Before he got too entangled in Tiffany’s life.

Before his heart was involved.

“I’ll stop by your office later today and sign the offer, then fax a copy to my father in Portland,” J.D. told the Realtor. “He’ll want to see all the information you’ve got on this place. If there is any problem with water rights or the property being sublet or rented, he’ll need to know about it.”

“Shouldn’t be a concern. The Zalinskis have already moved and the acres are being used by a cousin who lives near Ashland, but he knows that they’re trying to sell. He’ll move his animals and equipment on the spot. Not a problem,” Max said with a congenial nod. J.D. could almost see the wheels turning in the real-estate agent’s mind as he mentally calculated his commission on this place. “I’ve done some digging with the title company and I think we’re all right. Aside from a small mortgage with a local bank, the property is free and clear. But I’ll get a title report and see that all the paperwork is done.”

“Fair enough.” J.D. slid into Max’s car and told himself that this was the first step. Soon he’d be able to extricate himself from this little town and return to Portland where he could start working for his father in earnest.

The thought made his jaw clench. He’d never been one who pursued his own happiness, or worried much about it. He considered life a challenge, one with rewards as well as disappointments, and he’d prided himself on being his own man, not his father’s flunky as Philip had been.

But he’d changed. Absently J.D. rubbed his thigh, the old pain from his accident returning with a twinge of conscience.

Max turned the car around in the dry grass by the garage and headed down the long, winding lane to the main road. He was still going on and on about the location of the property, resale value and such, but J.D. wasn’t paying much attention because as they drove toward town, the dry acres of Isaac Wells’s ranch came into view. “Let’s stop here,” he said suddenly and Max shot him a glance.

“But you’re already making an offer on the Zalinski place.”

“I know, I know. I just want to check something out.”

Always one to please, Max turned into the drive and cut the engine.