I shake my head. "It's not that. Travis's guidance counselor called me at work today. I'm still upset about that."
Shelby makes a face and tips her head, listening to the whole story. "What are you going to do, Jo?" she asks when I finish. She knows how badly I want to get Travis back up here to Sierra Grande.
"I don't know. I'm not in a position to argue with my mom about where Travis should live. She'd never move back here, not now withHenri"—I say his name in a hideous French accent—"keeping her there. And she'd never send him to live with me. My schedule is all over the place, and he needs stability." I stab at a cube of ice with my straw. "One day, I'm going to open that camp I've been talking about."
Shelby smiles out of one side of her mouth. "And until then?"
"I'm saving all my pennies." Opening up a camp for troubled youth has been my dream for the past few years, right after the first time Travis got in trouble. The first thing I need is land, which is in short supply around here. The second thing I need is money, which is also in short supply.
"This topic is depressing." I slide out of the booth. "I'm going to use the ladies' room."
"One day," Shelby calls out. I wave my hand above my head as I walk away.One day sounds a lot likenever.
I'm standing at the sink washing my hands when she walks in, heels snapping against the floor. Jericho Barnett. Her phone pressed to her ear, she leans closer to the mirror above the second sink and fixes lipstick I'm positive isn't in need of fixing.
"I can't believe it either," she says. She sounds so pleased with herself, but I think she might live in a constant state of feeling happy about the various things she accomplishes in a day. "The Circle B is a prestigious listing, and they chose me out of all those other realtors." She frowns at whatever has been said by the other person on the phone. "I know it's for a reduced price, but I'm looking at it as a résumé builder."
I tap on her arm. She turns, looking at me like she had no idea I was in here when she walked in. She knows me from The Orchard. Her favorite wine is a red blend, and the cooks call her Jeri-No because she modifies the shit out of every food order she places.
"I have to go," she says into her phone, then ends the call and looks at me. "Hi, Jo."
"Hi, Jericho. Did I just overhear you saying the Circle B is on the market?"
"Not yet. Not officially, I mean. I'm going to list it tomorrow. The sellers just chose me an hour ago." The same slow, luxurious look of content slides over her face. Maybe she was facing a lot of competition to be the listing agent, and can't control how pleased she is to have won.
"Congratulations," I say. It's obvious this is what she wants to hear. "So," I start before she can say anything. I take a deep breath. This is it. My chance. It's now or never. I don't know what I'm doing, but since when has that ever stopped me? I'm an expert at learning on my feet. "I want it."
Jericho blinks. Squints. "I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly."
"You did."
She stares at me. "You want to buy the Circle B?"
"Yes."
Her hair swishes around her face as she shakes her head, confused. "What for? You're not a rancher. It's aranch."
"A wilderness therapy camp. For troubled youth."
Jericho laughs. I think I'd prefer real laughter to this disbelieving cackle coming from between those overly made-up lips. She sees my straight face and stops laughing. "You're serious?"
I nod.
She crosses her arms and leans a hip against the bathroom counter. "I already have people calling me about the property. It's hot, and it's not even live yet. Do you know what that means?"
I didn't graduate from business school, but I know it means there's competition. Demand. And demand drives up price. I think of Travis, and square my shoulders. "I want it."
Jericho makes a face. "I'll add your name to the list."
The bathroom door opens. Shelby walks in, gaze darting between me and Jericho. "You've been gone for a while. I wanted to make sure you weren't sick."
Jericho walks to the door, and Shelby steps aside. "She's not sick," Jericho tells Shelby. "Just crazy."
Shelby makes a face, and Jericho looks at me. "I'll be in touch, Jo."
Jericho leaves, and Shelby stares after her. "What was that about?"
I wash my hands again, because I need something to do with them. They shake with nerves as I run them under the water. "I either did something really great, or incredibly stupid."
