Page 11 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

Because she was a reporter. And a reporter’s job was never done.

CHAPTERSIX

Mina kept to a low crouch as she snuck around the small building that served as City Hall.

There really wasn’t much to it. It was a prefabricated, metal structure that looked nice with the lush green grass out front and colorful flowers planted on either side of the smoothly paved walkway that led to the front door. There were more flowers in the planter boxes that had been added just below the windows on either side of the entrance.

She raised her gaze just high enough to see into those windows. Sure enough, she could see Sheriff Quinn Hardin inside talking with the real estate developer, but she couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Looking to the back wall, however, she noticed that the rear windows were open.

Bingo!

She quickly and quietly made her way around the building until she was positioned where she could hear the conversation, even if she couldn’t see the two people involved.

“Joe Graves is the town’s mayor,” the sheriff was explaining. “He would need to be involved in this discussion. As would our general counsel. But I don’t think?—”

“Are you an attorney?” Hugo Sparks asked sharply.

“Well, no. As I stated, I’m the sheriff. But?—”

“Then you have no room to pass judgement on if my claim is valid.”

Quinn cleared his throat, and even without seeing the man, Mina was willing to bet he was getting pretty hot under the collar.

That fact was further confirmed when his voice sounded even more strained as he replied, “You don’t know what I was going to say because you interrupted me. This discussion is over until we have the mayor and our attorney present.”

“It needs to happen soon,” Hugo countered.

“And I’m sure it can,” Quinn said. “But our attorney doesn’t even live in Big Cedar. And we aren’t her only clients. Surely you understand it isn’t likely to roll into town without an appointment, after business hours, and expect to get this thing settled.”

Mina couldn’t help herself. She quickly snuck a glance inside, seeing the men standing in the center of the room, facing one another. Even from her vantage point, she could read the intensity of the exchange.

What was this guy doing in Big Cedar? She cursed herself for not getting down there quicker. As a reporter, she needed to stay on top of things like this.

Of course, she hadn’t been expecting drama to crop up so soon in a town this small. And she’d been more than a little preoccupied with thoughts of the sexy cowboys that were taking her to dinner. But still. She was a professional. It was imperative that she stay ahead of the curve.

Quinn moved a little as he scratched his jaw. Mina hastily ducked. She hoped she wasn’t seen.

The thudding of Quinn’s boots reached her ears, and she could tell he was walking the visitor toward the door.

The fancy developer’s shoes didn’t seem to make a sound. Her mind flashed back to when she’d watched him leave.

Expensive Italian loafers.

Well, that’s what they looked to be, at least. Could be fake. But he seemed like a guy who prided himself on having the best.

It made sense they weren’t as noisy as cowboy boots. They weren’t near as sexy, either. But that was just her opinion.

Mina crept to the side of the window, stood, and put her back to the building. The metal was a little warm with that early evening sun shining down on it, but it wasn’t unpleasant. After a sigh, she started running through her options.

Going on about her business was one. Reporter or not, she was brand new in town. It wasn’t really any of her business what was going on, and the sheriff might not be in a mood to tell her, anyway.

Might not hurt to ask, though.

Which led to another option.

She had some pretty good snooping skills. A journalist had to if they wanted to be effective.

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