“Cord, you all right?” Mr. Forbes sent him a concerned look.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He couldn’t let himself get distracted. The most important thing was saving the land. “You know I’m in the process of applying to have Haggerty listed with the National Register of Historic Places.”
“I totally understand.” The Realtor patted him on the arm.
“Do you?” Because the history of his family’s land wasn’t something people talked about, but Cord’s grandfather had spent years teaching him about his ancestors. “As long as I’m alive and kicking, no one but a Lawson will own Haggerty.”
Mr. Forbes’s round face grew red like an heirloom tomato. “We have solid interest in the ghost town.”
This news struck Cord like a sharp blow to the solar plexus. He didn’t need this complication. What if the bank got wind of this and twisted his arm to force the sale? Those bankers wouldn’t care about his heritage so long as they got their money. The thought soured his stomach.
Just then, Ms. Business Suit strolled out of the store. When their gazes connected, he noticed the deep-blue depths of her eyes. Okay, maybe she wasn’t so bad. In fact, she was pretty hot. She flashed him a broad smile, and he forced himself not to smile back. He didn’t have time to waste with flirting—that was a thing of his past.
He and Mr. Forbes moved aside to let her pass. Cord turned his head, allowing his gaze to linger on her, catching the sway of her rounded hips. It didn’t hurt to look. And, oh boy, was Ms. Business Suit a fine sight.
Mr. Forbes cleared his throat. “About the ghost town—”
Cord turned back to find amusement in the man’s eyes. “Yes…how far did this inquiry go before it became clear your office had made a mistake?”
“Well…information was forwarded about soil samples and water supplies.”
“So you didn’t bother to inform this person that Haggerty isn’t for sale? You didn’t take the time to tell them the listing is only for the two hundred acres on the eastern border of the Brazen H?”
“C'mon, Cord.” Mr. Forbes grabbed a hanky from his pants pocket and dabbed it across his brow. “The property may have been in your family for generations, but selling it would keep you from losing everything. It's perfect.”
Cord gritted his teeth. “Really? What about all those folks buried in the Haggerty family cemetery? Is it good for them? Would you sell out your grandmother's last resting place to earn a buck?”
Mr. Forbes tugged at his shirt collar. His forehead glistened again. “No. I…I’ll have Melanie call the woman back and clarify which property is for sale.”
“Make sure they know your office made the mistake. I want Melanie to convince this person to buy the two hundred acres. Time is running out for both of us to make this sale.”
“I understand.” The man swiped the hanky down his face. “I’m really sorry about this. I don’t want to lose you as a client.”
Cord inhaled a deep, calming breath. He hated being responsible for the pained look on the older man’s weathered face. Not long ago he had made a monumental blunder himself by marrying Susan. His failed marriage had landed him in this difficult financial situation. He shouldn’t be so hard on Mr. Forbes or Melanie. Neither of them would intentionally hurt this deal.
“That won’t happen,” Cord said, checking his anger.
Mr. Forbes rocked back on his heels. A weary smile puffed up his cheeks. “Thanks for understanding. We won’t fail you.”
They couldn’t fail. As of right now, Cord didn’t have a plan B.
Mr. Forbes met his gaze. “Melanie will be in touch as soon as she speaks with the potential buyer.”
Cord yanked his key ring from his jeans pocket.
“Make it sooner rather than later. If I don’t come up with the money for the balloon payment soon, the bank is going to foreclose.”
“We won’t let that happen. Have faith.”
Cord’s faith was really shaky at this point. He didn’t even want to contemplate what he’d do if the worst-case scenario happened. Where would he go? What would he do for a living? Ranching was all he knew. And with his dyslexia, it was the only place he felt comfortable.
Besides, if he sold off half the ranch, it’d fix only part of his problem—paying off the mortgage. But at the same time, he’d lose too much grazing land to sustain his herd. Without enough cattle, he’d never be able to keep the place afloat. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Somehow. Some way. He’d find the means to hold on to the only life he’d ever known—the place where he belonged.
???
Surely, she hadn’t heard them correctly.
Please say it isn’t so.