Page 2 of Montana Born

However, his younger brother Bennett, cousins Regina and Sully came to visit their uncle on a regular basis to ensure all was taken care of. The three being single could afford the time better than the married ones, who were preoccupied with children, spouses and jobs.

Just a few months earlier, Regina, who’s only daughter left for college, moved into a house on the property to keep an eye on their uncle.

Therefore, it was not a surprise to anyone when upon his uncle’s death Henry Cole bequeathed the land to the trio.

With a deep breath, Sully looked up to the clear blue sky in hopes of an answer to the reason he waited. A buyer offered them a ridiculously large amount of money for the land. Although none of them had plans to live on the land permanently they’d discussed the possibility, agreeing it seemed wrong to let it go. Sully’s brother and cousin decided to leave the ultimate decision to him. As if he had a clue what was best.

“What am I going to do?” he said out loud still keeping his eyes skyward.

The sound of the wind rustling leaves in the nearby trees was the only reply to his question.

Sullivan kicked at a rock. “Yeah, I don’t blame you for not helping me out right now,” he muttered figuring God had better things to do at the moment.

There were too many changes at once. His uncle’s death, the offer and on top of that, he was in the middle of purchasing a small company to bring under his own larger ranching supply.

It weighed heavy on him, this turn of events forcing him to make decisions that would affect the surrounding property and future generations of Coles.

A workaholic by nature, he enjoyed the simple lifestyle of occasional dates, motorcycle rides and work. After all, he planned to remain single for a few more years.

If and when he settled, it would be with a woman chosen carefully. At thirty-five Sully had plenty of time to work out his personal life while carving a successful career in the ranching industry. He huffed, not sure why his mind had suddenly wandered into the annoying territory of women.

A vehicle neared. The silver Ford truck easily traversed the bumps of the unpaved road to where he waited. At once tension returned to his neck and shoulders and Sully let out a long breath. The corporate types would have to be great salesmen to convince him to sell the land. Although he was pretty sure his mind was made up, since his brother had arranged the meeting, Sully decided to go along with it.

A sense of calm enveloped him, it was almost as if everything became clearer, the air fresher. He took a deep breath and glanced up at the sky.

Whatever was about to happen could change his life.

For whatever reason at the moment, he didn't consider the thought odd. His mind was pretty much made up and the answer to the people just arrived set in his mind. The land would not be sold.

However, he'd still give them time to spill whatever dribble they'd prepared. It was only fair.

Slowing to a crawl, the truck finally stopped a few feet from his own vehicle. A slender man in a tailored navy blue suit and red power tie emerged from the driver’s side. He rounded the truck and opened the passenger seat to a woman. Both wore sunglasses reminding Sully of movie secret service types.

He blew out a breath and held back the urge to shake his head at the showmanship. In worn jeans and a plaid shirt, he could easily buy their company out from under the suits now walking toward him. They’d probably rented the truck, as their Prius would not make it over the bumps in the landscape.

Smile plastered on his face, the man lifted his right hand in greeting. He couldn’t have looked more out of his element than a dog in a cat show.

The woman, however, caught his attention. She wore a pale blue pantsuit and low heels. Her long, blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and she carried a pair of binoculars in one hand and a portfolio of sorts in the other. With the composure of someone who rarely lost at anything, her head moved side to side as she took in the landscape.

“Mr. Cole,” said the approaching man, holding out his hand. “Gary Burch of Burch and Tyler.”

The woman came to a stop beside her partner. “Good morning, Mr. Cole, I’m Elle Tyler.” He took her hand in his, noting the sparkle of a pink rhinestone bracelet peeking from her long sleeve. Interesting.

“Call me Sully.” He lifted his sunglasses to meet the reflection in theirs. “Should we get down to business?”

Elle was taken aback first by the breathtaking beauty of the Cole lands as the sun burned the late early morning mist off showcasing the hills and valleys covered in tall grasses and gathering of trees. Secondly, the just as beautiful sight of Sullivan Cole’s unusual eye color. She’d never seen a blue shade like his. They had to be contacts. No one had turquoise eyes. Not that she knew of anyway.

“Miss Tyler?”

Crap, he had been talking and here she was drooling over the color of the man’s eyes. “Yes,” she replied, hoping it was the correct answer.

When he made his way to the passenger side of the Jeep, she realized he planned to drive her and Gary.

She followed and climbed into the front passenger seat. Leaving Gary to take the back seat, which she knew he hated.

Prone to carsickness, he always demanded on driving when they went anywhere.

To be fair, Gary was a good business partner, although at times a bit over the top. Nevertheless, the man was persistent. He rarely gave up on business deals, which made him the perfect balance to her “stand back and allow potential customers time to think things through” approach.