Chance Reilly
Page 15
Kate pulled the door shut softly behind her and I looked at the banker. He opened the briefcase and pulled out a couple documents, along with a pen. Jim pulled over a table and set a bottle of ink on the table. Samuels glanced up. “Jim tells me you’re interested in buying the Carson property and are willing and able to pay their debt of $3,118 to acquire full interest in the ranch. Is that right?” I looked over at Jim. He didn’t waste any time. “Yes, I told Samuels. “That’s correct. I have the money in an account at Colorado National Bank in Denver.” Samuels nodded and laid the first document in front of me. “This is a sales contract and a promise to pay the amount in question.” He handed me the pen. I read over the contract, dipped the pen in the ink and signed. He set that one aside and picked up the second. “This letter,” he continued, “says that when the amount in question has been received, you will own the Carson ranch, hereafter referred to as the Reilly ranch, in full. If you agree, I will sign the document first for the bank, and then you’ll sign as the buyer.” I nodded, and we both signed the letter.
Samuels swept up both documents and extended his hand. “If I may say so, Mr. Reilly, all of us at the bank and I suspect all the business people in town are glad to see the ranch returned to your family.” With that, Jim opened the door and he left.
I could now hear a voice out in the living room that could only be Sam. Sure enough, he flung the door open a moment later and came in, followed by Mike. They both sat and Jim went in search of another chair. Sam searched in his pocket and came up with a toothpick. “So,” he said, “I hear that when you’re done lollygaggin’ around here, you’re going to run the old homestead.” I ignored the lollygagging remark. After all, it was Sam. “Sure thing” I said. “Can’t wait.” Kate came in, carrying some soup on a tray, which she set down on my lap, then sat on the edge of the bed. Sam hid a smile and rolled his eyes. “By the time you get out of here” he observed, “you’re going to be spoiled rotten.” “Count on it” said Kate. I grinned at Sam and started spooning the soup.
Sam fished in his pocket and came up with a fresh toothpick, somehow. “You’re going to have to find some help” he said. “Between the two ranches, I think we’re going to need one cowboy” said Kate. I liked the way she said that. Mike cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Mr. Reilly” he said. “Chance” I told him. “I’d like to work for you out here. I’ve always wanted to learn ranch work and be a cowboy.” Sam moaned slightly and slumped in his chair. “If that’s what you really want” I told him. “You’re hired as of right now.” Mike beamed and sat back in his chair.
Sam moaned again. “All that work I invested in his training” he announced to no one in particular. “All down the drain.” “Uncle Sam” said Mike, you know I have a younger brother who wants to come out here. “Maybe you could hire him?” Sam brightened a little. “Right,” he said. “Your brother Larry”. “Lenny” said Mike. “Whatever,” Sam responded. He thought for a second, then threw his hands in the air. “OK. Maybe I’ll make a barkeep out of one of you yet.”
“Now, he needs some peace and quiet to eat his lunch” Kate announced, ushering everyone out the door. I spooned a mouthful of soup and looked at the bright afternoon sunshine streaming through the window. Who would have thought a year ago that it could ever turn out so well for an orphaned Irish boy from the city? I would take back the ranch and keep it in the family. I would ask Kate to marry me. We would raise our family here in Cimarron, and I hoped I would never feel the need to draw my gun on any man ever again.
THE END