The H&R Cattle Company by Doug Bowman

folks told me that they would like to build a home for orphan boys right here in Texas. Mom and Dad would run it themselves with a minimum of hired help, and I would donate much of my time as business manager. The rest of my time would be spent helping the boys to develop strong bodies and teaching them how to become respectable men.
    â€œThat hundred acres you own at Silver Springs would be the ideal location.”
    The lady had not spoken since Rollins began to talk. He glanced at her expression and knew that he had her undivided attention. He knew that money would not buy the property, for he had only to look around him to know that she was rich. He must get the land for free, or he would not get it at all. He paused briefly, then continued his spiel. “I first approached a rancher named Hollingsworth with my idea, but he wouldn’t even listen, said the orphans of the world are not his responsibility. I guess you know the man I’m talking about.”
    â€œOooh, yes,” she said with a sigh. “I know him all right.”
    Rollins continued: “Two businessmen in Dallas have agreed to bear the expense of erecting the buildings if I can get the land. Those kindhearted gentlemen are willing to help me create my vision. This, Mrs. Lindsay, is my vision: I see the Lady Lindsay Home for Boys on that Silver Springs property one year from now. I see ten acres of plowed fields, where the boys are growing much of their own food. A pasture with cattle and hogs. The second year, we would build a separate wing for girls, and change the name to indicate that.
    â€œIn three years, I see us with our own schoolteachers, so that our kids can go straight from our Home to college. Of course there’s a two-year junior college right here in Weatherford. The kids could continue to live at the Home while extending their education. I see a large pond, well stocked with fish. The kids would raise their own chickens, and we would allow them to have a few dogs and cats.
    â€œLastly, I see on the front lawn a bronze statue of the lady who made it all possible: Mrs. Victoria Lindsay! That, dear lady, is my vision, and there will be no shortage of kids to fill it. My compassionate friends in Dallas say they will help with operating expenses till we can receive funds from the state of Texas.”
    Mrs. Lindsay sat staring at the wall for quite some time as Rollins walked around looking at the numerous paintings hung about the room.
    The lady finally rose from her chair. “Would you like to stay for dinner, Mister Rollins?”
    â€œIndeed I would, ma’am. I only had coffee this morning.”
    When she had informed the cook that her guest would be present for dinner, she invited Bret to see her vegetable garden. Each row she showed him looked exactly like the ones he had grown up with and picked on his grandfather’s farm. He commented on the garden. “Being a city fellow, I’ve never had many opportunities to actually see the vegetables growing. This is beautiful.”
    They talked of many things, but Bret was very careful not to mention the property again. When dinner had been served, she surprised him again. “Would you like to come to supper tomorrow night?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. Living in hotels and eating in restaurants like I have to do, a home-cooked meal is always welcome.”
    â€œTomorrow night at eight, then?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    He rode out of the yard feeling that he might have scored a bull’s-eye with the lady, but he also knew that he was not out of the woods yet. Given enough time, she could very easily have him and his story checked out. His only hope was to make her like and trust him so much that she would consider such a thing unnecessary. He kicked his horse toward town. He would stable the animal, then head for his hotel room, where he expected to spend most of his time in the near future. He would stay out of sight for the most part;