A Place Of Our Own (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Texas Heat series: Book 3, Jim and Maddies story) (5 page)

“That’s kind of you, Francis, but how about some cold water instead?”

Francis called out to Jean to bring out some water for their visitor. When she saw it was Andrew, she sent a prayer heavenward that Francis wouldn’t do something stupid like accept a low offer for the ranch from Andrew, especially because Maddie was in town right now talking about some kind of arrangement with Red that was bound to be a whole lot better.

It was enough worry to send a body to an early grave. She brought out a pitcher with iced water and two glasses, along with a plate of homemade cookies, placing it on the table between them.

“It’s good to see you, Andrew. Keeping busy, are you?” She tried to keep it friendly while she figured out what he wanted.

“Always busy these days, ma’am, especially as the Circle O grows bigger and bigger.”

“Well, I’ll leave you two to chat.”

“You look after yourself now, Jean.”

She went back inside, thinking to ring Maddie to let her know Andrew was here. What was the point though? She’d likely be home before long anyway and short of Red coming over and taking Andrew away, there was nothing anyone could do.

“Now, Francis, you know I’m thinking it’s time I made you an offer for your place here and I want to offer you a fair price, based on the current market value of the holding. Would you be amenable to considering an offer, if I was of a mind to make one?”

“Well, boy, you know I would. I’m getting too old to keep working this place as you well know and I’d like to sell it while it’s still worth something. It’ll be a shame to move into town though, after a lifetime of living out here. This country can get into your blood.”

“So it can, so it can, but you have to think of how you’ll manage as you get older and country like this can be hard on a body. I expect it’s the same for Jean. And don’t forget how much more convenient it will be for Maddie to teach school if she’s living in town.”

“Yes, you’re right about all those things. So, tell me what you had in mind Andrew.”

“Sure Francis.” Andrew reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a piece of paper that he’d jotted down some figures on earlier in the day. “Here you go. This is not a final figure, of course, but it’s a good place to start.” He handed the sheet of paper to Francis.

There was silence as Francis struggled to contain his disappointment. He hadn’t been expecting top dollar but this was not far above an insult, even with the old place being run down.

“Thanks, Andrew. I’d like to think on this for a bit if that’s okay. You can understand it’s a big move for us.”

“Of course, take as much time as you need. You know where to find me and I’m sure as hell not going anywhere soon. Let me know what you think after you’ve had a chance to think on it.”

Francis stood up, hoping Andrew would take the hint and leave him to his thoughts.

“Well, I’ll leave you to think on it then, Francis. You let me know if I can do anything for you now and I’ll drop by again in a couple of days. Bye now.”

Andrew headed back to the pickup, barely able to contain his excitement as he headed back home. This was going to be one sweet deal and the cheapest thousand acres of land he’d ever had the pleasure of purchasing. The old man was likely to be disappointed, for sure, but he’d understand before long that he’d not receive a better offer any time soon.

Penny and Maddie had a fruitful morning and had arranged to have their purchases delivered to the cabin later in the afternoon. They met up with Red and Andrew back at T J’s, ready to swap stories. Maddie was finding it difficult to contain her excitement. If Red could buy the Dupont place and then let Jim buy it from him, everything would be okay.

Jim and Andrew were already inside and were eating their lunch of steak, fries, and a side salad. The women sat down and a waiter followed them with a bottle of champagne, filling four glasses.

Maddie was too excited to speak, so Penny asked the vital question. “So is everything going to go ahead?”

“You bet it is,” said Red. “Raise your glasses, everyone. I’d like to congratulate Jim and Maddie on their future together. To Jim and Maddie, a wedding and some grandchildren.”

Jim turned to Maddie and kissed her tenderly before turning to his father. “Thanks Dad, for everything. I’m going to build up the best boutique holding you’ve ever seen.”

“The boy’s right, Penny. We stopped off at the library before we went to the bank and I’d never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. It’s perfect for your old place Maddie, just the right size.”

“Don’t forget I want to keep on a few cows for home grown beef for Francis to work with but yes, I reckon I can have the place in profit within a year.” Jim was confident of his ability now that his father and the bank had showed faith in him.

Penny turned to Maddie. “Let’s order some lunch because I can’t wait to go home and see Jean and Francis.” The waiter came over at Red’s signal and took their orders.

“I couldn’t agree more. My grandmother has been really worried for the last couple of months and frustrated with Granddad because he doesn’t seem to be able to make a decision about selling.”

Red cut in. “In all fairness to the man, Maddie, it’s a big decision and he’s probably been feeling like he’s been backed into a corner. No man should be made to feel like that.”

“I agree with you, Red. They’d both be looking down the barrel of an early grave if they had to sell for peanuts and then move into town. I’m so pleased they’ll be able to stay on in the house and on the land they love. Old folks should have that small security. I’ll be able to keep an eye on them and help out, without them feeling like they’re being a burden.  Everyone deserves to keep their dignity as they grow older.”

“Well said, Maddie. I hope our children are as considerate of us Red, when the time comes,” said Penny.

“Well, I will be,” replied Jim. “I can’t speak for the others, but like I said before, I’d be happy enough to have you build a small house just for the two of you over near us. Then, Maddie and I could keep an eye on you as well.”

Penny turned to Red. “You know Red, we should think about it. It’d be nice to be just the two of us again. Having a big family is great but it would be good to spend our twilight years in a smaller place. I don’t know about you, Red, but I can’t see you wanting to move into town either.”

“Too right, I don’t. I promise you, Penny, I’ll give it some thought. Now, let’s finish up here and go home. I want to talk to Francis before George Benson arrives. He’s agreed to come out and supervise the contracts so we can get this deal sealed up. And the surveyor is coming out too. I don’t want anything going wrong now we finally have it sorted out.”

“Well, let’s go then. I can’t wait to tell Gran and Granddad.”

Penny and Maddie decided to travel together, leaving Jim and Red to talk details on the drive back out to the Dupont ranch.

******

The women arrived first and went inside to see Jean, thinking Francis would be out working but they were surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen table with her and it was clear something had happened. The old couple looked beaten, cowed and barely registered Maddie and Penny’s presence. The paper with Andrew’s scribbled offer was between them on the table.

“Gran, Granddad, what’s happened?” asked Maddie, beginning to become concerned. She sat down and indicated to Penny to join them.

“You have a hide, Penny O’Connor, coming in here and daring to show your face to decent people,” Francis blurted out. “I wouldn’t have thought it was possible if I hadn’t heard and seen it with my own eyes, and him with the words about being fair rolling off his tongue as if he meant them.”

“What are you talking about, Francis? Who has been here and what in the name of God are you talking about?” Penny was not one to sit by and let events overtake her.

“Granddad,” pleaded Maddie. “What’s happened?”

“That piece of shit you call your son Penny O’Connor, was here not half an hour ago and made me an offer for the ranch. Here, look at it, woman, and see what kind of a man your son is.”

Penny ventured to look at the paper, worried about what she was going to see. When she saw what Andrew had offered, she recoiled in horror. “But he can’t do that. I don’t know what to say, Francis. Jean, you must believe me, I had no idea about this and I’m ashamed.”

“What do you have to be ashamed about, Penny O’Connor, on such a wonderful day?” asked Red as he came through the door. “What’s going on here? Don’t you like the offer? Ladies, you could have waited until Jim and I arrived before you broke the happy news.” Red was beginning to look puzzled as the people seated at the table looked as though someone had died, particularly Penny, who had turned red with embarrassment.

Francis looked as though he was about to experience a serious apoplexy and began shouting at Red. “Take a look at this, you money grabbing shit and tell me to my face your son is not a bastard!” He shoved the piece of paper at Red.

“Not in front of the ladies,” began Red but he stopped in his tracks when he saw what was written on the paper. “Who gave you this, Francis? And tell me true because I’m going to beat him to within an inch of his life.”

“It was Andrew, who else? I know you think the sun shines out of the lad, but this is the most insulting piece of business I’ve ever had the misfortune to experience and I’m telling you now, Red, I’ll not have it.”

Red was having trouble comprehending how his eldest son could have dealt so callous a blow to the old couple. He sat down at the table with the others, indicating that Jim should join them.

Slowly, Red found his voice, but not before he ripped the paper into small pieces. “Wiping your bum on it would be doing it a favor it doesn’t deserve,” he began. “Francis, Jean, and Maddie, can you please accept my apologies for the despicable behavior of my son? I would never expect you to forgive him for this and I can only assure you that I will be relieving him of his responsibilities immediately. He’s not fit to be your neighbor or to represent the Circle O in business matters. Please believe me when I say I had no idea he was going to do this.”

Penny was almost in tears, “Jean and Francis, I am so sorry this has happened but we will make it up to you.”

Jean was beginning to recover and stood up to busy herself, fetching a pitcher of cool water for everyone to share. When she came back and everyone was settled with a drink, Red decided that the time had come for some major fence mending.

“Francis, this has taken the edge off of what I had come to see you about but I’m hoping you can see your way clear to accepting what I’ve come to offer you. First of all, let’s congratulate Maddie and Jim because they are getting back together and I’ve decided to give them twenty acres around the old cabin yonder. Seems like they’ve fallen in love with the old place and want to live there.”

“It’s true, Gran. You know I’ve always loved it. We’re going to do it up and add on a few more rooms, as well as put in a few homey comforts like electricity and running water. It’ll be just perfect.’

“Well, I’m pleased for you, Maddie, but I’m having trouble seeing anything good in these O’Connor boys at the moment. You’ll have to understand that girl, but I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Granddad. I’m looking forward to living so close by.”

“Next,” continued Red. “I’ve come to make you an offer on this place. Keep your shirt on, man. I’m not like my son. The bank has drawn up this for me and if it’s acceptable to you and Jean, we can both sign it a bit later. Take your time and I trust you’ll let me know if it isn’t enough.”

Red put the contract on the table for Jean and Francis to look at. “Oh my God,” said Francis. “I can’t accept this much. It’s far more than the place is worth.”

“Well, I thought it was a reasonable price for a lifetime’s work and was hoping you would too.”

“Don’t be a stubborn old fool, Francis,” said Jean. “Red’s right and you shouldn’t feel guilty for accepting it. We can pay off everything we owe and still afford to buy something in town.”

“But you won’t need to move if you don’t want to,” said Red. “One of the conditions of sale is that you can stay on living here for as long as you want and that Francis here can have the use of a couple of paddocks to keep some cows. Just to keep you occupied Francis, but again, only if you want to. And I know Penny and Jim would both buy home grown beef from you if you were inclined to sell it to them.”

“Are you serious about this?” Francis was having trouble comprehending his good fortune after having been treated so poorly by Andrew.

“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life, except for marrying Penny,” said Red. “Take your time to think it over. It’s a big decision.”

“After what happened with Andrew a while ago, I’d have to say this is an answer to our prayers. And you’d really let us stay on? And keep a few cows for myself as well? I have to say, I wasn’t looking forward to living in town after spending all my life out here. This is too good to be true.’

“But it is true and I was hoping you’d think it was good. Forget about Andrew. I don’t know what’s going on with that boy but what he’s proposing isn’t happening. He’s spoiled the surprise I had planned with my offer, blast him. I hope you can accept Francis, in the spirit in which this offer is made. It’s no less than you deserve for all your years of hard work.”

“Well, I’m inclined to say yes. What do you think, Jean? Should we do this?”

“Yes, we should, Francis. It will be perfect for us and to think, Maddie and Jim will be right next door. It’s perfect.”

“You know Red, I’m trying to think what you’d want to do with this place. You know it doesn’t pay to run cattle on a small holding any more. If you’re going to let me use a few paddocks for cattle, what are you going to do with the rest of the place? It’s not like you to send good money after bad.”

“No, you’re right. Now, I hope what I’m about to say doesn’t change your mind about accepting my offer but I’ve decided to let Jim have a go at trying to make some money from those Angora goats he’s been on about for years. I stopped by the library this morning on my way to the bank and found some information about it. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d never have believed it was possible. You know I always thought it was a fool idea, but after this morning, I’ve changed my mind.”

“You want to run goats on a cattle ranch?”

“I’d like to give Jim the opportunity to try. You see, it’s the size of the holding and the lack of overhead and infrastructure that’ll make it profitable. And if it doesn’t work out, we can always go back to cattle.”

“You think you can make a profit within a year with these animals, Jim?”

Jim was pleased to be finally able to participate in the conversation but realized that until this moment, the conversation wasn’t his to be involved in. It was between Red and Francis.

“Yes. I’m planning on making only basic improvements to the cabin first off, because I’d like to put my money into stock and work toward a good Angora yield, straight up. It’ll be hard work but I know I can do it. I’d be pleased if you wanted to help out any time.”

“Well, you have the right attitude, boy, and I could see my way clear to giving you a hand if you need it. But goats? I’m going to have to get used to that.”

“You can’t eat them though, like beef. Well, you can but I’m a steak man and can’t see that changing any time soon so we are going to need the cows as well. I’ll be counting on you for that, Francis.”