A Place Of Our Own (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Texas Heat series: Book 3, Jim and Maddies story) (4 page)

Making an early start was easier said than done as they’d slept little and loved a lot, but with the dawn came reality and the realization that they needed to bring their future together, one step closer. When they were finally able to tear themselves apart, they hurriedly washed, packed up, and prepared for the ride back, Jim to the Circle O homestead and Maddie to the Dupont family home.

They decided to go back via the route Maddie had taken yesterday afternoon and Jim could veer west when they were closer to home. It was way cooler riding in the early morning so they were able to ride faster without overheating the horses. When it was time for Jim to turn off, they stopped together.

“I’ll meet you and Red at T J D’s Steakout at 11.00 AM, okay?”

Jim moved his horse closer, leaned close in and kissed her. “Try and keep me away. Thanks for coming to get me.” He kissed her again. “Oh, and I forgive you for being two years late.” He kissed her again to prevent her from whacking him. “I was joking Maddie. I’ll see you soon. And maybe we could sleep at the old cabin tonight because I’m not letting you go again.”

“Try and keep me away. See you in town later.” This time Maddie kissed Jim but she was first to pull away.

They headed off for a shower and a change of clothes, each looking forward to meeting up in town.

******

When Jim arrived back at the Circle O homestead, he headed straight to the barn to stable and brush down his horse before heading inside for a shower and a change of clothes. When he came out, he headed out to the front porch, where Red and Penny were sitting, waiting for him.

“Hi, Jim, it’s great to see you. Come here and let me give you a hug,” said Penny. She rose from her seat and moved to greet Jim, pleased to see he was looking well.

“It’s great to see you too, Mom.” Jim returned with a hug.

He sat down with Red and Penny, trying but not succeeding, to hide his excitement. “Mom, Dad, I’ve decided to get back together with Maddie. She came out to see me yesterday afternoon and convinced me we should try again.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time, Jim. Congratulations, son, and I hope you two will be officially tying the knot sooner rather than later.”

“Hey, slow down, Dad. I’m taking it one day at a time because there are a lot of things we need to sort out. I’m not going to marry her until I have some kind of future to offer her.”

“I understand where you’re coming from, son, and that’s why we are all heading into town to see if we can’t get things straightened out. It seems like there’s been plenty of stuff going on that I wasn’t aware of and I’d like to put it to rights.”

Penny broke in. “I agree with your father Jim and if you don’t mind, I’d like to come in to town with you so I can have a chat with Maddie. I’m so pleased you’ve decided to get back together. I know how downhearted you’ve been and it’s high time I had some grandchildren to fuss over as well.”

“Whoa there, Mom, we’re not even married yet and like I said, nothing will be happening until I can sort out practical things like where we are going to live and where I can find a job.”

Red stood up and said, “We should get going into town so we can start sorting out some of these things. We could do it here but I think the walls are growing ears as we speak.”

As Red helped Penny from her seat, Andrew appeared at the front door, right on cue. “What brings you in here, Jim? Aren’t you supposed to be at work, if you can call it work?”

“Obviously not,” said Jim. “Let’s go, Mom.”

The three of them made to their way from the porch out to where the car was parked under a shady tree.

“I’ll see you later this afternoon,  Andrew. Bye.”

As Red, Penny, and Jim pulled away from the house, Andrew was left standing on the front porch, with his mind ticking over in several directions at the same time, wondering what was happening and thinking that if it involved the ranch, he should know about it.

******

Meanwhile, Maddie had also arrived home and after stabling Pixel, went straight into see her gran, who was watching TV in the family room.

“Hi, Gran, how are you feeling today?”

“I’d be feeling a lot better if I knew what you were up to. How did it go with Jim?”

“Better than I could have hoped, Gran. He is willing to give it another try and I hope, this time around, we can work out the details better than last time. I’m going to take a shower and then head off into town to see what we can organize with Red. The best result would be if he could back Jim to help provide the finance to buy this place, but I still think the best time to tell grandad is when we have something concrete to tell him. There’s little point in letting him know that Jim will buy us out unless that is actually going to be the case. You know how he is with Jim’s ideas about ranching and farming. But that’s the next step and we can work it out once we know if we can buy.”

“I’m so pleased for you, Maddie. You and Jim belong together and always will. And, of course, I promise not to say anything to your grandfather about anything until the time is right. You’re right about Jim wanting to do things differently than your grandfather. I can’t begin to tell you how much I hope this works out, for mine and your grandfather's sake as much as yours. It’s not right that we should be worrying about these things at our age, but you know your grandfather, stubborn as ever.”

“Well, wish me luck, but I’ll get cleaned up now.”

Maddie took a shower and dressed carefully, not overdressed but a combination of smart, casual, and comfortable. She was tingling with excitement that had nothing to do with Jim and everything to do with what she hoped Red had come up with as a solution for advancing the idea of Jim buying the Dupont ranch.

No matter how her grandfather reacted, Maddie firmly believed she had every right to act as she had by virtue of being the only one in her family making the mortgage payment at the moment. Her grandfather was keen enough to add additional mortgages but never made enough from the ranch to make the monthly payment. Maddie loved her grandfather but knew he was not business savvy. Hell, she wouldn’t put it past him to accept a pathetic offer from Andrew.

No, the sooner she and Jim could talk with Red, the happier she would be. The sad thing was her grandfather would think he was doing the right thing by accepting an offer from Andrew, not realizing it wouldn’t be enough to buy two houses in town. He would think Maddie was okay with continuing to live with them. But she wasn’t. She wanted her independence but at the same time, be close enough to them to continue to help them as they grew older.

The other thing that worried her about her grandfather was he didn’t realize yet how much he would miss living on the ranch if they all had to move into town. Ranching was in his blood, even if he wasn’t able to comprehend the modern changes that made running a small holding viable in the twenty first century.

That gave her an idea. If she and Jim were able to buy the ranch, it would be easy enough to arrange for her grandfather to have a few cows and a paddock or two of his own so he could keep working in his own way until he was too old to do so any more. The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced it could work. Let Jim work up a good herd of Angora goats to bring in some much-needed cash and her grandfather could still have a few cows to work with.

By the time she arrived in town, she couldn’t wait to tell Jim her idea and she wanted to run it past Red as well because it was likely he’d be able to improve on it.

When Maddie pulled up outside T J D’s Steakout, she noticed that, again, Red was here already and her first thought was that she was late. But she wasn’t, of course. It was that the others were early. She made her way inside, excitement slowly bubbling underneath her calm exterior. She saw them sitting at what appeared to be Red’s favorite table and to her delight, Penny was there as well.

She quickly made her way over to the table and hugged first Jim, then Red, and Penny as they stood to greet her. It was clearly evident that Jim’s parents were overjoyed with the idea of her and Jim getting back together. That was great because it made the following steps seem more attainable.

Red ordered up coffee for everyone and after it had arrived and everyone was comfortable, made it clear that it was time for some arrangements to be discussed. He started with the old Circle O cabin. “I went over to the old cabin this morning and someone has cleaned it up.”

“That was me,” said Maddie. “I hope you don’t mind, but I often go there because there are so many memories of Jim and I there. You know we always used to play house there when we were little kids and then when we were older, well, we used to meet in there for other things.” Maddie gave a little cough and then continued. “I was in there yesterday before I came to see you, Red, and I had to clean it up because it’s such a cute little place,” finished Maddie.

“Actually, Dad, I was going to ask you if it was okay if I move in there so Maddie and I could see each other whenever we wanted.”

“That’s a great idea,” said Penny. “It wouldn’t take too much to fix the old place up, do a few repairs, and put in a few modern home comforts like electricity and hot water.”

Red smiled at everyone. “Well, that’s settled then. It looks like you and Maddie both love the old place and if you don’t mind not living in a modern house, then it would be a perfect place for you both.”

“Thanks, Dad, that would be great. Maddie and I both prefer the old cabin rather than new houses and I could fix it up.”

Penny cut in. “You might want to think about extending it, too. It’s only two rooms after all.”

Jim and Maddie held hands under the table, like teenagers in love and the air around them radiated pure happiness.

“Gee, you two are easily pleased,” said Red. “Old Seamus would be proud of you. Well, I’ll tell you what I’ve come up with, if you’re happy to have the cabin. I’ve talked this through with your mother and we want to deed you twenty acres around the cabin as well as the cabin itself. How would you feel about that?”

Jim and Maddie didn’t know what to say. It was perfect.

“Twenty acres is not much in the greater scheme of things out here and it’s nowhere near enough to support you but it will give you a privacy buffer on three sides from the Circle O. You can fence it and whatever else you think you need to do with it.”

Maddie was near to tears with happiness. This would be their place.

“Dad, Mom, I don’t know how to thank you. This is so generous. Maddie and I love that cabin. We can certainly grow enough food to feed ourselves with twenty acres and start out with a tiny herd of goats too. I’ll pay you back as soon I can. We aren’t looking for a handout.”

“I know you’re not, son, and this is a gift that I hope will make up for some of the rough hands you’ve been dealt in the last few years.”

“We won’t let you down, Red. Jim and I will work to do whatever it takes to use that land and cabin to build our future.”

“I know you will and if the truth be known, I’d kind of like to see the old place with a family in it. You can move in today, if you like. Now then, there’s more yet. The other thing I want to do is buy your father’s place, Maddie, for a fair price, of course. Then, after I’ve bought it, I’m going to sell it to Jim, assuming, of course, Jim, that you’d want to buy it from me. The purchase price for you, son, would, of course, be minus the lump sum amount I’m going to give you for the wages you’ve not been paid for the last two years.”

Before Jim and Maddie could say anything, Red kept on with explaining the arrangement. “You’ll need to do a business plan, Jim. A proper one so you can work out your cash flow. Because I’ll let you pay off the balance as you start to bring in a profit and find your feet, so to speak.”

It was Maddie who had a better head for business than Jim and she was quick to join in the discussion. “Would you be prepared to adjust Jim’s buying price upward so he could use some of his wages for stock and a few immediate repairs to the cabin?”

“I don’t see why not, Maddie. Are you still keen of the idea of Angora goats, Jim, and up to date with the ins and outs of raising them, profit margin, market price for their wool, etc? We can call into the library before I go to the bank if you like and you can show me on one of those computers.”

“It’s a deal,” said Jim. ‘They’re a great option for small holdings and operating costs are a fraction of what you have with cattle. I could be in profit and self-sufficient within a year, without the burdens Maddie’s grandfather has had as he’s grown older and tried to stay with cattle ranching.”

“Speaking of my grandfather,” said Maddie. “If we are going to do this, he’ll have a fit if we change right over to goats. He’s stubborn and old fashioned. I was thinking we could let him run a few cows in a couple of paddocks, even if they only provide beef for us to use for ourselves. He knows how to butcher them properly too.”

“If he did that, I’d be happy to buy beef from him,” said Penny. “Since Andrew’s been managing, there’s no butchering on the Circle O anymore and you know how much better home grown beef is to eat.”

“Speaking of Andrew,’ said Jim. ‘He’s not going to be pleased with any of this.”

“Andrew does not own the Circle O and while I’m still alive and kicking, I’ll decide what I do or don’t spend my money on. I wish he’d find himself a good woman to keep him in his place and soften him up a bit. Anyway, you’re not to worry on that score. I’ll speak to him.”

Penny had been looking thoughtful for a few minutes and addressed Jim and Maddie. “While Red is down at the bank, how about we go and arrange to have electricity and a phone line connected to the cabin. Maybe they could run it from your grandad’s line, Maddie, seeing it’s all going to be the one place.”

“Great idea and I guess I’ll feel safer too,” said Maddie.

“Right,” said Red. “So, we are all happy with this? I know Penny and I are. We want you two settled and working on giving us some grandchildren real soon.”

Everyone laughed but really, it was what they all wanted.

“Let’s go to the library, Jim. I want you to show me the information about the goats and maybe we can print off a few pages to show the bank about how profitable Angora goats can be. I’ve organized for my lawyer to join us at your grandfather’s place later this afternoon, Maddie, with a good offer for him.”

“I just hope he’ll be pleased about it, but he needs to realize that he and Gran can’t wait for the bank to foreclose on them. Best of all, they can stay on living in their home for as long as they want to and be independent, yet have Jim and I close by to keep an eye on them.”

“If you keep on talking like that, Maddie, I’ll have to convince Red to build us a cabin over near you, too. I kind of like the idea of not living with my kids forever,’ said Penny. 'It’s a bit like you wanting your independence from us old folks a couple of years ago, Maddie. I really get it now. Close but not too close seems to be the way to go.”

“Now you’re talking, Mom. Listen up, Dad. I think that’s a great idea. What do you think, Maddie?”

“I think it’s a great idea too. I’d love to have you nearby Penny. You could help my grandad with raising a few cows Red, just so you don’t get bored.”

“Jim, this woman of yours has a good set of brains tucked away inside her pretty head. Don’t let her go away, ever.”

“Not much chance of that now, Dad. Thanks, both of you, for making this happen. I can’t remember ever being so happy.”

“Well, let’s get this show on the road. I expect you ladies probably want to do some shopping after you’ve been to see about the phone and electric?”

“What a good idea, Red. Come on Maddie, we can maybe pick up a few things for your cabin.’

“Let’s meet back here in an hour,” said Red. “Then we can go home and get you two lovebirds settled in.”

“Dad. Let’s pick some fence posts and wire so I can get started on stringing a fence. And maybe we should get the surveyor to come out too. I’m thinking it wouldn’t hurt to have the boundary surveyed for the deed to the twenty acres anyway.”

“And I can give it to the lawyer to include with the deed papers. He’ll be bringing those out tomorrow by the way, so yes, good idea to get it surveyed.”

They all headed off, chattering and making plans like there was no tomorrow.

******

Andrew knew something was afoot but didn’t know what. He figured it had something to do with Jim though. He had been smiling, for goodness sake, not moping around with a face like a duck’s behind, like he had been for the last couple of years. It had something to do with Maddie, too. She’d rung his father yesterday and Red had wanted the conversation kept private. That could only mean one thing. Red didn’t want him to know something about Maddie.

Then there was his father’s trip into town yesterday, again, with his dad not telling him anything. Not that he had to but if it concerned the ranch, then Andrew figured he had a right to know. He wondered if it could possibly have anything to do with that silly notion of Jim’s, a couple of years ago to buy a piece of the Circle O.

He’d taken action to stop that at the time but if Jim was looking happy again and sitting on the porch chatting with Red and Penny, while Red was having secret conversations with Maddie, he figured joining the dots wasn’t that difficult. He reckoned Jim and Maddie were going to get back together.

If that was the case, then it was only a matter of time before Jim would want his own place again. That wasn’t going to happen if Andrew had anything to do with it. Jim would want to raise goats or some other fool thing that proper ranchers would never do. It would make the O’Connors look stupid and effect the reputation of the Circle O. That was not going to happen.

Andrew decided it was time to pay old man Dupont a visit. His scheduled visit to make the old man an offer was a few weeks away yet, but he decided it wouldn’t hurt if he went in a few weeks early. The offer was far less than the place was worth, but that was business. Andrew was into making a profit and joining the Circle with the Dupont place would achieve that with little effort on his part. It was all about economies of scale. Andrew had the infrastructure to handle as many extra acres as he could buy.

The way he saw it, he was doing old man Dupont a favor. If Andrew bought him out, it would save the embarrassment of having the bank foreclose. More importantly, in his mind, he could make a lower offer if the bank wasn’t involved.

Andrew wasn’t into riding horses these days, so headed out and took the pickup for the drive over to the Dupont holding. He pulled onto the road into town then turned off after a mile or so at the Dupont turnoff. He was there in less than ten minutes and parked in the shade on the northern side of the house. It was just a house too, not a homestead like the Circle O had.

Old Francis was sitting on a chair on the porch, nodding off to sleep after a big lunch. Andrew woke him by gently shaking his shoulder. “Sorry to wake you, Francis. How are you doing? It’s a warm old afternoon too. Looks like you’ve got a good spot there to while away the hours.”

Francis woke up, surprised to see Andrew, but was nevertheless pleased to see him. He was secretly hoping Andrew would make an offer for the place so he could do a better job of looking after his wife and granddaughter.

“Good to see you too, Andrew. What brings you out on such a warm day? Come and sit here on the porch where it’s a bit cooler.”

“Thanks, Francis! Don’t mind if I do.”

“Can I offer you a cool beer, Andrew?”