Free Her Three Entrepreneurs [The Hot Millionaires #8] by Zara Chase Page B

their community. Some people like routine. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
    “Yeah, I know.” He shook his head. “I just don’t understand their lack of ambition, that’s all. Anyway, my dad’s retired now. The only difference that it’s made to him is that he now fishes just about every day.”
    “Not everyone wants to change the world.”
    “True. I have two sisters and a brother, all still in Virginia. The girls are married with kids. My brother works in the mine, and so do my sisters’ husbands.” He shuddered. “That could have been me.”
    “Presumably they’re happy.”
    “Yeah, that’s what depresses me.”
    “Why?” She leaned up on one elbow and looked down at him, frowning. “Surely you’re pleased with your achievements?”
    “I guess, but something’s missing. That’s why I keep striving for more. It’s partly why I agreed to start something up on this side of the pond.”
    “The international entrepreneur,” she said without a trace of irony.
    “Sounds stupid when you put it like that.” He smiled up at her. “I’ve never told anyone that before, not even the others, although I suspect they’ve guessed.”
    “You three are pretty tight.”
    “We are. We’re each trying to prove something to ourselves, in our different ways.”
    “In work and in play.”
    “Speaking of which,” he said, pushing her back against the pillows and looming over her, “are you willing to let the three of us show you the ropes?” He smiled. “And I mean that quite literally.”
    “Yes,” she said, not even pausing to think about it. “Absolutely.”
    “We have no end of toys we can introduce you to.” He grinned and flicked a finger across one of her nipples. “Lady, we’ll drive you wild.”
    “Not here you won’t. Gramps will probably be home again soon.”
    “Yes, let’s hope so. But you’re not tied to the place twenty-four seven, are you?”
    “No, but if Gramps is convalescing, and someone’s out to harm him, I can’t leave him alone.”
    “We’ll find out who that is soon enough.”
    “How?”
    “Well, we have that appointment with the bank manager tomorrow, remember.” She nodded. “Marty’s gonna tell your friend Jennings that we’re in negotiations with your grandfather to purchase this place.”
    Her eyebrows shot up. “Why?”
    “I dunno, exactly. Call it a hunch.” Bay paused to formulate his argument. “The bank has supported you for years, and then, out of the blue, they pull the rug. Who would have the authority to do that?”
    “Locally, just Jerry Jennings, I suppose. But it could be that the youth I spoke to was telling the truth and the bank’s head office has instigated a new policy.”
    “Possibly, but if that’s the case, you would have gotten more warning.” Bay shook his head. “I get the feeling that Jennings is personally responsible for cutting off your funding, which would explain why he wouldn’t see you himself. And if he is, then he must have a personal reason for doing so.”
    “You think he’s trying to get us out of the farm?” She frowned. “Why?”
    “I have no idea. That’s why I’ve asked Marty to put the cat amongst the bankers, so to speak.”
    “Even if he is involved, he never would have authorised an attack on Gramps.”
    “Shush, go to sleep.” He snuggled down and pulled her with him. “We need to be up before your workers get here, and I assume they’ll arrive at some ungodly hour.”
    Athena nodded. “Afraid so.”
    He kissed her deeply and then watched her profile as her features gradually relaxed. Her breathing became deep and even, and she was asleep in seconds.
     
    * * * *
     
    Athena woke feeling totally at peace with the world. Even thoughts of her grandfather’s condition failed to dispel her good mood. She couldn’t remember when she’d last slept so well. Stretching her arms above her head, she felt soreness in her nipples. It brought their activities of the night before crashing back,