Page 52 of Texas-Sized Secrets

Kuhn practically leaped in through the door, locking it behind him. Okay, this was interesting. What business did Kuhn have with the likes of Dusty Gaither?

Mona leaned back, out of sight of the hallway, and gave Mr. Kuhn time to make it to his office, before she stood and walked back.

Without knocking, she entered his office and closed the door behind her quietly.

Apparently, Mr. Kuhn didn’t hear the door open or close. He stood with his back to her, staring out his window at the brick building next to the bank.

Mona cleared her throat.

Mr. Kuhn swung around, his eyes wide. “How the hell did you get in here?”

Feigning innocence, Mona motioned toward the door. “The normal way. I need to discuss things with you.”

His eyes narrowed and he glanced down at his watch. “I’m sorry, but I have an appointment in exactly two minutes.”

“I’m sure it can wait.” Mona stalked across the floor and stood in front of Kuhn’s desk. “Why is it that when I went to apply to another bank for a loan, I discover my credit has been ruined?”

A mask dropped down over Kuhn’s face, his green eyes hardening to look like granite. “I have no idea. It’s your credit rating, not mine.”

“Seems this bank has indicated I’ve been late paying my loan payments every month for the past year.” Mona crossed her arms over her chest. “How can that be when I get them to you early?”

“Credit-reporting tools aren’t infallible.”

“Yeah.” Mona seethed inwardly. She’d suspected it when he’d informed her that the bank was foreclosing on her, but now she had her proof. Kuhn was trying to force her into selling her property or taking it as collateral in a foreclosure. “Bastard.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I have another appointment.” Kuhn walked around the desk and to the door.

“Why do you want Rancho Linda? What’s so special about it that you’d ruin me to get it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now please leave before I call the sheriff.”

“Tell me this, then.” Mona walked up to Kuhn and stood toe to toe with the son of a bitch who’d ruin a lone female rancher without batting an eyelash. “Are you and Dusty Gaither behind the cattle rustling?”

A muscle in Kuhn’s jaw twitched, but his eyes remained cold. “I have nothing to do with the cattle rustling or Dusty Gaither.”

“And if I take it to the police, I’m sure they’ll prove that.”

“Absolutely. Now leave before I call the sheriff.” He opened the door and held it for her.

Mona stepped into the door frame, but not through. “I think it’s time I get a lawyer. Perhaps you’d better do the same.” She turned to leave and stopped, twisting around. “Oh, and just so you know, I’d sell to my uncle Arty before I’d ever consider selling to an oil speculator.”

As she left the bank, two men in suits entered. The same men who’d been at the diner the other day when she’d met with Catalina. The men she’d said were oil brokers. Mona turned and stared at their backs as Doris led them into Kuhn’s office.

Was that it? Was he after her land for the oil? Oh yeah, she was definitely calling her lawyer as soon as possible. She hurried back to the truck to inform Reed of what she’d learned.

When she turned the corner, she practically ran headfirst into him.

His face was stormy and he grabbed her arms. “Where have you been? I thought I told you to stay put.”

“I had business to conduct.” As close as he stood, she could smell the soap on his skin, and the light musk of pure male. Her stomach fluttered, her body heating at his touch.

His hands tightened on her arms in an almost bruising grip, before he dropped them, shaking his head. “You’re killing me, Grainger.”

“Better me than someone else.” Ignoring the warmth spreading throughout her body, Mona hurried to the truck, climbing into the driver’s seat. “We have work to do.”

Reed slipped into the passenger’s side.

Before his door was fully closed, she shifted the truck in reverse and pulled out into the street.

---