The Dance

Chapter 128 Strictly Business

For the next few weeks, Matt and Jill continued their routine of transforming sterling flatware into jewelry for the cruise ship crowds. Business was steady and Matt's stash of cash grew steadily. His hopes of acquiring a piece of land for his sawmill grew and every night he scratched out plans of his vision. Jill watched him night after night scribble in a notebook and everytime she asked to see it, he would casually change the subject.

At the end of the week, Matt planned to approach a landowner about a piece of property at the edge of town near the dock. It would be the perfect location to start his sawmill business. His brothers could haul timber from Browntown and the surrounding areas that could be milled into lumber and sent back out on the Integrity for sale and delivery. It would be a win-win for everyone with the one exception of living in town. If he hoped to manage and grow the mill, he would need to stay in Hoonah. Jill's business was also there and Matt didn't want to ask her to shutter the doors for his own selfish purposes of relocating to Browntown.

Matt was more cheerful than usual at breakfast. Jill inquired as to why he was more chipper than normal. "I'm going to see a man about some land. I've had my eye on a little piece near the dock that's perfect for a sawmill."

"Really! Jill's enthusiasm was evident in her voice. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Nope. I have to do this on my own."
Jill understood why he needed to handle this transaction without her. He was spreading his wings and flying solo and it felt good to him. For the first time in his life, he was making decisions for himself without being second guessed by his family. He wore his new independence well, more confident in his abilities.

"Kiss me for luck." Matt grabbed Jill and leaned her backwards placing a long, slow kiss on her before heading out the door. "We'll celebrate later," he yelled as he bounded down the stairs.

Matt made it to his 10:00am appointment on time and nervously waited for the seller to arrive. He paced anxiously back and forth until he saw a large man climbing out of a nearby car. "Are you Matt Brown?" He extended his hand to shake Matt's hand. "I'm Jamison."

Matt shielded his eyes with his hand as he approached the seller. "Nice to meet you. Thanks for coming to discuss the land."

"Let's skip the small talk and get down to brass tacks. I want $25,000 cash for the property. I'm not interested in doing any financing. You got the money?"

Matt hesitated before answering the question. He had scraped together $5,000 and had hoped to do a short term deal with the owner. If he could secure the property, he could start milling wood immediately and fulfill the payment of the remaining $20,000 over the next few months. The seller wasn't interested.

"Young fella, $25,000 cash. When you get the money, call me back." He handed Matt his card and headed for his car.

Feeling dejected and overwhelmed by the price tag, Matt made the short walk back to the shop. Jill could sense immediately the change in his demeanor. "How did it go, babe?"

Matt shook his head. "It went nowhere. I don't even know why I thought I could pull this off." Matt threw the seller's card on the counter. "He wants $25,000 and doesn't want to finance any of it."

Jill picked up the card and tucked it in the register. " I'm sorry Mattie. You'll just keep saving until you get all the cash. We'll just have to work harder."

Matt headed up to the apartment to work on his financial situation. "I'll be up shortly." Jill gave him a hug. "We'll figure it out."

Jill hated to see his spirit crushed. She knew she wanted to do something but she also knew Matt would be to proud to accept the kind of help she wanted to offer. Jill pulled the card out of the register and dialed the number of the seller. "Mr. Jamison, I'd like to talk to you about a piece of property you have for sale near the dock and I was hoping you could meet me tomorrow at 1:00pm?"

The following day Jill asked Matt to cover the shop for her as she needed to run some errands. This would give her cover to meet Mr. Jamison about the property Matt was interested in the day before.

Jamison pulled up at the appointed time and eyed the small woman up and down "Are you Ms. Heather?"

"I am and I'm interested in that piece of property." Jill turned to point to the dock. "You're cash price is $25,000, correct?"

"Yep, $25,000." He pulled up his jeans over his paunch belly. "I was gonna sell it yesterday to another fella but he didn't have the cash."

"I know and you're still going to sell it to him. I'm giving you $20,000 today and you're going to call that young fella back and sell him that land. You're going to take his $5,000 cash and my certified bank checque."

Jill pulled out a contract and handed it to him. "He mustn't know I did this but I want him to think he's making payments to you. Instead he will just pay the funds directly to my bank account. I'll expect the deed after you get his cash. And mums the words."

"He must be mighty special if you don't want him to know about it."

"He is pretty special and too proud to ask for help. I expect you to keep this transaction between you and me." Jill eyed him sternly.

"Okay little lady, if that's what you want."

"It's most definitely what I want." Jill handed Mr. Jamison her card and instructed him to wait an hour and then call Matt and tell him he had a change of heart.

Jill's transaction was brief and easy. Jamison would call Matt and seal the deal without ever knowing she had a hand in it. Finances were one area that Matt and Jill failed to cover in their time together. When Jill left Savannah for good after Jake's death, she had her friend Cassie sell everything including their project house which left her with a tidy sum of money. She'd been sitting on it for quite awhile trying to decide her next move and the moment to help Matt out was hard to pass up. She knew he would be to prideful to accept the loan but she also knew their life wasn't going to move forward anytime soon if he couldn't be the man he wanted to be. Jill's only regret was keeping that secret from Matt.