liquidated prior to his death, or fifty percent of a sale of the entire business. Because Tom had owned the house outright, it would be hers, but if she chose not to keep it, Tom had asked her to give Hawk the first right of purchase. He had also asked her to give Hawk the right to buy out her interest in the ranch, if she chose not to form a partnership with him. If Hawk could not come up with the money to do that all at once, Tom had asked her to grant him a deferred payment arrangement.
Her father indicated in his will that he wanted to be fair to both of them and not force either into decisions they couldn’t live with. He told Jenny, in a statement he made within the will, that it was his desire that she come home and be a partner in the operation of the ranch; that she continue the partnership agreement he had with Hawk. Because it was his understanding that her job allowed her to perform it from any location, Tom thought she might be able to continue her career while living here. But if she felt she couldn’t do that, she might consider a new partnership arrangement with Hawk.
She asked the attorney what her dad was referring to, and he told her about her other option. She could form a limited partnership with Hawk, in which he would be the general partner. He would operate and manage the ranch, and she would have a limited interest and participation. Every year she would then receive a limited share of the profits. Her interest would be like an investor’s. She didn’t have to be a working partner.
At the conclusion of his explanation, Mr. Higgins handed Jenny a letter sealed in an envelope. He told her Tom had given it to him at the time the will had been completed, with instructions to give it to her when the will was read. Since he had been told it was a private message from her father, he suggested she read it at her leisure. Jenny cast a quick, inquiring look at Hawk.
He looked as surprised as her. “I knew nothing of this,” he explained, nodding to the envelope she held in trembling fingers.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she bit her lower lip to stem the flow. “I’ll read it later,” she said quietly, tucking it in the pocket of her sweater.
“You have 90 days to decide what you two want to do,” Jack Higgins advised as sympathetically as he could. “Take your time. Talk over the options. See what works for both of you. Just don’t leave the decision to day 89,” he further advised with a chuckle. “Papers have to be filed with the county clerk and court by day 90.”
“We’ll get back to you before then, I’m sure, Jack,” Hawk responded as he stepped over to shake the attorney’s hand and walk him to the door. “Thank you for coming to the house, instead of making us go to your office.”
Jenny rose from her chair more slowly. “Thank you, Mr. Higgins. I know how much my dad liked you, personally and professionally.”
Taking her hand in both his, he gave her a kind smile, then turned to walk with Hawk out of the room.
Jenny sank back down into the over-stuffed arm chair and withdrew the envelope from her pocket. Her fingers trembled as she tore open the seal. By the end of the first paragraph, fresh tears were pouring down her cheeks.
Her father’s last words to her were lovingly clear. He spoke from his heart to hers. By the time she was finished, she felt physically touched by him; as if he had been sitting with her in his study, telling her of his love for her, talking to her about what he wanted for her future, patting her hand. It gave her an amazing amount of peace and comfort. It also gave her a lot to think about.
Her father’s desires were clearly stated, as they had been in the will, but he left her room for personal choice also. A final decision regarding the forming of a partnership with John Red Hawk Larson was not something she was capable of just yet, though. Business decisions should be made with a clear head, and hers was anything but clear at the
Her father indicated in his will that he wanted to be fair to both of them and not force either into decisions they couldn’t live with. He told Jenny, in a statement he made within the will, that it was his desire that she come home and be a partner in the operation of the ranch; that she continue the partnership agreement he had with Hawk. Because it was his understanding that her job allowed her to perform it from any location, Tom thought she might be able to continue her career while living here. But if she felt she couldn’t do that, she might consider a new partnership arrangement with Hawk.
She asked the attorney what her dad was referring to, and he told her about her other option. She could form a limited partnership with Hawk, in which he would be the general partner. He would operate and manage the ranch, and she would have a limited interest and participation. Every year she would then receive a limited share of the profits. Her interest would be like an investor’s. She didn’t have to be a working partner.
At the conclusion of his explanation, Mr. Higgins handed Jenny a letter sealed in an envelope. He told her Tom had given it to him at the time the will had been completed, with instructions to give it to her when the will was read. Since he had been told it was a private message from her father, he suggested she read it at her leisure. Jenny cast a quick, inquiring look at Hawk.
He looked as surprised as her. “I knew nothing of this,” he explained, nodding to the envelope she held in trembling fingers.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she bit her lower lip to stem the flow. “I’ll read it later,” she said quietly, tucking it in the pocket of her sweater.
“You have 90 days to decide what you two want to do,” Jack Higgins advised as sympathetically as he could. “Take your time. Talk over the options. See what works for both of you. Just don’t leave the decision to day 89,” he further advised with a chuckle. “Papers have to be filed with the county clerk and court by day 90.”
“We’ll get back to you before then, I’m sure, Jack,” Hawk responded as he stepped over to shake the attorney’s hand and walk him to the door. “Thank you for coming to the house, instead of making us go to your office.”
Jenny rose from her chair more slowly. “Thank you, Mr. Higgins. I know how much my dad liked you, personally and professionally.”
Taking her hand in both his, he gave her a kind smile, then turned to walk with Hawk out of the room.
Jenny sank back down into the over-stuffed arm chair and withdrew the envelope from her pocket. Her fingers trembled as she tore open the seal. By the end of the first paragraph, fresh tears were pouring down her cheeks.
Her father’s last words to her were lovingly clear. He spoke from his heart to hers. By the time she was finished, she felt physically touched by him; as if he had been sitting with her in his study, telling her of his love for her, talking to her about what he wanted for her future, patting her hand. It gave her an amazing amount of peace and comfort. It also gave her a lot to think about.
Her father’s desires were clearly stated, as they had been in the will, but he left her room for personal choice also. A final decision regarding the forming of a partnership with John Red Hawk Larson was not something she was capable of just yet, though. Business decisions should be made with a clear head, and hers was anything but clear at the
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