Page 88 of Sheriff's City Girl

“I’m not worked up,” I shot back, but then forced my shoulders to relax. “I just… I want justice for what happened to Emma. She went through hell.”

“We know that,” Jackson agreed, giving me a sympathetic smile. “And now they’ve taken care of them. I have no doubt that justice will be served on her—and your—behalf.”

“I sure hope so, but back to the missing cattle… How many are there? What kind of signs did you see? When’d it happen?” My head was swimming with a million and one questions, and honestly, I was hankering to get back out and in the field… Especially considering that the investigation wasn’t over.

“Well,” Lucas began, running his fingertips along his jaw. “They were there yesterday afternoon when I fed. Jake and Cody went out to check ‘em this morning, and they were gone.”

Cody.

My muscles tensed at the mention of my daughter’s friend. She hadn’t called him her boyfriend—to me, anyway—but I still didn’t like the kid. “You think he really didn’t know what his father was up to?”

Jackson took a deep breath. “I think he’s just a kid, Mason.”

“What about his wife? She was right in the middle of that entire night—I don’t buy that she’s not at least aware.” I hated the subject of Graham for multiple reasons, but the moment that Nick had claimed Brittany had no idea…

I just didn’t buy it.

“I don’t know,” Jackson admitted. “But I don’t think she’s in the middle of cattle rustling. Brittany was raised around here, but she’s no cowgirl.”

I nodded, agreeing with that at least. “Just seems like we’re missing something. I think someone is trying to sink you, Lucas.”

“Do you happen to have a list of potential buyers?” Jackson turned to Lucas, who was looking more and more perplexed as we talked.

“No, Sam Ricardo down at the bank has all that shit. No one is coming to me directly anymore.” His voice sounded strained as he ran his finger along the top of the railing.

“I think I should head down there and see if I can get a list.” Jackson pushed himself to his feet. “Don’t you think?”

“Well… Yeah,” I said, shifting in my own chair. “I could go with ya.”

Jackson shook his head. “Emma would kill me if I took you along. She said you’re not supposed to go back to work until next Monday, and if I break the rules, she’s gonna come after me.”

“Oh come on,” I argued. “You know as good as I do that going down to talk to Sam is not gonna put me out. It ain’t like I’m gonna go chasing fugitives or something.”

“He has a point,” Lucas reasoned, shrugging his shoulders.

“No,” Jackson snapped. “I’m not getting in a fight with your old lady. No freaking thanks. Y’all have a nice day, and I’ll let ya know what I find, boss.” He gave us both his usual tip of the hat and smirk, before trotting down the steps and heading to his patrol car.

“That kid is a mess,” Lucas commented with a chuckle as he tore out of my driveway.

“He’s good at his job though—I have to give him that,” I said with a sigh, taking a sip of my now cool cup of coffee. “He works hard, and he cares about the town.”

“A lot like you at that age.” Lucas turned to me, and I saw the real Lucas under the façade of blankness he wore for the first time since he had shown up. He was exhausted and worn down. He was unrecognizable from the Lucas I had known my entire life.

“You look like hell.”

He nodded as he walked over to where Jackson had been sitting just moments before and took a seat. Lucas leaned his head back and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m gonna lose it.” The defeat in his words damn near broke my heart.

“Come on, you don’t know that. We can fix this.”

“We can’t fix it in the time that I have. I’m just gonna have to hope that Sam makes the right decision on who he sells it to. He said there’s a chance they might let me keep a section and I can build a cabin there—but even that’s a reach.”

“You can’t give up yet,” I reasoned, leaning forward. “Emma came up with the idea?—”

“I don’t wanna hear your ideas right now,” he cut me off, shaking his head. “I just would rather not. I ain’t in the mood today.”

I nodded, deciding not to push it. “I think you’ll figure it out. But…” my voice trailed off as I stopped myself.

“But what?”

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