Page 71 of Whiskey and Wildfire

I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of the situation still heavy on my shoulders. “You’re right,” I said, not truly believing what I was saying. Maybe if I said it enough times it would eventually be true. “A fresh start might be exactly what we need.”

We stood there for a moment, the twilight deepening around us. But just as we were about to turn and head inside, the crunchof gravel caught our ears. We both turned and saw a sleek black car swing its headlights into the driveway.

“Who’s that?” I asked, shielding my eyes.

Logan shrugged. “No idea. Must be lost.”

The car came to a stop, and the engine cut off. The driver’s door opened, and a tall, well-dressed man stepped out. Even in the dark I could see his slicked black hair and the sharp angles of his face. He cut a handsome figure. And for some reason, he looked familiar. It wasn’t until he approached, and I felt Logan tense beside me that I realized who he was.

“Mr. Baker?” the man called out, his voice crisp and professional. “May I have a word with you?”

Logan stepped forward, his stance protective. “That’s me. Can I help you Mr. Corvus?”

“Please,” the man sighed, an exhausted smile pulling at his lips. “Just call me Dustin. I hate being called mister.”

“Well, Dustin, I’m afraid we don’t have much to talk about,” Logan said, puffing his chest out a bit. “I told your company that I wouldn’t let them turn this ranch into a circus and I stand by that. I know you showing up at the eleventh hour might make us reconsider, but our minds are made up.”

Dustin stared at us for a long moment, his gray eyes catching the starlight. “I’m glad to hear you stand by what you said,” he replied at last. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

Logan and I exchanged a puzzled glance. If Dustin Corvus wasn’t here to make another pitch for his company’s offer, what could he possibly want?

“Then why are you here?” Logan asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Dustin took a deep breath, his expression softening. “I’m here to help,” he said simply.

I couldn’t help but scoff. “Help? How? By buying up the ranch at a discount at tomorrow’s auction?”

Dustin shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. “No, nothing like that. I’m here to stop the auction altogether.”

Logan and I both stared at him, dumbfounded. It was Logan who finally found his voice. “What do you mean, stop the auction? The bank’s already set everything in motion. There’s no stopping it now.”

Dustin reached into his breast pocket, pulling out a folded-up piece of paper. “I have a new contract for you to look over,” he said, holding it out to Logan. “And if you accept, the bank already has the check.”

Logan hesitated for a moment before taking the paper from Dustin’s hand. He unfolded it carefully, his brow furrowed as he scanned the contents. I peered over his shoulder, trying to make sense of the legal jargon.

“I don’t understand,” Logan said, looking up at Dustin. “What is Raven Inc? I’ve never heard of that company.”

“It’s my company,” Dustin replied with a nod. “I am the sole owner and operator.” He took a breath, letting the realization settle in. “I want to personally invest in your ranch. Privately.”

Logan stood there with his mouth hanging open. I didn’t quite believe it either. Leaning over his shoulder, I skimmed the contract in a matter of seconds. It wasn’t even half a page long.

“But…” I started. “This contract just says you’ll pay off the place in exchange for a tiny plot to live on here.” I skimmed the contract. “And half a percent of the profits?” I glanced up at Logan. “That’s nothing.”

“The profit sharing is more of a formality for the bank than anything,” Dustin nodded. “I don’t need the money, so you’re more than welcome to keep it. But the bank was being really shitty about it. They tried to come up with a million ways to deny me, but I’m a better lawyer than that.”

“But what about the cabins?” I asked. “The arena, the jacuzzis, and the shitty museum?”

“If you two want to bring this place into the twenty-first century, I’ll help with that.” He looked up at me in particular. “But I’d like to leave the luxury suites and the racism out of it if you don’t mind. This place should be celebrated for what it is, not turned into an overpriced BnB.”

Both Logan and I stared at him for another long moment, desperately trying to process everything. It was too good to be true, right? It had to be!

“Why?” was all Logan said after the long silence.

Dustin let out a deep sigh. “To be honest with you, I’m tired.” He turned to survey the rolling hills around him covered in moonlight. Stars twinkled in the sky, putting on a show like they were trying to convince him to stay. “I’ve been doing legal work for big companies for ten years now. In that time, I’ve helped so many of them do shitty things to little people like you and I just… I can’t stand it anymore.” He looked back up at us, his eyes full of remorse. “I came into some money last year and I don’t need to work anymore. And investing in this place to help people like…” He glanced between Logan and I, drawing attention to how we were pressed together. “Well, people like me. It just feels like the right thing to do. And I hope, by some small measure, it helps start to undo all the wrong I’ve done in my life.”

“How much land do you want?” I asked, glancing back at the contract. “This says a quarter of an acre.”

“We can do less if you want. I just need enough space for a tiny house. I promise to stay out of your way.”

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