"There is no way you can do it, Katie," Ross said, the anguish clear on his lined face. "If I could help you, I would, but I don't have enough cash to lend you, and you know the bank won't help any more. Just walk away and start again. You're young enough. Find a good man and forget this."
Kate glared at him in horror. "There is no way in hell that I will walk away. You of all people should know that. You taught me almost as much as my father about the land. You know it's in my blood, and I will never, ever, walk away from the people who rely on me for their wage and a roof over their heads. Just get me the figures, and I will deal with it from there."
Kate stood, untangling Tilly's arms from her, and then reached for her hat. She jammed it firmly on her head before looking back at the lawyer. "Thank you for coming out, Ross. I have things to see to."
She turned on her heel and walked out of the kitchen. Kate held her composure until she made it to the tractor shed where she leaned wearily against the old Fergusson and wept hot, silent tears as the lawyer's words raced around in her brain. How could he do this to me, to all of us? I had been relying on his life insurance to sort the farm out. He had always told me it was there and that I would be all right. Why, Dad, why did you go off the rails like that?
* * *
Exhausted beyond belief, Kate crawled into bed that night with the paperwork Ross had left her on the kitchen table. Her eyes scanned the figures, she groaned in disbelief as she added them up in her head. Even without the personal loans her father had taken out for gambling, they were so far behind with the mortgage it would be impossible for her to ever catch up without brokering a deal with the neighbor. I had been so sure the figures that Magnus had shown me were bogus. A ploy to get me into his bed for his own perverted reasons. They'd looked too ridiculous to be real in my mind. Now I know the truth. We are flat broke, and he was my only lifeline.
* * *
"I understand, Mr. Roberts," Kate said into the phone cradled against her shoulder while her fingers toyed with a loose strand of unruly hair. "If you could just let me have one more week, I think I've got a solution. No, I'm not at liberty to discuss it just yet, but it looks promising." Kate screwed up her eyes and took a deep breath as the words caught in her throat. "No worries, I'll call you next week then."
She hung the phone up on the wall and slid down to the floor, her stomach a heap of twisted knots and pain. Wrapping her arms around her body, Kate bit her bottom lip to dull the moan that escaped from her mouth.
"Katie, babe, whatever is the matter?" Tilly crouched down and wiped a soft hand over Kate's brow. She cupped her hands around the young woman's face and forced her to open her eyes. "Tell me, pet. What is it?"
"That was the bank," Kate whispered, her breath catching at the dismay she saw in Tilly's eyes as her words sank in. "They have given me one week and not a day more. I have to go back and see him, Tilly. I have to make him see reason. It's our only way out of this mess."
"Aye, pet, I know," Tilly replied. "Make sure that you get it in writing though, just in case he changes his mind. We can't have him taking all the water his heart desires and not be paying for it, now can we?"
Kate dropped her head back onto her knees. If Tilly knew that there was more than money to pass hands with the water, she would personally skin Magnus Lane alive. It has to be my secret, my shame to bear, to be kept between the two of us because my father couldn't cope with the loss of his wife.
"Pretty yourself up, Katie girl. Do your hair and put on a clean shirt at least." Tilly tugged at the front of Kate's old dusty shirt. "Just because we are in the poor house it doesn't mean you have to look like it. This is a business meeting, and you should look like you are going to have a serious discussion with the man. And make sure you get it in writing too," Tilly reiterated.
That would look good on paper. Kate washed her face and ran a brush idly through her hair. Kate Holden, one mistress for Magnus. The sale of the water rights for enough money to keep her home for the next six months was a bargain. The fact that she had to toss in her virginity as well was the sticking point. Stubbornness made her refuse to put on a clean shirt. He should know what he is getting—a no-frills, down-to-earth, unused, and naive female. She ignored Tilly's disapproving look as she walked out to her truck and headed for the meeting that would take her innocence.
Chapter 2
Magnus's gut tightened as he recognized the old vehicle barreling down his driveway, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. Running his hand over the old Arab's mane, he continued to comb out the tangles. He flinched as the door slammed and Kate stalked over to stand beside Killer. He noted the rebellious gleam in her eyes as she came to a halt on the other side of the horse.
"Kate, nice to see you
