Even before speaking to Karl about Bridget, Per mailed a letter to her cousin, knowing how long it would take to hear back. The barn was completed, and Gus stalled Karl’s departure by asking him to help him with surveying as he planned to expand his holdings in the future.
Per was in bed two weeks after the Elizabethtown women had left in a huff, cuddling with Gus and feeling a little down. She realized a letter would never come back from Bridget, even if she was receptive to the idea of moving to Oregon, before Karl left. And then she had an inspiration.
“Oh, Gus?”
“Uh-oh. I know that tone. What do you want?”
“What do you think about making Karl a partner in the ranch? He could claim another 160 acres, and if he marries, that would be even more land. Just with our 320, it’s a lot of work for just the two of us. Plus, it would keep him here.”
“You would agree to that?”
“Absolutely.”
“No wonder I love you.” He squeezed her tightly.
Karl took two days pondering the offer. Gus was convinced he would turn them down. Per wasn’t so sure. On the second day, she found him sitting by the creek, skimming stones along the surface. She sat down beside him.
“What’s holding you back, Karl? Do you truly miss your life in Baltimore?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“What then?”
“I…you and Gus…you have something special. I don’t want to intrude and…”
She stopped him. “I have the perfect solution.”
He looked at her, amused. No doubt about it, Per Burgen was a problem solver. She was even the one who came up with the proper solution for chinking the house.
“Have I told you about my beautiful cousin Bridget…?”