They got up and left, nodding at me in turn as they stepped out.
“Jake! What brings you around today? Them women working you down?”
We had a little laugh at that as I sat down.
“Could be, JT. Could be at that.”
I paused, collecting my thoughts. He waited, knowing me well enough by now to know I didn’t say much without thinking it over first.
“JT, I want to sell out and move down there to Galveston.”
He nodded, “Ok, so what you got in mind?”
“Well, that’s just it, I don’t know. I’ve never had to make a deal like this before. I’m in over my head. So, here I am. I told you that you had first dibs on it.”
He squinted his eyes and rubbed his palm over his cheek, considering that.
“Jake, you’ve always been square with me and, by what I can see, everybody else you have dealings with. So, I’m not gonna blow smoke up your ass on this. You are a rich man now. Damned if you ain’t. I just don’t think you have any idea just how rich you really are. I’ll tell you, the value of your share, with you holding the land and all, is worth way more than I could come up with.”
“Well, JT, it ain’t always about what a things worth to reach a trade. I figure as long as both sides make out, a fair deal is done. My problem is, I made deals to buy this land we’re getting rich on. There’s folks live on it. Depending on it. I figure if I sold out for what it’s worth on the auction block, I’d have to leave them to the devil. Any big outfit ain’t gonna honor my promise to them.”
He considered that a bit. Running the numbers.
“So, the bottom line is this. You want your agreement with them to stand. I get that. So what exactly is that? What’s it look like?”
“They get to live out their days on it free of charge. Farm it on the halves with me. Same deal you and me made, no drilling on tillable land, such as that.”
“What about the honky tonk and women out on the river?”
“It goes with the deal. I do expect the co-op to be built. I got it all laid out. I bought a piece of land on the edge of town with a good spot for a railhead. Loading dock, silos, feedlot, sorting pens, such as that.”
He nodded.
“What about Maggie?”
“That’s between you and her. I’m only speaking for my share and the land.”
“Ok, tell you what.” He thought a moment. “I’ll agree to your conditions where everybody else is concerned. In writing, so as to protect their position in case I croak. I’ll pay you two million in cash for your share and the mineral rights with a ten percent monthly royalty payment made to you. I’ll pay you what you paid for the land and fifty percent above. I’ll also give you my house in Galveston. It’s a big two story with a nice view over the Gulf. Got electric and running water, furnished, too. The wife has a few things she’ll want to keep, though.”
I stood up and held out my hand.
“You got a deal.”
He stood up and took my hand.
He laughed,
“I’ll tell you, Jake, I wasn’t quite sure about you when we first met, but, I’ll admit, you sure surprised the hell out of me. This country needs a passle more men like you. I’ll have them lawyers write everything up for us.”
That gave me a pang in my gut. Hank had said the same thing.
That’s when the world came apart.
The shock wave from the explosion ripped across the land, nearly flattening the tents.
We ran out, gawking around. I looked up toward the house. It was still standing, but the barn was gone.
I saw two figures laying on the ground. I immediately knew who it was. Tommy and Sophie.
A fear tore through my soul like I’d never known before. Me and JT cut and ran toward the house.
That’s when four men stepped out. They were armed. Two with Thompson’s, the other pair with Winchester 1897 shotguns.
We pulled up short. Staring at the muzzles of those guns.
The one in charge spoke up.
“My employer sends his regards. He would like a meeting to discuss a business deal.”
To Be Continued…
I know it’s been a while. Life sometimes gets in the way. I appreciate all my readers and the following. I’ll be working on more to come. Both on this and Time Never Waits, too.
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