Page 45 of Rancher's Strength

“Wait, did Ryder tell you to spy on me?”

“No, he asked if I’d keep an eye on you until he got the security cameras set up.” He closed the door behind him as we finally crossed the threshold of the building. “So, what’s up? What’s with the fact I nearly had to peel you off the ceiling?”

I bent down and picked up the map. “Desmond came in here asking for information—about my land.” I unrolled the elastic from the tube of paper and moved to the bulletin board in the conference room. As I was stabbing push pins into each corner, Fred walked up behind me and stared over my shoulder.

It didn’t take him long to point out the location on the map while I was searching for it. Most the land was owned by the Diamond, but there was a section that wasn’t. As I leaned in, I finally saw the names on the four quarters: Alexandra and Ryder Saffort.

“I thought the five bought out everything mom and dad had?” Turning, I looked at Fred, who just smiled.

“Ryder bought that section on his own. He wanted you to have something to come back to if you ever needed it.” Fred shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his feet. Suddenly, it made more sense that Kipp and Griff didn’t push back when Ryder kicked them out the day of the wedding.He’d said my land, not our land, and if it had been theirs, they wouldn’t have had to leave.

“You’ve never noticed before?” he asked innocently, and I shook my head. We had old maps in Bozeman, and like Mrs. Kell had said, it was just expected that the Diamond owned everything else. “Well, you know they never change names on the home quarter. Everyone those five have ever bought out still keeps those, along with any land that has their outbuildings, in their names.” Fred pointed all over the map where people who’d sold to the Five still had property in their names.

“But they own the land. I’ve drawn up all the paperwork. See, where the Dicksons live, I know the home quarter deed traded hands.” It was the most recent purchase they’d made.

“Right, but when the guys buy people out, it’s not because they just woke up one day and wanted the land. They buy out people who are about to lose everything. So, when they have to save people from ruin, they make sure there’s a little dignity left and never kick anyone out of their home. If those people are willing to keep an eye on the cattle, they are welcome to stay and keep their herds on the land, too.” Fred’s chest puffed out with pride. Even during the despair of his divorce, he’d been so proud of Nash and the life he’d managed to build for himself.

“I didn’t know that,” I mumbled as I stared at the map. These men I’d spent so many years among all had hearts of gold. Each one of them would do whatever they could for their neighbors, and my heart swelled with pride to know that I was a small part of it.

“Even after all these years, they can still surprise you.” He moved to the table and sat, apparently not needing to return to the coffee shop. “So, what do you think his game is?”

I followed him and took a seat across from him, sliding the bag of food closer to me. “I don’t know. You’d think Tucker would know that section belongs to one of the five. It’s not hardto figure out who they are. I think he was rattling my chain, feeling me out to see where my alliances are.”

“Did it work?”

“Did you almost send me through the roof when you walked in?”

“True.” Fred nodded, chuckling. “So, who else will he go after?”

“Maggie and Kane,” I said as I turned to look at the map. They were the last people not bought out by the guys, and aside from my section of land, they were the easiest way to cause trouble. “Maggie won’t ever sell the land. It’s been in her family longer than you or the Millers have been here.”

“That’s true, but what if there was a way to bring her in, and she wouldn’t lose the land?”

Quickly, I reached into the bag and pulled out the sandwich Fred had brought over for me. Taking a bite of the delicious food, I almost moaned. Fred’s was hands down the best coffee house I’d been to, and my office being across the street was going to be dangerous.

I mulled over scenarios in my head. Nothing makes sense right now. Mid-bite, I stopped and looked at the man across from me. “They have to make her a partner,” I said with a mouth full of food.

Fred nodded, sliding the napkin toward me as he reached across the table and stole one of my potato chips.

“It doesn’t have to be on everything.” Setting the delicious BLT sandwich down, I grabbed the napkin and wiped my mouth. “It can just be on that land. Maggie could have the backing and security that comes with the Five, and she’d still have control of the land. Hell, the map doesn’t even have to change.” I jumped up from my chair and returned to where I’d pinned the map.

“A little scare and a good sandwich might be all the stuff good lawyers need.” Fred chuckled as he stood and left the conference room.

“Thanks, Fred,” I replied as I followed him out. “I need to call a meeting, I guess.”

“Sooner than later, if I know anything about my ex-wife’s new husband.”

“I’ll go now.” I nodded. “Thanks, Fred.” I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him.

“Any time. I’ll bring you lunch tomorrow. Any requests?” I shook my head, and he pulled the office door open and headed across the street, waving at someone out of my view. Fred Powers was a wonderful man, and I was more than happy to see that the town recognized it again.

Chapter Twenty-Three

RYDER

My phone buzzed, and I smiled when I saw Lexie’s name. Upon opening the text, my blood ran cold when I read the message.

Lexie: 111, Kipp’s

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