Page 12 of Her Cowboy Baby Daddy
“Your dad leased water to us that year. We were wondering if you would be willing to do the same. Since you have Department of Natural Resources approval, you could do it again.”
“It’s not a drought year.”
“It is if the guy above us on the canal decides to use more water than he ever has before.”
“The Hunt Ranch?”
“It’s a long story, but our water rights are junior to the Hunt property, so if they want to use all the water, they can. And, apparently, they are.”
“Why would they do that to you?”
“They want something we have.” He smiled a little. “And because of that, we want something that you have.”
“What does Carter Hunt want from you guys?”
Spence outlined the situation with Hunt wanting to build a road across their fields for access to a resort he wanted to build on the mountain.
“Does he have the permits he needs to do that?”
“The zoning is correct, so I imagine a guy like Hunt can get whatever he needs to proceed.” Spence sipped his lemonade. “He tried to take over the land through adverse possession. That situation is still brewing, and made all the more complicated because Reed is dating Trenna Hunt.”
“Wow. Soap opera stuff.”
“It is for a guy who just wants to live in peace.”
“Who’s that guy?”
“Me.”
Her laugh bubbled up and Hayley quickly pressed her fingers to her lips. “Sorry.”
Spence scowled at her. “What?”
“You were not a guy who sought out peace.”
“Maybe I was hiding that side of myself,” he said softly. “Kind of like you were hiding part of yourself.” She lifted her eyebrows and he said, “You didn’t talk. As near as I could tell, you actively worked to be invisible.”
“Good point.” But she didn’t look convinced that he was a guy in search of a peaceful existence. He was. Whereas Reed still had to fight the occasional wild impulse, Spence was happy embracing the moment.
He put the glass down on a pamphlet sitting near him on the table to avoid making a water ring with the damp glass. “What do you think about leasing water?”
Hayley’s gaze had followed his glass, but now it jerked up to his. “I need to look into the matter. See what was done in 2004, and what can be done now.”
“I have copies of the paperwork from the original deal.” He opened the envelope and pulled out a thin sheath of papers. “We’re looking at almost the exact same situation as far as amount of water and length of lease.”
Hailey scanned the top page, then looked at him from beneath her lashes. “I imagine the price has gone up.”
He smiled. “That’s something we need to talk about. Dad and I put some figures together. Just turn the page.”
Hayley did so, studying the numbers Spence had written out because Daniel’s handwriting was so atrocious, then leaned back in her chair. “Leave this and I’ll run it by my lawyer.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d do that.” More than anything, he wanted an instant yes, but that wasn’t going to happen, nor had he expected it to. “We need the water, Hayley. Soon.”
“Ken will give me a quick answer. He’s an old friend of Dad’s.”
“Ken Willard?”
Hayley nodded, and Spence felt a whisper of relief. Ken was a Matlock-type guy, very experienced and trustworthy.
