Page 35 of One Wild Chance

Jaxon

I watch Summer walk away and make a decision Colleen isn’t going to be happy about. I turn to the line of people. “Hey, everyone, I’m sorry, but I need to cut this short.”

Colleen’s face drops. “When will you be back?”

“Not sure yet. But I’ll let you know.”

I spot James over by Bushy’s vegetable stand, picking out a couple of fat, ripe tomatoes. I’ll bet he could introduce me to a few potential clients.

“James,” I call, catching up to him. “I was wondering if you’d do me a favor?”

“Sure,” James says as we turn and stroll the market.

“Could you introduce me to anyone you think I should know?” I drop my voice. “You know, someone with horses who might be useful for our situation?”

James is one of the few people who knows everyone in the horse industry in these parts.

He gives Bushy a few dollars for the tomatoes. “Hank Branford might be worth talking to.”

“Branford Farms?” I remember what Earl told me about the Branford family—that my dad would never do business with them after they cheated us.

“He’s one of the fastest-expanding horse farmers,” James says, “buying up land and horses all over the area for the past decade. And he’s already reached out to your mother once about Lucky Chance Ranch after your dad passed, just to see if she’d sell off any horses or land.”

He already reached out while Mom was still grieving?

I push back the frustration boiling inside me. “My brothers aren’t going to decide anything until we have full ownership,” I tell James. “But I need some advice about getting out of debt now.”

“He’ll probably be here at the market today. He usually comes.” James scans the crowd. “Actually, there he is. In the black cowboy hat.”

Hank Branford wears snakeskin boots, a big silver belt buckle, and a Stetson that barely looks used. He tips his hat as he walks by.

It was his father who cheated Dad out of a horse in the early years, but Hank Senior has been dead for years, and the man working the crowd right now is his son.

“Would you like me to introduce you?” James asks.

“Sure.” I just want to know who I’m dealing with for myself. And I need to learn from successful men like the Branfords if I’m going to make this farm work for the next two years.

“Hank,” James says as we approach the man in the black hat. “This is Jaxon Chance, John and Miriam’s oldest.”

Hank Branford turns to me. “Sorry to hear about your parents. I heard your dad was real proud of you boys.”

“Thank you,” I say. “He was.”

He’s a barrel of a man, probably mid-forties and still solid as a rock, even though I doubt he’s doing much of the physical labor anymore. He probably has a huge payroll.

“So all you boys are home now?” he asks.

“My brothers are only here for a short time due to their contracts. I just retired, so I’ll be staying a while.”

“Your momma mentioned that you boys had all gone the professional athlete route. Not really interested in the farm side of things.”

I tilt my head. “We were all interested in pursuing our sports careers first. Athletes aren’t allowed to get old.”

“Neither are farmers, but we still do.” He gives me a wide smile. “Well, if you’re ever thinking about sellin’, let me know. I’ll make you a good deal.”

“We’re not looking to right now,” I say firmly.

He narrows his gaze. “Really? What would a hockey player do with horses?”