“Why doesn’t he do anything at the ranch anymore?” I asked.

Tiffany sighed into the phone. “It has everything to do with our parents. He never wanted to be a full-time rancher. He went off to New York for college, then worked at an investment firm for a few years.”

“How did he end up with a restaurant then?”

“Beats me. I didn’t even know he could cook, but the man can put out some serious grub when he wants to.”

“That’ll have all the ladies in Green Point after him,” I commented wryly. “That’s a good quality to have in a man.”

“No kidding,” Tiffany said, “But he only has eyes for you.”

My stomach fluttered at that. No men, Cheyenne. Just horses.

“That’s flattering, but you know I’m not into dating right now. I just don’t have the time.”

“Neither of us have any time for it with the work we do. Speaking of that, how is the stallion you picked up yesterday?”

Grateful for the topic change, I described the condition the stallion was in, along with what Jacob had told me about Bill Coates.

“That man is despicable,” Tiffany spat into the phone. “He’s done things like that for years, and he never seems to get in trouble for it.”

“I don’t understand it,” I said, shaking my head even though I knew she couldn’t see me. “Jacob told me he has called the sheriff numerous times reporting abuse and neglect. Nothing ever seems to happen.”

“It’s the old gentlemen’s club here in Green Point. His ranch produces a lot of money, and he tends to wave it around to cover his wrinkly old ass.”

“That’ll change soon enough. I made some calls.”

“Calls?” Tiffany repeated, interest piqued. “What sort of calls?”

A smile spread across my face. “I’m sure they’ve contacted him by now, and there is bound to be a real investigation now on how Bill handles his ranching business. The American people wouldn’t be happy to hear that the cows and other animals he has are being abused. That’s what PETA said.”

“You called PETA?”

“I did. I couldn’t stand it. This stallion is beautiful, and it’s covered in scars. If Bill Coates is abusing animals, then he deserves to be investigated. The cows he raises for beef are in the awful condition as well. You can tell they are pumped full of steroids. They’re big, but not healthy, according to Jacob.”

“Wow, Cheyenne. I knew you were a martyr, but calling PETA proves that even more. I hope you’re ready for the confrontation.”

“Bring it on,” I said. “Bill Coates doesn’t intimidate me. My daddy raised a strong girl, and I can handle whatever the man throws at me.”

“I hope you can because Bill is well known for his temper around here. Call me if anything happens, okay? I’ll be around the ranch today.”

“I’ll be fine. Enjoy your Sunday.”

I hung up after my conversation with Tiffany. The distant boom of thunder added to the unease simmering in my stomach. The sound of a truck flying down the dirt road drew my attention to the gate I had left open. In a storm of dust and gravel, a black Chevy truck roared up and screeched to a stop, parking directly behind my own vehicle.

There was no mistaking the heavy-set man in jeans and a flannel shirt that jumped out of his truck. The bearded face was the same color as his red suspenders as he stomped in the direction of the barn, where he knew I was likely to be. As he adjusted his weather-beaten cowboy hat, I could see the fury that shimmered in his eyes.

“Shit,” I whispered, grabbing my cell phone from the desk. Who would I call though? By all accounts, the sheriff and Bill were fast friends.

Seconds later, the office door was pushed open. I clenched my phone tightly to my chest as Bill stormed in.

“You have one hell of a fucking nerve, woman,” he growled, glaring at me. “Thanks to your phone call, I was informed that PETA has opened an investigation of my ranch.”

“You deserve what you have coming, as far as I’m concerned,” I managed to say, keeping my voice as calm as possible despite the fear gripping my heart. “Jacob and I have provided treatment and care to your stallion the way it deserves to be treated. According to Jacob, this isn’t the first time he has seen evidence of abuse on your animals.”

“You and Jacob are the martyrs here, huh? Well, I’ve got news for you, missy. No one likes a martyr.” Bill jerked his thumb in the direction of the pasture. “Get my damn horse out of your pasture.”

I gritted my teeth. “That’s not going to happen, Mr. Coates. I don’t care what you say; I am not giving you that horse. He’s under my care now.”

Tags: Claire Adams Romance
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