Heart Work

By Maghan Hunt

After his loving, yet secretive, mother dies, a successful contract lawyer must choose between two worlds - his career, legacy, and current love interest or the family ranching legacy and love he abandoned.

Collin Knight has everything he could want - a chance to be partner at a top Los Angeles law firm, an enviable client list, and a beau

• Language: English
• Publisher: Midnight Waters Incorporated
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798987009598

Maghan Hunt

Maghan Hunt is a romance writer living off coffee most days. Humor, joy, and sarcasm make frequent appearances in her writing. She is a native to Northern California, and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. When she isn't writing, she can be found in her garden, playing with her son and her dog, or in nature practicing her photography.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done

- Lucille Ball

Mr. Knight? You have a call from your mother."

Tell her I’ll call her back, Collin snapped.

Collin Knight sat behind his desk, peering over a tower of files. His associates had dumped the files on his desk earlier that morning. Now, he wondered how he would survive his day. At thirty-six, he was well on his way to making partner at his law firm. He’d been working at the firm for over a decade.

Achieving that goal—becoming partner—was all he ever wanted.

She's on hold, sir, his secretary replied. Said it's urgent she speak with you.

I said to tell her I’ll call her back, Collin snapped.

Sir, she is insistent about speaking to you. She said—

Collin pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Please tell her I'll call her later, he said, interrupting his secretary. He spoke in a slow, lofty tone that bordered on condescending. I have several meetings to get through. Urgent meetings. I will call her back later, he barked.

Yes, Mr. Knight.

Collin ran a hand through his hair as he refocused on the file before him. His cell phone began to vibrate, but he silenced it without so much as a glance.

Billy. Collin chucked a file in Billy’s direction. "If I don't have a signed contract on my desk by the time I leave for the airport Wednesday, you're fired—I don’t care who your grandfather is."

Billy nodded. He hopped to his feet and moved fast, almost dropping the file, but bending to catch it just before it could make contact with the floor.

Collin sighed. He kept telling himself Billy had to be good for something.

But as soon as Veronica walked by, Collin forgot all about Billy.

Veronica was a stunning display of femininity. Her graceful lines, lush breasts, and slender frame were every man's fantasy.

Collin had been seeing Veronica Phillips, a fellow lawyer at his firm, off and on again now for a few years. He wanted to make their relationship official but this seemed like wishful if naive thinking: she was not only his coworker but the daughter of one of the firm’s partners.

Playfully, she dropped a new file on Collin’s desk. It landed with a thud.

You have my attention. Collin pretended to review the file but was distracted by Veronica’s partially open mouth. She possessed plump, pillow-soft lips.

You never fail, Veronica. Keep up the good work. Before you know it, you’ll be a senior lawyer joining me on one of my business trips.

Frank would love that, Veronica cooed. If they make you partner, you know, you’ll be the youngest partner at this firm in years.

Collin gave her a warm smile. As long as it happens before I turn thirty-eight. That’s the goal, and it’s only a few more years away.

Veronica leaned forward. Collin took advantage of the improved view he now had of her cleavage.

Well, you're impressing all the right people, she whispered.

Veronica stood up and closed the door to his office. When she sauntered back to Collin, she perched herself on the corner of his desk and scooted closer to him. She was careful to make sure they didn't touch.

Do you want me to help Billy with his files? I know he’s been behind with work and it’s been making you a little … fussy. Unless you need me somewhere else? Veronica's voice dropped to a sultry whisper.

Collin’s body radiated with heat. It had been too long since he and Veronica had been able to just be together. Too many social obligations, too many corporate acquisitions, too many mergers—he just didn’t have the time.

Collin, with a light touch, traced Veronica's thigh. That acquisition is a top priority, Veronica. Please. Help Billy.

Collin then leaned forward and handed Veronica the file from his desk. She winked at him and Collin let out a low growl. Veronica just laughed as she waltzed out of his office.

Collin took a few deep breaths. Veronica, it seemed, knew how to get under his skin. But all he knew was that he had meetings today—many meetings. He told himself to focus; to not let Veronica distract him from his goal.

A few minutes later, a businessman in his mid-fifties walked through the door.

Phil! It's good to see you, Collin said, standing up. I have all the numbers and figures you asked for, as well as the final contracts to go over.

Phil chuckled as he shook Collin's hand. That's why I love working with you Collin! You don't waste my time, and get right down to business.

I try.

Collin gestured for him to sit down as he closed the door to his office.

Phil Hamilton was an influential real estate developer who had chosen Collin to represent him on all his contracts. It was a tremendous honor.

You're going to Japan in a few days, right? Phil asked as he looked over the papers and signed.

Yes, I'll be gone almost a week. But as always, you can call me any time. Day or night, Collin assured.

Phil chuckled and slid the papers back across the desk. "Collin, I once waited two weeks for you to figure out a deal for me that would have taken a more experienced lawyer a week, tops. People thought I was nuts for hiring you. But when you came back with the answer and contracts, it was thorough, well-articulated, and iron-clad.

You do great work, but you work too hard! You need to remember there is a world outside of this office. You only get one shot at life, Collin."

I’ll slow down eventually, Collin rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

When?

When I make partner.

Everyone always says that, Phil chuckled. Then they never do—until it's too late. Trust me. Live your life. Money, prestige, titles. Those are all empty pillars, yet we tie ourselves to them. Compared to everything else in life, it’s just not worth it.

I'll keep that in mind.

"Good! Slow down and enjoy life. Enjoy Tokyo. I'll see you when you get back," Phil said as he gathered his things.

Sounds good. Take care, Phil.

Collin studied the awards on the shelf across from his desk. He then looked over at a photo of himself, his mother, and his father. It was taken when he was about ten years old, on the front porch of his childhood home.

Collin picked up his cell to call back his mom, but his secretary interrupted him.

Sir, you're needed in the conference room. They are asking for you.

Tell them I'll be right there.

Collin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He took one last look at the photo before grabbing a file on the edge of his desk. He'd call his mom later, and then he would plan a vacation.

❧

Thank you, Vee. I’ll see you in the morning.

Collin gestured at the police officer to take a seat. Veronica had let the officer in after noticing him wandering around the office with a lost expression.

Once the officer sat down, Veronica left and closed the door behind her.

How are you today, officer … Collin trailed off.

Lieutenant Steve Taylor. And you’re Mr. Collin Knight?

Yes, I am. What’s this all about?

Collin’s palms began to sweat. Lt. Taylor looked around the office. He looked at anything and everything—except Collin. He wouldn’t make eye contact with him.

The lieutenant cleared his throat, and at last looked Collin in the eye. The pity and remorse, etched into Lt. Taylor’s body language, made Collin uneasy.

There is no easy way to say this, Mr. Knight, Lt. Taylor began. "At 15:48 this afternoon, your mother was in a car crash. She was on a country road, heading back to Cottonwood from Red Bluff. When she rounded a blind corner, she hit a bull that was standing in the middle of the road. The impact caused her SUV to go off the road into a ditch where it rolled a few times.

Holy fuck, Collin whispered. His body trembled. What hospital is she at? I have to get out of here and see her right away.

Collin jumped from his chair and was heading to the door when the lieutenant grasped his arm. They traded a look that told Collin everything the lieutenant hadn’t already said with words.

No, you’re wrong. You … she called earlier. She can’t be dead. You’re wrong.

She didn’t make it, son. She was killed instantly and pronounced dead at the scene.

Tears streamed down Collin’s face.

She’s dead? Margaret Anne Knight, age fifty-eight, is dead? Because of a fucking bull?

Yes. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.

❧

Collin sat and stared through his office window. He watched the sparkling lights of the distant city buildings, the people on the street just living their lives. Meanwhile, Collin's world was collapsing.

All he had ever wanted was to be a success. After his father was diagnosed with cancer when Collin was seventeen, he watched his mother struggle to maintain the family ranch—and helped her, as much as a seventeen-year-old can in that situation.

Once he was accepted into law school, everything changed. Collin began to split his time between college and running the ranch until a few years later when his dad died. Collin never returned home after his father’s death. He did, however, promise his mom that someday—once he’d made partner at the firm—he’d come back to her and help with the ranch.

She had called him earlier for what would be the last time, and he blew her off for some stupid acquisition. Mere hours ago, it had been so important to handle the acquisition.

Now, as Collin reflected on his priorities, what was the point?

Collin swept an arm across his desk, sending his computer, phone, papers, and pens cascading to the floor. He thrust his briefcase at the shelves against the wall. It sent broken glass and stray papers flying. Collin’s awards plummeted to the floor where they smashed into a million pieces.

Looking around, Collin felt there was something familiar—uncomfortable, but intimate—about the sudden chaos of his office.

Chapter 2

Ten years from now, make sure you can say you chose your life, you didn't settle for it

- Mandy Hale

Collin?"

There was no answer when Veronica gave a light knock on his office door.

Collin was in his office, but his throat was raw. The city lights beyond his window had become his lifeline. If he stared for long enough, and hard enough, maybe he could stop crying. At least, that’s what he hoped as he gazed upon the city skyline. Maybe if he gazed for long enough the pain, with its strange and unfamiliar blend of numbness, would at last evaporate.

Veronica picked her way through the broken glass and papers before kneeling in front of Collin. She took his hands in hers as she tried to catch his eye.

Collin? What do you need me to do?

You can’t fix anything. She’s dead, Collin replied, his voice hoarse.

Veronica wrapped her arms around Collin.

I didn’t even take her last phone call.

Veronica laid a finger over Collin’s lips. I’m here. You focus on yourself. Get yourself pulled together enough to go home. I’ve got everything else.

Veronica pulled out her cell phone, gathered Collin’s keys and wallet, and guided him out of the office. She wasn’t sure if he was even going to be okay enough to fly, but she made the necessary calls and booked the flight anyway.

❧

Collin was on a chartered flight to Redding with everything he needed to get him through the next few weeks. Veronica’s grace under fire amazed him. She had even gone through his contacts on his phone and called his Aunt Lilly.

Collin declined Aunt Lilly’s offer to pick him up at the airport. He would get a rental and then drive the twenty miles to her house.

As the pilot announced the plane’s descent, Collin looked over Veronica’s hastily written list. She had limited the list to five items. Each one reminiscent of how one would speak to a child, but he couldn’t blame her for treating him like one.

Collin picked up the keys to his rental car and got on the road. He was exhausted and felt like he could sleep for a decade. An empty void had replaced his sorrow, but it was a welcome reprieve from his rollercoaster of grief.

He pulled onto the off-ramp exit for Cottonwood. Driving down Main Street, he noticed it was just as he remembered it. Cottonwood was still comprised of four or five blocks on one side of the interstate, and another four or five blocks on the other. There were a few subdivisions and a couple of small neighborhoods before the abrupt transition to ranches.

His aunt lived on ten acres, located about fifteen minutes from the Good Knight Ranch. The Good Knight Ranch had been in Collin’s father’s family for five generations.

In the distance, Collin saw the lights from his aunt’s front gate. Hers was the last house in the neighborhood. It was one of the smallest homes, as well as one of the oldest—which meant it had the most history.

As Collin pulled near, the gate opened. His aunt’s silhouette was waiting for him by the front window. When he exited the car, he took slow steps. He did not rush to walk to the front door, where his aunt grabbed him in a tight bear hug. Her small stature belied her strength.

Hi, Aunt Lilly.

She sniffed a few times, tightening her embrace. He could tell that she, like him, was trying to compose herself into someone whose outward appearance did not match her interior.

She’s gone. She’s just gone.

Lilly collapsed against Collin, the strength seeming to evaporate from her body.

I know, he whispered. I know.

The pair clung to each, Lilly sobbing as silent tears ran down Collin’s cheeks. After several moments, Lilly pulled back. She patted his arm as she pulled out her handkerchief. Come. Let’s sit in the parlor. The O’Briens are in there along with Pastor Rick.

Collin nodded as Aunt Lilly led him to the parlor.

Collin, it’s good to have you home, Pastor Rick said as he embraced him.

Willie O’Brien and his two sons greeted Collin and offered their condolences. The O’Briens had been neighbors of the Good Knight Ranch for four generations. They were like family.

Well, since Collin has arrived safely, Pastor Rick began, I will take my leave. You know where I live, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Willie looked at his sons. Well boys, we can all catch up tomorrow. Let’s get some sleep and give Lilly and Collin some space. Holler if you need anything.

Once everyone was gone, Aunt Lilly turned to look at Collin.

How are you doing, Collin? Are you okay? Lilly asked.

Collin studied her for a moment. She had always been a petite woman, at five feet five inches tall, but her willowy frame made her seem fragile—as if she could shatter at any moment.

I’m as okay as one gets after suddenly losing their mother to a crash.

Lilly squeezed his hand.

What was she even doing going through the back roads from Red Bluff? The interstate is faster. It makes no sense, and then she had called me earlier to talk, but—

She wasn’t coming from Red Bluff, Lilly began. Margaret went to go to drop off some old crates and a few antiques to a bed and breakfast owner in Igo. It had taken longer than she had expected, so she was rushing to get back into the valley.

Collin leaned forward, a silent tear dropping to the floor. He held his head with his hands. Such a simple explanation. Such a simple and easy task.

He bolted upright.

Whose bull was it?

Lilly put a hand on Collin’s arm.

What would arresting or suing someone accomplish?

Collin lept from the couch, running his hands through his hair as he paced back and forth. It would send a message to pay attention to the fences along the damn roads! That’s what it would do!

Cattle get out regardless of how careful and vigilant ranchers are. Charging someone with her death, when they already know it was their bull, will do what for this situation? The bull is dead. The cattle rancher is devastated. They had just repaired that section of fencing not more than three days ago. There was a wind storm, Collin. A tree fell, cattle got out, and life happens.

"Someone needs to