For a few minutes Barrett sat in stunned silence, thinking about the implication behind her words. In a mere two days she had comprehended more about the lives of the Spencers than he had all in the time he had spent with them.

"I don't know if they would accept help in that way. They are proud people."

She smiled. "I thought of that, but someone purchased the property next to them and they want to run electricity to their place."

He lifted a brow. "Would this someone live out of state?"

She chuckled. "They might. And it's entirely possible that they won't be on the land much, but if they should want to put a camper on it, they would probably want someplace to plug it in - don't you think?"

He nodded. "They might even want running water."

She gnawed on her lower lip. "They would want a concrete pad for their trailer."

He frowned. "How much land are we talking about?"

She shrugged. "Not much. Only forty acres."

"Mom…"

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She sighed. "You told me to spend it on something that gave me enjoyment. You wanted me to live a little."

"I can't see you camping out here. This is remote and wild country."

She leaned forward and patted his knee. "I can always sell it if I find it isn't to my liking. Be happy for me."

He wanted to tell her the real reason why he was there, and that it wouldn't be safe for her to stay there. Of course, it would take a while to set everything up, and she wouldn't be camping in the winter. Maybe the situation would change by then. It would certainly be a change for her. The property would be more valuable with electric and water on it.

"How did you find something so fast? You couldn't have closed on it already."

She smiled. "Del is going to handle it for me." She stood. "I'd better get going or I'll miss my plane." She hugged him. "It was so good to see you again. I hope we'll see each other more often now."

"That would be nice."

He watched her back the car down the drive and hoped she hadn't done something that she would regret.

When Pa told Mary Jo that the electric company intended to put utility poles up to their drive, she suspected that Barrett had something to do with it. Pa didn't say why they suddenly decided to do that. She couldn't think of a logical reason for them to suddenly spend thousands of dollars bringing electric to one old house. It occurred to her that Monroe lumber company might have something to gain - but according to Barrett, they routinely logged in places where there was no electricity or running water. Barrett said he didn't have a permanent job. Surely he couldn't afford to pay for it. The only other person she could think of was his mother. Barrett said he came from a wealthy family, but what would she have to gain? People didn't spend that kind of money unless they expected to get something in return.




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