Chapter 1
“PAIGE! DAMMIT GET out of there?”
“My father’s in there!” she screamed over the noise of the blaze all around them.
“What?!”
Paige managed to open the door to the old shed, black smoke billowing out into the clear air.
Ben pulled Paige by the arm before she could enter while a few ranch hands entered the burning building.
Ben’s arms wrapped around her and held her close. “How could this happen?” she asked through tears. Ben took in a deep breath and let it out. “There’s nothing flammable in this old shed.”
Ben continued comforting her as best he could as chaos surrounded them. The small-town local fire station had sent their volunteers, but it was obvious the old building wasn’t going to survive.
Paige Shepherd, Joseph’s young daughter and only child, was the only family Joseph had left after his wife of thirty years passed away twelve years ago. Paige was only twenty-two but had a strength and wisdom beyond her young years. One of the many things Ben found attractive about the woman. The Shepherd ranch had been in three generations. Joseph’s hope was Paige would find a nice young man to carry it through her generation.
Financial troubles had hit the ranch hard, just as it had many of the locals in this small town in Texas. To try to bring money in, Joseph began boarding horses for other owners. The Shepherds only had a handful of their own horses now. This fire was going to further damage the homestead if people began taking their horses out of their care for fear of losing them.
Paige pulled away from Ben when she saw two of the ranch hands carrying her father out. Joseph was unconscious and bleeding from his head.
“Dad!” Paige called as she knelt on the ground after her father was set down.
“I’m sorry Miss Paige,” Luke, a ranch hand that was also a close friend of Joseph’s said. “He ain’t moved none since we found him. From the looks of things, he’s been out for a spell.”
“We need help over here!” Ben called out, getting the attention of one of the volunteers.
“Mr. Joseph?” the volunteer called.
“Stop standing there with your mouth hanging open and get an ambulance!” Ben shouted.
Paige sat on the ground with her father’s head in her lap as she looked in total disbelief of what was happening all around them. The ranch had always been a tranquil place. Lately, it had been anything but. The past few months had been one thing after another happening. But a fire was completely unexpected. Not like a fire ever is, but a fire taking down an old building that only kept tools inside was too much to comprehend.
Paige paced around the hospital waiting room as doctors examined her father. He hadn’t come to and she wasn’t quite sure how she was going to handle whatever decisions came next.
“Paige,” Ben called, “you need to sit down.”
She looked at Ben Foley sitting on the hard sofa. Like her, his clothes, skin, and hair were covered in soot and they smelled like smoke. She cared for Ben. For the past six months he’d been a part of their lives. She was certain he was going to propose any day now. At least until all the events happening taking her attention away from everything but the ranch. Her father thought the world of Ben. She knew he’d readily give his blessing if Ben were to ask for her hand.
She finally walked over and sat down beside him. “I just don’t understand any of this,” she said softly. Ben’s hand rose and caressed her hair. “I mean, fences breaking, horses getting out. Those are one thing. But, my God, a fire?”
Ben sat silently looking at her not knowing what to say. Paige was trying to come to terms with everything.
“And, those people from Austin wanting to buy the ranch? Why would someone want to buy something that obviously has so many problems?”
“I wish I could give you an answer,” Ben finally said. “Maybe you should just sell. Then all these problems won’t be yours and Joe’s anymore.”
Paige abruptly stood. “No! That ranch is family. And, we could never sell with all these problems.”
Ben looked at her seriously. “So, you’d sell if there weren’t all these problems?”
Paige turned to look at him. “No. Dad would never sell. His father, and his father before him worked their lives for that ranch. And Dad is going to do the same thing.”
“But, what about you, Paige?” Ben asked sincerely. “Times are different now. Running a ranch isn’t the same as in your great-grandfather’s day.”
“I grew up on that ranch. It’s home.”
Ben stood and walked over to her. Looking into her eyes, he calmly said, “I’m just playing devil’s advocate here. And, thinking of you.”
She smiled softly. “I know. I may not be the son my father hoped for, but the life of that ranch runs through me just the same as him.” She looked to him sternly. “And, don’t you dare think because I’m a woman I can’t handle it.”
Ben chuckled as he brought her to him and rest her head at his chest. “I know how strong you are,” he told her.
“Ms. Shepherd?” someone called out from the entrance to the lounge.
Paige pulled free from Ben and walked over to the doctor, anxiously waiting good news. “Doctor, please. How is my father? Can I talk to him?”
The doctor gestured for her to sit in one of the lounge chairs. With just the three of them in the room, they had privacy. “Ms. Shepherd, your father is in very critical condition.”
“What? How?”
“His head sustained a significant injury. I’m assuming it’s from falling and hitting a tool within the shed.”
“But he’s going to be alright, right?”
Ben reached over and held her hand in his as they continued listening to the doctor.
“As I said, his head trauma was significant. Due to his unconscious state and not knowing how long he was in that building before help arrived, his lungs also sustained smoke inhalation.”
“Did he tell you what happened?”
“Ms. Shepherd, your father is in a coma. I’m afraid I cannot tell you a prognosis due to the severity of his injuries.”
“No,” Paige softly sobbed.
“Ms. Shepherd, I assure you, I am doing all that I can. Quite frankly, I’m surprised at his survival as it is.”
“Do whatever you need to,” she told him.
“I’ve had him moved to ICU. You are certainly welcome to visit him at any time. I simply wanted to be sure you are aware of the gravity of his condition.”
“Thank you,” she said before the doctor stood and left them alone in the room. “Oh Ben, how did this happen?” she said before he wrapped her in an embrace.
“I don’t think you realize just what you’ve done!” Pierce’s shout filled the office.
Pierce Michaels was the eldest child of business power couple Randall Pierce and Philip Michaels. He was twenty-seven years old and had grown up preparing for the time he’d take over running PKM Corporation, his parents’ company.
Instead, he was neck deep in trying to help his uncle, Todd Michaels, with a serious problem his cousin had caused at Pierce’s grandfather’s company, Lonestar.
“This hot temper of yours isn’t going to solve anything Pierce,” Todd threw into the mix.
As Todd sat back in the chair, he watched the young cousins who’d grown up closer than most brothers being torn apart. He also noticed his wife and niece had entered the room.
“Don’t you dare think about fighting this battle for him!” Pierce angrily shot at his uncle before turning his attention back to Robin. “My uncle should have no loyalty to you whatsoever!”
Robin Moore was eighteen months older than Pierce. Thanks to his Aunt Randi, Pierce’s mother, Robin began his career at Lonestar following his college graduation. He’d worked hard to prove himself to the infamous Justin Michaels. A man readily feared in all of Texas and beyond.
Up until this business deal that had gone so far south hell had to look up, Todd Michaels had been highly pleased with how Robin had been running Lonestar’s Texas division. Todd Michaels had moved up to Minnesota to run that division nearly three decades ago.
Pierce was beyond furious. With all the events over the past year with his sister and having to deal with PKM being attacked from outside sources, there’d been no time to see what had been happening at Lonestar. Since Justin Michaels’ passing two years ago, Todd had taken on running the entire company. Both Texas and Minnesota. Yet, even Todd was at a loss now.
Because of Philip Michaels’ health scare, Todd hadn’t gone to his older brother to discuss things. Philip had always been PR for Lonestar. Even after he’d left to take over PKM, Justin used Philip’s strengths in smoothing the way when things became heated. Justin would never tolerate his company’s name being dragged through the mud, and for three and a half decades, Philip had made sure that never happened.
Pierce had that same knack as his father. He was following in his father’s footsteps and headed up public relations for PKM for the past four years as well as learning just what it took to run the business. A business Philip inherited from his mother’s side of the family.
Todd had approached Pierce a couple of weeks ago on the situation at Lonestar. Simply wanted Pierce’s take on it. Todd had no way of knowing Pierce had the same fight and determination as Philip. Pierce was fiercely loyal to all in his family. He couldn’t allow this situation to further damage Lonestar more than it already had.
“Pierce, I really don’t think this is as bad as you’re making it out to be,” Robin tried.
Pierce’s eyes turned ebony when he glared at his cousin. “And there lies the problem!” Pierce barked. “Seriously, what loyalty could you possibly have to this company and my family?”
Robin stood right before Pierce now. His green eyes showing just as much anger as Pierce’s. “How dare you question my loyalty?” Robin shouted. “I’ve worked my ass off down here. Just as you have up north.”
“You got this job simply because my mother got it for you,” Pierce snarled. “There isn’t a drop of blood in your body that connects you to any of this!”
“Pierce,” Todd stepped in. Pierce’s last comment was a sucker punch to his cousin. One Todd knew Pierce would regret once he wasn’t so angry. “I need you to cool your jets. I’m still in charge here.”
Pierce stepped back and away. Robin didn’t have any real blood connection to any of the Michaels family members, not even his aunt. Pierce’s mother. Due to the circumstances of his birth, Robin was a complete outsider. Maybe that’s why he’d been so careless and let all of this happen, Pierce thought. It didn’t matter. His job was to fix it.
“Robin,” Todd called to him and waited for Robin to look his way, “go get some coffee. Pierce and I need to have a chat.” Todd then went to his wife and asked for some time alone with his angry nephew.
Todd saw the hurt in Robin’s eyes at what Pierce had said. God knew Todd had been there, done that with his own brother when they were younger. Todd and Philip had grown up more as adversaries than brothers. Thankfully, Philip met and married the love of his life and she’d been able to bring the brothers together.
“Uncle Todd,” Pierce called barely giving Robin the chance to walk out the door, which remained open, “do you have any idea what kind of nightmare this is?”
“I’m sure we can work this all out.”
Todd waited a moment before continuing. “Pierce, you are your father’s son. I don’t need you steamrolling your cousin. It’s not entirely his fault.”
“Not his fault?! Are you kidding me? What the hell was he thinking?”
“He was thinking he could try to do something on his own. Had I known more, I could have guided.”
“But you didn’t know!” Pierce threw that truth at him. “All of this was done behind your back.”
“Pierce, if you’re going to help, I need something very important from you.” Pierce just looked at Todd, waiting for him to continue. “I need you to calm down. You aren’t going to be any more successful at solving this by being so damn hot-headed.”
“Grandfather must be rolling in his grave,” Pierce finally said softly.
The old goat’s probably dancing up a storm seeing how protective Pierce had become, but that was a thought Todd knew to keep to himself. Justin’s rein had been over a long time.
“What do you want me to do?” Pierce finally asked, causing Todd to smile. Now maybe they could get somewhere.
“Well, for one thing, we need to know exactly what’s going on. We know Lonestar is somehow connected with this ore discovery in Stephens.”
“And the ranch in Stephens?”
Todd placed his hand on Pierce’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Now there nephew, you’re on your own. Whether or not this discovery is true hasn’t been determined just yet.”
“I’ll see what I can find.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to work with Robin on this?”
“I’d rather not hear anything he has to say on the matter. He’s going to try to make it sound better than my gut tells me it is.”
“Alright, let me get you set up in my office and get you an assistant.”
“That won’t be necessary, Uncle Todd.” Pierce just looked at him silently a moment. “Let me go through the information first. Another day or two isn’t going to make much of a difference, but I’d really like to understand just what the hell it is I’m going to be walking into.”
“Todd?” Robin called as he stood in the doorway of Todd’s office at Lonestar. Pierce hadn’t moved into it yet. As a matter of fact, since their blow-up the other day, Robin hadn’t seen Pierce at all. “Look, I know I messed up here.”
Todd waved his hand inviting Robin to take a seat. As Todd relaxed back into his oversized leather chair behind the desk, he could see the toll this was taking on Robin.
“What the hell happened down here?” Todd asked.
“I thought it was a good opportunity for Lonestar. Getting into possibly a solution for more resources. Hell, the oil business down here has a monopoly. I thought we could be part of something big. An answer to the energy crisis.”
“Your intentions are admirable,” Todd told him. “But, why didn’t you look into who you’d be working with?”
Robin looked down and shook his head. “I didn’t have my head on straight. I mean, c’mon Todd, you’ve seen pictures of the woman. She’s hot as hell. When she came to me looking to partner up on this, she said she came from a family who’d been in the oil business for four generations. I figured she’d lead and I’d follow.”
“Did you sleep with her?” Todd asked, and by the look on Robin’s face, he got his answer. “Not a good way to conduct business.”
“Let me work with Pierce on this,” Robin pled his case.
Todd was sympathetic to his distant nephew, but when it came to PR, no one could light a candle to Philip Michaels until his son Pierce came along.
“Look, Pierce is a little hot under the collar right now,” Todd began. “Once he calms down and gets all the information, I believe he can smooth all of this over.”
“But…”
“Robin,” Todd interrupted, “this is serious. Joseph Shepherd was seriously injured. Once the media makes the connection to Lonestar, we have to pray Pierce can handle it.”
“But, if his daughter knows the connection, why hasn’t it hit the media? Doesn’t she know the damage she could do?” Robin paused. “And, there is no way she will even talk to a Michaels.”
Todd knew that all too well. He’d tried reaching out to the young woman himself. With her father in critical condition from the fire on their property, she had her hands full trying to keep the family ranch afloat. Every attempt at contact he’d made had been rejected.
“Let’s see what Pierce can come up with first,” Todd answered. “If he’s anything like my brother, we should be okay.”
“Will Uncle Philip get involved?”
“He’d better not,” Todd answered. “Pierce and I are making sure he doesn’t have a clue as to how bad this nightmare can become.” It helped that his brother had purchased a yacht and decided he and his wife needed to take a couple weeks off.
Robin sighed heavily. Philip’s medical scare months ago may not have been a heart attack, but the last thing he wanted was to be the one to give him his first.
Spencer Michaels, Pierce’s younger brother, sat on the sofa playing his video game while Pierce paced and talked on the phone. Although talk wasn’t exactly the right definition. Pierce was shouting and demanding answers.
“What are you finding so amusing?” Pierce demanded of his little brother once he ended his phone call and noticed Spencer shaking his head in disbelief. Though little wasn’t a word to describe Spencer. He, like Pierce, had their father’s height of six-foot-three but was more athletic in build than Pierce. Spencer was a twenty-year-old college student who spent his free time playing on the computer or working out at the gym.
“Y’know, there’s a reason I don’t want to work at the office,” Spencer answered back. “Working with you on a daily basis wouldn’t be healthy.”
Pierce just looked at his brother. He and their sister Colby both worked with their parents in the family company. They both enjoyed the challenge of trying to one-up or outdo the other. Spencer’s laid-back personality was an enigma Pierce simply couldn’t comprehend.
“You could help earn some of the money you spend,” Pierce shot back.
Spencer shrugged and continued playing his game. Spencer wasn’t into possessions and all that the family’s money could buy. He didn’t flaunt his social standing, as their parents made sure none of them did. He didn’t take on the playboy attitude of his Uncle Todd. He was simply content to just be.
“I’ll be sure to start keeping tabs on my spending,” Spencer responded knowing it would anger his brother more. “Why are you riding Robin so much on this?” he asked to change the subject.
Robin Moore, their cousin, worked at their grandfather’s company in Austin, Texas; Lonestar. Their mother, Randall Pierce-Michaels, provided the opportunity for Robin with strict instructions to their grandfather Justin on his training. Justin Michaels had been a man feared in the business community. He created a company in his youth that had grown and prospered over the years. Philip Michaels, Pierce, Colby and Spencer’s father, once worked side by side with his father at Lonestar Corporation. Until meeting their mother and taking over the company Philip’s maternal side had created, PKM Corporation.
“Look Spence, I don’t expect you to understand all of this,” Pierce began, “but Robin screwed up big time on this one.”
“So, let Uncle Todd handle it,” Spencer responded. “Since Grandpa died, it’s his company now.”
“Do you get the fact that someone’s been hurt due to the actions our cousin made?” Pierce asked. “Besides, he’s tried and Ms. Shepherd wants nothing to do with Lonestar or anyone named Michaels.”
“Then, what’s the point?” Spencer asked. “You’re a Michaels.”
“But, one she doesn’t know.”
“Yet,” Spencer reminded. “And she won’t be any more receptive to you than any of the rest of us once she finds out who you are.”
Pierce jammed his hands through his chestnut locks. He didn’t need his brother telling him something he already knew.
“I’ll figure out a way to get her to listen.”
“Yeah, all that charm of yours will do it,” Spencer shot back sarcastically as Pierce left the room.
“Does she have a lawyer?” Pierce asked the person on the other end of the phone call as Spencer entered Pierce’s office at PKM the next morning.
Pierce waved his brother in while listening to the answer.
“Then who the hell am I supposed to negotiate with?” Pierce’s shout filled the office. Not liking the answer, he slammed down the phone and looked at his brother. “What brings you by?”
“Problems with Ms. Shepherd?” Spencer asked after he sat in the chair at the front of the desk.
“If the woman would just agree to let us pay for her father’s medical expenses and damages to the ranch, we could be done with this!”
“You really think she’d want to meet with a hot head?”
“Spence…”
“I know, I know. I don’t know any of the workings of the office,” he cut in. “But I might have an idea for you.”
Pierce raised his eyebrows.
“You want to gather information, right?”
“Little hard to do there little brother when the woman won’t even talk to us.”
“What if she didn’t know it was you?”
Pierce looked at his brother as though he were insane.
“She’s never seen you right?”
“Doesn’t even know I exist.”
“Perfect!” Spencer exclaimed. “How are your acting skills?”
Pierce let out a heavy sigh. His brother was so laid back, he wondered if Spencer took anything seriously.
“Now, just listen,” Spencer said. “What if you could go to her ranch, meet with her, gather whatever information you need, and not be Pierce Michaels?”
“I am Pierce Michaels.”
“But she doesn’t have to know that.”
Pierce rubbed at his face. He hadn’t slept since Todd had asked for his help. “Spence, you aren’t making any sense.”
“Work with me, would ya?” Spencer stood and showed his brother a small bag he’d brought with him.
“What’s that?”
Spencer smiled wide. “This big brother is your way to fix this mess.”
“Spencer, where did you get these?” Pierce demanded upon seeing the first item his brother handed to him.
“A friend of mine…”
“Do you have any idea how illegal this is?” Pierce cut in, standing to emphasize his point.
“Look, all the info is, more or less, accurate.”
Pierce looked down to the ID in his hand and back at his brother. “Pierce Andrews?”
“It’s still you. It’s a real driver’s license. Just with a shortened name…”
“And from the state of Texas!”
“Look, everything’s fairly legit. If you show up with a Minnesota driver’s license, she’ll figure it out.”
“I’m not from Texas.”
Spencer smiled again. “Okay, so with a little practice, you can sound like you’re from there.”
“What?!”
“C’mon Pierce, just pretend to be Dad. Sound like him when he talks to Mom.”
“You’re insane.”
“You can do this,” Spencer encouraged. “Do you have any other brilliant ideas on how to get close to this Shepherd woman?”
“No,” Pierce sounded defeated. “And when I get arrested?”
Spencer chuckled. “As far as anyone is concerned, Pierce Andrews of Amarillo, Texas exists. She can Google you. Look you up on a social network…”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What exactly have you done?”
“I haven’t done anything. My friend, who could hack into the White House if he wanted, put everything in place.”
“You have questionable friends.”
“Nah, just a challenge when we’re finished with homework.”
“This won’t work.”
“Sure it will. This’ll take you what? Two or three days? Get your information, then poof Pierce Andrew Kingston Michaels is back.”
Spencer could see his brother analyzing this scenario. “Has trying to strong-arm your way in gotten you anywhere?” Spencer finally asked, getting a death glare from his brother. “This will give you a kinder, gentler approach.”
“Very funny.”
“Seriously. If she’s worried about her dad, which I’m guessing is why she won’t take yours or Uncle Todd’s calls, then at least this way you can get face time.”
“I can’t believe I’m even considering this,” Pierce said softly while sitting back in his chair.
“What have you got to lose?” Spencer asked.
“My freedom comes to mind.”
“Pierce, everything is you. Well, except for the social site, and ranch hand work history and…”
Looking at the credit card in his hand, Pierce interrupted. “Spencer, what have you done?”
“I haven’t done anything but help you get your foot in the door. Everything is still yours. Well, except the unlimited credit limit and any references…”
“Spencer!”
“Look, I know you’d prefer to storm in there…”
“I would be very upfront with my intentions. We know Lonestar isn’t truly involved in this but offering to help financially could go a long way to keep the company out of the press.”
“You do whatever you want,” Spencer said as he made his way toward the office door. “I just think with how angry you are over this, approaching her with your current attitude wouldn’t give you the result you want.” Spencer stopped just before opening the door. “What harm would a darlin’ here and there hurt?” he asked with a smile before leaving.
Pierce grumbled at the thought of all that could go wrong, rubbing at his tired eyes. Hell, what was he even thinking considering it?
Pierce had tried one last time to connect with the elusive Ms. Shepherd. After getting rejected again, he looked at the fake ID from his brother. “This is insane,” he said aloud. But, what choice did he have? He couldn’t get information from the hospital on Joseph Shepherd except that he was still in a coma and in critical condition.
“Oh hell,” he grimaced before making his way home. Like it or not, looked like he had to go with Spencer’s option of meeting the woman.
