Bid For Freedom

Chapter 52

Dani's hand cradled her burgeoning middle as she stormed into Heber's study.

"What do you want?"

She pulled out a chair and sat.

"I didn't invite you to stay."

Anger flashed in her eyes. "This is a business meeting, not one for pleasure."

His eyebrows raised.

She sighed. "The ranch is facing a crisis. I can't sell the cattle. No one will do business with me as a woman. They won't deal with David because he's a child. They won't deal with Rasmus or George or Luke because of their color. Rosa's husband is the same because he's mexican. I need you present when I take the cattle in. Otherwise, it'll be thievery. Our ranch will flounder. Caleb will have nothing when he returns."

"You think one failed cattle drive will be the death of the ranch?"

"Have you gone over the accounts? Derek drove this place to the brink of ruination. We need to act. Now. The bankers have already been by demanding their first payment for Derek's misguided investment. I'll not sell the land to prospectors as we need it for the cattle."

Heber shook his head. "I don't believe you."

She pursed her lips. "Would you like me to send for Rosa? She can gather the books and bring them here."

"Don't bother. I have my own copy." He withdrew several books from a desk drawer.

Dani leaned across the table, her eyes widened when she realized his books were vastly different than the ones she had found. A chill ran down her spine. Heber had been duped just as much as Caleb had.

"You didn't write your will, did you?"

Heber shook his head. "I just glanced at it and signed it. It had Caleb inheriting the majority. I didn't read the details."

She bit her lip, trying to hold back her frustration. "Rosa!" She lifted herself from the chair and opened the door. "Rosa!"

The woman appeared, concern flooding her face. "Is it the baby?"

"No. I need the books for the ranch accounts from my room, please."

Rosa nodded and scurried away. She returned moments later carrying the small stack of books. Dani took them from her and spread them across Heber's desk.

"These are the records I found in Derek's room." Her fingers traced across the page, noting the differences. In Heber's book, everything appeared normal. In Derek's, they were beyond dire.

Heber swallowed hard. "This can't be right."

"I fear it is. I've been to the bank. I've discussed the accounts." She shook her head. "There is no other way. We need this shipment of cattle to go to break even. It'd be better if it brought top dollar. I need you to make that a possibility."

Heber shook his head. "I know nothing of cattle."

"But you do know about bargaining. Do this for your son. Do it for Caleb."

"Him? He left. He won't return."

"He was forced into the army by Derek. It was a list ditch effort to make it so he couldn't inherit the ranch. It was the last thing Derek could do to stave off ruin."

He swallowed hard.

Dani paced around the room. "If you won't do it for him, do it for your grandchild. This baby deserves a place to live. A place to grow up. A place to be happy."

"I'll think about it."

Dani threw his coat into his lap. "Think about it in the wagon. We're leaving now."