"I still can't believe it," Mary uttered, leaning back on the couch cushion, disbelief etched on her face.
The most amazing day of her life had just unfolded. Not only had she enjoyed a crab boil with a real-life star, but she'd also learned that her son had found a diamond ring, which he exchanged for 135 acres of farmland in her husband's hometown. Her legs still felt weak, the shock still continued to drain all her strength. The entire day felt surreal.
Yet, a frown creased her brow as she complained, "Why did it have to be farmland? Couldn't she have just given us the cash so we could spend it on whatever we wanted?"
Pam, busy fixing virgin cocktails, rolled her eyes and gave Mary a knowing look. "Then you'd have had to pay nearly forty percent of it to the government as income tax." She paused, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. "Exchanging the ring for the farmland was ingenious." She refused William's help, genuinely happy for her relatives and wanting to express it.
Mary, unconvinced, raised an eyebrow. She hesitated, then spoke up. "We still have to pay nearly forty percent gift tax, right? I think I heard that on TV." Her argument was weak, as she was misinformed about the gift tax. Though she was happy about the sudden windfall, the fact that it was 135 acres of farmland in a rural town left a bad taste in her mouth.
Mandy, scooting closer to Ace, corrected her. "The giver of the gift is responsible for paying the gift tax. So, Janice will be paying the tax. You guys just have to sit back and enjoy." Everyone was so occupied by the good news that no one—not even Mary or Pam—noticed her small tricks.
However, Ace, wanting to conclude his long play, got up from the couch, saying, "Dad, we should move into the town this week and get me enrolled in the local school. I can start attending classes with Danny."
Mary's eyes widened in surprise. She shot Ace a stern look, and before Alwin could speak, she reminded her son, "Whoa, hold on, buddy. We haven't decided on moving here yet. Your dad's job is in the city, and there are other things we need to consider."
"Mom, you know better than anyone how Dad always wanted to buy a farm and move to the country. Now that it's possible, why are you fighting it?" Ace's expression turned serious. He didn't hold back, wanting to confirm his parents' move to the country today.
"Boy, watch your tone. Just because you found a treasure worth millions doesn't mean you can disrespect your mother. Now, apologize to her, or I will get up from this couch," Alwin snapped at Ace, not liking the tone his son took with his wife.
"Mom, I'm sorry," Ace apologized, though he wasn't done. "Mom, Dad takes care of us and our every need at his expense. I think, in return, it's our duty to care for him. I just hope you guys come to the right decision." He stormed off the deck and headed into his room, despite his father yelling at him to stop.
"Ace, come back here or I..." Alwin trailed off, giving up as he watched his son vanish into the lake house. Turning to his brother, he made an excuse, feigning bravado. "If I hadn't unbuttoned my pants to make more room for beer, I would have taught him a lesson."
Dan, ever the blunt one, raised an eyebrow. "Why? The boy speaks the truth. Tell me, besides that job you hate but are too good at, what else is there to consider?"
Pam shot him a warning glance, silencing him before he dragged Mary into the conversation causing it to spiral into a fight.
"Dan, it's not that simple—" Alwin began to explain, but Mary cut him off. "Honey, your brother and Ace are right. You've supported my every whim so far. This time, let me do this. We're moving to your hometown. That is, if you guys don't mind having us over until we sell our house and buy one here." She turned to Pam with a genuine, hopeful smile, awaiting her answer.
Pam squealed with excitement. "Yes! You guys are welcome to stay with us as long as you want."
Mandy, brimming with enthusiasm, chimed in, "There's no need for that. You guys already have a house in the town—a big and luxurious one at that. The 135 acres Janice gifted Ace falls between mine and Dan's land. That is to say you can move into the Lansky ranch house this week because our family will own the entire 320-acre stretch of land in that part of town." She paused, eager to see Dan's reaction, but it was less enthusiastic than she'd hoped.
Dan, knowing his neighbors too well, skeptically shook his head. "Even if Lansky agreed to sell his entire 70 acres, there's no way Paulson will sell his 65-acre avocado orchard."
"I'm personally handling this," Mandy declared confidently. "Not only will they sell their lands, but they'll do it at market price. You'll believe me when they come to our house this evening to sign the papers. Pack your bags; we're heading back in an hour. And Dan, give your boat keys to William. The resort will take care of it along with Janice's boat."
Mandy was confident. With the information she had on Lansky's borewells, it would be difficult for him to refuse selling his remaining 25 acres and 45-acre avocado orchard to the resort at a cheap price. As for Paulson, his orchard yielded below average every season due to insufficient water. Mandy was certain that when Paulson heard the right numbers, he would be eager to sell the orchard without hesitation. She knew he and old Greg were cut from the same cloth—they valued money above all else.
"Then I will owe you an apology," Dan said with a wide laugh knowing Mandy would be successful.