Page 4 of Midnight & Mavericks

There was a pause on the other end. “O-kay, this sounds serious. What’s goin’ on, sweetheart?”

“I got a call from Teddy Van Meter,” she began, her free hand rifling the papers on her desk. “He said he wants to buy the ranch.”

Her grandfather was silent for a long moment, and when he finally spoke, his tone was guarded. “Did he, now?”

“Yes,” Abbie said, the words tumbling out. “He made it sound like he’s swooping in to save the day. He offered way more than the ranch is worth—enough to cover debts, he said, and keep the rescue running. But the whole thing feels off, Grampa. Why would Teddy even know about our situation unless—” She stopped herself, taking a breath. “Unless the ranch really is in trouble. Is it, Grampa? Are you in trouble? And if you are, why didn’t you tell me?”

Her grandfather sighed heavily, the kind of sigh that carried the weight of years and unspoken burdens. “Abbie, I didn’t want to worry you. You’ve got your hands full with your career, and you’re doin’ so well. I didn’t see the point in draggin’ you into it.”

“You aren’t draggin’ me into anything.” Her frustration bubbled to the surface. “I could have helped, Grampa. I still can. But I need you to be honest with me. How bad is it?”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before he finally answered. “It’s not good, sweetheart. I won’t lie to you. Between the hay fire, the vet bills, and the feed prices goin’ through the roof, I’ve been havin’ a hard time stayin’ afloat. The horse rescue has more horses that need us than the therapy program needs them so instead of turnin’ them away, I’ve been syphering funds out of the money your dad left me. The bank’s been callin’, and I had to let some things slide to make ends meet.”

Abbie closed her eyes, her chest tightening. She could hear the exhaustion in his voice, the defeat he was trying so hard to hide. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked softly.

“Because I didn’t want you to feel like you had to drop everything and come running,” he said simply. “You’ve worked so hard to get where you are, Abbie. I didn’t want to be thereason you gave any of that up. The last thing I want to be is a burden.”

She swallowed hard, blinking back the sting of tears. “You’re not a burden, Grampa. You never have been, and you never will be. I’m coming home. We’ll figure this out together.”

“Of course, we will,” he said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

“We’re not selling to Teddy—or anyone else—until we know exactly what’s going on. Promise me you won’t make any decisions until I get there.”

“I won’t,” he promised. “Besides, you know Teddy’s a slick one. He doesn’t do anything without a reason.”

“I know,” she said, her voice softening. “I love you, Grampa.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. Be safe.”

She ended the call, taking a moment to compose herself before stepping into the busy hallway—the heart of the Winters & Winters law firm. The familiar hum of success buzzed around her—associates rushing to meetings, paralegals juggling files, the faint clink of espresso cups from the café in the corner. Normally, it was a world she thrived in, but today, it felt distant, almost foreign.

Abbie straightened her shoulders and headed to the elevator, riding it up to the top floor where Mr. Winters’s office awaited. The doors opened with a soft chime, and she stepped out into the plush, hushed corridor that led to the senior partner’s suite.

“Abbie,” his assistant, Juanita Bloomfield, greeted her with a warm smile, “go right in. He’s expecting you.”

She nodded, giving the always professional woman a polite smile before pushing open the heavy oak door. Mr. Winters was seated behind his massive desk, the Manhattan skyline stretching out behind him like a glittering tapestry.

“Abbie,” he said, rising to his feet. “Come in, come in. Congratulations on the Henderson trial. Truly remarkable work.”

“Thank you, Mr. Winters,” she said, taking a seat in the leather chair across from him. “I appreciate it.”

He studied her for a moment, his sharp eyes missing nothing. “But something tells me you’re not here to bask in the glow of your victory. What’s on your mind?”

Abbie hesitated, her hands clasping tightly in her lap. “It’s my grandfather,” she admitted. “He’s having some trouble making ends meet and someone’s made an offer to buy our ranch.”

Mr. Winters leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “I see. And you’re wondering if you should step in to help.”

She nodded. “I’ve worked so hard to get here, to build my career. But my grandfather... he’s done everything for me. After my mother left and my dad—died, it was my grandfather who gave me the foundation that made all of this possible. I can’t just sit back and let him lose everything.”

Mr. Winters was silent for a long moment, his gaze thoughtful. “You’re at a crossroads, Abbie. On one hand, you have a promising future here. On the other, you have a family legacy that’s at risk. It’s not an easy choice.”

“I know,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I don’t even know what I’m walking into. The ranch’s troubles could be bigger than I can handle.”

“Then gather the facts,” he said simply. “You’re an attorney, Abbie. Use those skills to your advantage. Investigate. Analyze. And most importantly, trust your instincts. They’ve served you well in the courtroom, and they’ll serve you well now.”

She nodded, his words sinking in. “Thank you, Mr. Winters. That helps.”

He smiled, a rare warmth breaking through his usually stern demeanor. “Whatever you decide, Abbie, know that this firm values you. If you need time to sort this out, take it. Your partnership isn’t going anywhere. You’ve earned it.”

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