I look up, and sure enough, the counter crowd is buzzing like bees on a sugar high. Jessie’s holding court as if she’s running the Colter Creek News Network.
Marshall Jones leans in, eyes wide. “Arrested? What for?”
Jessie glances around like she’s about to spill a state secret. “You know the damage at High Ridge? It was them. But it’s more than just some big land thing.”
My ears prick up. My pulse absolutely thunders. Thank goodness Charlie is with Alice this morning so I can freak out alone.
“What is it?” Marshall demands. “I need to know everything.”
“Embezzlement. Fraud. Apparently, Derek flipped on Thomas Buck and sold out the whole company. They’re saying there’s a whole investigation going on now.”
My jaw actually drops.
Thomas Buck. The same Thomas who tried to charm me into selling Grandpa’s house. Who made me feel I’d be stupid not to.
Turns out, I was smart to trust my gut.
I set my fork down and lean back in the booth, trying to piece it all together. The man’s been walking around this town with a sickening arrogance, but hearing his name tangled up with words like “fraud” and “embezzlement”?
Yeah, that’s a twist no one saw coming.
Wyatt Tucker pipes up from the end of the counter. “Guess ol’ Buck’s luck ran out. About time, huh? Lucky for the High Ridge Boys.”
That, too.
If they’ve been attacking Clint’s ranch, then surely this means it’ll all come to an end now.
Jessie nods like she’s been waiting years to say it. “He’s been shady forever. Everyone knew something wasn’t right.”
I can’t help the little smirk that tugs at my lips. Because, honestly? She’s not wrong.
When I met with him about the house, something about the whole thing just felt… off. Too slick. Too eager. He smiled too easily and talked like he’d already decided what I should do. And I almost listened. Almost sold.
Now, sitting here with my coffee growing cold, I can’t stop thinking about how close I came to being caught in the middle of this mess.
A wave of relief washes over me, the kind that makes you both laugh and want to throw up at the same time. I take a long sip of coffee to steady myself.
“Well,” I mutter under my breath, “guess the universe just saved my butt.”
Across the diner, Jessie catches my eye.
“You hearin’ all this, Dakota?” she calls out, clearly enjoying the drama. “Madness, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I say, offering her a wry smile. “Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t take his offer on the house, huh?”
Her grin widens. “See? Always trust your gut, honey.”
I nod, half to her, half to myself. She’s right. For once, I actually did.
After a few more minutes of eavesdropping on the latest gossip, I grab my purse and head out of the diner. I’m still feeling shaken, but also kind of relieved. I wonder how Clint, Sawyer, and Reid are taking the news.
I really do hope the good guys win this one for once.
I need to get this off my chest, so I decide to go talk to Violet.
When I walk into the café, the familiar warmth of the place wraps around me. The smell of fresh coffee, the hum of chatter, and the soft clinking of dishes.
Violet’s behind the counter, a worn apron tied around her waist, her hair pulled up in a messy bun. She looks up when she sees me, and her face brightens like I’ve just walked into the sun.
