Your Ranch...Or Mine?. Kathie DeNosky

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      “I didn’t mention anything about you losing your interest in the ranch,” he said calmly. “If I win, you would retain your half of the place, go back to California and be content with occasional visits. And I’m sure we can come to an agreement on how often you want to receive reports and dividend checks, as well as sign documents stating that if either of us ever decide we want to sell our share, we’ll give the other the first right of purchase.”

      Suspicious, she asked, “Why are you willing to be so generous? You told me that if I won, you would sell me your half. Doesn’t that work both ways? Wouldn’t you want my share if I lost?”

      “It’s true that I’d like to own the entire property,” he admitted. “But I know this land belonged to your grandfather and that you have a sentimental attachment to it. I respect that and wouldn’t ask you to give it up if it means that much to you.”

      “Why do you want it?” she demanded. There had to be a reason behind his stubbornness about not selling his part of the ranch and she was determined to find out what it was. “You don’t have the same ties to it that I do.”

      He paused for a moment as he stared down at his boots. When he looked up, he shrugged his broad shoulders. “I finished growing up on a place a lot like this one and until I moved here last fall, I didn’t realize how much I missed living on a ranch.”

      “Surely there are other places you could buy,” she said, hoping he would see reason. “Texas isn’t the only state with ranch property. I’m sure you could find something suitable somewhere else. And you wouldn’t have a business partner. You would be the sole owner.”