Ch 19
Shortly after they start riding, they come to the Montana line.
"Let's get a move on. We should make Garfield by night fall." Jimmy says to Lou.
They push hard to make good time not stopping for lunch. They press on. Ike and Lou swap up so Lou could ride by Jimmy for the rest of the trip.
"Look at this land Lou". Jimmy says.
"It's so nice. Look at the way the land is shaped. The hills roll. The flat land is broken by high flat faced rocks. I've never seen anything like this." Lou says looking at Jimmy.
Jimmy and buyck ride out to look at the land from high above.
"Wow Buck, look at this place."
"I hope there's a piece for us." Buck says.
They ride back and link up with the wagons.
"Let's head into town and get rooms." Jimmy says. "Logan, you and Ike ride over an get four rooms please."
Jimmy and Lou dismount to look around. Buck helps Rachel and Ashley down.
"Let's get some food before we turn in for the night."
When Ike and Logan get back, they all headed over to the diner and had their belly's full of elk steaks.
"Let's meet down on the boardwalk at nine in the morning." Buck said.
"Goodnight everyone." They each said.
The next morning Buck, Lou, and Jimmy rode to the land office. They make their way in the door to be greeted by a nice older man.
"It's a great day to buy some new land friend." The older mans says as he smiles. Jimmy looks at Buck.
"Yes, it is. It is indeed." Buck says.
"That's why we came to see you. I'm Jimmy. This is my brother Buck and this is my lady Lou."
"It's nice to meet you all. Have a seat. Let's talk about what exactly you are shopping for."
"Well, we are looking for around five thousand acres."
"Well now that's big right there boys."
"Yes it is but we want to get a herd of cattle." Buck and Jimmy almost say at the same time.
"Oh, I got just the place."
Jimmy smiles as he looks at Lou then Buck.
"It's five thousand six hundred acres. It has a large six bedroom home on it an three smaller cabins for workers. It has a ten horse barn an a lot of wonderful views. Two thousand acres is fenced in. There's also one hundred acres fenced in up to the barn if that don't do ya. There's a ranch right beside it that is eight thousand acres with just about the same set up."
"Why are they for sale?" Lou asked.
"Well after the big gold rush in California. Everyone up an left."
"Wow that sounds just like what we are looking for Jimmy." Lou said kissing him.
"Where y'all from?"
"We came all the way from Nebraska."
"Oh wow. That's a long ride. This will be your first land purchase in Montana then."
"Yes sir."
"Wow. I'm going to cut you a deal of a lifetime Mr. Jimmy. Let's go and look at the place. Then we can talk numbers after that."
"Hell yes. Let's go." Jimmy jumped up.
They made their way out of town about ten miles or so.
"Well there she is Mr Hickok."
It was the most beautiful land that Jimmy had ever seen.
"Well the property on the left side of the road is the eight thousand acres. The right side is the smaller one I described to you."
"Look at this Buck. Can you believe your eyes?"
Buck hops down and stands by Jimmy.
"Well if this ain't heaven, I don't know what is Jimmy." Says Buck.
The salesman showed them the house and barn. They ride out across the land and take in the magnificent views of the little Rockies in the background. The land runs all the way to the bottom of the mountains.
"The Fort Peak Lake also runs through here. I forgot to mention the water source on the property. The mountains are government protected land so you don't have to worry about nobody moving in your back door."
They head back to the office. So Mr. Hickok, what you and the misses think about that?"
"We loved it. What are you asking for it?" Jimmy asked.
"Well we are asking six thousand dollars for the land."
"And the one on the other side of the road?" Buck asked.
"Well now that one is seven thousand two hundred."
Buck looked at Jimmy.
"Will you excuse us for a few moments please?"
"Yes sir. Not a problem."
Buck and Jimmy go outside.
"Jimmy what you thinking?"
Jimmy puts his hands on his hips.
"Well Buck. I say we get both properties."
"That's what I was thinking to."
Jimmy walks over to his horse and grabs his satchel. They walk back through the door and look the salesman in the face.
"Do you take cash?"
The salesman about fell out of his chair.
"Yes sir, yes sir, yes sir we sure do." he spit out.
Three hours later Jimmy and Buck walk out of the Montana land office proud landowners.
The End