A Place Of Our Own (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Texas Heat series: Book 3, Jim and Maddies story) by Amelia Rose Page A
Authors: Amelia Rose
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size.”
“Don’t forget I want to keep on a few cows for home grown beef for Francis to work with but yes, I reckon I can have the place in profit within a year.” Jim was confident of his ability now that his father and the bank had showed faith in him.
Penny turned to Maddie. “Let’s order some lunch because I can’t wait to go home and see Jean and Francis.” The waiter came over at Red’s signal and took their orders.
“I couldn’t agree more. My grandmother has been really worried for the last couple of months and frustrated with Granddad because he doesn’t seem to be able to make a decision about selling.”
Red cut in. “In all fairness to the man, Maddie, it’s a big decision and he’s probably been feeling like he’s been backed into a corner. No man should be made to feel like that.”
“I agree with you, Red. They’d both be looking down the barrel of an early grave if they had to sell for peanuts and then move into town. I’m so pleased they’ll be able to stay on in the house and on the land they love. Old folks should have that small security. I’ll be able to keep an eye on them and help out, without them feeling like they’re being a burden. Everyone deserves to keep their dignity as they grow older.”
“Well said, Maddie. I hope our children are as considerate of us Red, when the time comes,” said Penny.
“Well, I will be,” replied Jim. “I can’t speak for the others, but like I said before, I’d be happy enough to have you build a small house just for the two of you over near us. Then, Maddie and I could keep an eye on you as well.”
Penny turned to Red. “You know Red, we should think about it. It’d be nice to be just the two of us again. Having a big family is great but it would be good to spend our twilight years in a smaller place. I don’t know about you, Red, but I can’t see you wanting to move into town either.”
“Too right, I don’t. I promise you, Penny, I’ll give it some thought. Now, let’s finish up here and go home. I want to talk to Francis before George Benson arrives. He’s agreed to come out and supervise the contracts so we can get this deal sealed up. And the surveyor is coming out too. I don’t want anything going wrong now we finally have it sorted out.”
“Well, let’s go then. I can’t wait to tell Gran and Granddad.”
Penny and Maddie decided to travel together, leaving Jim and Red to talk details on the drive back out to the Dupont ranch.
******
The women arrived first and went inside to see Jean, thinking Francis would be out working but they were surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen table with her and it was clear something had happened. The old couple looked beaten, cowed and barely registered Maddie and Penny’s presence. The paper with Andrew’s scribbled offer was between them on the table.
“Gran, Granddad, what’s happened?” asked Maddie, beginning to become concerned. She sat down and indicated to Penny to join them.
“You have a hide, Penny O’Connor, coming in here and daring to show your face to decent people,” Francis blurted out. “I wouldn’t have thought it was possible if I hadn’t heard and seen it with my own eyes, and him with the words about being fair rolling off his tongue as if he meant them.”
“What are you talking about, Francis? Who has been here and what in the name of God are you talking about?” Penny was not one to sit by and let events overtake her.
“Granddad,” pleaded Maddie. “What’s happened?”
“That piece of shit you call your son Penny O’Connor, was here not half an hour ago and made me an offer for the ranch. Here, look at it, woman, and see what kind of a man your son is.”
Penny ventured to look at the paper, worried about what she was going to see. When she saw what Andrew had offered, she recoiled in horror. “But he can’t do that. I don’t know what
“Don’t forget I want to keep on a few cows for home grown beef for Francis to work with but yes, I reckon I can have the place in profit within a year.” Jim was confident of his ability now that his father and the bank had showed faith in him.
Penny turned to Maddie. “Let’s order some lunch because I can’t wait to go home and see Jean and Francis.” The waiter came over at Red’s signal and took their orders.
“I couldn’t agree more. My grandmother has been really worried for the last couple of months and frustrated with Granddad because he doesn’t seem to be able to make a decision about selling.”
Red cut in. “In all fairness to the man, Maddie, it’s a big decision and he’s probably been feeling like he’s been backed into a corner. No man should be made to feel like that.”
“I agree with you, Red. They’d both be looking down the barrel of an early grave if they had to sell for peanuts and then move into town. I’m so pleased they’ll be able to stay on in the house and on the land they love. Old folks should have that small security. I’ll be able to keep an eye on them and help out, without them feeling like they’re being a burden. Everyone deserves to keep their dignity as they grow older.”
“Well said, Maddie. I hope our children are as considerate of us Red, when the time comes,” said Penny.
“Well, I will be,” replied Jim. “I can’t speak for the others, but like I said before, I’d be happy enough to have you build a small house just for the two of you over near us. Then, Maddie and I could keep an eye on you as well.”
Penny turned to Red. “You know Red, we should think about it. It’d be nice to be just the two of us again. Having a big family is great but it would be good to spend our twilight years in a smaller place. I don’t know about you, Red, but I can’t see you wanting to move into town either.”
“Too right, I don’t. I promise you, Penny, I’ll give it some thought. Now, let’s finish up here and go home. I want to talk to Francis before George Benson arrives. He’s agreed to come out and supervise the contracts so we can get this deal sealed up. And the surveyor is coming out too. I don’t want anything going wrong now we finally have it sorted out.”
“Well, let’s go then. I can’t wait to tell Gran and Granddad.”
Penny and Maddie decided to travel together, leaving Jim and Red to talk details on the drive back out to the Dupont ranch.
******
The women arrived first and went inside to see Jean, thinking Francis would be out working but they were surprised to find him sitting at the kitchen table with her and it was clear something had happened. The old couple looked beaten, cowed and barely registered Maddie and Penny’s presence. The paper with Andrew’s scribbled offer was between them on the table.
“Gran, Granddad, what’s happened?” asked Maddie, beginning to become concerned. She sat down and indicated to Penny to join them.
“You have a hide, Penny O’Connor, coming in here and daring to show your face to decent people,” Francis blurted out. “I wouldn’t have thought it was possible if I hadn’t heard and seen it with my own eyes, and him with the words about being fair rolling off his tongue as if he meant them.”
“What are you talking about, Francis? Who has been here and what in the name of God are you talking about?” Penny was not one to sit by and let events overtake her.
“Granddad,” pleaded Maddie. “What’s happened?”
“That piece of shit you call your son Penny O’Connor, was here not half an hour ago and made me an offer for the ranch. Here, look at it, woman, and see what kind of a man your son is.”
Penny ventured to look at the paper, worried about what she was going to see. When she saw what Andrew had offered, she recoiled in horror. “But he can’t do that. I don’t know what
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