Travis was in the store. Oh, must have been a few weeks ago now, talking about how y'all were selling. Maggie froze with a jar in midair. A few weeks ago, Mr. Hollis realized at once he'd said too much. He went red, paid for his eggs, and walked off, practically apologizing.
That was how she found out. Right there at the farmers market between the jars of apple butter. Travis had been talking about that land before he ever came back to see his sons. Before that hug with Sam, before meeting Jesse, before a single word of apology. Maggie packed up early.
She drove home going back over every conversation with Travis and each one looked different now. The groceries, the toys, the tears. When she pulled in, Travis was in the yard tossing a football with Sam. She didn't make a scene. She called him aside to talk away from the kids around the back of the shed.
"You told Mr. Hollis at the hardware store we were selling this farm," she said straight out. Weeks ago before you ever set foot back here. Travis stopped. He thought fast, the way he always did. Maggie, hold on.
One thing's got nothing to do with the other. Nothing. I heard about the land values going up through a buddy in Charlotte, he hurried to explain. And that's exactly what made me think of y'all. It made me remember everything I left behind.
That news is what brought me home. You understand? I didn't mean anything bad by it. Maggie almost believed him. He had always known how to make her doubt herself, and she wanted to believe him for Sam's smile.
So, she asked the right question. Have you already talked to the buyer? Have you promised anybody anything? Travis hesitated before answering. It was enough to make her suspicion grow.
I talked to them, he finally admitted. I told them it'd probably go through. Maggie kept looking at him. And what do you get out of it, Travis? This time the answer took even longer.
The guy handling the purchases promised me a finder fee if the deal went through, but that's not why I'm telling you to sell. It's still a good price for you and for the boys. That was when Maggie understood why he knew so much. Why he was in such a hurry, why he'd asked for the deed before she'd even said yes. "I'm not robbing you," he said, seeing the look on her face.
"I just want you to be reasonable. This money is good for everybody." For one moment, Maggie almost backed down. The old habit pulled at her, the one that always made her smooth things over. But not this time.