One evening, Claire sat on the porch reviewing her notes.
The ranch hand approached carrying two cups of coffee.
He handed her one.
"You're still writing about those birds?"
She smiled.
"Among other things."
He settled into the neighboring chair.
"Your grandfather would've loved seeing them."
Claire looked toward the trees.
"I know."
The older man took a sip.
Then he chuckled.
"Though he'd probably tell you to stop staring at the sky and finish fixing that south fence."
Claire laughed.
"He absolutely would."
They sat quietly for a moment.
Then the ranch hand looked toward Cedar.
"That bull's coming along."
Claire nodded.
"He is."
"Not bad for a thousand dollars."
She smiled faintly.
"He's cost considerably more than that now."
The ranch hand laughed.
"Don't remind me."
Claire looked toward the barn.
There were bills waiting on the kitchen table.
Veterinary expenses.
Feed costs.
Equipment maintenance.
Property taxes.
The original purchase price had been only the beginning.
And although Cedar was recovering, the ranch had not suddenly become profitable.
Claire still needed a realistic plan.
She had one valuable animal with an interesting pedigree.
But one bull, no matter how impressive, could not guarantee the future of two hundred acres.
Her grandfather had understood that.
She was beginning to understand it too.
Wade Mercer returned in November.
This time, he didn't come alone.
A middle-aged man wearing a pressed shirt and polished boots stepped from the passenger side of Wade's pickup.
He carried a leather portfolio.
Claire was near the barn repairing a halter when the truck arrived.
She recognized Wade immediately.
Her expression tightened.
The ranch hand stood beside her.
"Want me to send them away?"
Claire shook her head.
"Not yet."
Wade approached with an enormous smile.
"Claire, sweetheart. Beautiful morning."
She didn't return the smile.
"What do you want?"
He laughed.
"Always straight to business."
The other man stepped forward.
He introduced himself as a representative of an agricultural investment firm associated with several regional livestock operations.
Claire shook his hand cautiously.
He explained that his company had been evaluating opportunities involving land, cattle genetics, and future ranch-development partnerships.
Wade watched her face.
Claire listened.
Then the representative opened his portfolio.
Inside was a proposal.
The company wanted to purchase Cedar.
It also wanted an option to acquire a controlling interest in the Garza ranch if certain future financial conditions were met.