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“That depends,” the man says. “Who wants to know?”
“I’m a friend of Ernie Cullens. I was talking with him about buying his farm—”
“He already sold it,” Mr. Dunning interrupts.
I take a sharp breath in and out. “Yes, I know. That’s why I’m calling. I hear you may be looking to put your property up for sale.”
“Well, yeah. The misses and I were inspired by Ernie and his old lady. It isn’t easy for us old geezers to run a farm, you know?”
“Well, would you be interested in setting up a meeting with me to discuss my interest in your property? I could be available as early as tomorrow.”
“Oh, really?” he asks, surprised. “We haven’t even put a sign up or anything.”
“That’s okay. I think you’ll be happy to hear my offer.”
“Well, I guess,” Richard says. “Tomorrow will work.”
“Would you like to meet at my office? Or would you be more comfortable meeting at your house?” I ask. Either would be fine with me, but if I can get him to come to our office, I know I can get him to make the deal.
“Where is your office?” Richard asks.
“Right in Petaluma,” I say. “Our office is in the Sequoia Business Center. We’re Cornel and Son Developmental Group.” Our offices are on the top floor of a ten-story building. From my window, I can look out on all of Petaluma, at the land and opportunities the area has to offer.
After exchanging directions and contact information he confirms that ten the next morning works.
Dylan starts tapping his foot against the car door, and I can tell he’s getting fed up with my business calls. This afternoon was set aside for some father and son time. I planned to take him to the farm and toss the ball around. As a busy single father, I haven’t been there as much as I’ve wanted to lately.
“Great. I’ll see you then,” I say. “Oh, and please also bring your lovely wife along if she’s free.” Time to wrap up this call.
Richard scoffs. “Listen, Sonny. I don’t want to get your hopes up. I love Betsy with all of my heart, and she’s still as beautiful as the day I married her, but to call her ‘lovely’ is a bit of a stretch.”
I hear a woman’s voice in the background shout, “Richard! You mean old coot!” He had whispered the last part, but that didn’t stop her from hearing.
“Okay, it sounds like you might have a situation on your hands over there. See you tomorrow.”
The call drops abruptly, and I chuckle to myself that Mrs. Dunning is giving her husband a telling-off.
It’s funny. But hearing their playful marital scuffle makes me a little sad. Usually, when that happens, all I can think about is my ex, Anna, and how unconcerned she looked the last time I saw her. And I will never forget the look on Dylan’s face when he realized she wasn’t coming back. But this time, the person I’m thinking about is that woman at the farm, arms crossed and glowering at me, ready for a fight. I’m not sure exactly what is keeping her in my thoughts, but I do know there is something about her that intrigues me.
***
“Thanks so much for making it down here,” I say the next morning, shaking Richard and Betsy’s hands. “I hope it wasn’t too hard to find us.”
“Not too bad,” Richard says. He looks like a farmer with his bronze skin and dirty overalls.
“Before we start, I found something on the internet that I found a little troubling…” Betsy begins.
Ugh. If I were given a nickel for every business conversation that started that way, I’d be even richer than I already am. I honestly hoped they were too old to even have a computer.
“Let me guess, is it about my brother?” I already know where their question is headed.
“Yes. I read an article about how he almost bankrupted this company,” Betsy continues. She looks far more put together than her husband in a bright floral dress.
“The keyword there is ‘almost.’ It’s also important to note that the company name has since been changed from ‘Cornel and Sons’ to ‘Cornel and Son.’”
“So, you’re the son?” Richard asks.
“Correct. Our father cut my brother out after the scandal broke.”
