Page 22 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

“You can hold an election,” Alejandra said, “and try to get general obligation bonds approved. Raise the funds that way. Of course, that takes time and, well, if a judge denies our request to delay…” She shrugged. “First step is filing that. Let’s slow this thing down.”

“Thanks, counselor,” Quinn said. “You know, the thing I don’t get, is say the property goes to auction. It isn’t guaranteed Mr. Sparks puts in the winning bid.”

“True,” Alexandra said, “but he sees opportunity. He’s a vulture. Probably scours court records and property deeds just looking to acquire things cheaply.”

“And he’s not alone,” Mina said. The words shocked her as they left her mouth. She hadn’t intended to speak her thoughts aloud, but they’d just slipped.

Everyone turned to face her.

Sheepishly, she explained. “One of the rules I’ve learned when it comes to almost any story I’m chasing is to follow the money. I bet y’all there’s a whole group of people behind Sparks. Like investors or something. And they see all the potential down here.” Her confidence and excitement grew. “They want to own Big Cedar! And I’m going to find out who they are!”

Everyone was grinning.

With a look of approval in her eyes, Alejandra said, “I bet you will do just that.”

Mina beamed with pride.

“I’ll get going with this in court,” Alejandra said. “The first step is verifying. The second step, if it turns out to be true, is filing for a dismissal or slowing it down. This is a long, complicated process that will take a while.”

“So there’s no need to panic yet?” Marsha asked.

“None at all,” Alejandra told her.

Everyone agreed on those next courses of action, but it was clear to Mina that folks were worried.

It was also clear to her that they had every right to be.

Big Cedar was in danger.

CHAPTERELEVEN

“I’ve heard some crazy things in my day,” Slater said later that afternoon, sitting across from Mina in a booth at the café, “but that might just take the cake.”

Next to him, Jackson nodded after taking a bite of a buttered roll. “Damn crazy,” he agreed.

Mina had shared what had occurred at the meeting, and Slater was worried. He didn’t know a lot about the court system, but he knew rich folks always seemed to have the upper hand. He didn’t know if that would be the case here, but if Mina’s theory was right, and Hugo Sparks had a group backing him? It seemed like odds were high they’d be able to pull some sort of fast one.

That thought made apprehension creep in, mingling with the excitement he felt over being with Mina once again.

She was adorable. There was no doubt about that. Especially dressed in her pink shortalls and white t-shirt, and her hair in pigtails. She’d clearly acclimated to the vibe of Big Cedar, and it made his heart happy.

“I’m going to find out what’s going on!” Mina declared. “You know, when I accepted this job, I figured most of it would be spent announcing various community activities and Little playdates and stuff in the paper.”

“That’s a fair assumption,” Jackson said.

“Yep. But look at me now? I’m getting to do some actual investigative journalism!” She ducked her head sheepishly and blushed. Speaking more quietly, she continued, “Will anyone take me seriously? I’m a Little. I mean, look at the way I’m dressed.”

It was Slater who responded first. “Honey, Littles can do anything anyone else can. You’re smart, capable, and qualified.”

“What he said,” Jackson agreed.

Slater smiled as Mina sat up straighter and beamed with pride. It appeared as if his words had gotten through. Good. He’d meant every one of them. He had the utmost faith in her journalistic abilities.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Where are you going to start?” he asked.

“Online. In journalism school, some of my professors had been in the field for a long time. They told us all about how in the old days you had to go to courthouses and stuff like that, digging through old records and archives. Now, though, almost anything can be discovered online.” She paused long enough to take a drink of tea. “But sometimes people hide themselves well. Behind shell corporations and stuff like that. In that case, I might have to rely on some old-school tactics.”

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