I smile, starting the engine. “I think you won him over.”
He grins, leaning back in his seat. “Told you I know my stuff.”
“You sure do,” I say, glancing at him. “Your dad would be proud.”
His smile softens, and he’s quiet. “Yeah,” he says finally. “I think so, too.”
As I drive away from the Nance Ranch, I stare out across the horizon, the smoke from the fires ranchers are making to burn their dead cattle hanging heavy in the air. The fields stretch on, dotted with cattle grazing in scattered clusters, their dark shapes like ghosts in the distance. It should feel peaceful, but it doesn’t. Not anymore.
My hands tighten on the wheel as I look at the smoke rising in thick plumes. I can almost taste it—burnt flesh, the acrid sting of something being consumed by flames.
I’m frustrated. There’s nothing new, no fresh leads, just this suffocating quiet that hangs over everything. This town, these people—they’re running out of time, and I’m running out of answers.
How long can this place survive like this? If it gets any worse… I don’t know how much longer anyone can keeppretending everything’s fine. It’s all on my shoulders to save my hometown, but what if I can’t?
The smoke swirls in the distance, the land feeling emptier with each passing minute. I feel it, deep in my bones—the weight of what’s coming. How much longer before there’s nothing left to burn?
Chapter Fourteen
Wade
The porch steps creak under my weight as I lean back in my chair, boots propped up on the railing, a half-empty glass of iced tea sweating on the table beside me. The sun dipped below the horizon an hour ago, leaving streaks of orange and purple in its wake. Crickets chirp from the tall grass, and the air is cooling off after another long, hot day. I can hear the faint hum of an engine before I see the headlights.
Sutton’s truck rolls into the driveway and pulls up near the barn, engine rumbling to a stop. I sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees as Caleb hops out of his truck, backpack slung over one shoulder. He looks beat—hair mussed, dust streaking his jeans—but there’s a grin plastered on his face like he just won a championship. Sutton steps out of her truck with a little less enthusiasm, but her presence is unmistakable, all business even at this hour.
I push to my feet and head down the steps, gravel crunching under my boots as I make my way toward them.
“Late night,” I say, eyeing Caleb as he trudges toward me.
Caleb wipes a hand across his forehead, still grinning like a fool. “Yeah, but worth it. I learned some great stuff today, Dad. Doc Sutton is really smart.”
Sutton smirks as she rounds the back of her truck. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I look at her, then back at Caleb, who’s practically bouncing despite how tired he looks. “That so?” I ask, lifting a brow.
He chuckles, slinging his backpack into the crook of his arm. “Yeah, Dad, you would’ve had a conniption if you’d seen some of these other ranch’s feed areas. I mean, I know that we weren’t perfect, but man, some of these places don’t have any sort of housekeeping in place. I’m surprised their herds haven’t gotten sick sooner. They really should have hired you as their consultant instead of doing it on their own.”
“Is that right?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
He nods enthusiastically. “Doc was really kind to all of them about it, too. She made them want to make the changes; it was pretty impressive.”
“Comes with the territory and years of hitting brick walls,” she jokes.
“Thanks a lot, Doc,” he says, turning to Sutton. “I had the best time today.”
She smiles at him, and it’s one rare, genuine smile that surprises me.
I suck in a breath, tamping down on the urge to say that tired line about her needing to smile more. I cringe at my own thoughts and shake my head. I’ve sheltered Caleb from any woman I’ve ever held an interest in before, and that’s not been possible here. It feels good to see they get along so well.
“You were great today, Caleb. You want to help out tomorrow, too?”
His face lights up like the Fourth of July. “Of course! I’ll be your assistant for as long as you’re here.”
I chuckle at his eagerness, but before I can say anything, Caleb’s already headed for the house.
“I’m gonna grab something to eat,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Take a shower first!” I yell after him. “You smell like a barn.”
