Landon receivedestimates for Coyote Glen’s land from three different real estate agents. The lowest was $2,200,000 the highest $2,450,000. That included the state lease and BML permit. The cattle weren’t part of the figures. The wells on the deeded land were the important thing.
Landon had procrastinated moving forward with an offer. He hadn’t even mentioned the estimates to his brothers. While they had access to Coyote Glen’s wells, there was no benefit in rushing things, and he wanted more time to convince Kitty of Arizona’s charms.
That weekend when Dillon was home to do the books, he asked why the estimates for the Coyote Glen were taking so long. “We’ve got half a million of our own we can use,” Dillon said, “but it will take time to do the paperwork and get approved for a loan for the rest. We don’t want to wait so long to make an offer that the Bentons figure Kitty might as well stick it out.”
Landon couldn’t avoid moving forward with the offer any longer. He retrieved the estimates from his dresser.
Usually Dillon worked in the den, but Kitty had painted the desk earlier that morning and it was still outside drying. Dillon sat at the kitchen table, mumbling what were probably curses as he sorted through stacks of papers searching for the right receipts.
Landon laid the estimates in front of him with an air of resignation. “I hate to think what the interest on this loan will cost us every month. I tell you, bankers are greedy SOBs.”
“Thanks,” Dillon said.
“Probably all callous too.”
Dillon didn’t rise to the bait. He was too busy reading the land description, including information on its generator, wells, storage tanks, dirt tanks, and concrete water catchment. He needn’t have bothered. Nothing had changed on Coyote Glen since last year when Dillon had been there to help Cal with branding.
Dillon flipped through the second estimate. “It’s always best to start negotiations on the low side, so we should offer them two million, one hundred thousand and see what the Bentons counter with. Do you want me to call Kitty or do you want to do it?”
Landon contemplated the matter. “Doesn’t seem right to lowball Kitty. I don’t want her to think we’re trying to take advantage of her.”
“Alrighty, then.” Dillon set the papers in a stack. “I’ll make the call.”
“At a hundred thousand under the lowest estimate?”
“Yes, and they’ll come back with an offer that’s a hundred thousand over the highest estimate, and we’ll negotiate from there.” Dillon gave him a patient look. “They know that if they turn us down, they might come away with nothing. They probably also know that come calving season, there’s no way Kitty is going to hold down a calf to dehorn it, let alone brand and castrate the thing.” Landon and his brothers had always assisted Cal with those tasks, but the tone of Dillon’s voice made it clear he wouldn’t volunteer for the job again. “She’ll have to pay for help this spring.”
That was a matter Landon hadn’t considered. Usually friends and fellow ranchers got together on branding day. It became a social event. But no one around here would ask for Kitty’s help, and if she asked for theirs, she was bound to be met by a chilly reception.
Landon rubbed the back of his neck in irritation. “If she loses the ranch because people around here are too unfriendly to help her, she’ll never want to stay in Arizona.”
Dillon handed the estimates back to Landon. “Hopefully, she’ll take our offer and won’t have to worry about who shows up on branding day.”
He’d have the ranch, but he’d lose Kitty . . . unless, the sale process took so long that he had more time to convince her to stay. Landon folded the papers. “Tell her we want to offer on the cattle too. Of course, we’ll need to inspect them to get an idea of their value. Might take a while.”
Dillon laid his pen down on the table with a thud. “You want to take on an extra three hundred and fifty head?”
It meant more work, anyway you looked at it.
Landon shrugged. “I can handle it.” And with the way Preston seemed determined to flunk English, college wasn’t high on his priorities. He wouldn’t have a choice but to work full time after he graduated.
“Fine.” Dillon picked up his phone. “But I’ll be the one that makes the offer on those too. Otherwise, you’ll most likely run up the price in her favor.”
Without waiting for Landon’s response, Dillon called Kitty. He spoke in a tone that was all business, smooth as a salesman. Landon stood by, straining to hear her voice, even though he was too far away. Was she unhappy with the offer? Eager for an excuse to leave?
Dillon said, “I’ll drop by on my way to town so you can have the offer in writing. If it’s acceptable, we’ll start negotiations for the cattle.”
Landon would have been happy for an excuse to see her tonight, but letting Dillon handle the matter was probably for the best. He and Kitty shouldn’t let business come between them.
Dillon ended the call and calmly put his phone on the table.
“Well?” Landon asked.
His brother’s attention was already back on feed receipts. “She said she’d talk to her parents and get back with us.”
An uncomfortable sense of agitation settled into Landon’s stomach. He should’ve told Dillon to wait longer to make an offer. Whatever the outcome, it wouldn’t be good. Landon was either going to lose the water he needed or the woman he was beginning to need just as badly.
Chapter Fifteen