Page 107 of Brands

Muddy tire tracks cut through the outside edge. It almost looks like whoever was driving through almost got stuck.

Panic laces my breathing as I flip the steering wheel, bee lining back to my husband.

“Blue, someone drove in past the creek!” I exclaim, hopping off the step.

“Fuck. I’ll call Wade.” His jaw clenches as he digs out his phone again.

Someonedidthis.

And I don’tknow who.

Chapter Thirty-nine

Blue

Six dead calves. Alltoo premature to survive.

The only plus is that none of the cows died. It would have been devastating to lose Millie.

But it makes me so mad that someone dared to do this to Libby.

I spread my fingers on the screen to zoom in. “Look what Wade found.”

Her eyes widen, then she grabs my phone to inspect the picture. “Is that a vial?”

“Yea. He’s sending it off for testing, but is pretty sure that’s the source of the Lute poisoning.”

Her brows bunch as she frowns. “Why in the hell would anyone do that to us? I’m not hurting anyone.”

She balls her fist, bouncing it off her thigh. “Do you think my dad would?” she asks quietly.

My gut response is to shake my head. “Mason had it happen to him. Remember I told you all those photos were tied to his farm?”

Her bottom lips pinches between her teeth as she nods.

“I think this is tied tohim.When I filed the brand change, someone must have seen it. Unfortunately it’s public knowledge.” That means someone is keeping acloseeye on Black Gulch.

“Oh fuck.” She sits heavily at the table, burying her face in her hands. “I brought this on us by signing on with him.”

“This is not your fault. It’s whatever monster threw that vial in the water trough.” I slide next to her, wrapping her in my arms. “I’m going to get some cameras set up. That way we can catch the bastard if he comes back.”

I take a shaky breath.

What if it doesn’t stop with trying to hurt the livestock, but shifts to attacking us?

Did we make a pact with the devil and now will pay the price?

“I’m scared they’ll come back. Not just for me, but forus.” Her palm moves to my thigh with a light squeeze. “The doc said it takes twelve to twenty-four hours for those meds to take effect. What happens if I have contact with a cow before I know they’ve been dosed?” She sniffs, wiping her tears, then shuffles her butt against me, so I hop up out of the small camper bench seat and move to the end of the bed.

I can hear her pulling toilet paper off the roll and blowing her nose.

My fucking heart hurts forher.

When she comes back, she holds out her fist.

White plastic extends past her grip on either side.

“Us.” she reiterates, dropping the stick onto my lap.

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