If the land is as scary as her—and she’s about as terrifying as a kitten with tiny claws—I’ll be just fine.
She wags a finger at the tree, which has now pulled its branch back in so that it looks normal again. “Where were you today when I needed you to stop Luke?” Before it can answer—do they do that here?—Sunbeam lifts her hand in a stopping motion. “Forget it.” Then she turns back to me. “I don’t know why you’re still here. Go home.”
“I’m not leaving until I have an answer.”
“About what?”
I extend a hand. “I want to help your business.”
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I don’t know anyone named Sally. She didn’t send me.”
“That’s exactly what a spy would say. Listen,spy ...” She cranes her neck and comes in very close, tapping my chest with all the confidence tequila can give a person who doesn’t know who I am. “Get off my land before I pull out my shotgun.”
Things weren’t supposed to go like this. She was supposed to smile prettily and say,Of course you can help me. Wow! Where did I get such luck that one of the most famous families in the country would want to help me? This must be a dream!
But for some reason none of that has happened, and my patience is gone.
I smile tightly. “We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. I’m here to save your farm. Can we discuss that?”
She sucks in her cheeks, shoots me a hard look, and says, “No.”
Then she slams the door in my face.
