Page 13 of Big Daddy Bull Riders

“You’re welcome.” His smile faded as he spoke again. “That guy says he has legal claim to some of the properties around here. He’s threatening to take the city to court.”

“You think it’s valid?” Mina asked.

“Nah. I think he’s a developer wanting to get rich. Vacation property goes at a premium around here. Hey, this wouldn’t be the first time someone tried something shady. We had a real-estate guy setting fires a while back.”

Mina couldn’t suppress a shudder. “That’s terrifying!”

“Don’t worry,” Quinn said. “He’s in jail and will be for a long time. He won’t set anything else on fire. Or hurt anyone around here ever again.”

“But what about this guy?”

The sheriff waved it off. “Our attorney will handle it. As long as this guy keeps his fight in court, that is. If he gets out of line, well, I’ll handle it.”

“And we’ll back you up,” Jackson said.

“You can even deputize us,” Slater added.

“Hopefully it won’t come to that!” Quinn said. “I think this is going to be a legal fight.” He shook his head, his facial expression growing even more serious. “What some folks will do for money…”

The others agreed before a question popped into Mina’s head. “How did you know to look for me back here?” she asked Jackson and Slater.

It was Slater who grinned. “We were coming into town when we saw you catfooting around. Figured we’d see what you were up to.”

“Oh man,” she grumbled. “I guess I’m not very good at being sneaky. You all saw me!”

All three of the men smiled.

“Just be careful,” Quinn told her. “I think you’re just being a good reporter. But we don’t know this guy. If you see him, I wouldn’t go poking around in his business. I’m sure he’s harmless. But just to be on the safe side…”

The warning sent a chill down Mina’s spine, and she decided to change the subject. “Sorry to be nosy.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Quinn replied.

“I’m mighty hungry,” Jackson said. “We gonna go eat now?”

“You bet!” Mina answered eagerly.

“I’ll let you all get to it,” Quinn said. “Just remember what I said, honey. This guy probably isn’t dangerous. But when people are chasing a payday, well, they can do desperate, stupid things. Sometimes evil things.”

She promised to be careful before setting out with Jackson and Slater. There would be time to worry about this Hugo Sparks guy later. Right now, she had a date.

Or kind of a date.

Maybe it was just dinner.

Whatever, she was in the presence of two strong, gorgeous, sexy cowboys.

And she wasn’t going to let Sparks or anyone else ruin the experience for her.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Mina instantly loved the town’s only restaurant.

Like her apartment and newspaper office, it was an old building, made of red bricks, only it was a single-story structure.

Old tin signs, some of them advertising brands that had long been defunct, hung on the walls in a tasteful arrangement. An old, colorful jukebox—one with actual 45s and not CDs—rested in one corner. Patsy Cline was currently belting out “She’s Got You.”

The place was doing moderate business, and a woman of about sixty called out, “Just sit where you’d like.” She looked up from what she was doing behind the front counter and grinned. “Oh, it’s just you two.” She paused. “Hey, there’s three of you today.” She smiled as her eyes landed on Mina. “You know the drill.”

---