Garrick said nothing.
“Hard several years.”
Still nothing.
Crow continued.
“I won't insult you by pretending I don't know what this ranch is costing.”
Garrick leaned against the porch post.
“What do you want?”
“You know.”
“Say it.”
“Hollow Creek.”
“Still?”
“More than ever.”
“How much?”
Crow’s eyebrows rose.
There.
Greed had heard the door open.
“Six thousand.”
Garrick almost laughed.
Nola had warned him not to.
He succeeded.
“Four thousand less than last year.”
“Your place is worth less.”
“My water isn't.”
Crow smiled.
“Water belongs to whoever controls the land around it.”
“Not yet.”
“No.”
“But the bank note comes due after harvest.”
Garrick stiffened.
Nola did too.
He had not told her that.
Crow saw.
Good.
He had landed a blow.
“You thought I didn’t know?”
Garrick’s voice hardened.
“Who told you?”
Crow smiled.
“Banks talk.”
“Especially when payments arrive late.”
Nola filed that away.
Crow continued:
“Six thousand cash.”
“You walk away with your children.”
“Household goods.”
“Your wife’s personal things.”
“I take land, structures, water, cattle.”
Garrick stared.
“Seven-five.”
Crow laughed.
“You’re not in position to bargain.”
“Then ride home.”
Garrick turned.
Crow stopped him.
“Seven.”
Garrick waited.
“Seven-two.”
Crow stared.
Garrick said:
“Seven-five.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Bring papers.”
Crow’s smile returned.
“Done.”
Nola almost admired how quickly greed could overpower caution.
Before leaving, Crow looked toward the kitchen window.
He saw her.
His gaze traveled over her.
Slow.
Assessing.
Nola held still.
Crow called:
“House help included?”
Garrick moved so fast Nola thought the entire plan was finished.
She opened the door.
“Garrick.”
One word.
He stopped.
Crow smiled.
Exactly the reaction he wanted.
Nola stepped onto the porch.
“No.”
Crow looked at her.
“No?”
“I’m not livestock.”
“Didn’t say you were.”
“You were about to.”
Crow laughed.
“You have spirit.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Could use someone like you.”
Nola smiled.
“You couldn’t afford me.”
Garrick looked toward her.
Crow laughed louder.
Then mounted and rode away.
When he was gone, Garrick rounded on her.
“You went outside.”
“Yes.”
“He was looking at you.”
“I noticed.”
“I almost hit him.”
“I also noticed.”
“You think that’s funny?”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“I think if every man who says something insulting gets punched, you’ll spend your life with broken knuckles.”
His jaw tightened.
“You shouldn’t have had to answer him.”
Nola’s expression softened slightly.
“I can answer men.”
“I know.”
“That is not the point.”
For one second, something passed between them.
Not employer and housekeeper.
Not grief and obligation.
Something new.
Nola stepped back first.
“Bank note.”
Garrick’s expression changed.
“There it is.”
“How much?”
“Twenty-eight hundred.”
“When?”
“Six weeks.”