The Donne Deal

By Lori Fayre

FROM EXCITING ROMANCE AUTHOR LORI FAYRE

Book two in the Unexpected Mergers series

Home is where the heart is...

Kindall Armstead was content with her life in the heart of Manhattan. She had a successful career and a welcome lack of romance to muddle things up. So, when Texas cowboy Clint Donne walks into her life, it's more than her client's wedding that he crashes. Before she knows it, her one-time fling has turned into something far more dangerous, and Kindall now finds herself skipping a tropical vacation in favor of a heated Texas ranch in need of serious help.

With family drama, deep secrets and a suspicious local creating trouble for her, Kindall barely has time to plan the Donnes' annual family festival, much less think about the complicated, messy feelings she has for a smooth cowboy with a crooked grin.

With much more at stake than just her heart, can this city girl go back to her roots—or will she shake the dust from her designer shoes and turn her back on the only place that is starting to feel like home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Nov 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781839435577

Lori Fayre

Lori Fayre was born and raised in a small South Georgia town. An obsessive consumer of romance throughout all media, she knew that it was the only genre she could ever write. Love should always be full of passion and adventure, and Lori proves as much in her novels that span multiple genres and pairings. When she’s not writing love stories, she enjoys reading, sketching, and spending time with her husband and Yorkie.

Book preview

Totally Bound Publishing books by Lori Fayre

Single Books

The Devil’s Maverick

Unexpected Mergers

The Alexander Proposal

Unexpected Mergers

THE DONNE DEAL

LORI FAYRE

The Donne Deal

ISBN # 978-1-83943-557-7

©Copyright Lori Fayre 2021

Cover Art by Kelly Martin ©Copyright November 2021

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

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The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2021 by Totally Bound Publishing, United Kingdom.

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Book two in the

Unexpected Mergers series

Home is where the heart is…

Kindall Armstead was content with her life in the heart of Manhattan. She had a successful career and a welcome lack of romance to muddle things up. So, when Texas cowboy Clint Donne walks into her life, it’s more than her client’s wedding that he crashes. Before she knows it, her one-time fling has turned into something far more dangerous, and Kindall now finds herself skipping a tropical vacation in favor of a heated Texas ranch in need of serious help.

With family drama, deep secrets and a suspicious local creating trouble for her, Kindall barely has time to plan the Donnes’ annual family festival, much less think about the complicated, messy feelings she has for a smooth cowboy with a crooked grin.

With much more at stake than just her heart, can this city girl go back to her roots—or will she shake the dust from her designer shoes and turn her back on the only place that is starting to feel like home?

Dedication

For Leyna

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Stetson: John B. Stetson Company Corporation

Nike: Nike Inc.

IKEA: Ikea Svenska Aktiebolag Corporation

Ranger: Polaris Inc.

Irish Spring: Colgate-Palmolive Company Corporation

Mustang: Ford Motor Company Corporation

Pandora: Pandora Jewelry LLC

Bloomin’ Onion: Outback Steakhouse of Florida LLC

Prologue

Fall

You sure you don’t want me to stick around? Clint asked, quirking his lips up in a smile that made Kindall’s heart stutter in her chest. I’ll get another flight tomorrow. It won’t be a problem.

Kindall Armstead had never wanted to say yes to something so quickly in her life. The last twenty-four hours had been nothing short of magical. Between her boss’ wedding going off without a hitch and her getting swept away by a smooth Texas cowboy, she’d had to remind herself more than once that she wasn’t dreaming. It had been fun getting to know Clint Donne, but every fantasy had to end, and that was all it was—a fantasy.

I wouldn’t feel right making you stay, she said, turning her gaze to the sidewalk. It was warm for early morning, and the New York streets were already packed, despite the stars still being out. Kindall took advantage of the noise of the city around them to distract her from what was starting to feel like a mistake.

"Kindall, you wouldn’t be making me do anything, Clint said. I want to stay as long as that’s what you want too."

You’re not making this any easier, she thought. Why couldn’t he just hook up and leave, like every other guy? Why did he have to be so nice to her? The car she’d called for him sat parked behind them. The driver was patient and wouldn’t rush Clint, but she knew that he probably had other places to be. Kindall sighed.

Look, Clint… You made yesterday unbelievable. She finally glanced back up at him. It was the wrong thing to do. He saw right through her with his beautiful brown eyes, and she had to fight to control her voice. You’ve made the last couple of weeks unbelievable, actually. I like you. But we should keep this as a happy memory and not as something we’ll both regret.

What is there to regret? he asked, dropping his suitcase to the concrete and taking a step closer.

Nothing yet. And I think it should stay that way. Kindall adjusted her glasses, doing anything she could to distract herself. It would be better to cut off whatever it was between them before they got hurt. She remembered the first time she’d met him, how charmed she’d been. He was different and fun and most definitely not a part of her plan. And, yes, she would have loved to have kept seeing him, but that wasn’t how things worked for her. Clint was sweet and would make someone very happy someday—just not her.

Do I get a vote? he asked, reaching forward to take her hand. The touch sent tingles through her. Because I really like you too, Kindall. And call me crazy, but I think everything happens for a reason. I want to know you more. Don’t let me leave without the hope that I can do that someday.

Kindall smiled, a warm optimism spreading through her. It was something she hadn’t felt in some time, at least as far as romance went. She’d never been romantic to begin with, but she was really good at pretending. In all honestly, having to plan Jade and Spencer Alexander’s wedding had been hell. True love worked well enough for other people but, at the end of the day, it was just a pretty party that she’d known how to plan.

Whatever it was that pulled her to Clint had gone on longer than it should have. Clint bent his head to catch her attention and Kindall had to resist the temptation to drag him back up to her apartment.

There’s something there, he said. I see it. I’m not asking you to throw away your life and elope, but maybe send a message every once in a while? Let me know how you’re doing now and then, okay?

Kindall chewed at her bottom lip. I guess I could manage that, she said, against her better judgment.

That almost sounded like a yes, Clint joked. He pulled her to him, wrapping her in a warm hug.

Kindall wanted to tell him to stay, but she stopped herself. There was no point in leading him on. Long distance never worked, and it wasn’t worth pursuing. But there was something about Clint that made her feel things she’d never thought she could. It was amazing and alarming at the same time.

I’ll see when I can fit you into my schedule, Kindall said, pressing her cheek into his soft flannel shirt. But I’m not making any promises.

You don’t need to. Clint backed away, tipping Kindall’s face up to his. He leaned in closer, pressing his lips gently to hers. It was a small gesture that shouldn’t have made her so giddy, especially after the night they had spent together. She wished for more than a kiss but knew that anything else would devastate her.

I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon. Clint grinned at her with enough confidence that she was starting to believe she might actually keep in touch.

Bye, Clint. He picked up his suitcase and climbed into the back of the car. The door shut behind him and Kindall folded her arms over her thin coat. She couldn’t see him anymore, but she waited until the car had pulled away and disappeared down the street before she returned upstairs.

Kindall’s apartment seemed emptier than usual, which was strange considering that Clint hadn’t been there long. Then again, she was hardly there herself, preferring to spend her time at the office. She made her way through the hall until she arrived at her bedroom. The sheets were still rumpled and, for some reason she couldn’t explain, she didn’t want to fix them.

This is ridiculous, she said aloud, tearing off her coat and tossing her glasses onto the table before diving back under the covers. Clint Donne had been a nice time, but that was all it could ever be. Kindall wasn’t capable of caring for someone like that. She was all about moving on to the next thing, the next event, the next man. She couldn’t afford to get wrapped up in some cattle rancher who’d come to New York to rescue his ex-girlfriend.

Kindall pulled the pillow to her chest, gripping it tightly. She could still feel Clint’s arms around her and, if she breathed deep enough, she could smell his cologne on the pillow she cradled. No one had treated her like that in quite some time, and she was allowed to have her own feelings, right? This is ridiculous, she repeated to herself, solidifying it as her new mantra.

Her phone dinged from the nightstand, and she picked it up quicker than she meant to. It was a text from her assistant, Laura, and she felt a twinge of disappointment. Of course Clint wasn’t going to text her first. The ball was in her court. She tapped her finger on the side of her phone, her lips pursed as she thought about it.

Opening a new message, she typed in Clint’s number and sent a text.

I checked and there are a few gaps in my schedule. Hope you get home safe.

There, she said. Now there’s no more pressure. It’s his turn.

She plugged her phone in and set it back on the stand, snuggling under the covers and drifting off.

Chapter One

Summer, nine months later

For the first time since she could remember, Kindall was ready for the workday to end. She marched through the open floor, ticking boxes on her tablet once she was sure everything was in order. Laura Cortez, her assistant, followed close behind, making her own notes as they went.

Kindall would be leaving everything in Laura’s care while she was gone. It was a big step for both of them. Laura had never been given so much responsibility at once and Kindall had never trusted anyone to do her job right. But Kindall knew that the young girl was eager, capable and would make her proud.

Laura reminded Kindall of herself in many ways. It wasn’t that they looked alike. Laura was younger, with short black hair and bright green eyes. Her skin was a deep tan, telling of her Salvadoran roots. No, it was the way that Laura was completely devoted to her job, willing to do whatever was necessary. Laura had made it no secret that she wanted Kindall’s position as chief event coordinator someday, and she worked hard to prove herself.

Don’t forget you’ll be meeting with the caterers this weekend, Kindall said over her shoulder, her heels clicking on the tile. And there will be an order coming in early next week with the new dinnerware.

I’ve already got it here, Laura said. You don’t have to worry about a thing.

I know I don’t have to, but I’m going to anyway, she said, stopping at the fabric station. There was a dark cut of fabric with metallic pinstriped threading. What is this?

I think Damien found that earlier, Laura said. He was wondering if we had more of it for the dinner.

What? Where is he? Crumpling the swatch in her hand, she rounded on Laura, looking over her to find her newest employee. Damien was near one of the table settings, flicking his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes. He was young, probably just old enough to legally drink, and had the type of face that screamed ‘heartthrob’.

Kindall wasn’t the type to be duped by a pretty face. Well, except when it came to Clint Donne. Don’t think about him now, she scolded herself. Steeling herself for confrontation, Kindall made her way over to Damien.

Why was this with the fabrics for the executive dinner? she asked sternly, holding the cloth in front of his face.

Oh, that, Damien said slowly. Yeah, I found that in the storage room and thought it would look good or something. He shrugged and offered her a crooked grin.

Kindall could practically feel Laura melting beside her. With a forced smile, Kindall took a step forward. Damien had a few good inches on her, but she knew where true power came from. She stood straight, boring into him with her ice-blue eyes.

When were you going to ask me?

I figured I’d bring it up once I tried it out, he said. There was a slight quiver in his voice that Kindall caught. You know, better to ask forgiveness than permission and stuff.

Things don’t work that way around here, Kindall said. I am always open to suggestions, and I love to hear new ideas during the planning phase. But we are well past that and, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the ordering phase. You can’t add new items to an order at the last minute. It goes against the plan we’ve worked hard to create.

Damien raised his hands in surrender, taking a few steps back. I’m sorry, he said. It won’t happen again, Miss Armstead.

See that it doesn’t. She offered him a more polite smile before turning on her heel and heading back toward her office.

Did you have to be so mean to him? Laura asked, jogging to keep pace with Kindall.

Yes, I did. He’s new and needs to learn how things work around here. Kindall shut down her tablet. I can’t afford to have a wild card on my team, and that’s what he’s turning out to be. You just want me to be nice because you think he’s cute.

That’s not true, Laura argued, but the slight pink in her cheeks gave her away. Whenever you’re done establishing the pecking order, I’ll be ready for your lists.

And what makes you think there will be lists?

I don’t know, working directly under you for the past few years? Laura held out her hand.

They’re in my desk, Kindall said. She rolled her eyes, shoving the glass door to her office open with her shoulder. I don’t know why you’re judging me for this. The dinner is in less than three weeks, and I’ll be gone for two of them.

But you’ve already done most of the work. We just need to follow the plan, which we know how to do.

If there’s an emergency, though, you’ll have this. She pulled out a pink folder and handed it to Laura. Just in case you can’t get in touch with me.

Laura took the folder and flipped through the pages before tucking it under her tablet. Anything else I need to know?

Kindall looked down at her watch. Only half an hour to go. "That’s it. Just keep things running like I’m