A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(28)

“No guarantee there won’t be soon,” Mr. Young said. “The way the railroad keeps bringing folks out, this area’ll be booming before you know it. Hotels springing up every which way, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“Won’t most of them continue on farther west once the railroad does, though?” Anders frowned. “It’s not like there’s any huge draw right here in Salton.”

“Sure there is. There’re the salt deposits—no one’s succeeded much at developing that into a business yet, but some lucky fella will. And if they do move the capital to Lancaster, we’re bound to get more traffic and business, being so close by.”

“That’s true.” Anders nodded. “We heard talk of that in Omaha. They said they’re thinking of changing the name to Lincoln.”

“That’s right,” Mr. Young confirmed. “All that to say, you’re smart to buy up land early and capitalize on your profits. And to do that, I’d say choose the lot by the train station.”

“It’s all about business for you, isn’t it?” Del said tartly.

Hiram Young shifted his jaw. “What should it be, young lady?”

She said nothing but pressed her lips into a line.

Oh dear. Del, keep your knickers out of a knot long enough for us to settle the deal. “Perhaps you could tell us what you’d be charging for the land, Mr. Young,” Lark said. “That may help in our decision.”

“As you know, prices are rising fast, but seeing as I know you folks, I’ll give you a good deal, even for that plot by the station.” He named a price that made Lark swallow.

“That much? Just for the bare land?”

“Land is gold out here, Miss Nielsen. You know that. And that piece is prime real estate. Someone else will snatch it up tomorrow if you don’t buy it today.”

Lark glanced at Anders.

Her brother shook his head. “What about for this piece by the church?”

The banker hesitated. “Well, this piece won’t be as much in demand. I’d charge only half what I would for the other. But I still say by the station is your better investment by far.”

“Well, our resources are limited, Mr. Young. Especially now.” Lark’s heart sank, but at least the choice was clear. “You know we were hit hard by the grasshoppers.”

“Many were.” Mr. Young’s gaze didn’t flinch.

“And we still have to pay for the building of the boardinghouse itself. That will cost a pretty penny. Not to mention stables and an outhouse.” She exchanged glances once more with the others. They all nodded. Well, Lord, we asked you to make it clear. “We’ll take this lot, then.”

Hiram Young frowned. “If you’re sure.”

They settled the deal and that they would pay the next day at the bank. The sisters needed to collect their money from home, and Anders had brought some cash with him.

“Good doing business with you folks, as always.” Mr. Young tipped his hat, seeming only slightly miffed they hadn’t taken the pricier property. “See you tomorrow.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Young.” Del stepped forward, her shoulders straight. “I wondered if I could speak to you about something.”

He sighed. “If it’s about that schoolhouse again, I thought we’d made the situation clear.”

“It’s not. At least, not exactly.” Del twisted her fingers together, a gesture Lark knew well. “It’s about my salary.”

Mr. Young shifted his jaw. “What about it?”

“Salton pays the lowest end of the going rate for teachers in Nebraska, only twenty-four dollars a year.” She lifted her chin, seeming undaunted by the refusal dawning on the banker’s ruddy face. “I didn’t complain last year, as I lacked experience. But I don’t now, and with how our school is growing, I would like to request a raise. To thirty dollars.”

Mr. Young coughed and lifted his brows. Lark bit back a smile. Her sister didn’t pull punches when she got something into her head.

“Well now, I don’t have the authority to do that. That’ll be the decision of the school board.”

“But you’re the head of the school board. And one of the founders of the town, isn’t that right?” Del tipped her head with a sudden beguiling smile. “I’m sure they’ll follow your lead, so I wanted to speak with you first.”

Lark had to turn away to hide a full grin. Stooping to flattery, Delphinium Nielsen?

“Well now.” Mr. Young took off his hat and scratched his balding head. “I suppose I appreciate that.”

“Would you be willing to speak to the board on my behalf?” Del’s voice could melt a plowshare now.

“Well. I guess I could do that.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Young.” Del stepped back with a gracious dip of her head. “We won’t keep you any longer.”

They all watched the banker amble away down the street, glancing back at the group of Nielsens once as if wondering what had just happened.

Once he was out of earshot, Anders bent over, slapping his knee. “Leave it to my sisters. Del, I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Had what?” Del gave him an arch smile, then sighed, her shoulders sagging. “I thought it was worth a try, at least, catching flies with honey rather than vinegar, or whatever it is Ma used to say.”