“Are you a builder?”
“Nope, though I have done some. Just know you don’t build on sand.”
Bennet waved that aside. “We will build access here and use the land up there for the rest. Get a lot of good lumber when we cut down those trees.”
“Can’t do that,” said the other young man.
Geordie was amused by the way Mehitabel’s kin kept calmly interrupting Bennet’s grand plans, but he feared they would push the man too far and get shot. He was surprised the man had hired them. Geordie suspected they would be fired soon.
“What do you mean? No law against cutting trees.”
“They are protected.”
“Protected? No one protects trees. Even she cuts down a few trees now and then. I see her do it.”
“Thinning them is allowed.”
“Allowed? What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Thinning is allowed by Grandfather’s will. Cutting the whole lot down is not. Breaking a will is a crime, I think. Most courts honor a man’s last wishes unless what he wished is an illegal act.”
“I have got to check that all out and see what can be done about it.”
“You do that.”
Fortunately Bennet was already walking away and didn’t hear him. The pair joined the men who followed him. Geordie shook his head. He had the feeling those two young men would soon be out of a job. The moment they disappeared around a hill, he stood up and brushed the sand off himself. He shook his head again.
James did the same, then said, “Those boys will be out of a job soon.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. That or shot. They certainly won’t help him build what he wants.”
“The man says he is looking into all the ways he can take her land.”
“Think the grandfather’s will that the boys mentioned can protect her?”
“Yes, unless she is in a position where a man with money can sneak around her and snatch the land.”
“Think I should say something to her?”
“Oh, yes, I would tell her all about what we saw and heard. That should impress her with the urgency of the problem. I get the feeling she thinks of him mostly as a bombastic nuisance.”
“Maybe I will give her a hint of the trouble that will head her way soon.”
“I think those boys will be sure to let her know.”
“Ah, aye.” He stopped and stared at the water carefully lapping at the shore. “Ocean is calm today.”
“I like it best when a storm is coming in. It shows its power then. Very impressive.”
“Unless ye are living on the low ground. Or near the marshes and bogs.”
“Sadly true, but why would anyone build their home there?”
For a while they just walked along the beach. He had forgotten how invasive the sand was and soon took off his shoes and socks. James did the same and they continued their slow amble down the beach. Geordie wished he could have both—the ocean and his home in the hills.
Realizing it was nearing time for lunch, they headed back to the stairs they had first climbed. Just as they reached the top they heard the cowbell ring. A moment later, Abel ran out the door and ran over to them.
“Lunch will be on the table soon,” the boy said.
