Page 41 of Just a Client

“I don’t know anything about ranching cattle or making wine.” He shook his head, but his expression held a wistful longing that I felt in my soul. Blue Star was the kind of place that sucked you in.

“Or honeybees. Or selling organic veggies. Or training horses. I know. But there are plenty of ranch managers in Texas who do. People like Atley. He is the one to ask about the business side of Blue Star. He works for the current owners, who are completely hands-off.”

“Okay, so if I leave the business to Atley,” his tone said he would do no such thing, “what else am I getting for my investment?”

That was a buying question if I’d ever heard one. The change in wording to investment was significant. He could envision his money going to work here. Blue Star wasn’t an expense, but an asset.

Oh, yeah! Bring that commission check to Mama.

“This place has all that space in the main house that you want. Plus, a house for the manager, a guest house, and a bunkhouse. And land.”

The hum of the drone reminded me we needed to keep moving. A camera crew waited for us.

“Come on, the house is over that rise.” I led off, pushing Victor into a jog and making sure that Wilson could keep up.

He looked comfortable in the saddle, so I nudged Victor into a slow lope that Flower matched and headed down the trail.

Next to me, Wilson had a smile on his face that stopped the breath in my lungs. I’d thought he looked like a star in a soap opera before. Now he was a full-on Hollywood heartthrob. Move over, George Clooney. Wilson, wearing a Stetson on a horse, made all my cowboy fantasies come true. Forget five points; the hotness factor was officially off the charts.

The terrain got steeper, and I slowed Victor to navigate the rocky trail up the last hill before the house would come into view. Wilson and Flower kept pace and then fell behind me as the trail narrowed.

“Is this okay?” A nervous fear laced Wilson’s shouted question.

I turned in the saddle. He and Flower had stopped at the base of the final incline.

“Horses: the original in off-road vehicles. Lean a little forward over her shoulders as she climbs, give her the reins, and you’ll have no problems.” I did as I’d instructed and could practically feel his eyes like a smack to my ass. The awareness he created in my body was unnerving. Parts of me I’d ignored for too long were waking up and taking notice of him.

It was like puberty all over again, and I didn’t have time for these juvenile feelings today. I had a job to do.

Victor navigated the incline with no problem, jogging the last few steps over the crest of the hill. I moved us to the side, out of the camera crew’s way, and turned so I could watch Wilson and Flower as they came up the trail and he got his first view of the ranch house.

He crested the hill, and his eyes flicked to me for a moment before the house drew his attention. His jaw dropped. Literally, flies could have landed on his molars. He was in awe, drinking in the house and its picturesque setting on the top of a low hill above the valley where the Blue Star cattle grazed.

It was a one-of-a-kind home. Recently, the ranch owner had renovated and added to the original 1800s homestead, making a spectacular house unlike anything anywhere. A mix of stone and steel. Historic and modern.

He was in love. I should text Bailey and tell her to stop applying for scholarships. I’d be paying for her college—Wilson had a case of house lust.

Thank the Lord! I’d hit the slam dunk. Or sunk the home run. Whatever. This right here was the money shot!

He and Flower stopped next to me. “It’s gorgeous. Can we go inside?” His voice quivered with excitement. The house had captured one hundred percent of his attention.

I could feel the way he longed for this place, how it called to him. No matter the budget, I knew when a client was ready to get serious. I gripped the reins tight with sweaty fingers to keep my hands from shaking. It was happening.

I was selling Blue Star Ranch. Holy shit.

Nothing else today mattered but making sure Wilson bought this place. It would make all my dreams come true. Bailey’s school. Proving myself to my family and the town. I’d close this deal, and no one would discount me as a single mom or a widow who dabbled in real estate to make ends meet.

No more faking it. I’d be the uncontested queen—no, the badass bitch of Hill Country real estate. And the world better look out!

I waved him toward the house, and he barely spared me a look, as it should be. I was there to do a job, not to get laid. Our attraction was a distraction; this was the main event.

Tamping down the urge to do the happy dance in my saddle or get out my cell and call Jude with my premature good news took tons of self-control. No matter what, I would close this deal.

Success tasted like a big fat Wagyu beef steak—it was amazing.

Chapter 15

Wilson

---