Home on the Ranch: Colorado. Julie Benson

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СКАЧАТЬ reminded herself to breathe. Maybe when faced with Rory’s defiance, Devlin would back down.

      Sure, and as Chloe often said, pigs would fly.

      At least Rory was dressed like the cowboy spokesman Devlin wanted. He wore the same navy shirt he’d worn when they’d met, plus his boots and his royal flush belt buckle. “I’m glad you had the common sense to wear the client’s jeans.”

      “Don’t give up, Lizzie.” He reached out to her, but at the last minute pulled back and shoved his hand in his pocket. “You might be surprised how this meeting turns out.”

      His smooth, cool voice wrapped around her, and the confidence in his eyes almost had her believing him. Wait a minute. How could he remain this calm and collected unless he was up to something?

      “Tell me you don’t have some harebrained scheme planned.”

      “Would I do that?”

      “I don’t know you well enough to answer that question.” Elizabeth shook her head. “No, that’s not true. I suspect you’d try just about anything to get your way.”

      “Harebrained ideas aren’t my style.”

      These two men were going to kill her. Either that or drive her completely insane if she didn’t rein them in. But before she could respond, her office phone buzzed. She reached around Rory, grabbed her phone and answered the inside line.

      After ending the call, she picked up her Netbook off her desk. “Devlin’s waiting. Don’t try anything we’ll both regret. He’s a very astute businessman and doesn’t like to be questioned.”

      “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

      “I recognize sarcasm when I hear it, and I don’t appreciate it. At least listen to what the man has to say. He’s always been reasonable in the past.”

      “I have to do what’s right.”

      “Please…” She reached out and placed her hand on his forearm. Muscles rippled under her palm, sending corresponding waves ricocheting through her. “Remain open-minded.”

      A second later he broke the contact. As she and Rory walked toward the conference room, she couldn’t help but think she was heading into a business meeting that would end in a pissing match. As the only non-testosterone-filled party present, she’d be utterly doomed.

      When they entered the conference room, she introduced the two men and they shook hands.

      “I don’t believe in running around the mountain,” Rory said as he sank into a leather chair across from Devlin at the conference table. “I climb straight to the top. I heard you had concerns about the campaign.”

      Elizabeth cringed as she sat beside Devlin and booted up her Netbook. Hadn’t the cowboy ever heard of small talk and tact? She turned to Devlin. “Rory and I met last night.” She tossed him an I-talked-with-him-like-you-told-me-to look. “I shared some of your concerns regarding the campaign.”

      “My first concern has been addressed,” Devlin said. “I wanted to make sure your voice will work in commercials and in public appearances.”

      “I’m glad we have that settled.” Elizabeth retrieved the file containing her notes. “Rory and I discussed him doing spots on morning shows.” She glanced at her file to refresh her fuzzy, sleep-deprived brain, then swiveled her chair toward Devlin. “Rory’s had experience with the local media. Morning shows won’t be his first interview situation. Also, his work with tourists from all over the world has taught him to deal with unusual situations and to think on his feet.”

      She smiled. Could she spin a situation or what?

      “National morning shows are very different from being interviewed by local reporters,” Devlin said.

      Rory leaned forward in his chair and braced his elbows on the table. “People are people. I figure if I treat these high-priced morning show hosts with respect, I ought to do fine.”

      Respect? Sirens blared in Elizabeth’s head, sensing where Rory’s thoughts had turned. Her mind scrambled to determine a way to derail him before he blasted Devlin. Say anything. Just get the words out before Rory does. “That attitude will definitely come across on TV, and people will relate to Rory for that. Don’t you agree, Micah?”

      “I have a lot riding on this campaign,” Devlin said to Rory.

      “As long as I represent your company, in public no one will see me in jeans other than yours.”

      “As it should be.”

      Rory nodded. “I’ll talk up the product. I can tour the rodeo circuit. I know a few boys that might be able to get us some publicity in that market. What you see here is what you get. I pride myself on honesty.”

      Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it shut instead, deciding to sit back and watch the show. Rory had said he was an experienced horse trader. He hadn’t been joking. The cowboy was holding his own with Devlin. No small accomplishment, considering Devlin held an MBA.

      “I expect the same from you,” Rory added. “Which brings me to the issue of money. We had a verbal agreement regarding my payment, and now you’re going back on your word.”

      “This is business, and until there’s a signed contract, everything is negotiable.” Devlin straightened in his chair. “With your experience, thirty thousand for a campaign is a bit high.”

      “I’m worth every penny.” Rory leaned forward.

      The man’s confidence astounded her, and was in fact a thing of beauty to watch.

      “There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance.” Devlin’s hands tightened around the upholstered chair arms as he glared at him.

      “I have a proposition for you,” Rory said, clearly unfazed by Devlin’s harsh look. “I did some checking on the internet last night. From what I gathered, a spokesman is usually paid every time pictures are taken or a commercial is shot. Then he gets paid again when ads run in magazines, newspapers or on TV. He also gets paid more for interviews.”

      Devlin nodded.

      Elizabeth sat back, somewhat shocked. Sure, people could discover just about anything on the web, but that didn’t mean they understood what they read. Rory actually sounded as if he knew what he was talking about.

      “From what I read, the spokesman makes more money that way than with a flat fee, but I read about something called a buyout. I’ll sign a contract today for thirty grand.”

      Thin lines formed around Devlin’s mouth. “I have no guarantee you can pull off interviews or a TV commercial. I’m taking all the risk here.”

      “Then I’ll have my agent call you.”

      Rory’s little gem of news hit Elizabeth right between the eyes. Anger clogged her throat. Agent? How dare he not mention he’d signed with someone?

      Wait a minute. Rory couldn’t have gotten an agent in the last two days. She relaxed. He was bluffing, and doing a damned good job of it.

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