“Mr. Callahan, this doesn’t pertain to you,” Ms. Langley says as she rolls her eyes.
“The hell it doesn’t.”
More trucks pull into the driveway, and a few different ranch owners get out. All asking the same questions.
Where in the hell is the sheriff’s department?
“I will have each of you arrested,” Ms. Langley hisses.
“This property and its contents are being seized for violations,” Dr. Reed starts.
“The owner is being evicted for nonpayment of a loan,” Ms. Langley says quickly.
“You all are trespassing on bank-owned property,” Mr. Carter adds.
“Why would the ag office be here for nonpayment of a loan?” I ask quickly. “You just said that you were here for violations.”
Ms. Langley and Mr. Carter both stop abruptly.
“You said you were both from the ag office,” Sutton interjects. “Which is it?”
Dr. Reed’s face hardens as he makes a gesture for everyone to shut up. “We’re here for the violations. It just so happens that when we were speaking to the sheriff’s department about coming out here, they mentioned they were headed out here to foreclose and evict,” he says quickly.
“These aren’t the right deputies. Besides, the loan has been paid in full. Would you like to see the receipt?” I snap as I take a step forward.
“What?” Sutton gasps.
“That doesn’t matter. We’re still here because the property is being seized for violations. Mr. Bishop knowingly caused the outbreak in Hicks Creek. He sabotaged the other ranches for financial gain. He’s been working with a development company…” Dr. Reed lies.
“That’s bullshit!” Sutton yells. “He was given false paperwork by a livestock auction company. It seems mighty interesting that you show up just hours after I call in a complaint on the company and on you, Reed.”
“You will refer to me as Dr. Reed,” he snaps back.
“No, I won’t because you’re not a doctor.”
“You have a lot of nerve, little girl,” he hisses as he gets up in Sutton’s face. “Your license has been pulled and…”
I don’t think, and I just react as I grab the man by the collar and yank him away from Sutton, tossing him onto the ground easily.
“You willnottalk to her like that.”
He stands up and charges at me.
Here we go.
Chapter Forty
Sutton
Dr. Reed growls as he stands up and charges at Wade. My stomach twists as I watch Wade’s fist connect with the doctor’s chin.
“What the hell is going on?” I mutter under my breath.
Dr. Reed’s voice is loud and venomous. “You think you can put your hands on me, you son of a bitch?”
Wade stands his ground, his jaw tight. “Whatever problems you’ve got, they’re your own doing. You’re not going to come here and threaten or bully my woman and her father.”
My woman? What?
