A Billionaire in Disguise #1 : Forbidden Disclosure(14)

"Mark, draw up some papers, I want to purchase a farm at forty-seven Shenandoah Road, Prairie Tennessee. I want all three hundred acres and the dwellings. I don't care what the cost is. Pay whatever they're asking. I need this put on the top of your pile, Mark."

Rosie chimed in the second Francesco hung up. "Mr. Giordano, this is very expensive. Even if you buy this farm I can't afford to stay here. It will take the rest of my life to pay for the many loans, and even then it won't be the complete amount."

"Rosie, please call me Francesco. What you need to know is that we have money. We aren't going to stand by and watch you suffer or struggle even for one more day. I need to know who you owe and we'll take care of it now. Then, you're coming to my home, since you were so kind to let my son into yours."


 

 

 

"Daniel, is this real?" Rosie was afraid to feel hopeful.

"It's all real, Rosie. Your new life, which you're more than deserving of, is about to begin." Daniel wrapped his arms around her and struggled to maintain his composure.

After a few more phone calls, Francesco phoned Carl and requested a limo because there was no way that all three of them were going to fit in the old pickup. Rosie cooked one of her amazing meals as they waited for the limo to drive in from Nashville. Daniel never saw his father consume that much food, that fast, in his life.

"Rosie, this was the most amazing meal I've ever eaten. And if I don't stop, I'm not going to fit in any automobile." Francesco laughed and gave Rosie his biggest smile.

As the limo pulled up, so did the local farmer and Sam, who was wearing an evil smirk on his face.

"What the hell is this?" demanded Sam. "Rosie is signing over this farm to me as soon as we get the two deadbeat horses out of here. I was just informed that someone is trying to buy the place. It's mine so ya'll better just move along."

"You can't take this farm, Sam. And you won't go near either of my horses. There's been nothing signed and no money has exchanged hands. Get off of my property. Your days of bullying me are over!"

Sam stepped close to Rosie and shoved her. That was the last straw.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her!" Daniel drew back his fist, but his father stopped him.

"Son, you can't strike an old man! It isn't right. But I can!" Francesco hit Sam in his face, causing him to go to the ground. "Get off this property and don't you ever step another foot on it again!"

Sam got up, and both he and the farmer turned to leave. "You'll pay for this, Rosie!"

Francesco glared at the two men until he could no longer see them. "Rosie, you can't stay here. You need to come with us.

"Francesco, I can't leave. No one is here to take care of my horses."

"Rosie, I have someone that I trust who will transport the horses to New York. Movers will come and pack up your house, and then we'll put it all on the market if you don't want to keep it. If you do, I'll sign it over to you and you can live here debt free. I'll hire men to work the farm so you never have to do this labor again. I'll even hire security for you so that no one brings you any trouble. That's a promise." Francesco held her hand, bent and kissed it, then gave her his beautiful Giordano smile.

"Francesco, I can't thank you and Daniel enough for all you've done. But I can't just leave. There are things I need to do, and I don't want to leave my horses unattended. I don't trust Sam. He'll be back and I'm afraid he'll bring them harm." 

"Father, I'll stay on the farm with Rosie until the horses are on their way. I'll help her decide what she wants to take or leave, and when everything is settled and Rosie feels at ease, we'll make our way to the airport."

"Okay, Son. When you're ready you let me know, and I'll have the jet waiting in Nashville. I'm so very proud of you. Even though you've gotten more muscles I would still like to get some security out here."

"No, I don't think he'll be back before we're able to get the horses out of Prairie," said Daniel, as he didn't want his father to worry.

Francesco kissed Daniel's forehead, hugged Rosie, and then climbed in the back of the limo.

Chapter 8

Rosie sat at the kitchen table, completely consumed with worry. It wasn't as if Sam Montoose was going to quietly go away. It was getting pretty late but Rosie didn't feel like she should close her eyes.

"Rosie, you've been shredding tissues left and right. My father has made sure things are going to be okay. It might take some time for all the necessary paperwork to go through, but Sam won't be getting this farm, and your horses are going to be okay. I can stay up here in the house so you're not alone."

"Daniel, that's sweet of you. But I've lived alone for ten years, and I'm not worried about anything happening to me. I'm worried about the horses. They're locked in the barn and Sam knows this."

"I'll sleep down in my old room then. I'll keep an eye on your girls, so don't worry about them. You should try to get some sleep though." Daniel didn't think he was going to ease the woman's fears. He couldn't blame her.

"I'll be just fine, Daniel. Here's the key to your room. Don't go worrying about me, you hear?"

"I'll always worry about you. Call me if you can't sleep or if you need anything, Rosie, and I mean it." Daniel took the key and a flashlight, kissed Rosie's cheek, and headed down to the barn.

He went in through the back entrance. As soon as he opened the door, the fresh scent that he'd been missing filled his senses. He felt such comfort seeing the things that Rosie had made, especially the beautiful quilt. Stripping down to his boxers, he slipped under the covers and closed his eyes.

Katherine immediately came into his thoughts. Where is she? He could picture her so clearly and wished more than anything that he could take that entire day back. Daniel's evil accusations, his behavior with Emily, even hitting her cousin in the mouth was eating at him. Looking back, the behavior that Katherine exhibited could have very well been platonic to any passerby. But Daniel had jumped to conclusions. She will never forgive me. I've lost my chance with her.

Sometime after three in the morning, Daniel fell into a deep sleep. At four, the sounds of the horses screaming and kicking their stalls brought him to his feet. Black smoke was leaking into his room. Throwing on his clothes and boots as fast as he could, he grabbed the flashlight and opened the door leading inside of the barn. He couldn't see much through the smoke, but the bright, riveting fire toward the front of the barn was terrifying and spreading fast. He pulled up his shirt to cover his nose and mouth and felt his way to the big sliding door on the side of the barn, unlatched it, and slid it open. The horses were wild with fear. He had to get them out of there. Standing with his back to the fire, he opened the stall doors and hoped they wouldn't run the wrong way. He began waving his arms and, luckily, the horses bolted outside. He had remembered Rosie telling him that they could sense his fear, so he tried to remain calm. It wasn't easy. The barn was too engulfed in flames to be slowed by a hose. Daniel didn't even attempt it.


 

 

 

Rosie was already running towards the barn when Daniel met her halfway.

"They're out, Rosie, stop! The horses aren't in the barn, they're okay. We have to get a vet and the fire department out here!" Daniel had to yell. Rosie nodded her head and went running back inside the house.

By the time the fire department and volunteers arrived, the barn was completely collapsing. The vet arrived within an hour with a large pickup and horse trailer. Catching two frightened horses proved to be a challenge. But as daylight began to approach, improved visibility was helping them. The vet brought out ropes to help capture them, but when Rosie walked to the end of the pasture and whistled, the girls came to her. Daniel opened up the fence so the vet could back the trailer up instead of walking the horses near the barn. Daniel drove Rosie to the vet's office so the horses could be examined for burns and smoke inhalation. Luckily, they were going to be fine, just frightened, but he wanted to keep them over night to make sure. That was a big relief; the horses had no more shelter at home.

Daniel stepped outside the vet's office and called his father. "Sam burned the barn down. The horses are okay, but only because I was sleeping near them and heard the commotion. I didn't see Sam, but I know it was him. We have to get these horses out of Prairie today. He'll kill them both."

"That stupid little man … I'll call you right back, Daniel. He could have killed the horses, but more importantly, he could have killed you!" Daniel never heard his father talk with that much vengeance. He hung up the phone, and seeing Rosie's worried face, he wrapped his arms around her.

"What am I going to do with the girls, Daniel? There isn't a safe place for them in this town." Rosie let the tears flow as Daniel held her.

"We're getting you and the horses out of Prairie today. They'll be safe here until we move them. I'm coming back to your house with you and we're going to get this moving thing going. You're done with Prairie. Sam has no idea who he picked a fight with."

Driving back to the house, Daniel noticed the police car pulling into the driveway.

The officer approached Daniel's window. "Are you Daniel Giordano?"

"Yes I am, and this is Rosie Montoose. She lives here."

"I just got off the phone with your father. We picked up Sam. A farmer has come forward as a witness to some conversations with him regarding the barn fire and his plan to kill the horses in that fire. He was also charged with the assault against Mrs. Montoose. I'll be staying outside here until you're set to leave."