Page 6 of Married By Midnight
“I don’t know what to tell you. But, I can tell you this: if you can’t make payment, then the farm will go to a tax sale and the first person to make payment will own the land.”
“Would I be able to buy the land back?”
“Not if it is sold. There is someone that is already waiting to purchase this property as soon as it is considered defaulted.”
Sarah’s eyes flew up. “Who?” Sadness and desperation were replaced by anger. She knew exactly who, but she wanted to hear the words from the banker’s own lips.
“I’m not at liberty to say.” Mr. Mathews looked as though he wanted to help her, but he was caught between his duties for the state and providing unsolicited financial advice to a resident.
Sarah just looked at him. She felt her lips flatten and she bit the inside of her cheek as to not say something she couldn’t take back. Finally, she nodded. “I understand.”
Mr. Mathews looked at his watch. “I need to be back to the bank.” He tapped the papers on the table. “I suggest that you check with your attorney and review your father’s will.”
“My father didn’t leave a will that we know of. If I can’t afford to pay this, what makes you think I can afford to pay a lawyer?”
Mr. Mathews tapped the papers again. “Have him pay specific attention to section nine point four of the terms.”
“W-w-what?”
Mr. Mathews stood and picked up his hat that was on the chair next to him. “Nine point four, Miss Abrahams. I can hold them off for fourteen days.” He gave her a quick nod. “I’ll show myself out.”
Sarah sat the table.How had it come to this?
This farm was all she had. It was the last link to her parents. Jacob Abrahams came to Colorado from Ohio. Even though the farm was on the side of the mountain, it was one of the larger flat pieces in Creede. It was perfect for grazing cattle and growing vegetables. Her father said that was because it was closer to the sun and God could kiss the land.
The land was highly desired by many farmers and ranchers, not only because of the rich soil but it also had a stream running through the far end of the property. But there was one man who had been trying for years to get her father to sell the farm.Arlan Snyder.
The Snyder ranch backed against the Abrahams’ property. There was only a small portion of the stream that cut through the Snyder’s ranch. Then the water curved back into the Abrahams’ property and further down the mountain towards Creede.
Arlan wanted to get his hands on the water rights. Sarah’s father allowed Arlan and his cattle to use the water freely, but then something happened to change that. Sarah didn’t know what. She only knew her father was adamant about not allowing Arlan’s cattle to graze the lower quadrant and have free access to the land. After that, Arlan did everything he could to get Jacob to sell.
The harassment had gotten so bad, that her father was considering it. Then the unthinkable happened. The wagon carrying her father, mother and younger sister went off the side of the mountain. Everyone perished, including the horse.
She wasn’t allowed to see her parents prior to the burial. They were placed immediately in plain pine caskets and laid to rest underneath the trees that shaded one side of the farm.
Reverend Bing insisted that she should remember them as they were. Alive and vibrant. That her family was no longer in their earthly bodies, but instead they had been transformed and were now residing in Heaven.
Sarah realized she could never sell the farm. She needed to be close to her family that was buried in that back plot. Having it stolen from her, never entered her mind.
That was how she viewed it …stolen. A matter of fifty dollars stood between her and owning it. Sarah huffed and stuffed the papers in the sideboard drawer.
What she told Mr. Mathews was true. Her father hadn’t left a will. Or at least one that that Mr. Rodgers, the lawyer knew about. But Mr. Rodgers did say that if she found one, he would look at it.
“Ma’am?” a voice called from the door.
Sarah spied Dell at the door. The older gentleman had been working for her father for as long as she remembered. He was more of an uncle than an employee. He had lost his wife and spent his days drinking his memories away.
Her father found him shortly after they moved to Creede and brought him home to sober him up. Dell never left. Instead he became Jacob’s business partner and would oversee the seasonal workers that helped on the ranch.
“All the boys are gone except Dusty and Jesse. They asked if they could stay until the end of the month. They didn’t have anywhere to go.”
The rest of the hands were given notice and many of them immediately left. She imagined that most of them were working for Arlan now.
Sarah nodded. “Of course, they can stay.” Her father wouldn’t want her turning anyone away. “They can stay as long as they need to. Or for however long we can keep the farm.”
“Miss?”
Sarah shook her head. “I’m just fussing over something that I can’t do anything about.”
