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I grin and the fucker looks at me again, clearly disoriented now.
“Babe, come on. We need to talk. I-I miss you. Please.”
“No, Junior. I don’t know why you’re here, unless it’s to tell me you’re giving my land and emus back.”
Splotches of red fill the center of his cheeks and his fists clench before he shakes them out and laughs like Ruby’s just told a joke.
He steps closer and puts his hand on the table, leaning toward her.
“Babe,please. Let’s talk about this. I’m lost without you,Dollyis lost without you—”
“I amnotyour babe,” she interrupts, “and since Dolly is living her best Colorado life right now, I’d say she’s very muchnotlost without me.”
All pleasantries fade and Junior just looks angry now. His fist lands on the table hard enough to make the silverware rattle, and he glares down at Ruby. I choose that moment to stand up. Normally, I make a conscious effort to not intimidate people with my size, but in this case, it’s satisfying to see the way he swallows hard and takes a step back as he looks up at me.
“It appears you’re not wanted here. You should go.” Idon’t mean for my voice to come out quite so ragey, but I guess it can’t be helped.
“Ruby,” Junior squeaks. “Outside.”
“Did you not hear what she said?” I keep my volume down, but it’s still forceful.
Junior flinches, but his jaw clenches and he nods. “I did, but I really need to talk to her.”
Ruby’s hand touches my arm. “Thanks, Callum.” She squeezes my arm and I look at her. She smiles gratefully and some of the tension inside of me eases. “I’ll handle this,” she says softly.
We stare at each other for a few seconds longer before I nod and take a step back. She glares at Junior and walks outside, with him following close behind.
“I wanted to step in, but it was too exciting to see what you were about to do,” Pierre says, fanning his face. “He lookedterrified.” He grins but watches worriedly out the window. “I should go out there to help her now, though, shouldn’t I?”
“She said she’ll handle it,” I say.
“Right.” He nods.
“Who is that?” Sutton asks.
I know by his tone that if we weren’t in a public place, he’d have more choice words than this, but being a judge, he’s always mindful.
“Her ex,” Pierre says. “A real snake, if you ask me.”
Sutton moves to our table as we all watch what unfolds outside. From what I can tell, Junior is doing all the talking, while Ruby stands there getting angrier and angrier. I don’t take my eyes off of her in case she gives me a sign that she needs backup.
“They were engaged to be married,” Pierre says softly, “and he made my sister and brother-in-law think he wasbuying their land to save their finances and the farm…that Ruby would own it…but it was all a lie. Ruby overheard him telling his friends that her name isn’t even on the deed.”
“Where is this property? Has she seen the paperwork?” Sutton asks.
Pierre frowns. “I—you know, I don’t really know? I doubt it actually. She left town so fast, none of us saw it coming.” He chuckles. “The joke was on Junior because he came out in his expensive wedding suit looking all smug, and Ruby was long gone.”
He makes a face when we’re quiet.
“Don’t make me feel bad for thinking that is justice right there,” he groans. “I’m not the worst—I felt bad for the guy…until I heard what he’d done.”
“Sorry, I’m just thinking,” Sutton says.
“What are you thinking?” I turn back to look at him for a second before returning to Ruby outside.
“Well, without seeing the paperwork, it’s hard to be certain about anything, but I’d imagine there’s a lawsuit in there somewhere…maybe some fine lines that need to be dissected.” Sutton leans in, his voice so low that only Pierre and I can hear, he says, “With the way that guy just talked to her, I don’t trust him, and I’ve learned to listen to my gut.”
“I just got chills when you said that,” Pierre says. “You’ve never led me wrong. When I ran that contract by you with that company that wanted to franchise, you said something didn’t feel right about them, and you were spot on. I never told you this, but they filed bankruptcy last spring.”
