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The thought of someone tearing down that beautiful house made her sad. It was her birthright. Her grandparents had built it with love and the future in mind.
She nodded.
“Your property backs up to mine, so it would just be more acreage for us,” the man told her.
Right now, she wasn’t going to say anything but just listen to the lawyer.
Jim White smiled at her. “How are you doing?”
Something about the man gave her the willies. It was like he was smooth talking her so he could take her to the cleaners.
Nathan sighed. “The second folder is Mr. White’s proposal. He’s offering you three million dollars.”
“Wow,” she said. That was a lot of money. “What do you plan to do with the land?”
He grinned at her and leaned forward. “We’re going to create a subdivision. Divide off the land and sell it as mini ranches. The people from San Antonio and Dallas and even Houston are always looking for a place out in the country. With five-acre lots, they can build the house of their dreams and have a small piece of heaven right here in Blessing.”
For a moment, she thought about her grandparents. Would that be what they would’ve wanted?
“What about the house?”
“Oh, that will be torn down along with the barns. The cattle we’ll move over to my ranch.”
She gazed at each man. “As you know, I have two hands who work the ranch for me. What would you do for them?”
Zachary McCoy gazed at her. “They would be offered jobs at my ranch. I don’t really need any more help, but I’d do that as a courtesy for them.”
Jim grinned. “I’d give them a nice severance package.”
Not really what she wanted to hear.
Why did this not feel right?
She sat there staring at each man. One was a greedy son of a bitch. And Zachary, she didn’t think he was a bad man, just someone who would be increasing the size of his own ranch. She couldn’t blame him for that, but it still didn’t feel right.
“Gentlemen, I know you’ve been patiently waiting, but I’m not ready to make a decision today. I’ve seen your offers, I’ve heard what you’re going to do with the land, but I need more time. My stay here is running short, so I’ll let you know my decision no later than tomorrow.”
Jim smiled that creepy-ass smile that she’d come to hate so very much. He leaned over and took his offer from her.
“I’m signing it right here and now. All you’ll need to do is add your signature and it’s a done deal.”
Did he think that because he’d signed the paperwork that this would push her toward a decision? It did just the opposite.
“I’m not signing anything today,” she repeated.
They all stood, and Jim White raced to her side of the table. “You’ll make the right choice. I just know you will.”
He tried to hug her and she stepped back. So instead he grabbed her hand and shook it. A sick feeling overcame her.
Zachary lifted his hat from the table. “Good luck, Miss Parker. It must be a really difficult decision.”
“Yes, it is,” she said. “So many generations and lives were built around this land. I feel blessed to learn about my grandparents.”
He nodded. “I’ll be waiting for your phone call, Nathan.”
The men walked out the door and she turned to Nathan.
“They both offered a lot of money, but I just don’t know yet. Something is holding me back and until I know for certain, I’m not choosing.”
