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However, when he ripped the envelope open, he’d received the surprise of his life. Howard Smith, the owner of the Crooked S, had written into his will that Avery was to be granted an exclusive opportunity to buy the ranch. The letter went on to say that the ranch had undergone a full evaluation and that the specified dollar figure represented the ranch’s current value. It also stated that he had ninety days in order to secure the necessary funds or else the ranch would be put up for public auction. The proceeds were to be split evenly between Howard’s two nephews.
After filling Blake in on the recent events, Avery turned back to the most amazing view. “I knew Howard always talked about wanting someone who loved the land and animals as much as him to one day own the place, but I never thought he meant me.”
“He thought of you like a son. You were here for years before I came along. You worked every day from sunup until sundown. I remember how upset your mother would get because you were never home.”
“But my father understood. He loved when his work brought him to this ranch, even if he on
ly did the accounting and bookwork. I think if he hadn’t had a family counting on him to provide for them, he would have chucked the accounting and become a cowboy.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life.”
“Me either.”
Blake studied him for a moment. “So when are you going to buy the place? I know all of the ranch hands will be happy to have you running the Crooked S.”
“Whoa! Slow down. Before that can happen, I need to devise a plan to come up with the funds to pay the hefty price tag. I knew owning two thousand acres of this rich fertile land wouldn’t be cheap, but I wasn’t quite prepared for such a staggering asking price.”
“But don’t forget that includes three hundred head of cattle. Plus all of the outbuildings. Not to mention this beautiful home that’s just begging for a family to move in and fill it with smiles and laughter.”
Avery stepped back and waved off his friend. “What’s up with the hard sale line?”
Blake glanced down. “There are a lot of lives hinging on your decision. I just had to talk my best man out of leaving today. Everyone thinks the ranch will be sold off and chunked up into smaller ranches or that the new owner will bring in their own people.”
Just what Avery needed, more pressure to make this happen. And it might have been a possibility, if he hadn’t gotten injured. He’d been at the top of his division. There were advertisers vying for his signature, but after his injury he hadn’t heard a peep out of them.
“Sorry,” Blake said. “I shouldn’t have laid all of that on you. It’s just that I get so frustrated. I know this ranch can be successful again instead of scraping by. It just needs someone young and ambitious.”
Avery let out a laugh and it felt good. “And you think I’m that person?”
“Sure. And I’m not the only one.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Do you honestly think Mr. Smith would have named you in his will if he didn’t trust you with one of the great loves of his life?”
Avery turned his back on the ranch. The pressure to come up with the necessary funds to help out the ranch hands at the Crooked S and live up to Howard’s expectations was a lot for him. Just for now, he needed to think about something else.
“Have you heard about that Bachelor Bake-Off?” Avery asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Who hasn’t heard about it? It’s all folks are talking about in Marietta.”
“And what do you think of the idea?” He wanted to get a guy’s perspective on it before he decided what to do about staying in the competition or backing out.
“I think it’s a bit different. But it’s for a good cause. Harry was a great guy. He’d like the town pulling together.”
“You think so?”
“I think he’d get a kick out of a bunch of guys getting up in front of the whole town and baking, especially the ones who aren’t exactly experienced.” Blake paused and arched a brow. “Why are you so interested?”
Avery swallowed. “I’m one of the bachelors.”
“You are? How did that happen?” But before Avery could answer, Blake said, “Never mind. I know. It was Beth.”
“Good guess.”
“It was easy. Seems that girl has been getting you involved in all sorts of interesting things, from father-daughter dances to chaperoning field trips. Well, you can count on me to cheer you on. I just have one question. Do you know how to bake?”
“I think I’ll plead the fifth.”
