Helen approved.
Maya spent one last morning preparing service notes for each repaired machine.
Not because the wager required it.
Because her father would have.
At noon, she closed the toolbox.
Clayton stood in the doorway.
“You leaving?”
“That’s usually what happens when work is finished.”
“It’s not finished.”
“The machines run.”
“I’ve got other equipment.”
“Call a mechanic.”
He stared at her.
“You are a mechanic.”
“Correct.”
“Then stay.”
She looked at him.
“I have a business.”
“I’ll buy it.”
Maya actually laughed.
Clayton frowned.
“What?”
“You think every problem is solved by buying the thing attached to it.”
“That’s called business.”
“That’s called why Logan stole six hundred thousand dollars while you signed papers.”
His face fell.
Maya regretted the sharpness.
Not the point.
Clayton nodded.
“Fair.”
Then:
“I’ll hire you.”
“I’m already employed.”
“By yourself.”
“Best boss I’ve had.”
“Your shop is barely surviving.”
Maya’s expression changed.
Clayton raised both hands.
“That came out wrong.”
“It came out exactly how you meant.”
“Yes.”
He stepped closer.
“I know you can keep Carter Repair.”
“Good.”
“I’m offering a contract.”
“For what?”
“Maintenance.”
“Fleet management.”
“Parts auditing.”
“Training.”
“Whatever the hell you’ve been doing for seven days.”
Maya stared.
“You want me to manage the shop?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because your shop is here.”
“My shop is in Billings.”
“Then we build you a second one.”
She laughed.
“Clayton.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“I just won a hundred cows from you.”
“And?”
“I need to build my own operation.”
“Do it here.”
She stopped.
He pointed toward the north quarter.
“There’s an old service barn by the cattle pens.”
“Use it.”
“Lease it.”
“Buy it later if you want.”
“Run your business.”
“Service us first under contract.”
“Take outside customers.”
“Keep your name.”
“Keep your cows.”
Maya stared.
He had thought about this.
“How long?”
“Five years.”
“No.”
“Three.”
“No.”
“One.”
She considered.
Clayton saw.
“Come on.”
“You’re begging.”
“I am negotiating.”
“You’re terrible at it.”
“I’m offering land.”
“Lease.”
“Fine.”
“Customers.”
“Fine.”
“Guaranteed minimum service hours?”
“Yes.”
“My rates.”
“Within reason.”
“My rates.”