Chapter 62
CHAPTER 62
CASSIDY
D on’s office was more organized than I had ever seen it. I knew that was all Karen. She was a bit of a neat freak. There was a new filing cabinet in the corner. Don’s desk was mostly clear, which never happened. I sat down, with Karen sitting to my right.
My eyes went to a creased map of the ranch pinned behind his desk. We used it when we were talking about where to move cattle and discussing fence lines and what not. We didn’t need the map, but it was just one of those things Don liked to bring out. The office had seen a lot over the years. Sometimes, after a long day on the ranch, Don and I would sit in there and have a drink. We’d bullshit about nothing until we were both tired enough to get some sleep.
But tonight felt different. I studied him, my mentor, searching for any clues as to why he brought us in here. I had a sinking feeling I knew what it was but I wasn’t going to assume. That was something Don always said when I would get worked up about something. He always told me not to borrow trouble. One step at a time.
He poured me a whiskey and handed Karen a bottle of water. When he settled into his chair, he looked down at his drink, swirling it in a way that told me he was gearing up to drop something big. I waited, every beat of my heart taking me one step closer to hearing the words I knew were coming but dreading.
I took a drink, letting it burn before I leaned forward. “Don’t beat around the bush. Just give it to us straight.”
Don gave a dry laugh and took a sip. “Always been the type to get right to it.”
“I get it from you,” I said.
“Alright then, I’ll just say it. I’m finished running this ranch. I can’t keep it going. Not financially, and, well, not physically, I’m not much help anymore either. It’s time I clock out.”
His words cut straight through me. I knew he’d been struggling. The whole place was barely hanging on. But hearing him say it out loud made it all real in a way that hit harder than I expected.
I could see Karen looking at me, but I kept my eyes on Don. I knew him well enough to know there was more.
“What does that mean, Don?” I asked.
He sighed like he was carrying a massive weight. His shoulders were slumped forward. I watched him take another drink from his glass.
“I’ve had banks, developers, and God knows who else calling me every day from sunup to sundown, hounding me with offers. They want to turn this place into a resort, a casino, you name it. This place is worth something to developers. The land, not the lodge.”
“The lodge isn’t in serious disrepair,” Karen said. “It’s valuable.”
Don shook his head. “A resort would generate more income. People don’t want this anymore. We’re too small to compete with the bigger places, and if we’re too big, we lose our authenticity.”
“The damage didn’t help.” Karen sighed.
“I got my lawyer to look into suing Earl for damages, but the man’s broke as a joke. Even if we sued him, we’d never see a dime. We got all we’re going to get from his insurance.”
I didn’t know whether to be mad or disappointed. Earl’s actions had pushed us right to the brink. Now there wasn’t even a slim chance of getting anything back from him. It was beyond unfair that the guy was going to get away with the damage. It was bullshit. He should have to pay restitution.
I had wanted so badly to believe Don might find a way to fix things, but that hope crumbled in front of me. “What does this mean, Uncle Don? Are you being forced to sell?”
“If I don’t come up with the funds by tomorrow…” He looked down, voice rough. “Then the bank will foreclose on the property. I’ve pushed it off as long as I can. I can’t promise them any money. They aren’t interested in extending me any more grace. They’ll make their money by forcing a sale.”
The room felt like it shrunk. My ears were ringing. I could barely focus on the words he just said. The bank was foreclosing. Rocking Horse Ranch gone, just like that. I instinctively reached out for Karen’s hand.
She squeezed. “We’ll figure it out, Cassidy.”
But I could tell she didn’t really believe that.
Don watched us, and then, just as I was wondering if he had anything else to add, he swirled his whiskey, letting the suspense drag out a bit longer. “Or I accept an offer tonight.”
Karen frowned. I didn’t get it. I was in no mood for games. “Stop talking in riddles, old man,” I said. “What offer? You’re entertaining an offer?”
Don smiled, which seemed a little out of place given the seriousness of the situation. “You’re right. I’ve been beating around the bush long enough.” He put his glass down and folded his hands on the desk. “The only offer I’ll accept tonight is from someone who’s willing to take on this place for what’s owed to the bank and who has the cash and the permits lined up to keep the ranch operating.”
I looked at Karen and could tell she was puzzling out Don’s riddle. I wasn’t. Then Karen smiled. I frowned, shaking my head.
“You’re saying Cassidy could buy it for what you owe?” Karen asked.
Don nodded. The relief in his eyes was evident. That was when I started to understand what he was saying. “Wait, what?” I asked.
“If you want it, son, you can have it,” Don said. “But I need an answer tonight. If we don’t file the paperwork, the bank will take over by noon tomorrow. I can’t hand it down to you on a silver platter. God knows I wish I’d been able to. If I were a rich man, I would happily sign it all over to you. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the funds. But this is the only way I know to keep it from getting ripped apart by a bunch of corporate suits.”
I felt my heart racing. My head spun with everything he said. There it was. It was the very thing I had always wanted laid out in front of me. The ranch, in all its worn-down, barely hanging on glory, could be mine. My fingers itched to sign anything he put in front of me, no matter the risk or what it meant for my future. This place had always been more than just a job. It was my life, my home. And now, it was right there for the taking.
“Do you still want it?” Don’s voice was quiet but filled with hope.
I looked up at him. “I would die for this place. You know that. Of course, I still want it. But, Don, I don’t have any money. Not yet.”
“We can figure that out later,” he said. “If I can at least tell the bank I have an offer on the table, we can hold off the foreclosure. We’ll need to get you under contract. Are you ready for that?”
“What do I need to sign?”
Don smiled with pure relief. “That’s the spirit, kid. Let me make a call. I thought it might go like this, but I wasn’t sure. Before we have you sign anything, I need you to understand what you’re getting yourself into.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know this place is in the red. You know the repairs that need to be done. You’re buying a money pit.”
I nodded slowly. “I know,” I said. “But it’s more than that to me, Don. It’s not just a ranch. It’s where I grew into a man. You know that.”
“I know, Cassidy. That’s why I’m offering it to you first. I wouldn’t want it in anyone else’s hands. I’ll make the call.”
Before long, Don’s realtor was on the phone, walking us through the documents and promising to send over the e-documents for review. I would have to go down to the bank the next morning, work out the financials until my inheritance came through, but none of that mattered now. The path was clear. And I was taking it.
Hell, I was running toward that paperwork.
“I think we’re good for now,” Don said. “He’ll have the documents here in the morning.”
“Thank you, Don. Seriously, I’m going to work every day to make you proud.”
“I know you will,” Don said.
He seemed lighter, like a weight he’d been carrying for years had finally lifted. Karen and I walked out of his office. I couldn’t stop grinning, barely aware of anything but the thought that this ranch—my ranch—was safe. I could see Karen was just as thrilled with the idea.
When we reached the hallway outside her room, I pulled her close. I was vibrating with excitement.
“This is happening,” I said. “It’s finally happening.”
She leaned in close, her lips brushing my ear before she playfully bit at my lobe. “Perfect timing, too. Now you don’t have to spend Mary Ellen and Archer’s wedding worrying about the ranch.”
She was right. I could breathe easier now, focus on the days ahead without the looming fear of losing the ranch. Everything felt right, like we were both part of this bigger plan.
It was like all the puzzle pieces were finally falling into place. My life had been a hot mess up until I met Karen. She was putting me together, piece by piece.
“So, are you officially the boss now, cowboy?”
“Looks like I am,” I said. “Guess that makes you the boss’s lady.”
“I guess it does.”
I leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Every single worry faded into the background, replaced by a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long, long time. It was a chance to start fresh, to build something I could be proud of. The best part was I got to share it with Karen.
Finally, I let her go, giving her one last grin. “You better get some sleep, boss’s lady. I will sleep back at the bunkhouse tonight.”
She laughed, giving me one last kiss before slipping into her room. “Goodnight, cowboy.”
“Goodnight, Karen.”
I headed to the bunkhouse, anxious to tell Ginny and Kenny about what had happened.