Page 5 of Her Second Chance Cowboy

She just hoped she was making the right ones.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sun streaming through the yellowing lace curtains of Emma’s childhood bedroom. She stretched, her body aching from the unaccustomed work of the day before.

She dressed quickly, choosing a simple blouse and jeans. She wanted to look professional for her meeting with the real estate agent, but she also needed to be practical. There was no telling what kind of work the day might bring.

She made her way downstairs, the smell of coffee and bacon wafting from the kitchen. For a moment, she was transported back to her childhood, to mornings spent gathered around the table with her parents, planning out the day’s chores.

But as she entered the kitchen, reality came crashing back. The room was empty, the coffee pot cold. Her father was gone, and the life she had once known here was nothing more than a memory.

Emma brushed away the tears that threatened to fall, getting to the task of brewing some coffee, and settling at the table to wait for the real estate agent.

At precisely 10 AM, a sleek black car pulled up in front of the house. Emma watched through the window as a woman in a crisp red suit stepped out, a leather briefcase in hand.

She took a deep breath, smoothing her hair and straightening her blouse. This was it. The moment she had been both dreading and anticipating since she’d arrived at the ranch.

She opened the door just as the woman reached the top step, a polite smile fixed on her face.

“Ms. Brooks?” the woman said, extending her hand. “I’m Jenna Lawson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Please, call me Emma,” she said, shaking the woman’s hand. “Come on in.”

She led Jenna to the kitchen table, gesturing for her to take a seat. The woman set her briefcase on the table, snapping it open and pulling out a stack of papers.

“I know this must be a difficult time for you,” Jenna said, her voice sympathetic. “Losing a parent is never easy, and dealing with their estate can be overwhelming. But I want you to know that I’m here to help in any way I can.”

Emma nodded, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “I appreciate that,” she said. “To be honest, I’m not really sure where to start.”

Jenna smiled, spreading the papers out on the table. “That’s what I’m here for,” she said. “You hired me to handle the sale of the ranch, and I take that responsibility very seriously.I’ve done a thorough evaluation of the property, and I have some ideas about how we can proceed.”

Emma leaned forward, her eyes scanning the documents. There were maps of the property, financial statements, and a thick stack of legal forms.

“The first thing we need to discuss,” Jenna said, tapping one of the papers, “is the condition of the ranch. I know you haven’t been here in a while, so you may not be aware of the extent of the repairs that are needed.”

Emma felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. “I noticed some things yesterday,” she said. “The barn needs work, and the fences are in rough shape.”

Jenna nodded, her expression serious. “I’m afraid it’s more than that,” she said. “The house needs a new roof, and the plumbing and electrical systems are outdated. The pastures are overgrown, and the irrigation system needs to be replaced. In short, the ranch needs a significant amount of work before it can be put on the market.”

Emma sat back in her chair, her mind reeling. She’d known the ranch would need some repairs, but this was more than she’d bargained for.

“How much are we talking about?” she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Jenna slid a piece of paper across the table, her finger pointing to a figure at the bottom. Emma’s eyes widened as she took in the number, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

“That’s just an estimate,” Jenna said quickly, seeing the look on Emma’s face. “And it includes the cost of the repairs, as well as the commission for the sale. But I have to be honest with you, Emma. It’s a significant amount of money.”

Emma nodded, her mind racing. She’d known selling the ranch wouldn’t be easy, but she hadn’t anticipated this. Thethought of pouring that much money into a property she didn’t even want made her stomach churn.

But even as the doubt crept in, another part of her mind whispered that this was her chance. Her chance to finally let go of the past, to move on with her life. She’d come here to sell the ranch, and that was exactly what she was going to do.

“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s do it. Whatever it takes to get the ranch ready to sell, I’m in.”

Jenna smiled, a look of relief crossing her face. “I’m glad to hear that,” she said. “I know it’s a big decision, but I truly believe it’s the right one. With the right repairs and marketing, we can get top dollar for this property.”

Emma nodded, her resolve strengthening. She thought of her job back in the city, of the life she’d built for herself there. She couldn’t let herself get sidetracked by sentiment, by the memories that seemed to linger in every corner of this place.

“I’ll need to extend my leave from work,” she said, almost to herself. “I’ll call my boss today and let him know I’ll be staying a bit longer than planned.”

Jenna nodded, gathering up the papers and sliding them back into her briefcase. “I think that’s a wise decision,” she said. “I’ll draw up a timeline for the repairs and get back to you with a more detailed plan. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns.”

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