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There and then, I vowed to win Anna’s heart.
To be the man she deserved.
*******
The next day, I went to my study to start righting my wrongs.
The room’s design was a mix of rugged practicality and hasty organization. Shelves were lined with books on ranching and ranch management. An old map of Marfa was pinned to the wall. Papers were strewn across the desk, and photographs of my family and rodeo days were scattered amongst the clutter.
I scratched my forehead, recalling that I’d not come into this study for a long while.
Once I sat at the desk, I rifled through the papers to find Richard’s documents. They were plans and contracts outlining our joint scheme to acquire Harrington Ranch. Although I’d signed some of them, I hadn’t returned the documents.
I picked them up and walked to the fireplace. I tossed the papers into the flames, then watched them curl and blacken.
The sight of the documents burning was satisfying. It was a step towards stopping the predatory purchase of Anna’s ranch.
But I had a deeper reckoning to face.
The next thing I did was to kneel beside my chair and bow my head in prayer.
“Lord, I’m sorry for treating Grandpa William and Anna badly. Grandpa William helped me to build my ranch, but I dilapidated his and tried to put it in debt. I didn’t help to keep the ranch thriving when he was ill. I’ve gone down the same path with Anna, too.”
I paused, trying to gather my thoughts.
“Please, Lord, give me the strength to make amends. Help me to be a good man to Anna. In Jesus' name. Amen.”
With that, I opened my eyes and rose from my knees.
Afterward, I bathed and got ready for the day. Wearing black clothes, I picked some flowers. Today, I would visit my father’s grave. I should have done that a long time ago. That was the only way I could reconcile the man he wanted me to be with the man I needed to become. But better late than never.
I was about to get into the car when my housekeeper intercepted me, glaring.
“Luna,” I said in greeting.
She crossed her arms.
“Maximillian, Mr. Richard Kane called,” she spat out. “He says he’s been trying to reach you. He wants to know about the Harrington Ranch deal.”
I grimaced. Richard was already nudging people to believe I wanted Harrington Ranch. If his tactics became successful, they wouldn’t trust me anymore. Or worse, my reputation would be ruined.
I took in Luna’s worried look. She was a part of this ranch. Her disapproval of my dealings with Richard was another reminder of how far I’d strayed.
Not wanting to betray my thoughts, I let my face relax into a neutral expression before speaking.
“Thank you, Luna. Tell him I’m unavailable. And from now on, don’t answer his calls. I’ll handle Richard myself.”
She nodded, her body losing its stiff posture. A slow smile spread on her lips.
“Hold on,” she said and dashed into the house.
A few minutes later, she came out with a bouquet of flowers. She gave them to me, bowing.
“For Señor.”
I nodded and put them in the backseat, then drove to Anglo Cemetery.
My father’s grave was in a grassy plot in a quiet corner. A simple headstone marked his final resting place. The inscription on the weathered stone had his name and his birth and death date.
