Page 17 of Pay Dirt

William rose from the table. His plate was only half empty. “I bet Nathan never told you about my special ability.”

I raised a brow. “No, sir.”

He nodded and met his son’s gaze. “I can spot a lie a mile away, so when you three are ready to tell me the truth about why you’re here, you can find me on the porch.”

Mr. Murray walked out of the dining room, and silence filled the air.

“Dad, wait,” Nathan said as he pushed out of his chair.

I rose and stopped Nathan from following him. “Let me.”

Nathan’s gaze went over my head in the direction his father had gone before he met my gaze again. Hurt and anger filled his face.

“I’ve got this,” I said and patted his arm before glancing at the table. “Save my plate, though.” I grabbed a biscuit and walked out.

Mr. Murray was standing on the porch, staring out at the rig when I stepped up beside him. “One of my clients was killed, and that’s what brought Nathan into my life.”

“I hope you aren’t still trying to tell me that you two are a couple.”

“I’m not,” I said and gestured to the rig. “Walk with me, and I’ll explain.”

William stepped off the porch, and we started in a slow stroll toward the equipment in the distance. “It would be easier if I start at the beginning for you to understand how we ended up at your door.”

I proceeded to tell William everything, including the uncanny way I find people and other things. How all of my sisters are unique. I wasn’t sure he was buying a word I said, because he’d remained quiet until we reached the rig.

“Did Nathan tell you why we bought this farm?”

“No, sir. He didn’t even tell me we were coming to a farm until we arrived.”

“I bought this land thirty years ago, after I married Nathan’s mother, Jenna.” She fell in love with the rose garden. She was the love of my life and still is.” His voice softened, proving he was a man still in love with his wife. “That’s why we place the wine glass at the end of the table during each meal. It’s so if she’s ever looking down on us, she knows we haven’t forgotten her.”

“I’m sure she was a special woman. I would have liked to have met her.”

“She was an angel. She volunteered at a woman’s shelter. She was an advocate against domestic abuse. She didn’t have to work, but just like I put in my blood, sweat, and tears here on the ranch, she did that for other women.” His gaze was trained in the distance, as if he the memories played like a movie in his mind.

“You mentioned the oil is going to dry up soon,” I said, unlatching the gate. I stepped closer to the equipment, and William followed.

“Studies have indicated that it’s inevitable.”

I squatted and ran my finger through a puddle of black gold on the ground. Rubbing my fingers together in one hand, I clutched my crystal with the other. Glancing across the field, I grinned before I rose.

“So, what are you looking for, Ms. Newman?”

“My last name isn’t Newman. It’s Bennett, but let’s keep that secret between us.” I took his arm and started walking off in another direction, still holding the crystal in my hand.

With each step we took, the crystal’s vibration increased as we approached. “Nathan has good reason to believe that one of Jenna’s killers is still alive, and I’ve tracked the money back to this town.”

William grabbed my arm. “That’s why he brought you here?”

“Yeah, and he has money from the heist to prove it,” I said and continued walking until the vibration in my crystal had traveled down my spine and through my body. I stopped and glanced around. Spotting a stick, I picked it up and moved back to where I’d been standing. I dug at the ground and shoved the stick into the hole. “You should consider moving the equipment over here.” I held up my finger, showing him the oil from the other side of the field. “Yeah…I’d dig right here.”

His brows dipped, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “You believe there’s oil right there?”

I grinned. “I don’t believe; I know it is.” I grabbed another stick and placed it next to the first one, marking the spot with an X, as if it were a pirate’s bounty. “Now X marks the spot. Dig there.”

William rubbed his neck. “How is it you think you can find the money?”

“The same way I just made you a fortune.”

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