To Love and to Cherish by Leigh Greenwood Read Free Book Online Page B

the money?”
    â€œDo you?”
    â€œI won’t know until you tell me how much the ranch is worth.”
    He tossed out a figure he was certain she couldn’t meet. “But it won’t make any difference if you have the money. I don’t want a partner.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œDo I need a reason?”
    â€œA reasonable man would have one, and I believe you’re more than reasonable.”
    Jared had always considered himself a rational man, so it came as a shock to realize he didn’t have a reason for not accepting a woman as a business partner. He’d never known it to happen and had unconsciously assumed it wouldn’t work. But what would a partnership with Laurie entail? Nothing but an infusion of money. She wouldn’t live at the ranch, she wouldn’t ride with them, and she wouldn’t know enough about ranching to make the business decisions. Since she was obviously gifted in math, she would probably want to see the books to make sure she was getting her fair share of the profits, but that would be the extent of her involvement. Partnership with her would be the perfect solution.
    â€œI’m ashamed to say I don’t have a reason beyond never having seen it happen before.”
    â€œThen if you will give me a realistic figure for the cost of a full partnership, we can discuss terms.”
    Jared was so curious he had to ask. “Where did you get your grasp of business? The women I’ve known haven’t been interested in anything beyond babies and what to cook for supper.”
    â€œMy father owned the mercantile with my husband. I’ve heard the two of them and Norman discuss business at the supper table for years. Since I was only a woman who couldn’t understand anything they said well enough to repeat it later, they talked about everything.”
    Jared’s father had done much the same. “Okay, here’s what I paid for the ranch.” The figure was so low she raised her eyebrows in surprise. “It covers only the land, the house, and the other buildings. The range is free to anyone who can hold it.”
    Her enthusiasm disappeared. “I can’t meet that figure and pay for my share of the herd.”
    He was relieved. He much preferred that her involvement be limited to the herd. “That’s okay with me. I only wanted enough money to buy the stock.”
    â€œIt’s not okay with me. If I can’t be a full partner, I won’t be a partner at all.”
    Jared could see his dream was about to crumble if he didn’t do something quickly. “Why is being a full partner so important to you? You said you know nothing about ranching.”
    At first, Laurie seemed reluctant to answer. Was his question too personal? Was she hiding more secrets she didn’t wish to share? Whatever the reasons for her reluctance, she appeared to set them aside. She spoke with a directness that left no room for doubt or insecurity.
    â€œI’ve been ignored my whole life for the simple fact that I’m a woman. It was assumed I had no intelligence and wouldn’t have wished for any. I was told what to do and was expected to be grateful for it. That will not happen again .”
    Jared couldn’t believe such a beautiful woman had been treated so badly. He’d have willingly turned himself into a slave to be able to make love to a woman like Laurie. Noah Spencer must have been a complete and utter fool.
    â€œA limited agreement wouldn’t mean that you were ignored. You would have access to the books so you would know the exact amount of all costs and profits. You would be welcome to come inspect them at any time.”
    She was unmoved. “I can’t accept that. I would feel like an outsider asking permission to see what was my own. I wouldn’t know what was happening with my investment. This is all the money I have. If I lose it, I’ll be a prisoner for the rest of my life.” Her