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“And more…”
Mr. Harvey looked astounded. “Texas, huh? Well…good luck to you.”
“Thanks,” Lee said and tipped his hat to the man. “I’ll get those papers drawn up for you.” Then he left.
Lee studied the conversation and the longer he thought on it, the happier he became. Now all he had to do was talk to Jeffries.
He hated to sell to the Jeffries but maybe it was time to settle all the old scores and move on. Maybe it was time to end the war between himself and the Jeffries. After all, he was a happy man. He had his Hattie and a new family, and ole Joe. What more could he need? He was headed for Texas to see his good friends again. He could afford to be generous and the money from the farm would help pay for his future.
He wasted no time in going to see Mr. Jeffries that same afternoon. He wanted things settled and done.
The old man stood majestically in his huge ranch house surrounded by all his animal heads and collections of guns. The house was a museum of the western culture. Lee smiled as he moved into the room. All it needed was a saddle to make a cowman feel at home.
He studied Harold Jeffries with a new light. He was a rotund man in his late fifties, with bushy brows and graying hair and a scowl on his face that naturally blended with the man himself. He came into the room dressed ready to ride, his hat in hand, commanding an authority that was seldom refused.
His eyes narrowed on Lee with nothing short of arrogance.
“Well now, Lee, I heard you were back.” Although from the sound of his voice he was truly surprised to see him. He went to the counter of the bar behind the big cowhide couch and poured himself a brandy.
Lee wondered how fast Frank had told everyone he’d killed him.
“Yeah, no thanks to your son.” Lee frowned.
“Yes, well, what exactly can I do for you?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I want to sell my land…” Lee admitted uncomfortably, twirling his hat in his hand and not looking at Jeffries any longer.
“Sell it? Are you serious?” Jeffries came to stand directly in front of him, his jowls hanging like a heavy weight against his cheeks and chin. They actually shook when he talked, reminding Lee more of a bull dog than a human. “Why, I was told you just paid the taxes on the place. Why would you want to sell it now?” Jeffries asked, gulping down the first brandy.
“I’m leavin’ Alabama,” Lee announced.
“Leavin’?” Again, Jeffries was shocked.
“I really do surprise you, don’t I?”
“Well.” Jeffries scratched his chin. “Yeah, you do. I don’t understand. After all this time, you are leavin’? You jest got back from the war. I don’t understand. Your folks lived there. I’d figure you’d die there.” Jeffries stood there staring straight at him. “Unless Frank scared you a little. I could understand that…”
Lee sat back in the chair and relaxed now, feeling he had taken the edge off this meeting. He refused to talk about Frank with his father.
“Nevertheless, I want to sell. Are you interested in buying it?”
Jeffries laughed aloud. “I’ve never been uninterested. I’ve never made a secret of it either.”
Lee nodded and put his hat on his knee. “I figured as much. I figured thirty-five thousand ought to cover it.”
“Thirty-five thousand?” Jeffries frowned, almost choking as he took a drink of brandy and offered Lee one this time. Lee shook his head no. “For your place? A little steep, don’t you think, for someone with just under t
wenty-five thousand acres.”
“Take it or leave it,” Lee said, standing up. “It doesn’t much matter to me.”
“Now, hold on there. That’s a big chunk of money. I’d have to have the bank handle the finances of it.”
“I want cash. Like I’ve said, I’m leavin’,” Lee announced, heading for the door.
“But that’s a huge sum of money…” Jeffries moved toward him. “Alright…Lee, you got a deal.” He came up to him and extended his hand on a shake.
Lee shook hands and eyed him. “And just so you know…Frank’s not the reason I’m leavin’.”
