by Fox Brison
“Sure, come up to the house. Bit of a hot one. Mind a fancy car like that probably has air conditioning, right?” I was growing excited. And rambling. Was this another of Grandpa’s hidden stashes? We’d found a couple of cigar boxes in his room after he died and although they didn’t contain a fortune, just over a thousand bucks all told, it had been a nice surprise. I’m sure if Gramps had a bank account in Jackson Hole, this surprise will be much nicer. Maybe nice enough to get a new truck and maybe an ATV.
“It wants to!” he chuckled. “It left a big enough dent in my pocket. My wife talked me into it. Not my type of vehicle…”
I tuned Mr Richards out, mainly because he was still rattling on about the features of his car. At the bottom step of the porch I took off my work gloves and banged them against my thigh, raising a small cloud of dust. “We can go into the office,” which was a mess, “actually the great room would be better. Momma, we have ourselves a visitor,” I called, placing my foot on the first step.
And then hurriedly stood back down, my eyes wide.
My Mom stood on the porch looking like an extra from a Steven Segal movie, her shotgun held tight in her hands. “We told you Friday we’re not interested in your money, now git off our land.”
I heard a solid whump and another dust cloud was raised as Mr Richards threw himself to the floor. He even covered his head with his hands. I only hoped he hadn’t peed his pants, or he might decide to leave without giving us our windfall.
“Momma, Mr Richards isn’t with the oil folks, he’s from a bank in Jackson Hole.” I quickly helped Mr Richards to his feet and wiped some of the dust from his suit; it felt suspiciously like a type of silk hybrid. “I’m so sorry, sir. It’s not her fault, old age, you know.” Mom lowered the gun and put the safety back on.
“I should tan your backside, Danielle Robbins,” Mom huffed. “Old age! I’ll give you old age when you have to cook your own supper from now on. Mr Richards, please accept my apologies. I thought you were one of them fracking fu… but you’re not, so never mind. How about some fresh lemonade? I made it myself this morning.”
“No thank you, Mrs Robbins,” he said politely. From the look in his eye I suspected he thought she might try and slip some rat poison into it.
We took a seat in the great room and with consummate care, Mr Richards removed a brown folder from his black leather briefcase. I wanted to shout show me the money, but I managed to hold it in.
With an internal grin that could only be described as shit eating.
Seriously, I felt like a six year old on Christmas morning.
“So, Ms Robbins-”
“Please call me Dani,” I interrupted. We should be on first name terms, after all he’d come all this way to give me a bucketful of cash.
“Dani, I don’t know if you’re aware but your grandfather, Mr Ethan Miller approached the bank three years ago and took out a reverse mortgage on this property.”
“I. Ah. A reverse…. I don’t… he d…did what?” I stuttered. I thought I was hearing things. What the hell was a reverse mortgage?
“A reverse mortgage, a lien on the ranch, and now that your grandpa has sadly passed, the loan is due for repayment in full.” He appeared a little embarrassed. Perhaps he wasn’t used to pulling the rug out from underneath someone’s feet, or in this case, the ranch from under mine.
“I know nothing about this loan, Mr Richards,” I said, stunned. I was struggling to come to terms with what I had just heard.
“It’s all above board, Dani. I have the paperwork with me if you’d like to take a look.” He placed the folder on the large pine coffee table and I flinched backwards as if it was the mythical Two-Faces from Cheyenne and Sioux legends.
I nodded, more to buy a little time than for any great need to see in black and white how my grandfather had shafted us. “How… how much do we owe?” I knew it wasn’t going to be a small amount. They wouldn’t have sent someone like Mr Richards for a small amount.
“With interest, it’s just shy of eighty thousand dollars, ma’am.”
What the? How could my grandpa have done something like this without telling either me, Mom or Jack? I knew the old man owned the rights to a couple of the deadly sins, but I didn’t think stupidity was one of them.
I felt the ground shake and wondered if it was an earthquake, before realising it was my own legs trembling.
“That’s just.” I swallowed a couple of times. “What happens if we can’t pay?”
“You have until the tenth of July to raise the funds or we foreclose on the Lazy Creek. It’ll be sold at auction and once we reclaim the monies owed, you and your cousin will receive the residue.”
Residue? I’d fought long and hard to keep the ranch in the family and he was talking about residue.
If my grandpa wasn’t already pushing up the daisies I think I’d have killed him stone dead.
***
I escorted Mr Richards to his car and watched him drive away. I stood there for a full ten minutes, my rage rising quicker than mercury in a thermometer on the sun’s surface, until my thoughts were an incoherent melee of accusations and blame. Finally I stormed into the kitchen. “Did you know about this, Mom?” I threw the papers onto the neat white tablecloth. They were strewn everywhere mocking me with their complicated clauses and parties of the first part. Only one thing was clear.
Pay up or shut up.
Simple.
“Know about what?” Mom stared at the papers and picked up a couple of pages, her brow furrowed as she made an attempt to read the financial claptrap. Then she looked at me. “I don’t understand, Dani, what does this mean?”
“What it means is that your father left us in shit creek without a canoe never mind paddle, and cinder blocks, no, wait, cement blocks tied to our ankles.” I scrunched the brim of my hat tightly in trembling hands. Having left furious in my dust trail, I was nearing the panic station. The word for how upset I was hadn’t yet been invented, but I’m sure when that time came the expression on my face would be right next to it in the dictionary. “Damn him, Mom!”
“Dani, calm down,” I heard the concern in my Mom’s voice as I paced up and down. I couldn’t stand still; every time I paused it felt like my head was going to explode. “What did that man want? What’s he said that’s got you so darned riled up?”
“Riled up? I’ll tell you what that man wanted. Gramps took out a loan on the ranch three years go with that man’s bank, Momma. And I’m riled up because we have to find eighty thousand dollars before the tenth of July or we’re homeless.”
Mom sat down on her chair so heavily I thought the legs were going to snap in two. “Dani,” she said softly, tears in her eyes. “I didn’t know, honey, I swear he never said a word to me about it.” There was hurt in every word she said.
“What’s up?” Jack and Jen came into the kitchen holding hands.
Young love, I snorted disparagingly. How long will that last when Jen finds out we haven’t got a pot to piss in?
“I can hear you shouting clear out by the barns.” He poured himself a coffee and Jen a glass of lemonade then leant back against the kitchen counter. “I need to go into town for some fence posts, do you need anything?”
“You might want to sit down, Jack.”
“Dani?” he sat down. “What’s going on? You look sicker than a mule eating a rattlesnake.”
“You know Grandpa was never truly keen on the dude ranch idea.” I stared out of the window towards the hills. I felt like running for them. They’d be alive alright - with the sound of my screaming.
“Yeah? Don’t tell me the man in the Mercedes was here to tell us Grandpa left a clause in his will saying we can’t set it up!” he chuckled.
“It’s no joke, Jack, I wish it was. Gramps has gone and given us a wedgie from the grave.”
There was an intake of breath then a quiet, fuck, after I told him the gory details of Mr Richards visit. “Jesus. Why the hell did he keep it to himself?” He raked his hand
though his hair and Jen placed a comforting hand on his thigh. My anger softened for a second. I thought I had it bad, but he’d barely settled down to married life and he was given this zinger. “The drought. That money he suddenly pulled out of thin air.”
I nodded my agreement. It was the conclusion I had already come to.
“When do they want the money by?” It was Jen who asked the question.
“The tenth of July.” I replied succinctly.
“May I?” she asked, indicating the mess of papers on the table.
“Feel free. I can’t make head nor tail of it. I’ve never even heard of a reverse mortgage.”
“Oh shit,” she whispered. “The scourge of many a descendent.” She began reading through the paperwork and the four of us sat in silence until I could take no more of the stifling stench of betrayal emanating from five sheets of white paper and a brown folder. I left the kitchen and headed to the porch. I didn’t need fresh air, I simply needed air. I couldn’t breathe. This is what drowning must have felt like, a sense of total suffocating submersion.
How could I go from seeing the future so clearly to finding it difficult to see past the next sunrise?
***
An hour later, two small hands kneaded my shoulders and I was putty, the anger gradually dissipating under her loving touch.
Replaced by resignation.
“I’m going to end up like my Pa,” I said softly. I felt her lips brush my head. “Homeless. Alone.”
“Is this a pity party for one or are guests allowed?”
“It’s not funny,” I scowled. Haley sat down and scooted next to me on the dock, a carbon copy of the first time I showed her the cabin. So much had happened since then and it was a struggle to get any of it straight. One minute life’s smooth, like the perfect bourbon, the next it’s like someone’s made lemonade with a pound of lemons and no sugar.
“No, it isn’t.” Haley took my hand, lifted it to her lips and kissed it. “Sorry, sweetheart. I try to make jokes to lighten moods but mostly I fail. My jokes aren’t actually that funny.”
“They really aren’t,” I agreed softly.
“But you’re not alone, Dani, never forget that. You won’t end up like your Pa.”
“I feel like I’m letting everyone down, Haley. I was the one who persuaded Jack to sink all of his savings into this place, into my dreams. He trusted me. As for Mom? Well she’s already given up so much for me. She ended up alone here, because of me.”
“And I bet if you walked into that house and asked them if they regretted it, they’d both tell you not to be so daft. They love you, it’s what you do for the people you love. You give them your trust, your faith. You nurture and care for them, even when the going gets tough.” Haley scooted even closer to me. “And yes your Mum ended up here, but she wasn’t alone. She had you and your grandfather. It wasn’t your fault she left your Dad, it was his. I don’t know much about him apart from the little you’ve told me, but you’re nothing like him, nothing.”
“Haley-”
“I know you probably don’t want to listen to this right now, you probably want some time to wallow. I get that. You and I are more alike than either of us realise. But I think you need to hear it. Things are bad at the moment, and so you’re thinking worst case. I get that too. It’s how I am a lot of the time. Your father was a shit of the highest order; he was selfish and thought of no one but himself. You, my darling, are the complete opposite. I mean look at Shorty. He was an ex rodeo clown down on his luck and unable to work. You gave him a home and a purpose in life. And I know he’d do anything for you. Heck, if you asked him to go down to the First National Bank and hold the place up he would.”
I laughed. I didn’t know such a thing was possible, the way I was feeling, but Haley managed to make it better, to make me smile.
“You are not alone, Dani,” she continued. She swivelled so we were facing each other and placed her forehead on mine. “Let’s go back to your family and work out what we’re going to do to save this place.”
“Work out what we’re going to do?” And yes that came out as belligerent whine. “Look at the way we live, Haley. We haven’t got that kind of money lying around.”
“Not lying around, no, but the ranch has assets. Come back to the house and we’ll put our heads together. Maybe this is a fate test. Jen is, after all, a financial whizz or did you forget that?” She chuckled. “When we were younger my Dad would always say ‘don’t give me problems, give me solutions.’ Let’s go find us some solutions.”
***
Haley hovered by the double doors to the great room, half in half out. “Haley, get in here,” I said from in front of the fireplace.
“I don’t want to intrude, this is a family matter,” she said nervously.
Not for the first time I wished I could tell what was going through her mind. I hoped she thought enough of me and my home to stay and help, but more importantly, I hoped she knew she was wanted and needed.
“You’re a part of this. If you want to be.” The rest of the family were watching and waiting and Haley didn’t hesitate, she came in and sat down next to Jen on the sofa. I grinned. Yee haw sprang right into my mind.
“So where do we stand? If we could re-finance we’d be capable of monthly payments but not the lump sum,” Jack said glumly. “We’ll have to put off the guests until we get this sorted.”
“No, we can’t,” Jen protested. “If we bail, then we’ll get a reputation of being unreliable.”
“Jen’s right. Rainbow Attractions won’t recommend us if we cancel their first booking. I’ve been thinking things through.” Haley held a piece of paper in her hand and Jen groaned.
“Please, don’t do this, Hales,” she pleaded, but it was good natured. I looked at Jack and he shrugged. “My sister likes a list. So far,” she took the sheet of paper, “she’s come up with thirteen possible avenues to pursue.”
“Look it’s only logical. At the moment all we can see is a huge wall. This list makes it’s easier to see the individual bricks and mortar, therefore making it easier to knock it down.”
“Don’t give me problems,” Jen said with a smile.
“Give me solutions,” Haley repeated as if it was something they’d said a million times.
And then I understood why I’d been feeling like there was a bonfire in my chest. I was in love with Haley Jones. What a cluster fuck. I wanted to say right there and then I love you and don’t leave me.
But how could I now? How could I hang this millstone around her neck?
Chapter 38
Dani
Tuesday morning dawned bright and early.
We spent most of the previous afternoon going through Haley’s list and basically brainstorming. We came up with a plan of action and our first port of call was a meeting with Lloyd Williams, our bank manager.
I couldn’t sleep, everything swirling like a tornado in my mind so I left Haley snoring (not the annoying kind of loud grunts and snorts, no hers were sweet little huffs and puffs that soothed) and stepped out onto the back porch. A few minutes later I felt Haley’s arms circle my waist and her head rest on my good shoulder. “I thought you were dead to the world?” I put my hands on top of hers and leant back into her chest. God it feels good to be held like this.
“I was. Then I lost my hot water bottle and got cold,” she kissed my neck and squeezed tighter.
“It’s still early, go back to bed and I’ll wake you in a couple of hours before I leave.”
“Nope, I need to give Stormy her injection, then I believe you’re going to the bank, after I make you breakfast.”
“Not hungry,” I said softly.
“Dani, darling, nothing was ever solved on an empty stomach. You need your wits about you, not be confused because your blood sugar has bottomed out. I’m sure this Lloyd will be very obliging, you have enough collateral in the ranch to qualify for a loan and with reservations already being made by paying guests...”
Hale
y’s optimism was commendable. Shame I still wasn’t feeling it.
A few hours later I’d managed a slice of toast and several cups of coffee. I put on the smartest clothes I owned, a pair of tan chinos and a white embroidered shirt - I even cleaned my boots for the occasion. Haley stood by the door. “Wow, you look. Just wow.” She kissed me softly.
The kiss may have been for good luck, but it felt more like the long kiss goodbye – to my ranch.
***
Haley and Mom were waiting on the porch when Jack and I arrived back from the bank two hours later. I saw the hope in their eyes and hated that I had to be the one to dash it. I got out of the truck and shook my head. I’d only reached the middle step when Haley put her arms around my shoulders and I rested my head against her stomach. I didn’t think anything would make me feel better after Lloyd rejected our loan application but miraculously that did.
“Jen was right, Lloyd wouldn’t touch us with a barge pole as long as the lien was still in place,” I admitted.
“Plus Western Oil and Gas have an account there. I wonder if that has something to do with it?” Jack said, a big believer in conspiracy theories. “I’d best go and tell Jen.”
He and Mom went inside, leaving Haley and I alone.
“It’s okay, we’ll work something out,” Haley said. We stood there in silence for several minutes; I hadn’t realised how much I needed this until her arms were holding me tight. It felt good to have someone’s support and care. It was an adjustment, because my natural instinct was to face trouble alone or to be the support for everyone else. “Better?” she eventually whispered into my hair.
“Yup. Much.” I stretched up and kissed her, my lips conveying more than my words ever could.
We finally headed inside to join the others, just as Jen excitedly emerged from the office. She’d been in there all day looking for a miracle, or merely the furniture that was buried under piles of paperwork a mile high. It was like one of the rooms you’d see on those hoarder shows.
I’ll be the first to admit filing wasn’t my strong suit, nor my Grandpa’s.
