Page 4 of Wrangling Nash

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” I asked.

The coffee mug froze mid-air in my hand as my eyes darted between Rig and my grandfather's lawyer. I must have heard him wrong because the bombshell of news that Mr. Martin just dropped didn’t make any sense.

“I understand this might be surprising to you, but here is the paperwork your grandfather put in place six years ago when he reached out to me to update his will last.”

My eyes dropped to the document that O'Dell Martin had passed across the small table.

I glanced at the date on the top, June 8th, 2019. A wave of realization washed over me. That was exactly two weeks after I had last seen my grandpa when he'd come to my MBA graduation at Texas State. We’d spoken several times on the phone since then, but he’d never alluded to updating his will or including me in it.

There, in bold letters, were the words confirming what Mr. Martin had just stated.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF CLARENCE ASHWOOD

I, CLARENCE ASHWOOD of 1624 BLUESKY RANCH ROAD, LONESTAR JUNCTION, TX hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior wills and codicils.

1. BEQUEATHAL OF RANCH:

I bequeath my entire ranch, known as BLUESKY RANCH, including all real property, improvements, and appurtenances thereto, to my granddaughter, JOVIE VECTOR, herein referred to as the “Recipient,” under the following terms and conditions.

2. CONDITION OF OCCUPANCY AND WORK:

The Recipient is entitled to ownership of the aforementioned ranch on the condition that she resides on the property and actively engages in learning and working on the ranch for a continuous period of one (1) year from the date of my passing.

3. RIGHT OF ASSUMPTION:

In the event that the Recipient voluntarily ceases to reside on and work the ranch before completing the stipulated one (1) year period, ownership of the ranch shall transfer to my neighbor, RIG CAMERON OF CAMERON RANCH, LONESTAR JUNCTION, TX, herein referred to as the “Assuming Party,” who shall assume full ownership and control of the property.

4. OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE:

If the Recipient successfully fulfills the one-year residency and work requirement, and subsequently decides to sell the property, the Assuming Party shall be granted the first opportunity to purchase the ranch under terms mutually agreed upon by both parties.

5. ALTERNATIVE BENEFICIARIES:

In the event that the Assuming Party is unable or unwilling to assume ownership as outlined in Section 3, or declines the opportunity to purchase the property as outlined in Section 4, alternate provisions for the sale of the ranch shall be determined by my executor, O'Dell Martin, in conjunction with the Recipient, or, if unavailable, by a court of competent jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and signed this Last Will and Testament on JUNE 8, 2019

Clarence Ashwood

JUNE 8, 2019

Witnessed by:

1. O’Dell Martin

Law Offices of Martin & Associates

JUNE 8, 2019

2. Rig Cameron

Cameron Ranch, Lonestar Junction, TX

JUNE 8, 2019

***

“I’m not sure what to say,” I responded after re-reading the statements in my grandfather’s will five more times. “You knew about this?” I asked Rig Cameron.

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