Darci couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled through her. “Well, if you’re willing to be a traitor to Jeffrey and the current administration, I could use some help in setting up a coup.”

Alex’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial undertone. “Anything. Just name it.”

“First of all, I need Todd Perkins’s address, phone number or some point of contact. I have a business proposition for him. Then, I need to ask you to keep quiet about what you think I’m doing.”

“Todd just called this morning to leave the phone number of a hotel he was staying at for a few more days. He had some crazy idea that you might want to talk with him. I know I wrote it down here somewhere.”

The sound of rustling papers carried over the phone, and Darci waited impatiently. The energy pulsing through her demanded action, and she was having a difficult time forcing herself to proceed calmly, slowly and methodically. She didn’t want to make any mistakes now. Too much hinged on the results.

“Ah, here it is.” Alex recited the phone number. “If there’s anything else, Darci. Anything.”

“Just keep Jeffrey from destroying the place before I can get him out of there. Thanks, Alex. I owe you.”

“Hurry, before I take care of the man myself.”

Darci smiled at Alex’s threat, then hung up and dialed the hotel where Todd was staying. When he finally came on the line, she couldn’t resist teasing him a little.

“Here I thought you only slept in the back of that pickup truck of yours. What are you doing in such a fancy place?”

“Well, little gal, every once in a while, I need a good bed, a good meal and a little pampering. This was one of those times.” He paused for a breath. “Now, tell me what you’re going to do about those varmints that took over your company. What do you need from me?”

The man certainly wasn’t the type to waste words on pleasantries. “Money and lots of advice.”

“I’ve got plenty of both. Where do you want to meet?”

“Todd, are you certain? I know I’m imposing…”

“Girl, I owe Cole a lot. He’s been there for me whenever I needed him, and I like to think of him as my adopted son. You’re his wife so that makes you family. And I stand behind my family. Now quit putting me off. Where do you want to meet?”

Darci kicked her heels off and collapsed on the couch. After an endless round of planning, of lengthy meetings and detailed negotiations, she’d done it. With a loan from Todd, she’d bought up Uncle John’s shares of stock in Blackmore’s. And Uncle John had been more than happy to take his money and escape from the escalating family tensions.