Page 78 of Brands

“All of ‘em, huh?” I glance out over the small herd of twelve Angus milling in the pen. But then I look back to the form in front of me. “Says here you bought twenty head. Not selling the rest?”

His jaw ticks. “They were chased into the canyon over the far edge.”

Shit. I remember Clay saying there were some issues.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea.” I wonder if it was drones again?

He flips his worn baseball hat up to scratch his short dark hair before settling it over his ears. “Yup. Haven’t had any problems since we re-branded, but I can’t afford any more losses.” He spits into the dirt at his feet. “Fucking assholes cost mebig time.”

Eight beef gone is a drop in the bucket compared to what Mason lost, but to a small outfit like this one, it’s still a huge financial hit.

“I think it’s ‘cause they still had that Black Gulch stamp,” he says quietly. “Whatever bad luck they had followed to us.”

A sour taste blooms in my mouth and spreads to twist my stomach.

He might be right.

“I’m sorry. They look good, you’re all set.” I hand him the necessary signed forms, doing my best to swallow the bile rising in my throat.

Black Gulch might be the missing link on all of those photos Wade found. I’m antsy to have a sit down with Mason to see if my suspicions are correct.

But I’ll have to do that later.

My priority is helping Libby with her father.

Fuck me.

A yellow sundress?

My truck stutters to a stop as I suddenly forget how to drive.

When I jump out, she’s giggling stepping off the porch. “Everything okay?” Her fingers light on my wrist as she stands on her tiptoes to kiss me softly on the lips.

“You are begging to get pregnant wearing that pretty little thing,” I growl, pulling her tight enough so she can feel the bulge in my crotch.

The breeze brings a dimple of goosebumps up her arm.

“Are you chilly?” I can’t look away from the tight buds of her nipples poking through the thin fabric.

I may have to kill a man today.

“It’s so nice out, I couldn’t wait to put it on. The cherry trees are blooming, it means spring is here, so might as well dress for it.” She steps easily into the truck, laying the binder of documents on her lap.

She has to know what she’s doing to me.

The closer we get to the hospital, the quieter she gets.

“What if he says ‘no’?” she asks as we pull into the parking garage.

I reach for her hand, pulling her fingers to my lips. “Then I’ll buy you your own dairy.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m gonna be your groupie as you travel the country singing your sexy songs.” Her smile betrays the tears hanging tenuously to her lower lids.

My palm rests on her lower back while we’re walking inside. “Baby, there’s no sound as sweet as the one you make when you’re screaming my name.”

At least that makes her laugh, even if it is the truth.

I pause at the door to Clay’s room. “Ready?”

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