Totally Texan. Mary Lynn Baxter

the timber wasn’t cheap—neither was that new equipment I had to buy.”

      Pete blew out his breath. “I know. When you put things in perspective, I guess you’ve got a helluva good reason to be stressed.”

      “Stressed is probably the wrong word,” Grant admitted with a frown. “Actually, I’m excited and confident that this tract will turn a profit and get me out of debt. So update me.” He set his empty bottle down and gave his foreman a straight look.

      “I’ve already placed both crews.”

      “Equipment and all?”

      “Yep,” Pete said in an animated voice, as though proud of that accomplishment.

      “Have you found another foreman?”

      Pete frowned. “I thought maybe you and me together could handle it. You know how I am about hiring people I don’t know.”

      “But you know everyone around these parts.”

      “That’s why I ain’t hiring nobody.” Peter cocked his head. “Get my drift?”

      “That’ll work, especially since none of the other tracts are cuttable right now due to the poor conditions.”

      “Let’s hope the rain continues to hold off.”

      “It will. I’m convinced my luck has changed and all for the better. So where did you put the log sets?” Grant asked, back to business.

      “I put one crew on the northwest side next to the county road and the other on the south end next to the old home place.”

      “I’ll work the south end,” Grant said, knowing it would be the most difficult site to cut.

      “The saw heads are already buzzing and it looks like we’re going to be able to get twelve to fourteen loads per day.”

      “Man, if we do that for six weeks to two months, then I’d be on easy street for sure.”

      Grant grinned and raised his hand. Pete hit it in a high-five just as Grant’s cell phone rang. Frowning, he reached for it, noticing that the call was from Dan Holland, the landowner who had sold him the timber.

      “What’s up, buddy?” Grant asked without mincing words.

      “I’m afraid we got a problem.”