Page 85 of Midnight

The door to Dylan’s room was open, but when Asher checked, he found him asleep on his bed. It was pure instinct that made him shake out the blanket at the foot of the bed and cover him up, just as he’d done when they were little. The door to Gunner’s room was closed, and so he passed it by on his way to the kitchen.

He was making himself a sandwich when he got Eldredge’s text, and the moment he read it, he guessed the Brandts had seen the press conference and were preparing to make a night run back to Jacob’s bar. So far, so good.

He finished making the sandwich, added a handful of chips, grabbed a can of Pepsi, and went into the living room. He kept the volume on the TV low as he ate, andthen once again, his mind wandered back to Nora, so he sent her a text.

Dropped off the SUV.

Love the warrior you are.

Stay safe for me.

Can’t wait to begin our life together.

Ash

* * *

After meeting with the realtor, Nora felt unsettled.

The for sale sign in the front yard made her decision so final. Even when she knew it was for the best, it was like going through one more death, and it hurt her heart. She needed food and perspective, and for that, she drove down to the Yellow Rose.

The dining room was nearly full, but she found a seat at a small table by the window, hung her coat on the back of her chair, and glanced up at the chalkboard to read the Daily Special before looking at the menu. When she saw chicken and dumplings, the thought of comfort food settled her choice.

Darla swung by to fill her coffee cup and take her order, then Nora settled in to wait.

* * *

Pearl had already heard through the Crossroads gossip train that the Borden property was for sale, and when she found out Nora was in the dining room, she peeked around the corner and saw her sitting alone, and made a quick call to her girl, Maggie, at the Sunset Ranch.

Maggie picked up on the second ring.

“Hello, my sweet Pearlie. What’s going on with you today?”

Pearl grinned. Her almost-daughter had recently given her a nickname, and she loved it.

“Quick question,” Pearl said. “About your foreman, Chris Jackson… Are he and his wife still looking to move out of my old place for a bigger place of their own?”

“They want to, but I think the bank turned them down for a loan, why?”

“Nora Borden’s family home has a For Sale sign in the front yard. I heard she’d be willing to sell the furnishings along with the house. Don’t know what she’s asking, but it’s a little jewel, and much bigger than my little two-bedroom, one-bath house.”

“Really? Sonny and I haven’t approached Chris about it yet, but we were thinking about buying a property, letting their rent go toward ownership, and not charging them interest. Sonny doesn’t want to lose him as foreman. Is Nora still in Crossroads? Do you think we could see it? Or would we have to go through the Realtor?”

“She’s sitting in my dining room at this moment. If you want, I’ll give her your number and you two can go from there,” Pearl said.

“Yes! Please do,” Maggie said, and bolted outside to talk to Sonny.

Pearl hung up, smiling, and went into the dining room to talk to Nora.

“Nora, honey. Maggie and Sonny are interested in buying your house. If I give you Maggie’s number, would you be willing to call them about it?”

Nora’s heart skipped.Already?“Why, yes, that would be fine. Are they moving into town?”

“No, they thrive on that ranch, but their foreman recentlymarried, and he and his new bride don’t have room where they are now. They’ve been looking for a property to buy for him on a rent-to-own basis.”

“How generous of them!” Nora said. “I would be happy to talk to them.”

Pearl nodded and pulled up Maggie’s number on her phone. “Here’s her number, and there comes Darla with your food. Good luck.”