Why didnt Dad just tell us that? Faith asked, frowning.
Because he knew the two of you, Eve said as she rose to take her plate to the sink. Youd have gone over there just to see if the boys were really dangerous.
Well, McKenna said with a sigh, its just an old, empty house now that Ellis Harper has died. But theres forty acres with a creek, trees, a barn and some outbuildings. Its exactly what Im looking for and its adjacent to our ranch land to the east.
Eve shook her head, worry in her gaze. I think youre making a mistake, but I know how you are once youve made up your mind.
Im just like you, McKenna said with a grin.
Eve nodded. Thats what worries me.
Chapter Three
You heard about the auction? Minimum bid is what is owed in back taxes, but I dont expect it to go much higher than that given the condition of the house. Its really a white elephant. Why dont you let me show you some houses that dont need so much work?
Dont try to talk me out of it, McKenna said with a laugh. It amazed her that April sold anything the way she always tried to discourage buyers. If the price doesnt go too high, I intend to buy it.
She had worked all through college, saving the money her parents and Eve had sent her. She also had money from a savings account her grandma, Nina Mae Cross, had started for her when she was adopted into the family.
With auctions, you just never know, April said. But I cant imagine there would be that many people interested in the place. The property isnt bad, though. The fences are in pretty good shape, and it does border your family ranch, so that is definitely a plus. The barn needs a new roof. But you might want to just tear down the house and build something smaller on the land.
McKenna couldnt imagine doing that. Something about that house had always interested her. She had just hung up when her cell phone rang.
Have I got good news for you, a female voice said.
She was about to hang up, thinking it was someone trying to sell her something, when she recognized the voice. Arlene?
Who
else? Arlene Evans let out one of her braying laughs. She was a gangly, raw-boned ranch woman whod had her share of problems over the last year or so, including her husband leaving her alone with two grown children still living at home and her oldest daughter in the state mental hospital.
McKenna had signed up for Arlenes rural online dating service at a weak momentfollowing a wedding and some champagne. She now regretted it greatly.
It wasnt a man she needed but the courage to do what shed always wanted: start a horse ranch. Shed loved paint horses from the first time shed seen one. Descended from horses introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, paints were part of the herds of wild horses that once roamed these very plains.
With paints becoming popular with cowboys for cattle work, McKenna believed she could make a good living raising them. If she could get the Harper property for the right price at the auction Saturday. It was all she could think about.
Ive found you just the man, Arlene gushed. Hes perfect for you. I hear wedding bells already.
Slow down, McKenna said, wishing shed read the small print to see how she could get out of this.
Hes handsome, a hard worker, loves horses and long walks anddid I mention hes handsome? Arlene laughed again, making McKenna wince. Hes going to be out of the cell phone service area until Saturday night, so hell meet you at Northern Lights restaurant at seven. Youre going to thank me for this.
McKenna groaned inwardly. There was no backing out at this late date, especially since calling him sounded like it was out of the question. But suddenly she was more than a little afraid to find out who Arlene Evans thought was her perfect man.
She only half listened to Arlene rattle on about the man as she thought of the auction and her plans for the future: a man was the last thing on her mind.
It wasnt until after shed hung up that she realized she hadnt caught her dates name. Great. She thought about calling Arlene back but didnt want to put herself through another twenty minutes of hearing about how perfect this guy was for her.
In a town the size of Whitehorse, spotting the man should be easy enough at the restaurant Saturday evening.
McKenna quickly forgot about her date. The house would be open for viewing before the auction, but she couldnt wait. She had to take another look at the place, and this might be her only chance to spend a little time there alone.
ARLENE EVANS GLANCED away from her computer screen to see her daughter Charlotte sprawled on the couch.
Just moments before that Arlene had been feeling pretty good. Her Internet rural dating service had taken off. Several of the matches shed made had led to the altar. Shed always known she had a knack for this, even if shed failed miserably with her own children.
For years shed tried to find someone for her oldest daughter, Violetwith no luck at all. A lot of that was Violets doing, she had to admit now. Violet was crazyand dangerousso no wonder no man had wanted to take that on.