27. Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-seven
Blue
“When did you buy them?” I flip the pages on their sales receipts, trying to find the date.
“Last fall.” Tobias Shufflebottom points to the bottom, confirming his statement.
“All of ‘em, huh?” I glance out over the small herd of twelve Angus milling in the pen. But then I look back to the form in front of me. “Says here you bought twenty head. Not selling the rest?”
His jaw ticks. “They were chased into the canyon over the far edge.”
Shit. I remember Clay saying there were some issues.
“I’m sorry, I had no idea.” I wonder if it was drones again?
He flips his worn baseball hat up to scratch his short dark hair before settling it over his ears. “Yup. Haven’t had any problems since we re-branded, but I can’t afford any more losses.” He spits into the dirt at his feet. “Fucking assholes cost me big time.”
Eight beef gone is a drop in the bucket compared to what Mason lost, but to a small outfit like this one, it’s still a huge financial hit.
“I think it’s ‘cause they still had that Black Gulch stamp,” he says quietly. “Whatever bad luck they had followed to us.”
A sour taste blooms in my mouth and spreads to twist my stomach.
He might be right.
“I’m sorry. They look good, you’re all set.” I hand him the necessary signed forms, doing my best to swallow the bile rising in my throat.
Black Gulch might be the missing link on all of those photos Wade found. I’m antsy to have a sit down with Mason to see if my suspicions are correct.
But I’ll have to do that later.
My priority is helping Libby with her father.
Fuck me.
A yellow sundress?
My truck stutters to a stop as I suddenly forget how to drive.
When I jump out, she’s giggling stepping off the porch. “Everything okay?” Her fingers light on my wrist as she stands on her tiptoes to kiss me softly on the lips.
“You are begging to get pregnant wearing that pretty little thing,” I growl, pulling her tight enough so she can feel the bulge in my crotch .
The breeze brings a dimple of goosebumps up her arm.
“Are you chilly?” I can’t look away from the tight buds of her nipples poking through the thin fabric.
I may have to kill a man today.
“It’s so nice out, I couldn’t wait to put it on. The cherry trees are blooming, it means spring is here, so might as well dress for it.” She steps easily into the truck, laying the binder of documents on her lap.
She has to know what she’s doing to me.
The closer we get to the hospital, the quieter she gets.
“What if he says ‘no’?” she asks as we pull into the parking garage.
I reach for her hand, pulling her fingers to my lips. “Then I’ll buy you your own dairy.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m gonna be your groupie as you travel the country singing your sexy songs.” Her smile betrays the tears hanging tenuously to her lower lids.
My palm rests on her lower back while we’re walking inside. “Baby, there’s no sound as sweet as the one you make when you’re screaming my name.”
At least that makes her laugh, even if it is the truth.
I pause at the door to Clay’s room. “Ready?”
She rolls her bottom lip between the flash of her teeth, but nods.
After a light knock, I push into the bright room .
“Hey, Blue! Oh, and you brought Libby?” Clay looks genuinely happy to see me, yet his brows knit as he watches his daughter sit on the stool next to him.
“I wanted to come see you, so Blue let me tag along.” Her easy answer hides the tension in her neck.
Clay squints at her while his fingers knead at the hem of the blanket covering him. “You aren’t here to try and stop this, are you?”
“No,” I interject. “She’s seen the deal and is fine with it.” I take that moment to open the folder she passed to me in the hall.
“Here’s the purchase information for the cows, and here’s an offer in full for the dairy and property.” I slide the papers to him. “There’s a notary here if you want to sign them today, then you’ll be able to close next week.”
Clay’s hands shake as he flips through. “Blue…this is more money than I was expecting.” He glances over the last page. “Who is this, Rebel Industries Trust?”
It’s a fight to hide my grin at the surprised look on Libby’s face.
I wanted to tell her it’s what took so long, but this reaction makes the secret worth it.
Getting the trust established was the hardest part. Now, no matter what happens to me, she’ll get her farm back.
“They’re an outfit from south of here. Friends of friends.” I wave idly. It’s the truth…in circles. “But it’s a li mited time offer.” I’ll give him a little push if that’s what it takes for him to accept.
His eyes widen. “Done deal. Good riddance. And I even get to keep my house.” He traces the lines on the plat map with his finger showing the division between the farm and residence.
“I’ll get the lady,” Libby says quietly, tossing me a raised eyebrow before she leaves.
Clay groans and leans against the pillows. “I really thought she was going to fight this harder. I’m glad she’s finally seeing reason.”
He’s pissing me off. “Why is it such a bad thing she wants to keep it? Who do you think has been running it the last few months while you’ve been in and out of the hospital?”
“She’s too young to know what she wants.” His eyes close. “I told her she needs to hang out with that McCullough boy, he’d take care of her.”
I take a deep breath and hold it for a moment as the anger rages inside of me.
No one else can touch her.
She’s mine.
“I think you underestimate her,” I grit through my teeth.
He cracks one eye, focusing on me. “Who’s side are you on?”
“The best one.” I manage to get out as the door swings open.
Libby and an older woman in a suit and lavishly styled red hair push into the room.
“This is my dad, Clay.” Libby gestures sharply at her father.
I can tell she’s irritated. She doesn’t know the half of it.
My fist is balled against my knee in an effort not to say anything to ruin this.
“I’m Stasia,” the woman says, then glances towards me.
Her thick lipstick turns up at the corner as she appraises me.
I’ve seen that look before. Hunger.
“And who’s this?” Her tongue darts out as she extends her hand to me.
“That’s mine, um, my dad’s friend,” Libby stammers. “Blue.”
“I like that. Is it a nickname?” Stasia’s focus shifts entirely to me.
“I’m taken,” I grumble.
Clay snorts. “Yea, right.”
I’ve never felt the desire to pop him in the mouth before this moment.
“Well, she’s a lucky lady.” Stasia turns to Clay. “Let’s get your paperwork signed, shall we?”
I can feel Libby’s gaze, so I sneak her a wink when Stasia moves between Clay and I, blocking his view .
It doesn’t take long for him to fill out all of the forms.
Stasia gives me one last furtive smile before she leaves.
“Libby, one day you’ll understand.” Clay stretches to the bedside table to put his wallet away. “I don’t want to strap you with the same life I had.”
“Was it so awful? Raising babies, loving Mom, living within your means? I’m sorry I was such a burden that you’ve been miserable.” Her chin quivers, but her jaw sets. “But you won’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Clay runs his palm over his grizzled cheeks, then turns to me. “Blue, you’ve got a great life. Traveling, playing bars, free as a bird. Tell her how amazing it is.”
Her big sapphire eyes land on me.
I meet her stare, never wavering.
“Clay, I’ll gladly trade it all for the love of a good woman.” I hope she can hear in my voice how earnest I am.
Clay scoffs, breaking our spell.
“You never struck me as a romantic. I get outta here, we’ll need to celebrate the change. Maybe find you that lady,” he chuckles.
Needles stab into my chest when I see Libby wince.
“There’ll definitely be changes,” I agree with him.
He just doesn’t know how life altering some of them will be.