke could be anywhere. Hudson had made the mistake of showing up unannounced, which would only add to the unprofessional way about him.

Maybe he should just go. While he believed in what he was trying to save, deep down he knew that Zeke wouldn’t go for it. Hudson hurried down the steps and was just about to get in his truck when Zeke materialized out of nowhere.

“You’re Liam’s brother, aren’t you? A Keagan man.”

Hudson froze, his hand on the truck handle. He’d waited too long. Why couldn’t he have just turned around when no one answered the door in the first place? Slowly, he faced the intimidating man that everyone in town was afraid of—everyone but Liam.

“Sir,” he squeaked, and then he cleared his throat and tried again. “Sir, I was hoping to pick your brain about an investment opportunity.”

Zeke’s expression didn’t change. He moved closer, winding a set of reins in his hands. “An investment? Are you starting a business?”

“Me? No! Well, not really. I was just thinking…” Hudson shook his head. “It’s about the property just out of town. The one that Terry used to own.”

This time Zeke’s brows lifted but only a fraction of an inch. “What about it?”

“It’s up for sale, sir.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you also aware that there’s a company trying to buy it and turn it into a huge resort?”

Zeke rubbed his jaw and peered at Hudson, making him itch all over. “I’d heard rumors, but there’s a lot that would have to go into turning that property into a commercial space. It would take years.”

“Maybe not. All it would take is for them to grease a few palms. I think it would be in our best interest as a small community to buy it before they do and stop that from happening.” There, he’d said it. He didn’t even care that he hadn’t come up with a plan to profit from the purchase. At least he got the man’s mind whirring. “Perhaps you’d like to help me figure out how we could do that?”

Zeke studied him for another moment longer, then shook his head. “I’m sorry, son. That’s not going to be possible.”

“Why? Because I don’t have a business plan to?—”

“Because I heard today that a sale is already pending.”

Hudson’s stomach dropped. It couldn’t have happened that fast. Then again, it had been up for sale for at least a month. Hudson’s information wasn’t up to date. Zeke would have the more accurate information because he was aware of everything that happened in Copper Creek.

“Wish I could help,” Zeke said. “If I had known that there was some additional interest in stopping that resort, I would have helped any way I could. But if somebody’s already signed the contract, there’s not much I can do about it.”

Hudson scowled at Zeke. He was wrong. There was always something that could be done. He could sabotage the project if he had to. He didn’t care if he got sent to prison. If there was any way he could delay or scare off those people, he would.

“My apologies for takin’ up your time Mr. Callahan. I’d best get going.”

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