Excerpt
from
A
Beggar’s Bargain
by
Jan Sikes
Williams squinted. “You know,
you ain’t the only one around here with these troubles. Nevertheless, the bank
has its rules and regulations. If you can’t pay at least a hundred today, I’m
afraid I’ll have to start foreclosure proceedings.”
Layken fought against rising
bile, wishing he’d had more than coffee for breakfast. “I’ve only got forty
dollars. Sir, I swore an oath to my father I’d never lose the farm. He was a
customer at this bank his whole life and always paid his debts.”
“That is true. But it doesn’t
change the fact that you aren’t paying the debt now. Why, we barely know you,
son. You were gone so long folks around here forgot about you.”
Shifting on the hard wooden
chair, Layken struggled to tamp down rising anger. After all, he’d been away
defending his country.
The older man peered over the
rim of his glasses. “No need to get bent out of shape. I’m just doin’ my job.”
He reached into his top drawer and fished out a cigar, offering one to Layken.
“Smoke?”
“No, thanks.” Why couldn’t the
man understand his situation? “I give you my word. If you can see fit to give
me a grace period on this loan, I’ll find a way to pay it off—even if it means
selling part of the acreage.” He leaned forward. “I’ve got time to get seeds in
the ground and produce a partial crop before winter sets in. I’m sure of it.”
While Williams struck a match
and lit the stogie, Layken glanced around the small office. A cheap print of a
snow-covered mountainside hung lopsided on one wall. Other than that, there was
no decor. It was as if the man had nothing personal to display.
The banker blew out a smoke
ring and pushed his glasses up on his nose. “You know, there might be one other
alternative.”
Layken perked up, a glimmer of
hope rising. “I’m willing to do anything to save the place.”
“You ever been married?”
“No. But I don’t see what that
has to do with anything.”
“It might have everything to
do with the situation you’re in.” He flipped ashes off the end of the cigar
into a large ashtray.
Layken fidgeted with his
fedora and waited for him to continue.
“I’ve been courting the Widow
Jones. You remember her, don’t you? She taught you in grade school.”
“I remember her. She was my
math teacher.” He and the other kids made jokes about her being a crone because
of her sharp nose and tongue.
“You see, I asked her to marry
me, but she said she’s never gonna marry me so long as my daughter lives under
my roof.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, Mr.
Williams, but I don’t see the bearing on my situation.”
“At least, hear me out.” The
man blew out another smoke ring.
“I’m listening.” Layken chewed
the inside of his jaw. “Go ahead.”
“My girl ain’t been the same
since her mama died. She ain’t touched in the head or anything like that. She’s
just different. But I ain’t gettin’ no younger, and I’m tired of bein’ alone. I
want to get married.”
Layken’s heart pounded
erratically. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I fail to see what any of
this has to do with me.”
“What if I make you a deal?
You come from good stock. Everyone around these parts thought highly of Jacob
and Nancy Martin. They came to church most every Sunday.”
“They were great people,”
Layken agreed. “But none of this is making any sense.”
“It’s simple. Marry my Sara
Beth, give her a home, and I’ll postpone payment on your debt for two years.
That should give you enough time to get on your feet and get your farm back
producing.”
“What?” Layken leaned forward,
swallowing hard. “Did I hear you right? You’re offering your daughter to me in
exchange for two years of grace on the loan?”
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AH HA! The deal is offered! Thanks for sharing this excerpt. I think this book sounds like a great reading escape.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam, for sharing this excerpt from A Beggar's Bargain!
ReplyDelete