Over the next two days, he studied Rhett's loss ledger, the date Flint Cattle Company canceled its contract, the departure of Jed Carver and Asa Quinn, the hay fire, and every offer made by Western Range and Trust. On the third day, he gathered everyone in the dining room. Holt Ranch isn't the first, he said. Then he spread copies of several case files across the table. Over the past 8 years, three ranches in other counties went through the same pattern, Vance said.
Water disputes, fires with no clear cause. Dead cattle. Two of those owners eventually sold to companies tied to Western Range Land Trust. Clay Boon picked up one of the files. Was Rafe involved?
His name appears as the middleman in one transaction. Orin Knox and Bram Cutter show up behind the companies that bought the land. Rhett's jaw tightened. So this started long before us. Yes, Vance replied.
But you may be the first ones with enough evidence to prove how the scheme works. That afternoon, two riders came up the road. Gage Rook was a large man with broad shoulders and a lazy smile. Jace Straoud stayed mounted, watching the corral, windows, and roads with careful eyes. Rafe Crow wants to make one final offer, Gage said.
Rhett stepped down from the porch. Rafe knows where to find me. He figured it might be better to send someone who could explain what happens when a man keeps saying no. Clay moved up beside Rhett. Dusty and Luke stopped working near the stable.
Nia watched Jace. The man had not come to bargain. He was counting horses, counting men, counting exits. You delivered the message, Rhett said. Now leave.
Gage smiled. A ranch can be lost in more ways than one. And a man can end up buried for walking where he wasn't invited, Clay Boon answered. The smile vanished from Gage's face. The two riders turned their horses and rode away slowly.
Nia waited until they disappeared beyond the ridge. They came to measure us. I know, Rhett said. That night, Rhett found Nia closing the kitchen windows. "When this is over," he said.
"What will you do? She turned toward him. "Work? "That isn't what I asked. The silence between them deepened.
"I want to know if you'll stay," Rhett continued. "And I don't mean stay as the cook. Something tightened inside Nia. "First, we have to survive Rafe. That still isn't an answer.
It's the only one I can give you tonight. Rhett nodded, though disappointment crossed his face for just a moment. The next morning, Rafe arrived alone. No smile, no lawyer, no papers. He looked toward the water running into the eastern pasture and the cattle beginning to put weight back on their ribs.