Falling hard, p.18
Falling Hard, page 18
The clapboard siding could use a sanding and a paint job and the front stairs and wraparound porch probably needed to be ripped out due to dry rot. But the white farmhouse had so much potential that it made Annie tingle with excitement.
Dana removed the dropbox key, opened the shredded screen door, and let them inside. The place smelled musty and towers of newspapers were stacked everywhere with only a narrow trail between them.
“Was Lila a hoarder?” Gia asked, carefully moving around the piles of filled shopping bags and crates of papers.
“I think you could say that.” Dana toed a few empty plastic tubs aside so they could get from the living room to the dining room. “The kids were supposed to hire someone to clean it out. I’ll have to see what happened with that.”
Underneath the piles of garbage were oak floors, Annie noted. They were old and dull and scarred, but with a good sanding, staining, and a few coats of finish, the floors would gleam. Same with the staircase, which also suffered from neglect.
“Looks like the roof’s leaking.” Gia pointed to several dark patches that covered the ceiling.
“There was a plumbing issue that has since been fixed. The roof is actually only two years old.”
That was good news, Annie thought. Roofs, especially slanted ones, could be pricey. Despite its shoddy state, the house appeared to retain original millwork and window sashes. There was even a window seat that looked out onto the pond.
“How many bedrooms is it?” Gia glanced at the top of the staircase.
“There’s one down here that could be used as an office and three upstairs. In the late nineties Lila added a bathroom to the master. It’s pretty dated but that’s aesthetics. There’s another bathroom upstairs and a half bath down here.”
They went inside the kitchen and Gia scrunched her nose. “Hello, 1970s.”
“Yeah.” Dana ran her hands down the avocado refrigerator. “That was the last time this room was updated. But it’s big and with a little imagination it could be a showplace.”
Gia scanned the kitchen. Like the other rooms, there were stacks of detritus everywhere. “With imagination and lots of money. I’d just tear the whole place down.”
“No. That would be horrible.” Annie couldn’t stop the words before they left her mouth. “There’s so much history here.”
Dana nodded. “It was built in the late 1800s.”
“And it smells like it.” Gia wiped the window over the sink with a dish towel she found on the Formica counter and peered outside. “Nice view, though.”
Annie would kill to look through her kitchen window and see that kind of pastoral scenery. Although, she had to admit that the view from her apartment on Rosser Ranch wasn’t too shabby.
“I’ve seen enough,” Gia said. “How about you, Annie?”
Unlike Gia, what she’d seen made her yearn for the place, even though she couldn’t have it. Just like her situation with Logan. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see the upstairs.”
“Not at all,” Dana said, and led the way.
Each room was cluttered with more crates, shopping bags, and stacks of newspapers. But they were good-sized. And the master had a fantastic view of the pond and the pastures. The things she could do with this place. All it would take was money. Although Annie had managed to save while living at Rosser Ranch rent-free and had a small inheritance from her grandmother—including a rental house in Marysville—she didn’t think it would cover a sizable enough down payment to keep the monthly mortgage bills manageable. When she thought about all the money Chad had thrown down the drain on his various loser projects it made her a little sick.
On their way out, Dana asked Gia if she was still interested.
“I think it’s great for someone who has the time and cash to put into it. For me it would just be a money pit.”
“You think you’ll have any problem selling it?” Annie asked.
“It’ll certainly take a special kind of buyer, but the market is good and it’s a beautiful piece of property for someone who doesn’t mind a house that’s a fixer-upper.”
For Annie the land was everything. The house was just a means to putting a roof over her head. Even so, with a lot of elbow grease and little creativity the home could be lovely. Not like Gia’s house at Rosser Ranch, which reminded Annie of a mountain retreat for a movie star. But it would be sweet and charming and a place she would be happy to call home.
The whole ride back to town, she couldn’t get the place out of her head. It wasn’t like her to want things she couldn’t have. Her upbringing didn’t allow it. Other than Chad, the Sparkses were practical people and their values were simple: Cultivate, care for, and leave the land better than you found it. They didn’t believe in living above their means or reaching for impossible dreams.
Yet, between the Stone property and Logan, she was doing both.
* * *
After meeting with the lawyer and the long drive home, all Logan wanted was a cold beer and a dip in the river. And Annie. He wanted to take her to bed and do all the things they hadn’t tried yet.
At the gate he punched in the code, drove to his cabin, and went inside to change out of his khakis and dress shirt. For his visit with the lawyer he’d wanted to look presentable, which had been a wasted effort because James Cardo looked as if he’d slept in his shirt. His tie had ketchup stains on it and his slacks were two sizes too small. At first, Logan couldn’t believe that Flynn had described the attorney as one of the best in the business. He looked homeless and his office resembled a disaster area. Files were strewn everywhere, moldy cups of coffee cluttered his desk, and dust clung to every surface. But after about ten minutes with the lawyer it was clear he knew what he was doing. What Logan liked best was that he explained everything in simple terminology. No legal mumbo-jumbo. One thing he’d learned over the years was that people who couldn’t explain things in plain English usually didn’t have a clue what they were talking about.
According to Cardo, Raylene and Butch didn’t have a chance in hell of winning the case. They’d alleged that Maisy Jenkins had coerced Rosser into naming Logan in the will, threatening that she would go public with the circumstances of her son’s birth if he didn’t. Flynn could attest to the fact that Rosser wasn’t under any duress when he’d had the trust drawn up.
“There’s a difference between extortion and forging a mutually beneficial agreement,” Cardo had said. “They have no way of proving that your mother blackmailed your father and they know it. What they’re hoping is that you don’t have enough for legal fees and that they can drag this through court long enough that you’ll eventually give up.”
Logan had explained that he didn’t have enough for legal fees, not with Cardo’s retainer. It was so astronomical that Logan didn’t understand why the dude couldn’t afford pants in his size or a cleaning service.
“We’ll work out something,” the lawyer had told him. “Any friend of Flynn’s is a friend of mine.”
Logan took a quick shower, put on his swim trunks and a T-shirt, and texted Annie to see if she wanted to go the river with him. Ten minutes later, she knocked on his door in a red dress, cowboy boots, and a straw cowboy hat.
“You look good.” He pulled her in for hug, slid his hands up her skirt, and squeezed her ass while he kissed her. “But you’re not dressed for the river. You have something else in mind? Because I’m down with that.” Logan backed her toward the staircase to the loft or they could do it on the love seat, even though it was too small for him.
“I want to show you something but we have to drive.”
“Show me later,” he said, and started to unbutton the top of her dress.
“I want to show you while it’s still light outside. It won’t take long, I promise.”
Whatever it was, it sounded important to her. He tore himself away and silently told his bottom half to behave.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed his keys off the kitchen counter.
“I can drive.”
“I’ve got air-conditioning. Where you taking me?”
“This place I saw earlier today with Gia and our friend Dana. She’s a real-estate agent. The property used to be part of Rosser Ranch but Ray’s father—your grandfather—subdivided and sold it before he died.”
“So that’s why we’re looking at it?”
“That and because I can’t stop thinking about it,” she said.
They got in Logan’s truck and he immediately cranked up the AC, then slid her a sideways glance. “You thinking of buying it?”
“It’s insane, right?”
“How much is it?” He got on the highway and followed her directions.
“Half a million. But it’s sixty acres and a house, though the house needs a lot of work. Gia hated it; thought it was a money pit. And I have to admit that it’ll take a good chunk of change to fix up. But all I see is potential. Tons and tons of potential. You’ll tell me the truth, right? Not that I can even afford it. I can’t. But if you think it’s crazy to even contemplate it I’ll feel better about not being able to afford it.”
She was talking so fast Logan was having trouble keeping up. “I’ll tell you the truth.”
“And here I am going on and on about a fantasy without even asking you how it went with the lawyer. How did it go, Logan? Does he think they even have a chance?”
“It went well. The lawyer’s a trip. He looks like Pig-Pen and his office is a sty. But I think he’s smart. According to him, the suit is bullshit. But if Raylene and Butch want to, they can hold the trust up in court for years. Of course, it’ll mean they won’t get their money while the case is being litigated.” He turned on his signal. “Here, right?”
“Yep. Pull over for a second. I want to finish talking about this before you see the property.”
“You know I can do both at the same time.”
“I know, but I want you to get the full force of the property. Plus, your meeting with the lawyer was important, more important than this silly pipe dream of mine.”
“It’s not silly if it’s important to you, Annie.” He figured that her family had done a number on her with the self-entitled brother. “There’s not a lot to say about the case. The lawyer said he’d take it on and file a brief in response to Raylene and Butch’s challenge. We’ll have to wait it out and see where it goes from there.”
“Can you leave the area?” she asked.
He nodded. “My presence won’t be needed in court unless it goes to a trial. Until then I’m free to roam.”
“What about partnering with your friend?”
He didn’t want to say too much about his plans with Gabe. Not that he didn’t trust Annie, but most of the work he’d be doing was highly classified and it was better if he didn’t talk too much about it. “I’ll need the money to be a true partner, but we’ll work something out.”
“Will your company be like Blackwater?”
Logan’s lips curved up. “Not quite that large.” He leaned over the console and kissed her. “Can we see this dream place of yours now?”
“Yes. But try to see the big picture and not the . . . mess.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He restarted the engine and took the road she’d told him to take.
“See that?” She pointed at a ramshackle barn. “Pull over for a second. Let’s get out and look at it.”
“This is part of the property?”
“Mm-hmm. What I’m thinking is that it could be rebuilt, and since it’s so close to the highway it could be a farm stand where I could sell fresh produce and other food products that are locally grown or made.”
They left the truck and walked around the building. Logan gave it a close inspection. While he wasn’t an engineer, the structure appeared stable, just run-down.
“Maybe sell dried flowers and wreaths too,” Annie said as they continued to circle the building.
“I know exactly what you’re talking about. There’s one on the Central Coast my mom likes. It’s called Avila Barn. During my last leave, my parents came to visit and we took a trip up the coast and stopped there. I remember it having big barbecues with grilled corn, a bakery with homemade pies, a sandwich counter, a fudge shop, and a section that sold kitchenware and cookbooks. It was like a country general store. They even have tractor rides through the farm. My stepdad and I remarked that the place was a money mint.”
“Right?” Annie wore an ear-to-ear smile. “I could even sell local crafts and have a little cooking section with country crockery. But the emphasis would be on food, even local wine and beer if I could get a liquor license.”
“You could put a porch on this thing.” Logan toed the side of the barn with his tennis shoe. “Some rocking chairs and a few tables so people could eat outside. Out here”—he walked it off—“you could do produce cases in the summer.”
“So you don’t think it’s crazy?”
“Not so far. Let’s see the rest.”
She lit up and he had to admit her enthusiasm was contagious. They hiked back to his truck and drove up the lane. Lush fields flanked both sides. Logan didn’t know much about farmland but the property was amazing. Real wide open with the mountains in the background.
“Where’s Rosser Ranch?” he asked.
“That way.” She pointed. “The properties meet up on the north side.”
“I wonder why he sold it.” When the pond came into view, he let out a breath. “Are those ducks?”
“Yep. They’re wild. Isn’t it pretty? Your grandfather probably sold it for good money. There could be so many reasons. A bad year for beef, a need for new equipment, or perhaps he had a son who was sucking the ranch dry.”
“You wouldn’t be speaking from personal experience now, would you?” He stopped so he could take it all in. “It’s really something. I might even like it better than Rosser Ranch.”
“Really?” She turned to look at him.
“Don’t get me wrong, Rosser Ranch is spectacular. But this is pretty special and it seems attainable.”
“I don’t know. A half-a-mil is nothing to sneeze at.”
“How would you swing it?” he asked. “Would your folks help you?”
“Ha.” She laughed. “They’ll be lucky to make it through the year at the rate Chad’s bleeding them dry. I wouldn’t ask. If I can’t do it on my own . . .”
He respected that. At their age they should be able to stand on their own two feet. “Is that the house up ahead?”
“Yes. But I don’t have a way in and it’s a wreck.”
“I can get in if you want me to see it.” He drove up the driveway to get a better look.
“We’re definitely not breaking in, but I would like you to see it. Gia thought it was a tear-down, which I totally disagree with. Then again, my standards are lower than hers.”
“Or you have more vision. You ever think of that?”
Annie beamed and the force of it hit him in the gut like a fist. She got her cell phone out of her purse and made a call.
“Hi, Dana. I wanted to show Logan the Stone property. It’s part of his heritage,” Annie said, giving Logan the impression that she didn’t want Dana to know how interested she was in the property. “Is there any way of getting inside the house without you having to come all the way for the lockbox key?”
While Annie finished her call, Logan got out to walk around the house. Like the barn, it looked worse for wear. She’d need a sizeable amount of cash to bring it back to life and that was if it was just cosmetic. Hopefully that Colin guy could take a look at it if she was serious about buying the place.
“Dana gave me the code to the lockbox so we can go inside.” Annie walked over to the front-porch railing that looked as if it was holding on by a string and got a key out of a small safe, hanging near the stairs. “Be prepared. The late owner was a hoarder.”
“Did you notice that the screened-in porch on the back has a view of the pond?”
“The way the house is angled, most of the rooms do.” She opened the door and let him go first.
The place stunk and there were stacks of crap everywhere. “You weren’t kidding about the hoarding thing.”
“Dana says the owners are supposed to have the house cleaned out.”
He did a cursory walk through the downstairs. She’d have her hands full getting the place livable, but yeah, he liked it. “It’s got good bones.”
“It does, doesn’t it? I see it being a place for family and kids and celebrations.”
Something in Logan’s stomach clenched. The idea of her living here with a man—a husband—made him jealous. He didn’t want marriage or children. Not now, anyway. And while he and Annie were not a real couple the thought of her being with someone . . .
“It’s definitely got that vibe,” he said, trying to ignore the slight pressure in his chest. Annie deserved a good man, someone who’d be a true partner and who wanted to farm and raise a family. Someone who’d take care of her.
“And it’s good-sized.”
They both went up the stairs together and Logan peeked through the windows at the view. It wasn’t the Pacific Ocean, but it certainly had a lot to recommend it, if you liked serene country vistas.
“It is. You could do a lot with the place.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “My guess is there’s a big attic space up there that you could turn into a couple more bedrooms or an office.”
“You think? That would be great for later down the road.”
When she had all those kids with Farmer John. He mentally berated himself for being an asshole. “Before you do anything, you should have Colin check the place out. If it’s only cosmetic you could take your time fixing it up.”
“So you don’t think it’s crazy for me to take this on? You think I can do it?”
“I think you can do anything you set your mind to.” He tapped his temple. “It’s all up here.”
“But do you think it’s insane?”
“Honestly, I think it’s a great investment. I like your idea for the farm stand. What would you grow?”
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do next. I’ll have to ask Dana but first I should make sure that Gia still isn’t interested.”
Dana removed the dropbox key, opened the shredded screen door, and let them inside. The place smelled musty and towers of newspapers were stacked everywhere with only a narrow trail between them.
“Was Lila a hoarder?” Gia asked, carefully moving around the piles of filled shopping bags and crates of papers.
“I think you could say that.” Dana toed a few empty plastic tubs aside so they could get from the living room to the dining room. “The kids were supposed to hire someone to clean it out. I’ll have to see what happened with that.”
Underneath the piles of garbage were oak floors, Annie noted. They were old and dull and scarred, but with a good sanding, staining, and a few coats of finish, the floors would gleam. Same with the staircase, which also suffered from neglect.
“Looks like the roof’s leaking.” Gia pointed to several dark patches that covered the ceiling.
“There was a plumbing issue that has since been fixed. The roof is actually only two years old.”
That was good news, Annie thought. Roofs, especially slanted ones, could be pricey. Despite its shoddy state, the house appeared to retain original millwork and window sashes. There was even a window seat that looked out onto the pond.
“How many bedrooms is it?” Gia glanced at the top of the staircase.
“There’s one down here that could be used as an office and three upstairs. In the late nineties Lila added a bathroom to the master. It’s pretty dated but that’s aesthetics. There’s another bathroom upstairs and a half bath down here.”
They went inside the kitchen and Gia scrunched her nose. “Hello, 1970s.”
“Yeah.” Dana ran her hands down the avocado refrigerator. “That was the last time this room was updated. But it’s big and with a little imagination it could be a showplace.”
Gia scanned the kitchen. Like the other rooms, there were stacks of detritus everywhere. “With imagination and lots of money. I’d just tear the whole place down.”
“No. That would be horrible.” Annie couldn’t stop the words before they left her mouth. “There’s so much history here.”
Dana nodded. “It was built in the late 1800s.”
“And it smells like it.” Gia wiped the window over the sink with a dish towel she found on the Formica counter and peered outside. “Nice view, though.”
Annie would kill to look through her kitchen window and see that kind of pastoral scenery. Although, she had to admit that the view from her apartment on Rosser Ranch wasn’t too shabby.
“I’ve seen enough,” Gia said. “How about you, Annie?”
Unlike Gia, what she’d seen made her yearn for the place, even though she couldn’t have it. Just like her situation with Logan. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see the upstairs.”
“Not at all,” Dana said, and led the way.
Each room was cluttered with more crates, shopping bags, and stacks of newspapers. But they were good-sized. And the master had a fantastic view of the pond and the pastures. The things she could do with this place. All it would take was money. Although Annie had managed to save while living at Rosser Ranch rent-free and had a small inheritance from her grandmother—including a rental house in Marysville—she didn’t think it would cover a sizable enough down payment to keep the monthly mortgage bills manageable. When she thought about all the money Chad had thrown down the drain on his various loser projects it made her a little sick.
On their way out, Dana asked Gia if she was still interested.
“I think it’s great for someone who has the time and cash to put into it. For me it would just be a money pit.”
“You think you’ll have any problem selling it?” Annie asked.
“It’ll certainly take a special kind of buyer, but the market is good and it’s a beautiful piece of property for someone who doesn’t mind a house that’s a fixer-upper.”
For Annie the land was everything. The house was just a means to putting a roof over her head. Even so, with a lot of elbow grease and little creativity the home could be lovely. Not like Gia’s house at Rosser Ranch, which reminded Annie of a mountain retreat for a movie star. But it would be sweet and charming and a place she would be happy to call home.
The whole ride back to town, she couldn’t get the place out of her head. It wasn’t like her to want things she couldn’t have. Her upbringing didn’t allow it. Other than Chad, the Sparkses were practical people and their values were simple: Cultivate, care for, and leave the land better than you found it. They didn’t believe in living above their means or reaching for impossible dreams.
Yet, between the Stone property and Logan, she was doing both.
* * *
After meeting with the lawyer and the long drive home, all Logan wanted was a cold beer and a dip in the river. And Annie. He wanted to take her to bed and do all the things they hadn’t tried yet.
At the gate he punched in the code, drove to his cabin, and went inside to change out of his khakis and dress shirt. For his visit with the lawyer he’d wanted to look presentable, which had been a wasted effort because James Cardo looked as if he’d slept in his shirt. His tie had ketchup stains on it and his slacks were two sizes too small. At first, Logan couldn’t believe that Flynn had described the attorney as one of the best in the business. He looked homeless and his office resembled a disaster area. Files were strewn everywhere, moldy cups of coffee cluttered his desk, and dust clung to every surface. But after about ten minutes with the lawyer it was clear he knew what he was doing. What Logan liked best was that he explained everything in simple terminology. No legal mumbo-jumbo. One thing he’d learned over the years was that people who couldn’t explain things in plain English usually didn’t have a clue what they were talking about.
According to Cardo, Raylene and Butch didn’t have a chance in hell of winning the case. They’d alleged that Maisy Jenkins had coerced Rosser into naming Logan in the will, threatening that she would go public with the circumstances of her son’s birth if he didn’t. Flynn could attest to the fact that Rosser wasn’t under any duress when he’d had the trust drawn up.
“There’s a difference between extortion and forging a mutually beneficial agreement,” Cardo had said. “They have no way of proving that your mother blackmailed your father and they know it. What they’re hoping is that you don’t have enough for legal fees and that they can drag this through court long enough that you’ll eventually give up.”
Logan had explained that he didn’t have enough for legal fees, not with Cardo’s retainer. It was so astronomical that Logan didn’t understand why the dude couldn’t afford pants in his size or a cleaning service.
“We’ll work out something,” the lawyer had told him. “Any friend of Flynn’s is a friend of mine.”
Logan took a quick shower, put on his swim trunks and a T-shirt, and texted Annie to see if she wanted to go the river with him. Ten minutes later, she knocked on his door in a red dress, cowboy boots, and a straw cowboy hat.
“You look good.” He pulled her in for hug, slid his hands up her skirt, and squeezed her ass while he kissed her. “But you’re not dressed for the river. You have something else in mind? Because I’m down with that.” Logan backed her toward the staircase to the loft or they could do it on the love seat, even though it was too small for him.
“I want to show you something but we have to drive.”
“Show me later,” he said, and started to unbutton the top of her dress.
“I want to show you while it’s still light outside. It won’t take long, I promise.”
Whatever it was, it sounded important to her. He tore himself away and silently told his bottom half to behave.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed his keys off the kitchen counter.
“I can drive.”
“I’ve got air-conditioning. Where you taking me?”
“This place I saw earlier today with Gia and our friend Dana. She’s a real-estate agent. The property used to be part of Rosser Ranch but Ray’s father—your grandfather—subdivided and sold it before he died.”
“So that’s why we’re looking at it?”
“That and because I can’t stop thinking about it,” she said.
They got in Logan’s truck and he immediately cranked up the AC, then slid her a sideways glance. “You thinking of buying it?”
“It’s insane, right?”
“How much is it?” He got on the highway and followed her directions.
“Half a million. But it’s sixty acres and a house, though the house needs a lot of work. Gia hated it; thought it was a money pit. And I have to admit that it’ll take a good chunk of change to fix up. But all I see is potential. Tons and tons of potential. You’ll tell me the truth, right? Not that I can even afford it. I can’t. But if you think it’s crazy to even contemplate it I’ll feel better about not being able to afford it.”
She was talking so fast Logan was having trouble keeping up. “I’ll tell you the truth.”
“And here I am going on and on about a fantasy without even asking you how it went with the lawyer. How did it go, Logan? Does he think they even have a chance?”
“It went well. The lawyer’s a trip. He looks like Pig-Pen and his office is a sty. But I think he’s smart. According to him, the suit is bullshit. But if Raylene and Butch want to, they can hold the trust up in court for years. Of course, it’ll mean they won’t get their money while the case is being litigated.” He turned on his signal. “Here, right?”
“Yep. Pull over for a second. I want to finish talking about this before you see the property.”
“You know I can do both at the same time.”
“I know, but I want you to get the full force of the property. Plus, your meeting with the lawyer was important, more important than this silly pipe dream of mine.”
“It’s not silly if it’s important to you, Annie.” He figured that her family had done a number on her with the self-entitled brother. “There’s not a lot to say about the case. The lawyer said he’d take it on and file a brief in response to Raylene and Butch’s challenge. We’ll have to wait it out and see where it goes from there.”
“Can you leave the area?” she asked.
He nodded. “My presence won’t be needed in court unless it goes to a trial. Until then I’m free to roam.”
“What about partnering with your friend?”
He didn’t want to say too much about his plans with Gabe. Not that he didn’t trust Annie, but most of the work he’d be doing was highly classified and it was better if he didn’t talk too much about it. “I’ll need the money to be a true partner, but we’ll work something out.”
“Will your company be like Blackwater?”
Logan’s lips curved up. “Not quite that large.” He leaned over the console and kissed her. “Can we see this dream place of yours now?”
“Yes. But try to see the big picture and not the . . . mess.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He restarted the engine and took the road she’d told him to take.
“See that?” She pointed at a ramshackle barn. “Pull over for a second. Let’s get out and look at it.”
“This is part of the property?”
“Mm-hmm. What I’m thinking is that it could be rebuilt, and since it’s so close to the highway it could be a farm stand where I could sell fresh produce and other food products that are locally grown or made.”
They left the truck and walked around the building. Logan gave it a close inspection. While he wasn’t an engineer, the structure appeared stable, just run-down.
“Maybe sell dried flowers and wreaths too,” Annie said as they continued to circle the building.
“I know exactly what you’re talking about. There’s one on the Central Coast my mom likes. It’s called Avila Barn. During my last leave, my parents came to visit and we took a trip up the coast and stopped there. I remember it having big barbecues with grilled corn, a bakery with homemade pies, a sandwich counter, a fudge shop, and a section that sold kitchenware and cookbooks. It was like a country general store. They even have tractor rides through the farm. My stepdad and I remarked that the place was a money mint.”
“Right?” Annie wore an ear-to-ear smile. “I could even sell local crafts and have a little cooking section with country crockery. But the emphasis would be on food, even local wine and beer if I could get a liquor license.”
“You could put a porch on this thing.” Logan toed the side of the barn with his tennis shoe. “Some rocking chairs and a few tables so people could eat outside. Out here”—he walked it off—“you could do produce cases in the summer.”
“So you don’t think it’s crazy?”
“Not so far. Let’s see the rest.”
She lit up and he had to admit her enthusiasm was contagious. They hiked back to his truck and drove up the lane. Lush fields flanked both sides. Logan didn’t know much about farmland but the property was amazing. Real wide open with the mountains in the background.
“Where’s Rosser Ranch?” he asked.
“That way.” She pointed. “The properties meet up on the north side.”
“I wonder why he sold it.” When the pond came into view, he let out a breath. “Are those ducks?”
“Yep. They’re wild. Isn’t it pretty? Your grandfather probably sold it for good money. There could be so many reasons. A bad year for beef, a need for new equipment, or perhaps he had a son who was sucking the ranch dry.”
“You wouldn’t be speaking from personal experience now, would you?” He stopped so he could take it all in. “It’s really something. I might even like it better than Rosser Ranch.”
“Really?” She turned to look at him.
“Don’t get me wrong, Rosser Ranch is spectacular. But this is pretty special and it seems attainable.”
“I don’t know. A half-a-mil is nothing to sneeze at.”
“How would you swing it?” he asked. “Would your folks help you?”
“Ha.” She laughed. “They’ll be lucky to make it through the year at the rate Chad’s bleeding them dry. I wouldn’t ask. If I can’t do it on my own . . .”
He respected that. At their age they should be able to stand on their own two feet. “Is that the house up ahead?”
“Yes. But I don’t have a way in and it’s a wreck.”
“I can get in if you want me to see it.” He drove up the driveway to get a better look.
“We’re definitely not breaking in, but I would like you to see it. Gia thought it was a tear-down, which I totally disagree with. Then again, my standards are lower than hers.”
“Or you have more vision. You ever think of that?”
Annie beamed and the force of it hit him in the gut like a fist. She got her cell phone out of her purse and made a call.
“Hi, Dana. I wanted to show Logan the Stone property. It’s part of his heritage,” Annie said, giving Logan the impression that she didn’t want Dana to know how interested she was in the property. “Is there any way of getting inside the house without you having to come all the way for the lockbox key?”
While Annie finished her call, Logan got out to walk around the house. Like the barn, it looked worse for wear. She’d need a sizeable amount of cash to bring it back to life and that was if it was just cosmetic. Hopefully that Colin guy could take a look at it if she was serious about buying the place.
“Dana gave me the code to the lockbox so we can go inside.” Annie walked over to the front-porch railing that looked as if it was holding on by a string and got a key out of a small safe, hanging near the stairs. “Be prepared. The late owner was a hoarder.”
“Did you notice that the screened-in porch on the back has a view of the pond?”
“The way the house is angled, most of the rooms do.” She opened the door and let him go first.
The place stunk and there were stacks of crap everywhere. “You weren’t kidding about the hoarding thing.”
“Dana says the owners are supposed to have the house cleaned out.”
He did a cursory walk through the downstairs. She’d have her hands full getting the place livable, but yeah, he liked it. “It’s got good bones.”
“It does, doesn’t it? I see it being a place for family and kids and celebrations.”
Something in Logan’s stomach clenched. The idea of her living here with a man—a husband—made him jealous. He didn’t want marriage or children. Not now, anyway. And while he and Annie were not a real couple the thought of her being with someone . . .
“It’s definitely got that vibe,” he said, trying to ignore the slight pressure in his chest. Annie deserved a good man, someone who’d be a true partner and who wanted to farm and raise a family. Someone who’d take care of her.
“And it’s good-sized.”
They both went up the stairs together and Logan peeked through the windows at the view. It wasn’t the Pacific Ocean, but it certainly had a lot to recommend it, if you liked serene country vistas.
“It is. You could do a lot with the place.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “My guess is there’s a big attic space up there that you could turn into a couple more bedrooms or an office.”
“You think? That would be great for later down the road.”
When she had all those kids with Farmer John. He mentally berated himself for being an asshole. “Before you do anything, you should have Colin check the place out. If it’s only cosmetic you could take your time fixing it up.”
“So you don’t think it’s crazy for me to take this on? You think I can do it?”
“I think you can do anything you set your mind to.” He tapped his temple. “It’s all up here.”
“But do you think it’s insane?”
“Honestly, I think it’s a great investment. I like your idea for the farm stand. What would you grow?”
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do next. I’ll have to ask Dana but first I should make sure that Gia still isn’t interested.”
