Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire

‘Howard?’ Flynn held his cell phone to his ear.

‘Yes, I do. Just...don’t touch the bull.’

He listened then. Obviously to the other man’s justifications. She scowled. There were no justifications for—

‘Howard wants to know if you’re okay with him dredging the dam in the western paddock of the Seymour place...’

Oh, yes, that was long overdue.

‘...extending the irrigation system on the southern boundary...’

There’d be money for that?

‘...and installing solar panels on the roofs of all the homesteads?’

She swallowed and nodded. ‘Those things all sound great. I don’t have a problem with improvements.’

Flynn spoke to Howard for a few moments more and then rang off.

She swung back to him. ‘When I return to the farm, who’s going to be in charge—him or me?’

‘I’ll be in charge, Addie.’

Oops, that was right. Still, if rumour were anything to go by, Flynn didn’t stay in any one spot for too long.

‘You and Howard will have authority over different areas. You’ll be in charge of the breeding programme. He’ll be in charge of overseeing major improvements. I’ll be overseeing the two of you.’

Unless she managed to change his mind by turning into the perfect PA. Which reminded her...

‘I’m sorry I had that outburst in the meeting.’

He shrugged. ‘It needed something to liven it up.’

It didn’t change the fact that she should’ve had more presence of mind than to shout out during a business meeting. She bit her lip and glanced at him. ‘So, you didn’t find that meeting riveting?’

‘Absolutely not.’

She sagged. ‘I thought it might’ve just been me. Jet lag or something.’ She retrieved her notebook and handed it to him. ‘I’m really sorry, but my mind kept drifting off.’

He laughed when he read her notes—or lack of them.

‘I promise to do better next time.’

He handed the notebook back. ‘I only asked you to jot things down to keep myself awake.’

She wrinkled her nose. ‘Are all business meetings that dull?’

‘Not at all. Herr Gunther was just doing his best to bore and obfuscate.’

He’d succeeded with her. ‘Why?’

‘Because he favours one of my rivals and is hoping this other party can get a jump on me somehow.’

‘There’s a rival?’

‘There’re several, but only the one we need worry about.’

‘Will this rival get a jump on you? Should we be worried?’

His eyes suddenly blazed and one of his hands clenched. ‘I say bring it on. The harder and the dirtier the battle, the more satisfying it’ll be.’

Really?

‘Regardless of the cost, Addie, this is one battle I mean to win.’

She swallowed. Right.

‘The upshot of the meeting is that there’s been a delay in processing probate.’

The one thing Addie had fathomed from the meeting was that the person who’d owned the premises that housed the brewery and beer hall had recently died. Hence the reason the property would soon be on the market. The probate referred to the reading of this man’s will so his estate could be finalised.

‘Herr Gunther will try to draw that delay out for as long as he can, but we’re not going to let him.’

That made them sound thrillingly powerful and masterful. She clapped her hands. ‘So?’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘So?’

‘What next? Do we head over to these Schubert, Schuller and Schmidt’s of yours and come up with a game plan?’

‘They already have my instructions. You, Adelaide Ramsey, have the rest of the day off to do whatever you want.’

Really? That was the entirety of her work for the day?

‘Go out and explore. Sightsee.’ He glanced up when she didn’t move. ‘If I need you I have your mobile number. I’ll call you if something comes up.’

Right. She gathered up her things.

‘And, Addie?’

She turned in the doorway. ‘Yes?’

‘Have fun.’

Oh, she meant to, but she wouldn’t be sightseeing in this gorgeous and compelling city. At least, not this afternoon. If she wanted to convince Flynn that she was perfect PA material, she had work to do.