Page 36 of The Rancher's Code

“Do you believe that everyone’s real?” There was an older man seated next to me, although he looked vaguely familiar?—

Oh, right.

This was Uncle Virgil, the eccentric that Cole had mentioned a few times in passing. Virgil was smiling over at me, like he knew some big secret but was keeping it to himself.

“What do you mean?” I whispered, not wanting to pull any focus from the potential announcement, assuming Joseph ever showed up.

“Doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that Cole’s real.” Virgil nodded after he spoke. “He’s as real as you and me. He’s got a mind for it.”

“Are you saying that some people are… fake?”

“Just not real. Figments of our collective imagination. Spill water on them and they short-circuit.”

“I don’t think I know what that means, Virgil.”

“Ha. Lucky you.” Virgil crossed his arms over his chest. “I envy the ones who don’t know what I know.”

What a fascinating man.

I was ready to pick his brain further but as I turned towards him, Joseph finally walked into the room. He had a presence about him that was engaging yet slightly terrifying, nothing on his face ever betraying what he was thinking. He always looked a little disinterested and a little pissed off, to the point that I wondered if it was something he’d spent time perfecting.

Honestly, he reminded me of Cole, back when we first met.

I smiled to myself at the memory, annoyed with how much he’d blown me off but happy that there was so much more to him.

Joseph soon took his place at the front of the room, his eyes meeting mine just once.

He started to speak: “This has been… an interesting time for the Strattons. With Amber’s wedding?—”

“Woohoo!” Amber interrupted her father, pumping her hands in the air.

Joseph nodded in response, not quite smiling. “Yes. Woohoo. I couldn’t be happier for you, Amber, and I wish you nothing but health, wealth, and happiness.”

Happiness is dead last?

Crap. Cole might be in real trouble.

“Moving on, I’m sure you’re all aware of the McMillan property. We’ve been trying to be in business with the family for a long time, but they never budged on their price or their estate. That is… until now.”

Joseph nodded towards Cole. “Cole was able to get them to sign over their property, and as of last night, the estate will now be considered an extension of Stratton Ranch. According to the eldest McMillan, they appreciated Cole’s approach, treating them like the neighbors they were instead of a cold, unfeeling corporation. Something about Cole’s personal touch…”

He coughed before he went on. “Of course, this means that Levi and Shane were unsuccessful in their bids for the McMillan property.”

“Never really had a chance.” Levi chuckled. “Cole was born for this.”

“That and the McMillans wouldn’t take our calls…” Shane’s response trailed off. “But that’s Cole for you. Master negotiator.”

“Yes. My son. The master negotiator…” Joseph looked over at me again, his expression still impossible to figure out. He then brought his attention to Cole. “Cole’s negotiating skills, along with his several other good qualities, make me believe that he’s the best fit for next CEO of Stratton Ranch.”

“To the surprise of no one!” Amber shouted before leading the room in a round of applause. “Yay, Cole! We love you!”

“Nice going, bro!”

“The ranch is in good hands with you, Cole.”

“There’s something else…” Joseph held up a hand, encouraging silence in the room.

Shit.

---