The Baby Claim. Catherine Mann

      Normal businesses could blend. But this would be like combining flint and matchsticks. This was fire, an explosion—the end result possibly destroying everything they’d built.

      The confirmation of Broderick’s worst fear since he’d learned of those damned stock purchases stoked the flames of his anger to a full blaze. In a simple sentence, a single revelation, his father was risking what Broderick had devoted his entire adult life to preserving and growing.

      “Blending the companies? As in blending everything? You can’t just expect that we’ll—I’ll—accept that.”

      Jack leaned in nose to nose with his oldest son, a gesture of dominance. “That is exactly what I expect. I’m still the majority shareholder in Steele Industries, and Jeannie is majority shareholder in her company, as well. The board may have concerns. You and Glenna may have concerns. But Jeannie and I have thought this through. It’s time for the feud to end. We are merging the companies. She and I are prepared do whatever is necessary to make that happen. You can join forces to make us a more powerful entity, or you can cash in your portion and I’ll buy it at fair market value. Your choice.”

      “Think about what you’re saying, brother,” Conrad hissed in alarm, placing a hand on Jack’s arm. “Are you prepared to cut out your children? Your flesh and blood?”

      Broderick was wondering the same thing. If his father expected him to surrender their company without a fight, then his old man was going to be very surprised.

      Jack chewed thoughtfully. “I did not say anything about cutting anyone out. I said if anyone wants to walk away from the business, they can. Family will always be welcome in my home.”

      Marshall spoke up. “And what about our jobs? Our family land, our heritage?”

      “You’re getting ahead of yourself, talking about things we haven’t gotten to yet,” Jack explained, looking too much at peace, considering he’d overturned their whole world. “Restructuring will create opportunities, too.”

      Restructuring? The word casually rolled off his tongue in the manner of someone mentioning that Alaska was cold this time of year.

      The word knocked around inside Broderick’s head for all of five seconds before gelling into an image that would create utter chaos for the Steeles and the Mikkelsons, both personally and professionally.

      “Dad, I’ve given this same talk to employees on their way out the door.”

      His father smiled with a hard-nosed determination they’d all seen before. “Then that gives you an edge that will put you in the running to be CFO of the whole operation.”

      Just when Broderick thought his world couldn’t be any more upended, he learned otherwise. Because his father had left no room for misunderstanding.

      It was Broderick or Glenna for CFO. One of them would be ousting the other.

      * * *

      “I hope you don’t mind that I brought my puppy.”

      Kneeling, Glenna nuzzled her face into the fluffy husky puppy sitting pretty in front of her. Her heart filled with tenderness for her pup, such a source of comfort and joy after her husband’s death.

      Feeling the weight of eyes on her, she glanced up to find Broderick studying her intently from the other side of his office. Electricity danced in the air between them.

      “I don’t mind a bit,” he answered. “What’s the little guy’s name?”

      “Kota. As in Dakota.” She unhooked the leash and stood, monitoring Kota as he sniffed around the room. The dog sniffed the leather boots curiously. The husky pup stood at attention next to the sleek black chair, glacier-blue eyes trained on Broderick.

      Clearing his throat, he walked around his desk to a minibar, pulled out a sparkling water that had been bottled locally from the Kalal glacier. The fizz and bubbles jumped around the glasses as he poured.

      For a microsecond, she caught his gaze and it sent tingles down her spine, flooding her awareness. Images drifted into her mind that she knew she had to temper. This was business.

      “Thank you for understanding. Kota was at doggy day care while I was at work, and even though I know he’s cared for, I still want him to know me.” She ruffled Kota’s black-and-white head.

      “He’s a great pup, well behaved. You’re clearly doing a good job. I don’t mind at all,” Broderick answered. They’d been number crunching for an hour, so far all business, leaving personal matters undiscussed.

      Never in her wildest dreams would Glenna have guessed that in the span of thirty-six hours Broderick would storm back into her life again and she would then be working with him.

      But that had been her mother’s firm request after dropping her bombshell about the companies merging. She wanted a joint report.

      “How did your meeting with your siblings and your mom go?” His whiskey-warm tones tingled through Glenna’s veins like a hot toddy on a snowy day.

      Glenna focused on her puppy, who was staring up at her with ice-blue eyes, trusting and pure. “Well, that’s a complex question. I’m not sure we got a true read on things, since the conversation was on speakerphone. My younger brother’s plane had trouble making it in from North Dakota. Everyone on the line stayed quietly civil during the news.”

      “That’s good, though, isn’t it?” Broderick said, leaning toward her.

      She raised her eyebrows in answer and shrugged. “I’m cautious in saying for sure, because I fear an explosion could happen later.”

      In person.

      And that storm would be unforgiving, filled with emotion and lengthy, loud conversations that would send the dogs and cats at the ranch house fleeing under tables and chairs.

      Ice clinked and drew her attention to Broderick, who was preparing their water glasses with slices of lime. Then he dumped the candy out of a crystal dish and filled the empty bowl with the rest of the water.

      The thoughtfulness, the precious gesture for her pet, melted her heart faster than sun baking a snowman. “My oldest brother, Charles, sounded calm, most likely thanks to his wife. I could tell, though, his teeth were grinding on the other end of the phone. Trystan, well, he’s gruff but quiet, so who knows.”

      “And your baby sister?” He placed the glasses and bowl on a tray before returning to the table in the corner, not a full-out conference table, rather more of a cozy meeting area. Not nearly large enough for her liking right now.

      “Alayna’s a peacemaker. So unless I’m looking into her eyes, I don’t know for sure.” She reached for the glass, her hand brushing his. Crackles of awareness sparked along her every nerve. She took a quick swallow of water to cover her nervousness. “Thank you for this.”

      “I’ve ordered food to be brought up. If you’re starving now the minibar has some granola bars—”

      “This is fine. Thanks. I’ll wait.”

      “I ordered extra. We have a long night ahead of us.”

      Her gaze shot to his, searching for a double entendre, but his eyes were serious tonight. None of the teasing from that first day in her office was visible.

      It had been a sobering three days since then. “I’m not sure how we’re supposed to do this.”

      She jabbed a pencil into her loose topknot. “How do we work together while protecting the interest of both companies?”

      “One company, if we can take what our parents said at face value.” He knelt to offer Kota the crystal bowl of water.

      “I don’t understand how they expect the employees to get over decades of secrecy agreements and distrust. I’m not sure how we’re all supposed to get over it.”

      “I don’t think we have a choice in the