Page 93 of Impossible Love

Evander glances up at the ceiling, thinking. “Two years ago, for insurance purposes. Each of us was either building a new home or renovating an existing structure. At the same time, we were making all kinds of capital improvements to barns, paddocks, bunkhouses, outbuildings, equipment, supplies, and everything else you can think of. We acquired a lot of very expensive cattle stock and horses at that time, too. Plus, we moved the StellaR Tech executive operations here.”

“Got it. Would you say that the valuations on the books right now are accurate and up-to-date?”

“Yeah.”

“All right. Now, if you don’t mind me asking—”

“Hey,” Evander cuts her off. “If you tell me exactly what it is you’re looking for, this will be a lot easier.”

She nods. “I understand, but first, I need the big picture. When I have a better lay of the land and know where we should drill down, I’ll let you know.”

“Roger that,” Evander says.

“So, when did Jamie first start having money troubles? I mean, when did it start becoming a struggle for him to stay on top of things here at the ranch?”

I step back from the table, not sure why this is important. It’s sure as hell not easy to talk about, for any of us. But I answer her question because I’ve got the feeling that she’s poking at something very specific. “Probably right after our mom died. I was fifteen.”

Victoria bites her bottom lip and nods. “I don’t mean to pry, but I promise, it’s important. Was your mom involved in business operations?”

“Yeah, she was. Far more so than Dad, actually.”

“So when she died…”

“Arlo stepped in to help my dad,” I say. “I don’t know what we would have done without him.”

“I see. And the money troubles continued, right?”

Evander and I lock eyes. We both nod.

“And when did the ranch fall on seriously hard times?”

“Right around when Cal left,” Evander says.

“All right. Thank you for answering my questions. So, here’s what I’m going to need.” She begins writing her list on the legal pad as she speaks. “I want everything you’ve got on ranch operations for the last twenty years—any land leases, loan or mortgage records, bank statements, operating records, monthly balance sheets, profit and loss statements, tax records, and all valuations going back as far as possible, if that’s not too much trouble.”

Evander stares at me; then we both bust out laughing.

“Anything else you need, Miss Backlund?” I ask. “Glitter markers? A pint of blood? Balloon animals?”

“What’s going on?” Declan walks in, Special K behind him. They make their way to the dining room. Declan’s grinning while Special K looks like he could spit nails.

“I’m here!” Finn runs in, out of breath. “What are we doing?”

“Well,” Evander says, shaking his head. “Victoria’s just asked me to pull together damn near every financial and accounting record from Yosemite Ranch history.”

“Just the last twenty years or so,” she says, correcting him.

“Cool.” Special K turns toward the door. “I’m leaving.”

Declan stops him. “We’re all staying.” He turns to Victoria. “What’s going on?”

She drapes an arm over the back of her chair and smiles. “Cal thinks I screwed with your BLM lease as a way to devalue Sulfur Springs so my company could steal it from you. So I figured I’d show you why that’s completely inaccurate.” She glares at me. “I’m not here to clear my name, though, because I don’t owe a damn thing to anyone. I’m doing this because I’m leaving as soon as possible—”

She’s leaving…

“—and before I go, I feel obligated to share what I suspect is happening right under your noses, and how your family legacy is in danger.”

Except for Special K’s hard breathing, it stays silent for several long seconds. I feel Declan and Finn glaring at the back of my head. Evander’s mouth is unhinged.

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