“This is a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Why would I subject them to the humiliation of walking into Mat’s office in the middle of the town square? People can be cruel, Jackson. Sometimes without meaning to. If I can spare them that embarrassment by having him meet them here, that’s what I’ll do.”
“I understand all that. But it doesn’t change my mind about how this needs to play out. This person will come for you again, Aja. The best way I can protect you on a place this size is to limit the number of people who have access to you.”
“He’s harmless.”
“Good.” Jackson lifted his brow. “He’ll remain that way with scheduled appointments like the rest of the population.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but he lifted a finger to stop her and unmuted his phone. “Send him up.”
She waited a beat for him to end the call before she spoke. “After finding this out, I don’t think I’m in the mood to talk to Eli after all.”
“Aja, you know my men have tried to pin him down for an interview. They even used your assault to force some face time with this guy. We’ve got nothing. Without probable cause, I can’t force Bennett to talk to us. This may be my best chance to get anything usable out of him without the presence of his high-priced attorneys.”
She gently pulled the inside of her cheek between her teeth to keep her cool. She knew he was attempting to protect her, and everything he’d implemented made more than a little sense in their current situation. But considering his previous reaction to Mat, she wasn’t at all certain Jackson wasn’t penalizing the parole officer for some unseen crime that had nothing to do with the attacks on the ranch.
“There’s got to be another way, Jackson.”
He shook his head. “Bennett’s smart. If he is involved, no way in hell he was gonna tell two Rangers that. But he might slip up in front of his rival and her foreman.”
Juggling her annoyance with Jackson over Mat pressed her patience. Trying to add Eli Bennett to her overworked tolerance was probably not the best thing. But again, her hand was forced by circumstances she had no control of. And that realization was setting her anger off more than Jackson’s behavior.
By the time she’d cooled down enough to speak instead of yell, she saw Eli Bennett’s large blacked-out truck barreling up the road toward her house.
“We’ll discuss this issue with Mat later.” Aja watched Jackson bristle at her edict.Good, he knows I mean business.“I don’t have the energy to deal with you and this joker at the same time.”
She saw the dismissive cut of his eyes in her direction and leveled an equally contemptuous one at him in return. She was willing to follow his lead regarding this investigation, but she couldn’t allow him to do anything that would force Mat Ryan to make life difficult for her Pathways participants.
When the truck stopped in her circular driveway, she stood and braced a hand against Jackson’s arm when he attempted to follow. She was grateful that he easily agreed, sitting back against the swing without argument. She wasn’t lying about her dwindling energy levels. Too much had happened in the span of a few days, and having to deal with Eli Bennett’s unsavory ass would probably drain what little strength she had left and require a nap afterward.
Eli’s lean and diminutive body jumped down from the monster truck, and Aja fought to keep the smile off her face. He was barely taller than her petite stature, but everything he owned had to be larger than life. His truck, his house, his land, all of it had to be bigger and better than everyone else’s. Even the ridiculous ten-gallon hat he insisted on wearing that made him look like a cartoon character purposely drawn out of proportion for the comedic benefits.
Aja leaned a hip against the porch railing and crossed her arms. Before Eli could place his boot on the bottom step of her porch, she stopped him in his tracks with a cool greeting. “What can I do for you, Eli?”
“Howdy, Ms. Everett. I heard about the trouble you had two nights ago. I wanted to come by and see for myself that you were all right.”
More like see if the job was done or not.“How did you hear about my supposed ‘trouble,’ Eli?”
“A couple of Texas Rangers stopped by my spread yesterday asking me about it. Like I’d know anything about something terrible like that. Everyone on my land is a law-abiding citizen. I told them they might want to ask the women who worked for you, seeing as they’re known for running with the criminal element.”
She said nothing, simply continued to bite the inside of her cheek and waited for him to go on.
“Are you all right? You don’t look much the worse for wear for someone who was assaulted.” He pulled his large cowboy hat off his head and held it against his chest as if that made this obvious act seem more sincere. “But to be neighborly, I thought it would be best for me to come in and check on you. Is there anything I can do?”
“Everything’s fine here. I have it under control.”
Eli attempted to place his foot on the first step, but Aja pushed off the railing she was leaning against, making her stance wide and placing her hands on her hips for effect. Eli moved his foot back to the dirt where it belonged, and a satisfied ripple of electricity buzzed in her chest. He’d gotten her “You’re not welcome” message loud and clear.
“Aja, we’re neighbors. We should look out for each other. This place is too big for a little lady like yourself to handle. The rough terrain of a ranch is no place for a gentlewoman. Let me help. My bid to buy the land still stands. You could take my very generous offer and live comfortably back in the city. You don’t need to do this. You’ve got nothing to prove.”
“I know I don’t.” She owned the land free and clear. She didn’t need to prove a damn thing to anyone. That wasn’t what this was about. Unfortunately, someone as money-hungry and small-minded as Eli Bennett would never understand that. He would always see a woman’s need to thrive and succeed as just a silly little tantrum to prove something to a man. “This is my land and it will remain so. I’ve told you before, I’m not interested in selling it.”
Aja watched as the feigned concern dripped from Eli’s face and was replaced by the nasty curl of his top lip. “It’s not safe for you, Aja. A wise woman would accept my generous offer.”
“Doesn’t matter how many times you offer or whether you serve it up with honey or vinegar, my answer will always be the same. No.”
He watched her for a moment, then moved his gaze over to a still-sitting Jackson and back to Aja. “Well, you certainly seem determined. I hope your stubborn pride doesn’t end up costing you something you can’t replace.”
The creak of the swing behind her told her Jackson was up on his feet. Before he could take a step toward them, she held up a finger to stop him. “Good day, Eli. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get off my land now.”
