Page 54 of Rancher's Heart

“Fuck,” Nash groaned as he slammed his hand on the table. We’d been introduced to Desmond when Nash’s mom showed up on the ranch married to the guy. “You can’t be serious.”

“I wish I wasn’t. Lexie pulled a few land titles and helped me figure it out.” I looked over at Ryder, who glared at me when I mentioned his ex-wife. He might hate her for leaving him but she was still the best lawyer I knew, and when I needed something, she was always willing to help. “Anyway, after a little more digging, it looks like Troy’s family knows Tucker, and that’s how he’s involved. An acquaintance at best, from what I can figure out. I don’t think we need to be worried about Troy, and he’s just the convenient one to run the ranch.” Leaning back in my chair, I hated what this would mean for Elle and Parker. It was likely to lead to trouble, and I didn’t want either one around when that happened.

“What the fuck does this asshole want with us?” Kipp mumbled as he shook his head.

“The land,” Fallon interjected from behind us, Lottie propped on her hip. Nash reached out for his youngest daughter and she went to him willingly, grinning from ear to ear as Fallon got herself a coffee. “That’s the only thing he’s ever after.”

“Well, he’s sure as hell not getting that,” Kipp said angrily as he stood, sending his chair sliding back over the floor. “We’ve all given too much to this place to let some prick try to waltz in and take it, and this won’t end without a fight.”

“Look, he doesn’t have deep enough pockets to get to the Diamond, but he’s got enough to make it hard for others to refuse a sale. Not to mention the lengths he’ll go to make it happen. The Hays brothers were never going to sell to us. They made that clear years ago when Dad tried. And again, when you guys did. What Tucker had to pay them will have taken a toll on his finances.” Fallon sat in an empty chair and folded her handson the table. Unbeknownst to all of us, she’d been her dad’s right hand before he died. Kipp and Fallon’s dad was the third generation to run this place, and Miller had taught Fallon how to run the business so he could just focus on his animals. As much as we all thought we had the pulse on the ranch, she knew it inside out and backwards.

“Violet isn’t cheap to keep around either. The plastic surgery, designer clothes, she was dripping in diamonds last time I saw her, so there’s that to consider.” Nash cleared his throat, and Fallon looked over at him, arching her brow. “Did I say something that offended you dear? She might be your mother, but she’s the one that brought trouble to our door.”

“Not offended in the slightest.” He smirked at Fallon. Nash wasn’t oblivious to the role his mother played in the situation and there was no love lost there either, but it didn’t make it any easier on him.

“Logic says the gold, but we know better, so it’s the land. What’s the next parcel he’d be looking at that would cut us off?” This Fallon was cunning and sly. She already knew the answer while we stared at one another, letting our eyes drift to the large county map on the wall.

“Let me make this easy for you all. It’s the Watson place, and if he gets it, he’ll cut the water to half the ranch, and all he’ll have to do is wait you out.”

“Maggie and Kane won’t sell, and they know we’ll give them a more than fair offer,” I said, shaking my head. Kane had become one of the few people in the area that I’d come to count on outside our ranch. “But we should keep an eye on things and make sure they know they can call on us for anything.”

“I’m glad she’s not out there alone. Palmer Worthington had been snooping around before Kane arrived. Worthington’s sold last fall. I should look into who bought their place.” I leaned backin my chair and ran my hand through my hair. “We need to keep an eye on this guy.”

“I’ll get on it. Tucker won’t be able to set foot in the state without us knowing.” Ryder said as he crossed his arms over his chest frowning.

“As much as I’d like sitting here talking to all of you, I have animals to check.” Taking the final swallow of my coffee, I stood and took my cup to the sink.

“Hey, would you mind checking the cattle over east? I’d be one less out-of-the-way stop for me today,” Linc said as he followed me out the door.

“Yeah, no problem. I can check where the wild horses are from up on the ridge too.” I didn’t need an excuse to go up and check on my wild babies.

“How are things with Parker?” He asked as we walked off the porch and stopped between our trucks. “We haven’t seen him around a lot lately.”

“He’s been quiet. Being with Elle here has been helping, and Troy moving back town has given him some peace again. But he’s still quiet and it concerns me but the therapist has him seeing her a few times a week for another two weeks and then she’ll reassess things.”

“And how are things with Elle?” I didn’t even try to hide the grin forming across my face. Linc’s smile didn’t reach his eyes and I knew that had to do with Kristin. They’d been on again and off again for years. She was focused on her barrel racing career, and he was ready to settle down and start a family, but he would never try to slow her down. And right now they were off again, only time would tell where those two ended up.

“I’m glad you’ve found one another. She’s good for you, Griff.” He slapped me on the back and climbed into his truck. With a turn of the key, the diesel engine roared to life, and hepulled out of the yard to go do whatever he had planned for the day.

My phone buzzed in my shirt pocket and I pulled it out as I got into my truck.

Elle: Just wanted to say hi.

Me: How’s your first day?

Elle: Great!

Me: I wish I could come in and bring you flowers but I’m riding some fence line today and if I want I get done before dark I need to get at it.

Elle: Seeing you before it gets dark, is good enough for me. Oh and I have Friday off. The office is closed.

Me: Well then, I have plans for you on Friday that doesn’t involve clothes or leaving the bed.

Elle: Oh, do you now?

Me: Yes, ma’am.

Elle: Got to go. People are lining up at the desk.

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