Page 45 of The Cowboy’s Reckoning

“I’ve got lots of catchup work to do back home.” Tom ran a hand over his collar, obviously torn between learning more about his new neighbor and getting back to work. “What do you need to know?”

“Has anyone contacted you about buying your land?”

“No. Why?”

“Someone contacted me before probate was over. Offered a nice deal. All I can figure is that they like the isolated locale. Thought they may have talked to more than one person in the neighborhood.”

“Most of my property is on the east side of Turner’s Ridge, so other than the land on the west slope that butts up against your ranch, it’s not so private.”

“You heard about the cow. Right?”

That got Tom’s attention. “What about the cow?”

“Someone shot one of the McAllens’s cows in the pasture.”

Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Let’s get that coffee.”

Once they were settled in a booth and the server had poured, Tom said, “Shot a cow. Did the shot come from my property?”

“From the Weston land according to the brand inspector.”

“Well, hell. Guess I’m kind of glad we don’t turn the cattle out to graze for another couple months.” He laced his finger around the mug in front of him. “You know … I did see someone on my property when I rode it last. The McAllen sisters’ cows got out. Again.” The way he emphasized the word made Jordan want to tell the man that the escapes may not be entirely the McAllens’s fault, but he held off. “I was making certain there were no holes in the fence and ran into a guy looking for a lost dog.”

“When was this?”

“Early May.”

“Did you know him?”

“I’ve seen him around. Don’t know his name.” Tom scrunched up his forehead. “Forgive me for asking, but you mentioned probate. Did you inherit the Willow Creek?”

“I did.” It felt so strange to confess that. “It was kind of unexpected.”

Rumors were certainly flying around the community by now, so maybe it was time to stop dodging and fess up.

“Did you know Carl Jordan?” Jordan asked.

“Never met him, even though we shared a fence line for thirty years. Never met Weston either for that matter.” Tom shrugged. “Out-of-staters,” he said as if that explained everything, which it kind of did. Very few locals were wealthy enough to put their land into conservancy.

“I didn’t know him either, but according to the will, I’m his kid.”

Tom nodded without looking at him, confirming Jordan’s suspicion that everyone knew everything. “I guess he spent a least a little time here.”

“I guess.” Jordan felt a bit lighter.

There was no stopping speculation so why not own it?

Tom finished his coffee and set down the cup. “I didn’t know your mom well, but she was a sweetheart.” He shook his head as if wondering how anyone could abandon her. “Gotta tell you, though. You’re probably better off not being Jared Leonard’s kid. He was a loose cannon, that one.”

Jordan didn’t have the heart to tell the man that as far as fathers went, he preferred the cow thief to the rich guy.

*

“You went to see Tom Baxter?” Lil was waiting at the bottom on the ladder as Jordan came off the shed room.

He dusted the sandy roofing particles off his jeans after stepping to the ground. “I thought it made sense to talk to him. He’s your closest neighbor in residence. Maybe he saw something.”

Lil propped her hands on her hips. “I’m not trying to push myself into where I don’t belong, but I would have liked to hear what he had to say.”