The Russian Billionaire’s Secret(104)

“Lars, you have a very twisted idea of marriage. I may be old fashioned, but I believe marriage is for two people who love each other, and sex is an intimate expression of a married couple’s love. So to be married and not have sex doesn’t even make sense to me.”

Lars shrugged. “Okay, I’m all for sex, I was just clarifying that I didn’t assume anything.”

Eddie stared straight forward. He may be immature and arrogant, but she could see he wasn’t trying to insult her. He was in a real jam with his inheritance, and he did have the means to help her. But she couldn’t marry for convenience or for money, that just wasn’t who she was! She looked at him. Why couldn’t she bring herself to throw him out of the car? Why did he have to be so handsome?

“I’ll think about it,” she heard herself say aloud.

“Yes!” Lars celebrated.

“But I insist you take me out on a date first. Let’s just see how we work together,” Eddie said.

“Done. How ‘bout tonight? Are you staying in town for a while?”

“I wasn’t planning on it. I was going to drive back to the Bible camp tonight.”

“Bible camp?”

“Yes, I am a co-director for a Christian camp in Kenosee Lakes.”

“That’s pretty cool. I went to Bible camp when I was a kid. I had a blast.” Lars looked down and smiled. “I hadn’t thought of that in years.” He drifted off in his memories.

“Lars, are you with me? Maybe this isn’t a good idea after all.”

Lars blinked and jumped. “No! It is! I’m with you. So, how ‘bout you come over to my house tonight and meet my grandfather. You can stay in the guest room tonight. And then… Hey! I’ve got an idea. I’m competing in a rodeo tomorrow. Why don’t you come and watch. It’s something I do that is important to me. And then when that is over, I’ll go with you to Kenosee Lakes and take a look at the property you want to purchase for your park. Will that work for you? Do you have to get back to the camp right away?”

Eddie looked at him. He seemed sincere. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a little time getting to know him. “Okay. That will work. Where is the rodeo?”

“It’s just a couple of hours east. I’ll drive. You can stay in my trailer while we’re at the rodeo. I have two beds on opposite sides of the trailer. I promise to keep my distance. No hanky panky, I swear.”

Eddie smiled. “Deal.”

Chapter 5

Pulling in the Reins

Eddie enjoyed sharing her mission with Anders Fiske. He listened intently to her every word as she repeated her proposal to him while she and Lars ate dinner at his house.

Anders gently hit the table with his hand. “Eddie Dobson, you are a bright young woman. I can see that you are grounded and you have ambition. And I resonate with your appreciation for nature and wildlife. Your Frontier Forever project sounds like the best project we have supported since this whole oil upheaval.”

“Why do you say ‘upheaval’?” Eddie asked as she took another bite of the most scrumptious rib eye steak she’d ever tasted.

Anders rubbed his forehead. “Oh, I don’t know, I guess that’s how it has felt lately. Our lives used to be simple with lots of good ol’ fashioned hard work in the field and with the cattle. But now it feels complicated when people all over the world are trying to get a little piece of our fortune.”

Eddie looked down and nodded.

“I don’t mean you, pretty lady. I am very happy to give our money to worthy causes. I certainly don’t want it all for myself. But to weed through all of causes to find the perfect one can be trying. I’m grateful you were close and able to come in person. That goes a long way.”

Lars put his hand on Eddie’s as it rested on the table. “And I’m also glad I got to meet you in person.”

Eddie felt awkward. She slipped her hand out from under his and put it in her lap. “We’ll see about that.”

Anders chuckled. Lars opened his eyes wide and stared at her.

“Grandpa, Eddie is going to accompany me to the rodeo in Minot tomorrow. When that is over at the end of the week, we are going to Kenosee Lake in Saskatchewan to see the land she has her eye on for the Frontier Forever park.”

Anders nodded and scooted his table chair back. “Sounds good. You keep him in line, young lady.”

“Oh, don’t worry, sir, I will,” Eddie responded.

Anders chuckled again and put his hand on Lars’ shoulder as he walked by. He whispered, “I like this girl, grandson. Don’t blow it.”

Once Anders left the room, Eddie and Lars quietly laughed.

“I think he bought it,” Lars said.

“Bought what? That I’m a great catch?” Eddie teased.

“That we are falling for each other,” Lars explained.

Eddie smiled. “Then I guess it was a successful dinner for you.”

“And for you.” Lars lifted up his wine glass and waited for her to join him.

Eddie looked at Lars. He did have a contagious smile and a sweet demeanor when he wasn’t acting ridiculous. She lifted her glass and clinked his and they sipped their wine together.

The ride to Minot was a little over four hours, driving east on a highway with little to nothing to see. Lars tried to listen as Eddie talked non-stop, but he mostly only heard jabbering. He nodded and said “m-hm” at times when she paused and she seemed satisfied with it. All he needed to do was convince his grandfather that he was a changed man and then he could go back to his lifestyle of choice. Everyone would come out a winner.