“Ruby and Trap are there today anyway,” JJ said. “I think someone may have bought it.”
“Good luck to them,” Ty said darkly.
“There’s a property out west,” Link said. “It kind of butts up against the northern edge of Shiloh Ridge.” He leaned forward. “Wild? Who owns that?”
“The Knightlys,” Wilder said without missing a beat. “Though, I’ll be honest, there are massive drainage problems in that area.” He pointed to himself. “Ask me how I know.”
“How do you know?” Paul asked, kicking a grin toward Wilder.
“Because I’m building my house in the same area, and it’s a swampety-swamp-swamp.” Wilder did not look pleased, but Finn couldn’t help the laugh that came flying out of his mouth.
“Swamp is a swear word,” Link said, grinning at Wilder. “In case you’re wondering.”
“We’re talking about swamps?” Rock asked, and Finn looked over to the doorway, where he and Gun stood. “Oh, sweet. We didn’t miss the burritos.”
They both entered, took a couple of burritos each, and squeezed in at the table around Link and Mitch.
“What about talking to a realtor?” Tate suggested. “Someone who specializes in small properties?”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Ty said.
“I know a guy,” Finn said. “I’ll text you his name and number.”
“There’s the Lucky-H Lodge,” Alex said.
Ty looked over to him. “I haven’t heard of that.”
“It’s out on the western side too,” Alex said. “His brother knows Nikki’s brother…or something like that. I heard he was looking to sell.”
Finn had never heard of it, but he didn’t know every operation in the Panhandle.
“It’s maybe ten acres,” Libby said, peering at her phone. “Ty, I’ll forward you this listing.”
Ty’s expression brightened slightly. “Yeah, thanks, Libs.”
When the conversation seemed to end there, Finn looked at Jake. “You’re next, my friend,” he said with what he hoped was a warm smile.
The veterinarian cleared his throat. “I’m Jake Ahlstrom,” he said, his voice steady despite the attention of upwards of twenty people now riveted on him. “I’m the new vet at Three Rivers Ranch. My daddy, Garth, was the foreman there for years before he retired. I graduated and worked at Buffalo Ranch for the past few years, down in the Hill Country, but I’m back in Three Rivers now.”
“Jake’s been a huge asset to us,” Libby said from her seat. “We’re lucky to have him.”
“His parents are getting older too,” Finn said with a nod. “And we grew up together.”
“You’re way older than me,” Jake said with a grin. “But I loved to follow you around like we were friends.”
“I’m only six or seven years older than you,” Finn said. “Plus, everyone at Three Rivers was like family to me.” He looked around at everyone crammed around this table, that familiar, wonderful warmth spreading through his chest.
This sense of community, of brotherhood, of shared experience, was exactly why he’d started these meetings.
“We might need to find a bigger place to meet,” he said.
“Well, if you’d stop inviting everyone you know,” JJ teased.
“I want Smiles here when he comes back too,” Finn said without missing a beat. “And we’re missing Trap and Angel today.” He surveyed the group again. “This has been a great place, but I’ll look into somewhere that can handle our size.”
“We could even move it around,” Tate said. “We have big rooms above the grocery floor at Wilde and Organic.”
“Let’s talk afterward,” Finn said, ready to get down to business. “Okay, so I thought we’d talk about what’s on everyone’s mind as wemove deeper into winter. We made it through this first big storm, but the forecast isn’t looking great for the next few weeks. What are you all doing to prepare?”
