Page 26 of True North

Ugh. “I tried. Said problem refuses to engage.”

She laughs. “Hon, you two will work it out.”

“No, we won’t. We can’t when he refuses to talk to me. Let alone look at me half the time.”

“You ever wonder why that’s still happenin’?” She walks back behind the counter with her pot, leaving me staring at the back of that dark head of hair. And the knots from earlier sink, bursting to life as a flutter of butterflies break free of their chrysalises.

Shit.

So much for movin’ on.

ChapterSeven

HARRY

The bank manager on the opposite side of the desk leans back in his chair. It creaks under his surplus weight as he crosses his arms over his chest. “You’ll need a substantial down payment for a place that size, Rawlins.”

“Yes, sir.”

I have more than I need. A decade of scrimping and saving has afforded me that.Usthat. Ma will be coming with.

“Well, if you’re good for the down payment, and I assume you’ll be selling some of your current properties, there are several auctions for properties in the local area coming up. What exactly are you lookin’ for?”

“Ranchin’. Something that’ll carry around a thousand head through the winter. Not too close to town. I want sizable land, not joining allotments.”

“Hmmm.” He slides his glasses up his nose and pulls out a file. I wait as he flips through pages until he finds what he’s searching for. He plucks it out and holds it away from his face. “This here sounds like what you’d be after. Twenty thousand acres, mostly mountain country, over forty percent productive fields at the base. And the two surrounding ranches may also come available in the next twenty years, no kids to hand it down to. You know how it goes.”

He hands me the paper.

Typed-up specs and a description of the land cover the whole page.

“It looks about right,” I say, handing him back the paper. “Where is it?”

“About an hour out of town, out on old Hillview Road. Big old sign that’s fallin’ down, you can’t miss it. But Harry, you won’t be the only one interested in this ranch. The auction will be tight. At least, that’s my prediction.”

“But if I bid, I’m good for the mortgage through the bank?”

“I’ll need to tally the final numbers, but I think it should be doable. However, if it goes over what you have available to you in the way of finance, you’re gonna need one hell of a year to cover the first mortgage payment.”

I can’t flatten the grin claiming my face. This is everything I have worked so hard for. For years. “Yes, sir.”

He stands and shakes my hand. “Tell Barb out front you want the address for the ranch on Hillview, she can give you a rough map.”

“Won’t be necessary, thanks again.”

I give him a brisk nod and walk out of the only bank in Lewistown, more determined than I have ever been. I am so close.

Back at the truck, I sit staring down the street, letting her idle. I may just pull this off. And if I can get the ranch profitable in the first few years, save like I’m used to doin’, maybe other investments would be an option. My gaze snags on blonde hair blowing in the day’s crazy wind. The short shorts she wears accentuate those long legs, sending warmth to my core.

She’s talkin’ to the accountant.

Why is she talkin’ to the accountant?

Louisa is animated, smiling as she touches his arm. He doesn’t respond. I lean back in the seat and watch them like it’s my God-given right. I glance at the time on the town square tower clock. It’s a little after four.

Louisa is off work now.

She walks around a parked red car and climbs into the passenger’s seat. The accountant drops into the driver’s seat. When the car starts and they pull out and head for the town lake, I shift the old truck into gear and turn her toward the outskirts.

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