Rafe doubted that. You have the two hundred and fifty thousand dollars you stole from her?
Rafe!
He ignored his mother and continued to stare at Glen.
Ah, not exactly, the older man admitted. But well get it. Or work out something with May. Theres no reason for any of this to be difficult, dont you agree?
No. Rafe drew his phone out of his shirt pocket and turned away from his mother and Glen. Before pushing the number, he loosened his tie. Then he hit speed dial.
I told you not to go there, a familiar voice said by way of greeting.
I pay you for legal counsel, Rafe muttered. Not to say, I told you so.
Dante Jefferson, his lawyer and business partner, chuckled. You get the I told you so for free.
Lucky me.
How bad is it?
Rafe looked around at the familiar acres of land. Hed grown up here, at least until he was fifteen. Hed worked his ass off here, had gone hungry here.
Its bad. I need you to drive over, Rafe said. Hed filled Dante in on what he knew before hed left town that morning. Theres no money to pay her back and, from what I can tell, the old man isnt the owner of the ranch.
Dante snorted. Did he think she wouldnt notice she wasnt getting a ranch after paying two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and agreeing to a schedule to pay the rest?
Apparently.
Ive never been to Fools Gold, Dante said.
Everyones luck goes bad eventually.
Dante chuckled. Your mother loves the town.
My mother also believes there are space aliens in Area 51.
Thats why I like her so much. Did I tell you signing documents without reading them would get you into trouble? Did you listen?
Rafe tightened his grip on the phone. This is you helping?
In my own way. Ill call the local police and have There was the sound of rustling papers.
Glen Simpson picked up. Hell be in custody before I hit town. I should be there by six. Between now and then, dont do anything Ill regret.
Not a promise Rafe was willing to make, he thought as he hung up. He turned, only to find his mother rushing toward him.
Rafe! Youre not arresting Glen.
The old guy looked less charming and more pale. As Rafe watched, he swallowed and started backing toward the house.
Mom, this guy took money from you by making you think you were buying a ranch. He doesnt own the ranch, so he stole your money and he has no way to pay it back.
Mays mouth twisted. If youre going to make it sound like that
He cut her off. It is like that.
I dont understand why you have to be this way.
He glanced back at the house, expecting to see Glen slinking inside. But the old guy had only made it as far as the porch. Maybe he was going to try and bluff his way out. Rafe didnt mind a good fight, but he preferred a more formidable opponent.
His gaze moved from the building to the yard. There were flowersdifferent from the ones his mother had planted, but just as colorful. A big sign offered goat milk, goat cheese and goat manure for sale. He fleetingly hoped they were kept in separate containers and on different parts of the property.
Speaking of goats, he could see a couple beyond the fence by the house. There was a big horse by the barn. No steers, he thought, remembering having to deal with them when he was a kid.
There had been good times here, he admitted to himself. Moments when hed had fun with his brothers and sister. While his father had taught him and Shane to ride, Rafe had been the one to teach Clay and later Evangeline. Rafe had stepped into his fathers shoes after the man had died. Or hed triedafter all, hed been only eight. He could still remember how long it had taken to realize his daddy was never coming home again and that it was now all up to him.
The womanHeidijogged up to the house, the goat trotting at her side like a well-trained dog.
Glen, are you all right? she asked, slightly out of breath. Whats going on?
Its going to be fine, Glen told her, looking calm for a man about to go to jail.
Its not fine, May said firmly. My son is being difficult.
Not much of a surprise, Heidi muttered, turning to him. I know youre angry, but we can come to terms. If youd just listen and be reasonable.
Good luck, May said with a sigh. Rafe doesnt believe in being reasonable.
He shrugged. Everyone has a flaw.
You think this is funny? Heidi demanded, her green eyes snapping with outrage and fear. Were talking about my family.
And mine.
A car pulled in behind his. Rafe saw the city seal for Fools Gold and a sign, Fools Gold Police.
A woman in her forties got out. She wore a uniform and sunglasses. The name tag read Police Chief Barns. Rafe was impressed. Dante hadnt just made calls, hed gone to the top.
Still clutching the goat, Heidi moved toward the woman. Heidi smiled, although her lips trembled, and despite his annoyance at her and the situation, he acknowledged she looked as innocent as a milkmaid. He glanced at the goat. Make that a goat maid.
Police Chief Barns, Im Heidi Simpson.
I know who you are. The police chief pulled a smartphone out of her pocket and scrolled through the screen. Im looking for Rafe Stryker.