This isn’t just a broken fence. This is something more.
Potentially something really bad.
We reach the damage, and Reid whistles under his breath. “Damn, someone really went to town on this.”
I nod. This wasn’t an accident. Whoever did this had one goal: to make a statement.
Reid kneels to get a closer look at the wire. “So, what do you think? Some kids being stupid?”
I shake my head. “No way. Kids wouldn’t know how to tear it down like this.”
He gives a low chuckle. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Kids these days can’t even change a tire, let alone wreck a fence this way. Could be someone with a little more experience.”
“That’s what I’m thinking,” I murmur, looking around. “Could be a rival rancher, though Clint doesn’t seem to think so. I think he’s more suspicious of the landowners in this area.”
Reid rolls his eyes. “Yeah, Buck Realty can be quite intense, but this forceful? I don’t know about that.”
I give Reid a quick glance as we crouch beside the wrecked fence. “Clint’s right to be suspicious, though. He doesn’t get worked up this bad unless something’s off. And this? This feels personal.”
“Could be.” Reid grabs a pair of pliers and starts working on the wire. “But I’d rather get this fixed up before Clint starts looking like he’s about to throw someone off a cliff.”
I smile at that. It’s true. Clint’s temper, though controlled, can flare up in a hurry when it comes to things he cares about.
This ranch? It’s his world. It was his father’s, once upon a time, and he might not say it, but I know Clint wants to make his memory proud.
Reid stretches, cracking his back as he stands up. “So, have you heard about that new woman in town?”
I give him a sidelong glance, already knowing where this is going. “What woman?”
“Dakota Fletcher,” Reid says, his tone light but with an edge of excitement. “She used to live here, and she’s back for a while. I met her in The Old Mill Café the other day.”
I raise an eyebrow, trying to hide the surprise. “Oh, yeah?”
Reid grins wide, clearly smitten. “Oh, hell yeah. She’s got these wild auburn curls, and her smile? Man, she’s got that look in her eye like she’s already figured me out.”
I chuckle. “Sounds like you’re already planning your first date.”
Reid shrugs, grinning ear to ear. “I think so…”
“First date with who?”
Holy hell, I didnothear Clint returning.
“Newbie in town.” Reid smiles. “Dakota Fletcher.”
The air seems to vanish.
My stomach tightens, spotting the way his posture stiffens at the mention of Dakota. His jaw tightens, and for a split second, his eyes flash with something.
Anger? Confusion? Hell, I don’t know, but it’s there.
“Oh yeah? What about her?”
Reid clearly doesn’t hear the slight growl in Clint’s voice. “I think she might be the one to finally bring some excitement to this sleepy little town.”
I narrow my gaze. Is that a tinge of redness in Clint’s cheeks? What the hell is going on?
Clint doesn’t respond right away. His gaze is fixed on Reid, but he’s staring through him to somewhere far off. The muscles in his neck flex, and I can see the tension in his shoulders growing.
