“About sixty grand worth, and she’d rent back the use of the land for the horses with a hope to one day buy it back with interest.”
“She doesn’t need to rent it back, but can we afford to buy it?I mean we definitely don’t want her selling off any of the acres between our land to someone else.”
“We just moved that chunk of change into the trust, so the estate is a little light on liquid funds.But I figured between you, me, and Levi we could probably put enough together,” Wes said.
Renn grimaced.“Land is better than money—use the cash you all think I’m owed for the land.”
“The thing is we can’t touch that money now,” Wes said.
“If I transfer the funds to you, can you handle the purchase, without her knowing it was my inheritance?”
Wes and Dalton looked at each other and then him speculatively.
“I just think it’s best if she thinks the money is from you all—neighbors she’s known her entire life and trusts.”
“Alright, but the extra land gets added to your portion then,” Wes says.
“Fine, minus your fee for managing the sale and the property for the last almost twenty years.”
Dalton grinned and patted Renn’s back.“Well played, brother.You always gotta meet Wes’s bossy nature with some of your own.”
“Let’s eat, boys,” Gran called out.
“Are you sure about this?”Wes asked, standing.
“Absolutely, and if you need more just tell me how much.”
Wes nodded.“Alright.”
Renn moved over to the table and made sure he grabbed the chair next to Miranda.The dining room table was covered with a feast, dishes filled to the brim along a delicate light blue tablecloth.There were delicate faint blue glasses filled with water and large white plates with blue ribbons on the edges at each table setting.
He had to school his features and try not to react when Mrs.Hart asked everyone to hold hands for grace.Miranda had looked at him with questioning eyes but gently placed her small, soft hand with small worn parts from her ranch work.Renn enjoyed every fleeting second holding on to her a beat too long as everyone moved to take their seat.He could feel a few sets of eyes on him and didn’t miss the mischievous smile from Mrs.Hart.
“This is a charming table,” Renn said.“And I haven’t seen a feast like this in years.”
“Thank you, honey,” Gran said, winking at Renn as he held Miranda’s chair out for her to sit.
Dalton and Wes groaned.“Who is going to break it to Levi?”Dalton said.
“Break what?”Levi’s voice called from the kitchen before he and Missy appeared.
Mrs.Hart popped up from her seat.“What are you two doing here tonight?I swear you said you had a travel day?”
“We decided to swing through for the night,” Missy said, smiling and hugging Mrs.Hart.
“Missy has news,” Levi said with a big grin.
“We have some news,” Missy said and moved her hand to stomach.
But before she could say anything else Ms.Hart and all the women at the table were standing up.
Dalton grinned and stood before he slapped Levi’s back.
“Guess you’re the favorite again.”The two hugged and laughed.
“What did I miss?”Renn said as Miranda sat back down next to him with a smile.
“Missy and Levi are having a baby,” Miranda whispered.
