C1 An Offer For The Bad Billionaire

CHAPTER 1

Jake Courtland stood beside the window, looking out at the vast stretch of land filled with well-tended grasses and cattle and horses when his real estate lawyer, Mike Gableton, strolled into his private study. He swung around when he heard movements behind him. The two men stared at each other.

" Yes, any success? " He said anxiously.

" I'm sorry, Jake! She rejected the offer, " Gableton said, shaking his head miserably.

Jake's face twisted with anger.

" What do you mean she rejected the offer? That's bullshit! " His voice was harsh and trembling with rage.

Gableton made a helpless gesture with his hands.

" She doesn't want the money, Jake! She doesn't want it at all. I'm confused myself. "There was a kind of bewildered expression on his face.

Jake drew in a long, slow breath and grimaced. He moved away from the window and sat down heavily into his armchair. Aged thirty-one, he was tall, slim, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built. He was well tanned, with black swept-back hair, a square face, an aggressive jaw, eagle-like nose, and dark, penetrating eyes and pert lips which can easily curve into a smile or snarl. He was impressively handsome, a splendid-looking athlete. He stared at his lawyer for a long moment, and finally, he said ;

" Mike! What is wrong with that woman? For Pete sakes, who the hell refuses five million dollars for a bunch of horses ? " he said, a surprise note in his voice.

" Her horses aren't just a bunch of horses, and you know that, Jake," Gableton said calmly. " Lisa Wolfe horses are sure the best thoroughbreds there is in the whole of this town. Even the whole of Kentucky, I dare to say. She's aware of that fact and hence her reasons for declining your offer.

Jake shrugged indifferently.

" To hell with her and her stubbornness. I need those horses of hers. I've got great hopes for those horses, especially with the horseracing event coming up. I can make a whale of money with those horses under my care. Can't she understand that ? " he said exasperatedly. He pointed a finger at Gableton" I've got the feeling you weren't convincing enough. You didn't put enough pressure on her. "

A look of pain flashed across Gableton's face.

He said in a small voice. " Jake, you know I really tried my best to talk to her. I did all I could to convince her. For God's sake, I've been talking to her for the past two months now, all in the name of getting her to accept our offer. She's just so adamant, that one. I've never met any woman as headstrong as she. I don't think anything can ever make her change her mind. Not even your money, Jake. " the helplessness in his voice irritated Jake, and it showed on his face.

" Oh, don't talk like a gutless insect, man! " He said tightly. " Don't let her get to you. She's just like any other woman. A little high and mighty, of course, but she's no different from any other woman."

Gableton scoffed.

" You don't know her, Jake. I mean, you've not even met her in person. "

" Does it matter? " Jake growled.

" Of course, it does. You should hear her talk. " Gableton replied. " I used all the sweet persuasive words I could think of since the day I've been a lawyer, and yet she didn't budge. This woman knows exactly what she wants, Jake. She doesn't beat around the bush. "

Jake drew in a long, shuddering breath and grimaced. As far back as he could remember, he had heard about Lisa Wolfe, her ranch, and thoroughbred horses. She's the wealthiest female horse owner in this town. Before he died, her old man had left her a large sum of money along with the ranch and horses. Jake had never met her, but he had heard stories about her. She was extremely beautiful, rich, young, tough as a nail, and very good with horses. Some of the folks, especially the men in the town, hated her for her guts and strong will, but no of them dare confront her.

Many suitors had asked her hand in hand for marriage, but she had rejected them all. Even though it was difficult to admit, Jake knew he was one of the men in town who loathed her. Not because of her wealth or guts but her stubbornness. He always steers clear of women who are stubborn and difficult. Women who will throw his own words back at him without blinking an eye. Women who always want to be in charge of things making the man look like a wimp. He preferred women who swoon easily at his good looks, wealth, and prestige. Women who will do yield to all his biddings without no fuss. Regrettably, Lisa was not in the category of such a woman, and that fact made rage surge through his body. He turned his mind away from his thoughts.

" What's the next thing to do? " He asked.

Gableton heaved heavily.

" We've got two options, Jake; we can go for old Bill Roswell horses, or we can forget about this whole thing."

Jake narrowed his eyes.

" Bill Roswell horses? What's so hot about his horses? "

" Well, Bill takes good care of his horses, just like any other rancher. I checked out his horses the other day. He's got some cool thoroughbreds horses over there; Horses born and bred in Kentucky just the way you like them, Jake. I told him about the offer. He's willing to sell his horses, " Gableton replied.

Jake shook his head.

" I don't wanna do any deal with Bill. That man gave my old man a lot of trouble while he was still alive. Moreover, I wouldn't say I like his breeds. It can never be as good as that of Lisa Wolfe. "

" Jake, this is business we are talking of. Old Bill is one of the few ranchers around here who would ever consider selling their horses. Every other rancher is gunning for the town's horse racing event. No one will dare sell their horses at this critical time. " He paused and went on. " Old Bill is a remorseful man now. He has learned from his mistakes. His breeds are in excellent condition. Selling his horses to you is a great advantage for you. He's going to sell it cheap, and what more, you guys can use that opportunity to bury the hatchet."

Jake clenched his fists, making his knuckles white.

" I ain't burying any hatchet with that old-timer! " He said savagely. " That man was a thorn in the flesh of my father for years. He drove my old man crazy. " There was a terrifying, dark look on his face now. " Even if his horses were the only ones up for selling in this world, I ain't touching it.No one can make me settle things with that old sack. No one ! " he seethed out.

"Relax, Jake! Relax, " Gableton said soothingly. " No one is forcing you to settle things with old Bill. Hell, no one can force you to buy his horses either. I want you to realize that you don't have many options on ground. So far, old Bill is still your surest bet to get yourself into the horse racing event. But if you don't want him, then…….." he left the rest of the words unsaid.

Jake moistened his lips with his tongue.

" I wanna do some thinking," he said.

Gableton inclined his head.

" Sure! Do you want me to leave? " He asked.

Jake shook his head.

" No, stay! I won't take long " He reached for the platinum cigar case on his desk and opened it. He brought out two thick Cuban cigars and offered Gableton one. The other man took it, and they both lit up. Jake leaned back into his chair. He dragged hard on the cigar, inhaling a lungful of smoke and letting it spiral out of his mouth. As he smoked, his mind was busy with thoughts. After a long moment, he stubbed out the cigar in a gold ashtray and said to Mike;

" I think the best thing is to go over to Lisa Wolfe's ranch. "

Gableton stared at him as if he was crazy or something

" Jake! Why are you going there ? " he gasped.

" To toss some senses into her thick skull, of course," he growled. " I want her to know she's making a stupid mistake for not accepting the money! "

Gableton's mouth hung up in disbelief.

" For Christ sakes, Jake, you've not met this woman before. " He gasped. " What if you go there and say some things to her? Things that could get her riled up. And I know you, Jake, you've got a bad mouth, and you can be spiteful when you want to be. And I know how irritable you can sometimes be. As your lawyer, I'm telling you not to go over there," he said firmly.

" I'm going over there, and no one can stop me, " Jake seethed out.