Unbridled by Beth Williamson Page A

and trouble?”
    Connor stood. “Sorry, Alex. I was just filling Mike in on the last four days.”
    “And that involved me and trouble.” Color was high on her face.
    “This is awkward.” Mike stood and held out his hand. “Michael Bailey, attorney.”
    Alex shook his hand. “Alex Finley, prodigal daughter.”
    Mike smiled. “Witty and beautiful. Now I understand why there was trouble.”
    She crossed her arms under her breasts, pushing the amazing mounds up, making Connor lose track of why he was trying to forget what it was about Alex that made him obsess.
    “Did Connor tell you I wanted to see the will? I understand I own half the ranch, and I’d like to get the details of exactly what it all means.” She walked into Connor’s office and sat down, her spine stiffer than his wake-up woody that morning.
    Mike sat down, his lawyer face firmly back in place. “Of course, Miss Finley. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. He was a good man, a good client.”
    Connor hadn’t had a chance to tell Mike exactly how angry Alex seemed to be with her father.
    “Funny, I remember him being an asshole. Now, let me see the will, please.” She kept her voice even but the steel in it was sharp enough to cut through bone.
    Mike nodded, but Connor could see he was holding his tongue. The lawyer was an even-tempered man, but Alex tested everyone’s patience. Fury poured off her into the air, making it pulse in the office.
    After opening his briefcase, Mike handed Alex a sheaf of papers. “The will is relatively simple. He made it after Daniel was born, so it’s recent.”
    As she took the papers, Connor noticed her hands shook. He didn’t know if it was anger or fear, or perhaps another unnamed emotion coursing through her. She was a myriad of deep corners he had yet to explore.
    The only sounds in the office were the muffled noises from outside and the scrape of paper as she read the will once, then twice. Her knuckles whitened with each pass. Connor saw the color drain from her face and he realized she was more than just angry. She was suffering.
    “Do you have any questions?” Mike watched her without any expression on his face.
    Alex didn’t answer at first. She stared down at the will as a nearly silent, uneven sigh escaped her lips.
    “His mother holds the ranch in trust for him, right?”
    Connor didn’t have to ask whom she was talking about. Daniel owned the other half of the ranch.
    “Yes, until he reaches twenty-one, she holds the power of attorney for him,” Mike answered matter-of-factly.
    “So what if I want to sell my half? Do I need her permission?”
    Connor’s body tensed even further. This was what he wanted, to buy her half of the ranch, so why did he feel as though he wanted to tell her not to sell? It made no sense whatsoever. How could he reach his dream if he closed the door on it?
    “Are you interested in selling?” Mike’s voice had hardened a little. He didn’t know Alex or anything about her relationship with Grant. Connor didn’t know much but he knew it was complicated.
    “Maybe. This ranch isn’t my home anymore. I don’t know what it is.” Alex glanced at Connor and he saw the raw pain in her eyes. She looked back down at the will.
    He wanted to pull her into his arms. Foolish man.
    “If you decide you want to sell, you would need to review the state laws regarding this type of situation and procure an attorney. Since I was Grant’s attorney, I’m Claire and Daniel’s now. You’d want to protect your interests.” What Mike didn’t say was he wouldn’t help her break up Finley’s, but Connor heard it anyway.
    Alex either didn’t hear or chose to ignore it. “Then I’ll look into getting my own attorney.”
    “There’s one more thing.” Mike pulled out an envelope and held it out for Alex. “He left this for you.”
    Connor would have sworn she couldn’t get any paler, but as her gaze settled on the envelope, she looked like a glass of milk.