Chapter 60
JAKE
"When did this happen?" I ask, my voice calm. Why didn’t Emma mention it when she texted?
"Twenty minutes ago. I was at the counter. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Emma’s expression was enough." Luke cracks his knuckles. "He left, but based on his body language, he’s not done."
Men like that aren’t done until they get what they want.
"Where's Mason?" Luke asks.
"Circle H. Just finished the install."
"And Emma?"
“On her way here.” Taking out my phone, I open the tracker app to see where she is. About a minute away from the ranch. I debate going to meet her, but I feel like she’s safe. If Turner were going to strike, he’d have done it already.
If he’s looking for his brother, his beef wouldn’t be with Emma. One look at her and even an idiot would know she couldn’t make a man twice her size disappear.
If he wants her land, like his brother did, then he’ll intimidate but wouldn’t take her.
Just the thought makes me want to put my fist through the wall.
As if sensing my mood, Shadow comes over and leans his body against my legs.
A truck pulls into the yard. We both go to the back door.
“Mason,” Luke says, opening the door so Shadow can run out.
Mason walks into the kitchen, Shadow close at his side. "Tested every sensor,” he says, closing the door behind him. “Emma can control it from her phone or the keypad by the front door."
"Good." I glance around the room. "She's on her way back. Should be here in a few minutes."
Mason looks back and forth between Luke and me. "What happened?"
Luke bends down to scratch Shadow behind the ears. "I saw Cole Turner at the diner. He confronted Emma."
Mason's expression hardens. "Confronted how?"
“The usual.” Luke shrugs. "Sat down with her. Made her uncomfortable. Probably made threats."
"Fuck," Mason summarizes succinctly.
Luke nods. "Yep."
Setting his toolbox down, Mason turns to me. "So what's the play?"
"I talk to Emma. Get the details. Then we plan."
"And Turner?"
I meet his eyes. "Depends on what he said to her."
Mason doesn't flinch. "Got it."
Luke stands straight, arms crossed. "If he threatened her, he did it in public, in front of a deputy. That's not a man who's going to back down. That’s a man who operates with impunity.”
“And if that’s the case, he's not walking away from this," I vow.