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Carlos held up a hand. “I’m not about to let you throw away your time on my farm. You have more than enough on your plate, so this has to be worth it to the both of us. I can’t afford to pay you right now, but perhaps I can leverage the farm—in part—to pay you back when we get back on our feet.”
Elijah stared at the man, dumbfounded. What exactly was he suggesting? It couldn’t be what it sounded like.
He continued. “What we make from the next few months will first go toward the bills we need to pay. Anything extra can go toward what I owe you. The way I see it, you’ll be a temporary part owner of this property, and when I have the funds to buy you out, that will be the end of our contractual agreement.”
“Mr. Perez, that’s a very generous offer, but I couldn’t take what you’ve worked your whole life for. And what about Scarlett?”
Carlos set Elijah with a knowing stare. “I love my daughter.”
“There’s no question—”
“But Scarlett has always had big dreams. She’s always wanted to get out of this small town and make something of herself. I know her well enough to understand that she’s only home out of grief. I don’t blame her for that. It is what it is. But one day she’ll wake up and realize this is not the life she wants. And when that day comes, she will say her goodbyes and she’ll be gone.”
Shock was the only thing that registered in his mind. Scarlett’s own father believed she wasn’t going to stick around.
He glanced toward the house and his heart stumbled for a moment. He couldn’t fathom what she might be going through at this time. He wasn’t naïve enough to believe that she didn’t sense it. She probably knew that her father didn’t trust her either.
Elijah turned back toward Carlos. “Be that as it may, I would prefer that Scarlett be involved in this conversation. I don’t want there to be any confusion over the details of our agreement.”
“That’s not necessary. This farm is mine and mine alone. Scarlett has her own career, and she’s chosen her path.” Carlos gestured toward the barn. “Let me give you a tour.”
If there was anything that signified the conversation was over, it was that very moment. Carlos headed for the barn, and Elijah had no other choice but to follow him. He listened with half an ear as Carlos explained where they were struggling. Some of their equipment was in need of servicing. The crops growing in the field needed to be harvested. They needed to prepare for the winter months. He had two cows and three pigs that had been raised for their meat and needed to be sent to slaughter.
It was a great deal more work than Elijah had counted on, but nothing he couldn’t handle. He had some knowledge of the mechanics of the tractors Carlos needed to be worked on. And while they didn’t care for many animals out at his family’s property, he could handle the next steps for them as well.
They stopped their little tour just outside of the pig pen. Their conversation had died down, and Carlos seemed to be deep in thought as he stared out at the fields surrounding his property. He let out a sigh, drawing Elijah’s attention.
Removing his hat, Carlos shot an almost embarrassed look in Elijah’s direction, then ran a hand through his thinning hair. “Honestly, until Scarlett returned home, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to keep this place running.” He let out a wry chuckle. “I had all but contacted the folks who would come out and sell this place for parts.”
Elijah’s brows shot up. “You wanted to sell?”
“I’m not the young man I once was. I didn’t have any children that I could hand this place down to. Scarlett was never interested in the country life.” He shrugged. “I suppose when my wife passed, my dreams for this place died with her.”
Aside from the fact that Carlos probably shouldn’t be sharing these things with the man who was trying to help him save the place, Elijah didn’t feel comfortable being the one he confided in. He didn’t know Carlos. He barely knew Scarlett. “I’m sorry, sir, but why are you telling me this?” The question slipped out before he had a chance to find a better way to phrase it.
Carlos returned his hat to his head, his brows drawing together. “I suppose I don’t want you walking into this blind. As I said, I don’t believe Scarlett will want to stay long. Any help you give me to keep up appearances would be appreciated. I’m willing to compensate you for any help I can get.”
“Why not… just tell her?”
He chuckled again, the kind of chuckle that was tired and sounded like a man who had given up. “Scarlett wouldn’t understand. This place was her home. I think a part of her doesn’t want to let go of the memories she has of this place. I had thought she’d be married by now—settled down somewhere and making a new home there. But that didn’t happen. I wasn’t expecting her to come home, either. It was all very sudden.” He squinted at Elijah. “If I tell her I’m interested in selling, she’ll convince me not to do it. Best to let her believe we’re saving this place and let her go on her merry way before I make any firm decisions.”
A sudden thought materialized in Elijah’s mind. “You still want to sell.”
“That would be the plan eventually. I might even have to pay you out of the money I get from it.”
“But what if I were the one to buy it from you?” He didn’t have the money for a place like this, and they both knew it. Based on his history, he was certain Carlos would know he had less than a thousand dollars to his name. All his money went back into the ranch. He rolled back his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I’d be happy to buy this place from you in a long-term arrangement.”
Carlos seemed to be considering Elijah’s words. It didn’t appear he was thrilled about that sort of plan, though. Then, finally, he took in a deep breath and expelled it through flared nostrils. “We’ll keep that in mind moving forward. I’m not certain it would be in either of our best interests to hand over the reins, so to speak.”
That was better than an absolute no.
Elijah nodded firmly.
“And I’ll not have you breathing a word of this to anyone. Not your family and not Scarlett. If I hear you’ve let anything slip, then the option is off the table.”
“Of course, sir.”
Carlos appraised him with gray eyes that seemed so weary and yet so full of wisdom. “I’d understand if you don’t want to get started today without the paperwork in hand—”
