THE STORY SO FAR: Twice divorced, unemployed computer technician Victor Haig is searching for a real soul mate when he rescues Nina Raymond from two louts who either mistook her for a hooker or an easy opportunity. Nina (20) admits to 37-year old Vic she's sexually inexperienced. He learns the young woman has been abused sexually by the few men in her life including her terminally ill widowed father. They leave town, taking to the road in Nina's SUV with no destination in mind. The morning after they begin their adventure into the unknown, Nina returns to check on her father, to find he's dying and she and Vic temporarily lose contact. They are reunited and spend a year on a cattle and horse ranch which takes paying guests as ranch dudes. They move on to a small coastal town where they befriend a computer and video store owner who employs them to help resuscitate his business. Three months later Nina and Vic leave and at a cafΓ© late that morning decide to head east into traditional cattle country and look for a run-down ranch to buy and build up. Nina reveals she's the daughter of an heiress and inherited her mother's wealth. Although pleased she is wealthy Vic decides it's best they don't overspend as he wishes to pay his way to end up being in 50-50 partnership with Nina. They are now ready to negotiate for the purchase of a privately owned but neglected ranch of 63,800 acres.
* * *
Vic and Nina entered the Hunger's property and drove to the barn. Nina watched Vic kissed Leigh on the cheek casually and received a warm response but nothing untoward. Without any delay Leigh turned and kissed Nina on the cheek with no apparent difference than the greeting Vic had received, which eased Nina's suspicion about those two. Well, so what if they had fooled around, she thought; she'd indicated to Vic before he left her the previous day he was welcome to do whatever was necessary to win Leigh's allegiance.
Leigh invited Nina to pick the horse she wanted. Nina opted for the sorrel called Kitty and hoped Vic would end up with the dun called Archer; that's what happened. Nina was pleased about that because a few days earlier she'd seen a heart warming sight of a man on a Palomino riding ahead of two children on their ponies. Nina hoped that one day Vic would have two children to go riding with - Austin and Natalie, two of her favorite names for youngsters. She colored when she realized what she'd just thought; fortunately Vic and Leigh were about to mount their horses so her embarrassment went unnoticed. They set off without the reclusive vendors emerging from the homestead to wave at them.
"Oh what a great afternoon to be riding the range," Nina said, kicking Eva into a canter, the other two riders following suit.
Mid-afternoon they stopped under trees to have coffee and cookies and arrived back at the homestead just on 6:00, the vendors continuing to remain out of sight. Weird, thought Nina, who was very happy with what she'd seen after Vic and Leigh had pointed out potential. They unsaddled their horses and Leigh set Eva free to graze in the vast 'home' paddock, saying she would collect her next morning as she could only trailer two horses at once.
She looked at her clients keenly, "Well β do we enter negotiations here over lunch tomorrow?"
Vic looked at Nina and waited for her to respond. He was happy but was she?
"I liked what I saw out there Vic. I cannot visualize all of the potential that you talk about but I'm satisfied to complete the purchase, providing we come to a price that you find acceptable."
"Right Leigh, we rely on you to make your aunt and uncle more flexible in seeking their exit price," Vic said. "We want to purchase the ranch as a doing concern, they just removing their personal possessions."
"That's being positive, Vic," Leigh said. "I'll do my best to encourage an amicable resolution. Anything else I need to know?"
"Yes, tell them this," Vic said. "Unless we have reached total agreement on the sale price by 2:30 tomorrow, Nina and I are out of here."
"Is that fair?"
"You heard him, Leigh," Nina said. "Two and a half hours is plenty of time to reach agreement provided the vendors are willing sellers. The ranch is rundown, the sale price needs to reflect that so please make our position clear: a fair price otherwise we are out of here."
"My aunt and uncle are not people who like to rush into things."
"They've had plenty of time to think, what with those other offers coming to nothing," Nina said unwaveringly. "It's decision time for them, time to lower their asking price and become realistic."
"Vic?"
"I've nothing further to add except tell them we are thinking $5.5 million but could be pushed a little higher."
"They won't agree to that," Leigh sighed.
"Well talk to them; call us if we're not required to front up at noon tomorrow," Vic said. "Make a sale happen, Leigh."
"Okay guys, I'll do my very best," Leigh sighed.
As Vic and Nina drove off, Nina asked whether it had been wise to indicate they were thinking $5.5 million. Vic said revealing that established negotiating boundaries, giving the vendors something to think about over-night. He realized Leigh thought that figure was too low but it wasn't too far lower than the independent appraisal submitted to the bank. As well, Leigh's appraisal was lower than the asking price, strongly indicating there was room for both sides to adjust their stances.
"But the Hungers won't will they; they are obstinate?"
"Dunno Nina. They'll talk long and hard tonight so let's see what tomorrow brings."
Nina and Vic arrived at the ranch just on midday, wearing western gear hoping to mentally confirm them as willing buyers. Leigh came from the homestead to welcome them, smiling but there were no kisses.
"Come in. We've decided to eat before negotiations commence.
Within half an hour after a very indifferent meal, no wine and bad coffee to follow, a deal had been finalized β payment of $5,920,000 as a going concern.
Leigh called the bank and returned smiling. She told Nina and Vic, "Your application has been approved, effective from settlement day. We'll all meet at my office at 11:00 tomorrow to complete the paper work β agreed everyone?" Everyone nodded. The Hungers shook hands with Nina and Vic and left the room.
"After paying off their mortgages including late payment penalties and paying off all other debts and commission, my aunt and uncle will walk away with almost $1 million, which means they'll retire in considerable comfort," Leigh said. "Our company achieves the sale and you have several thousand extra in kitty to effect improvements. I'm happy with the outcome and wish you well. I'd like you to come and meet my husband at our ranch for dinner tomorrow night. Is that convenient? I feel we'll end up being very good friends."
Nina and Vic accepted with thanks. As they drove away she hugged Vic's arm. "We are ranchers β or will be on settlement day."
"Yes," he grinned triumphantly. "When we arrive back at the hotel and have our drinks in front of us, let's call Hannah and Joe to tell them the news and ask if we could visit them soon for a few of days. The next five weeks are doing to drag for us."
"But why there?"
"If their daughter Margo and son-in-law are going to close down the guest operation, I want to negotiate for the purchase of the smaller cabins and if the price is right having them trucked here; that ought to be much cheaper than building from scratch. The son-in-law wants to end guest ranching when the snows come."
"If that's what you want to do, let's do it."
"Thanks darling," Vic said, reaching to stroke her cheek, keeping an eye on the road. "I've done some sketching and gone into economics and possible trade, though it's difficult finding any data on that. It's also we are nearer 300 miles than 200 miles from the city. I figure we should limit ourselves to an adult only operation for up to forty guests and make it a Monday to Saturday operation, giving us every Sunday free β to stay in bed if she wish.
"Sounds good but I'd like to engage an outside consultant if you don't mind," Nina said. "We need a business plan and a marketing plan including joining guest ranch stays websites."
Vic said that made sense. "I run the ranch and you run the guest operation β okay?"
"Yes, that's what my thoughts were, exactly. We are such a great team. I'll stray outside at times because I hope to become a cowgirl. In return you are invited to stray into the guest operation."