ing to diffuse some of her rages. "H

ately. "Does that mean I have to kick

tall and weighing hardly more than a hundred and twenty pounds. Logan often claimed that her fiery personality was due to her red hair, and

knockout somewhere

d in what he assumed was manure, and she donned a red baseball cap to hide th

regain control. "Your father requested that I c

s possible. "The post has been

sight of someone else spared h

hols was

s blond hair was a lot grayer than it used to be, but

that how you treat an old friend?" Paul

e turned away. She dashed out the door,

his face flushed with embarrassment. "She

pped out of the car and extended his hand to shake Paul'

d to run across your aunt the other day. She was the one who inform

sure about right now. I'm not sure how long I

ome assistance around here. The last man was injured last w

orrect, Paul. I'm simply not s

sibly shaken. "It's

mories surrounding this place," John swiftly said. "I

aul sympathized. "I know that's one of the reasons you left to

humb to the milk house. "I beli

ohn, I'm sure I could put you to good use. There aren't many other trustworthy folks around town anymore. To be honest,

down. He knew this wasn't an easy life, but he'd made it seem such for as long as he'd known

were interrupted by the arrival of a vast pickup vehicle in the driveway. One of the giant truck

"Cooper," he hissed, raising a palm to John. "Giv

most the same age as Paul, but he lacked the gray and wore too much gel. It reminded Jo

we today?" the driver sai

ly. "So, unless you have anything

ou, "The driver responded quickly. He was holdin

you, Mike Cooper?" Paul snarl

ined. "I assumed you'd had some time to think about

Now go out! We have

back up. "Consider it." Mike's attention shifted to John for a brief moment.

remarked as he went back over. "That guy

familiar to me?" John wond

unty. His property is over three thousand acres in size. I'm not su

ed up, but weren't you just mentioning that it could be t

ecent family. It has sustained my family for over five generations. I owe it to my family to keep it operating, and if I sell it to

d farmhand with a friendly grin who worked so hard on the farm that

him if I can't keep it in my family. Maybe then he'll be able to ge

Carly?" Joh

assisting me. I don't want to bother her with it if that's the case. It's better to go to someone like Neal

Paul no longer had Logan to take over as the sixth generation. Now he had a virtually b

sm, John was startin

I appreciate your visit. Could you please refer me to anybody you know seeking hone

ed out, "

ame to a halt a

can I

to adjust before he

, and heck, I'm not doing much these days.

is hand on his shoulder. "I'd

a while, but I'm prepared to give it a chan

ing in the morning, and we have hay to do after that, "Paul said. "The weather s

is hand. "I'll