Emilie Rose - The Jarrods, Wedding His Takeover Target  

and to my son Gavin I leave my stable of horses. I have such fond memories of you spending hours in the big barn, taking care of all the animals. How many meals did you miss, insisting you had to feed the horses first? It gave me such pride to see you grow into your own, riding your horses across the field. How carefree you were. Did you know it broke my heart when you left and didnt look back? I hope being responsible for the horses once more will help you find your way home.

Y ou said urgent. Here we are, Gavin Jarrod said as he preceded his oldest brother Blake into Christian Hanfords office Monday morning. Not a great way to start the week.

The attorney handling their late fathers estate indicated the chairs in front of his desk and waited until Gavin and Blake sat. I appreciate your coming in. Unfortunately, the news is not good.

Gavin shot a what now? look at his brother. Not surprising since none of the news since our fathers death five months ago has been good, beginning with him requiring each of us to put our lives and careers on hold and spend a year at Jarrod Ridge or we all forfeit our inheritance.

This regards your project and the permits needed to build the new bungalow youve designed on the resort property.

Gavin tried not to let his frustration and resentment show. Leave it to their father to try to control their lives from his grave with posthumous demands.

Whats the holdup? Its November first. We need to get the foundations dug and poured before the ground freezes solid.

You cant get the permits because the land isnt part of your fathers estate.

What? Gavin and his brother exclaimed simultaneously.

Blake leaned forward in his chair. The site is in the middle of Jarrod property. How can the family not own it?

Christian pulled an aerial map of Jarrod Ridge from the file in front of him and slid it across his desk. He indicated an X on a five-acre tract outlined in red.

This is where you wanted to build. When we researched the deed we discovered your grandfather transferred ownership of this plot to Henry Caldwell fifty years ago.

Gavin searched his brain for Caldwells and came up empty. Hed spent the first eighteen years of his life in Aspen, but he had no reason to know any of the locals anymore. Hed escaped the town and his domineering father when hed left for college a decade agohe only returned when he absolutely couldnt avoid it. To say he and his father hadnt gotten along would be a gross understatement. Who in the hell is Caldwell?

He owns the Snowberry Inn, a bed-and-breakfast here in Aspen thats been around as long as Jarrod Ridge.

Why would our grandfather sell him a defunct mine? The old mine had been Gavins favorite hideout as a kid. He and his brothers had spent countless hours wandering through the tunnels, and in high school Gavin had taken girls there to make out.

The real question is why would anyone want to buy it? Blake countered. Theres not enough silver on the site to make extraction cost-effective.

Thats the interesting part. In my digging, I discovered your grandfather didnt sell the acreage. He wagered it in a poker game. And lost it.

Surprise pushed the air from Gavins lungs. Well buy it back.

Christian eyed him across the map. Good luck with that. There are numerous letters in our files indicating that your father tried and failed to repurchase the land more than a dozen times over the years. Caldwell refused to sell.

Blake sat back in his chair looking more relaxed than he should given the revelation that had just blown their plans to hell and back. The plans are already drawn for a high-security bungalow for the resorts A-list guests. The construction crews have been contracted and the materials ordered because we had no reason to expect a glitch like this. Well have to choose another site.

No, Gavin insisted. If Im condemned to waste another seven months here Im not giving up on the only place on the estate that holds good memories for me. Ill convince Caldwell to sell.

One corner of Blakes mouth lifted. You just want to do what Dad couldnt.

A smile tugged Gavins lips. His brother knew him and his competitive streak too well. Gavin never had been good at passing up a challenge. I wouldnt mind besting the old man. Hell probably roll over in his grave when I succeed.