Page 83 of Smokescreen

“Yes . . .” Wayne’s lips flickered down in a frown. “Unless the dates were also forged.”

Reid sighed. “So what can I do?”

“Unless you and Lucy compromise or one side backs off then this matter will most likely go to trial.” Wayne rubbed his chin, covering his frown. “Lucy will probably take you to probate court to try to prove this will is legitimate. In return, you can take her to court for producing a fraudulent document. I feel obligated to let you know that it would be time-consuming and costly.”

“There’s nothing else I can do?” Disbelief stretched through Reid’s voice. “I’m not just going to roll over and give away my family’s property and livestock.”

“Not really,” Wayne said. “Unless you want to concede and give Lucy part of the property.”

“Not on my life.” Reid’s voice left no room for doubt.

“That’s what I thought you’d say—and I don’t blame you one bit. I’d do the same in your shoes.” Wayne straightened the stack of papers in front of him. “If that’s the case, then I guess you’ll need to let Lucy officially know you aren’t accepting this as a legitimate will. You’ll need to wait for her next move.”

Reid sat up straighter as if determination hardened his spine. “Then that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m not going down without a fight on this. I don’t care what anyone says or does to me. The Harrisons have never been scared off from defending what’s theirs. And it’s not going to start now.”

Wayne gave him a nod. “That’s the spirit. I’ll set this in motion and keep you updated in the meantime.”

CHAPTER 36

“I’m sorry,” Olive told Reid when they left Wayne’s office. They paused on the sidewalk, and another gusty breeze ruffled Olive’s hair. “I know that’s not what you wanted to hear.”

“It’s not. My days are already busy without adding a possible court date and legal battle onto that.” Exhaustion etched his voice.

“Hopefully, the court will be able to see this will she produced isn’t legit.”

“Let’s hope.” He paused in front of the truck, making no move to get in.

Olive observed his taut expression beneath his cowboy hat and knew his thoughts were heavy. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking about how Wayne said he saw Daphne. Why would she still be in town?”

“Because she likes it here so much?” Olive didn’t sound convinced as she asked the question.

“No way,” Reid said. “That doesn’t even sound like Daphne. She likes being around her people, and she’s very insecure traveling alone.”

None of that surprised Olive. “We could find out if you want.”

“You read my mind.” Reid threw her a look. “The most likely place she’d be staying is at the motel down the street. We could go past and see if her car is there.”

“Why not?” Olive shrugged.

They climbed into his truck and drove a mile down the road to the rustic-looking motel. It was two stories with fake log siding covering the exterior. Knobby wooden railings stretched across the walkways in front of the outside entrances. Even the sign outside the motel, one advertising Vulture Gulch Lodge, appeared dated with its red and yellow lettering.

Olive remembered the white Tesla she’d seen Daphne pull up in.

She scanned the lot, searching for it. “I don’t see her car.”

“There’s more parking around back,” Reid said. “Let’s check that out. At least we’ll know then.”

Reid pulled around the building and parked in the back of the lot. Sure enough, a white Tesla sat back there.

“Well, wouldn’t you know?” Reid muttered as he pressed on his brakes. “Daphneisstill here.”

“Looks like it.” Olive paused. “Should we get out? See if we can find her?”

“Why not?”

Reid pulled to the curb and parked. Then they stepped out of his truck.

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