Page 9 of Headstrong Cowboy
“Ryder, it’s Lucinda.I haven’t caught you at a bad time, have I?”
“No, it’s fine.What can I do for you?”
“I’ve just got word that a property could be coming on the market.The owner rang me to inquire about a possible listing.I haven’t signed an agreement with her yet, as she was just seeking information.I’m sure she’s going to call back in a few days and tell me she wants to sell.”
She paused, and Ryder willed her to continue.Was the property the same one he’d heard her talking about the day he went to her office?Was it where he needed it to be?The place where he could start to reclaim what had been taken from his mother’s family so long ago?
“And?”he asked, when the silence seemed to stretch between them.Why wasn’t she saying anything else?Why would he be interested in hearing about someone asking for information about selling their property?He didn’t want “maybes.”He wanted “definites.”
“You’ll be happy to hear it’s on 630 Road, and I believe it will tick most of your boxes.It’s only ten acres, though, so it’s a lot smaller than what you’re looking for, but I wanted to mention it, anyway.The house is a good size and in good condition.The property is a flower farm, so there are greenhouses on it, but you could dismantle them and that will give you the ability to build what you need for your horses and stock.”
Ryder took a moment to take it all in.This was what he wanted.A chance to purchase back a piece of his history.Did it matter that it was too small?He wouldn’t be able to do what he set out to, but he’d own the land.It was a start, though.A step in the right direction.
But he didn’t want to sound too eager.Didn’t want to immediately say,“Yes, I want it now.”Even though that was exactly what he wanted to do.
“It is a little small, and if I have to build more infrastructure, then that will take up more space, leaving little land for grazing and raising cattle.”
“I do believe there’s a barn on the property, as well, just not in great condition.It’s not ideal, but with winter coming, there won’t be too many properties coming up, especially along 630 Road.”
Ryder sighed.The only thing in its favor was the location, but people’s circumstances changed, and sometimes urgent sales needed to happen—no matter what the season was.“I’m aware, but convince me as to why you think this will work for me, even though it’s way smaller than I want?”
The ache in his leg persisted.A warm shower would soothe it, but this call was important, and if he could get more details about the property out of her, then he would deal with the pain.
“The main reason I called you is the property is in your preferred location.The land is good ranching land.In fact, I believe this parcel of land used to be part of a large ranch that was sold off many years ago.The family who owns it now decided to grow flowers.They do supply the local florist in town and I believe in Bozeman.”
Ryder clenched his phone tighter at Lucinda’s innocent reference to what the land had been used for in the past.How it had been carved up like a Sunday roast, the moment the main house had been vacated.A bitterness he shouldn’t be feeling, about a past he hadn’t been involved in and had only recently discovered his connection to, surprised him.
But he pushed those emotions aside.He would deal with them later.“What’s going to happen to the business if I buy it and turn it into a ranch?”He may want to reclaim his heritage, but he didn’t want to rip someone else’s away—even if it appeared they were voluntarily placing the property on the market.
“From what I’ve heard, the owner is aware when it’s sold, the potential new owners won’t want to be flower farmers.They’ve made their peace with it.”
Of course, this whole conversation was hypothetical.Lucinda didn’t have a signed contract to sell the property.It could all be an exercise in futility, and the owner of the flower farm could change their mind and not sell.
“Still not convincing me it’s a good option, especially as it’s not guaranteed yet.”
“Why don’t you go out and look at the property?There’s no harm in that.When you get there, I know you’ll see the potential I’m talking about.”
There it was, the opportunity to walk on land that a Munro hadn’t walked on in decades.His last name may be Chamberlain, but he had Munro blood flowing through his veins.
“Fine.Send me the address.”
“Great.I’m sure you’ll find the Bloom Flower Farm will give you what you need, only on a smaller scale.”
Everything in Ryder stilled at hearing the name of the property.“Bloom Flower Farm?As in Chrissy Bloom?”Surely it wasn’t a coincidence that he’d met a woman whose last name was Bloom.
“Yes, she’s the eldest daughter of the family.Lived in Buffalo for quite a few years and moved back at the beginning of the year.Why?Do you know her?It could work in your favor if you did.”
The insinuation from Lucinda didn’t sit well with him.“I don’t, and I also don’t do business that way.I don’t take advantage of people.”
He didn’t try to hide the edge in his voice.He may have given thought to buying all the land up, regardless of the present owners, but it wasn’t who he was, so he couldn’t do it.
“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise.It’s just if you know her, she could show you around.I can’t do that, as I don’t have the listing and it’s not technically on the market.”
Visiting the property means you get to see Chrissy again.
The devilish voice inside of him was hard to ignore because he did want to see Chrissy again.He just had to make sure that he didn’t let on the real reason why he was showing up at the property.
Chapter Five
