“Then you’ll sell me the land?” Jericho sat in the chair across the desk from Landry Steele. As longtime mayor of Fairplay, the man had done everything he could to build up the town’s businesses and prosperity. He was good and fair, and Jericho had the utmost respect for him. His dark hair, mustache, and sideburns were threaded with more silver than had been there the last time Jericho had seen him, but Steele maintained a powerful and youthful appearance in his tailored black suit.

“I don’t know how I can turn down your offer.” Steele reclined in his chair and clamped down on his cigar. He inhaled before releasing the spicy-sweet tobacco smoke, adding to the haze that already clouded the room.

“But?” Jericho sensed Steele’s reluctance and had ever since he’d stepped into the office and brought up the purchase.

“But . . .”

Steele met his gaze levelly. Did the man see through his ploy? Did he sense something was off?

Jericho didn’t blink. Maybe he should have made a show of visiting other parcels that were up for sale. Problem was that most of the rest of them would take him too far from Fairplay.

Besides, he didn’t want anyone else purchasing Steele’s land before he did. If that happened, then he’d forfeit his reason to stay in the area. Without an excuse, he’d all but announce he was in town for something else. Wouldn’t take Rodney James long to get suspicious of him.

Jericho steepled his fingers against his chin and forced himself to remain quiet and unruffled. Even with the self-doubt escalating, he had to wait and let Steele speak his piece.

The middle-aged man took another puff of his cigar. “Listen. Your deal is fair and square. Better than anyone else can come close to.” He tapped ashes into a marble bowl. “I’ll sell it to you, but then that means I’ll have to forgo selling it to—”

“Mr. Steele?” A woman’s call echoed in the hallway followed by the closing of the front door.

Steele blanched. “Ivy McQuaid.”

Jericho jumped up from his chair, knocking it backward but catching it before it could topple. Ivy had talked about saving for a little place of her own. He hadn’t for a single second realized she was aspiring for Steele’s land. But in an instant, he knew that’s exactly what she was doing. She’d been putting her life at risk week after week in the competitions for the same land he intended to buy.

The footsteps in the hallway drew nearer to Steele’s office door, which was open a crack.