Page 30 of Her Gentle Protector
“Annie? I don’t believe that. She’s never appeared interested in anyone.”
“You should pay more attention, Bax. So, are you checking up on that information you wanted?”
“Yeah. I was wondering if you heard anything about the Callaghan place or the Beale ranch?” Baxter asked urgently, dismounting with a thud.
Whit sighed, looking around to make sure no one else could overhear their conversation. “I did some digging. Turns out Midge’s pa owes money to almost everyone in town in the last cow town they were at.”
“How much money?”
Whit named a figure and Baxter let out a low whistle. “That’s a hefty sum.”
“They’ve been trying to find him to collect on it. You don’t go playing cards, racking up credit, and then skip out of town.”
“Is that why he disappeared?” Baxter’s jaw clenched, anger flaring hot within him. He could only imagine how Midge must be feeling, trying to keep her siblings together while dealing with this mess her father had left them in.
“Most likely. The cardsharps are willin’ to take Midge to settle the debt. The bank wants Beale to sell his land and then the profits to be split with the merchants there.” Whit continued, shaking his head.
“That’s not going to happen,” Baxter growled.
“Rex said you were sweet on the girl.”
Ignoring the comment, Baxter addressed the land. “Can they force the sale?”
“He’s already filed a lien with the bank.”
Baxter dragged the toe of his worn leather boot across the dry dirt, and the top layer crumbled to reveal a deeper, richer soil underneath. “Have they announced the sale?”
“Not yet, because of the fever. But I don’t think they are going to wait much longer. There’s a landowner from Chicago looking to buy up properties ‘round here. He might help settle the debt.”
“Chicago?” Baxter grumbled, running a hand through his sandy-brown hair. His mind raced with possibilities, each more worrisome than the last. “What do you know about the landowner?”
“Owns horses. That’s all I know. Looking for a place to retire. I think he has a young daughter, but she spends most of her time with her grandmother.”
“For someone who doesn’t know much, you know quite a bit.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I want to buy the Callaghan property, but I don’t want to see anyone take Midge or her family’s home. That is the only place the children have right now,” Baxter declared, his eyes narrowing with determination. He paced back and forth, the dust beneath his boots puffing up like little clouds with each step. “If it comes down to it, I’ll buy the properties myself.”
“Slow down there, partner,” Whit replied, holding up a hand to stop his brother’s pacing. “I got some good news for you. The bank will sell you both the Callaghan property and the Beale ranch. You can come into town and sign all the paperwork once it’s safe to do so.”
“You’re telling me...” Baxter stopped in his tracks, staring at his brother in disbelief. “They’d sell both of them to me?”
“Yup,” Whit confirmed, a grin spreading across his face. “Seems they’d rather keep the land in the hands of someone local than have it snatched up by some big city fella.”
“That is a relief.” Baxter couldn’t help but think of Midge’s fierce spirit and those warm, brown eyes that held so much defiance and vulnerability. He’d do anything to keep her and her siblings safe, even if it meant putting himself out on a limb. “I need you to arrange for the bank to transfer the money from my account,” Baxter said, his voice low and serious. “I don’t want to risk anyone else getting these properties. It’s important that Midge doesn’t find out about this. Not a word.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Whitney assured him, nodding with understanding.
“Elliot can get everything written up and just send word when I can return. And make sure they know that Midge and her family can live there rent free until I decide what to do with the property,” Baxter added, his piercing blue eyes locked on Whitney’s, leaving no doubt as to his determination. “I don’t want anyone bothering them.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as it is done.”
With the arrangements in place, Baxter set his mind to preparing the Callaghan house for Midge and her family. He knew that if he worked diligently, he could have it in shape by the time of the harvest dance at the Chapmans. The thought of presenting the refurbished home to Midge after the dance filled his heart with hope, giving him the drive to push forward.
As Baxter mounted his horse to return to his ranch, his mind churned with plans and possibilities. He knew that securing the properties would be just the first step; ensuring that Midge and her siblings had a stable home would take time and hard work. But he was more than willing to put in the effort, for Midge’s sake and for the future he hoped they could build together.
“Thank you, Whit,” Baxter called over his shoulder as he turned his horse around. “I won’t forget this.”
