Page 79 of Cowboy

“The one you stole onto with a MoosHaveRights2 member and planted that hellish story about Bull and his cows.”

Bull remains silent, but Redd nearly vibrates with anger. His fists clench.

“That’s private property you stepped on. Invaded. And took illegal films on without proper consent. You could go to jail.” Redd’s shoulders slowly lower. “There’s also defamation of character, slander, and libel.”

“I didn’t report that shit. The network who bought the story did.” Legally or not, we didn’t always buy our stories. We sometimes just took the films directly from the internet like everyone else. Somehow, I don’t think Redd is smart enough to know that.

“But the network wouldn’t have seen the story if you hadn’t taken illegal action with a known animal activist group, putting them in question as well.”

“It was only supposed to be local.”

Bull gasps, and I slowly smile.

“What the hell did you do?” Bull demands.

“Your old man is so stubborn. He won’t give us a share of the land although we’re willing to pay.”

“We won’t give you a share of the land despite the money because your sheep would only tear up the land, something your old man knew, and that’s why he never asked us for it. Clean up your own fields.”

Redd glares deep daggers of hatred at Bull.

“A wolf in sheep’s clothing smells worse than bullshit,” I state again, and Redd snaps at me.

“You’re the one who reported the story.”

“And you’re the one who just admitted it. On camera.” I point in the direction of Glenn and Robert, our old camera crew. “Smile for the camera, Redd.”

His head turns from the men at the corner table to me. “That’s not legal. I didn’t give my consent to be filmed.”

“Didn’t give that opportunity to the Eatons, either, did you, Redd?”

“You son of a bitch.” Blade Eaton has been standing off to the side, behind Redd, listening in, but he steps forward until his eldest brother catches him. “I’ll shear you myself, you fucking red ass.”

Redd squints at Blade. “I’m so scared.”

“You should be. When KTEL’s Insider airs that video with you admitting your fault in framing an innocent family all for a piece of land, I don’t think anyone’s going to be interested in business practices with a cheat.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Redd snaps.

“Try me. Think that story hurt the Eatons? I’ll bury your farm.” The old Scarlett reigns as I seethe at Redd.

Blade still struggles under Bull’s hands, and Canyon joins us on the patio.

“What’s going on out here?” he questions, eyeing his eldest brother holding back his youngest and me facing off with their neighbor.

“Just setting the record straight,” I tell him. “Meet the culprit who set up your family for ruin.”

Without a second of thought, Canyon pops Redd in the nose, and a bone cracks. Blood seeps from his nose.

“You-un-ow-itch.” His hand covers his face. Bull reaches for a napkin from a table, unrolling the silverware inside.

“Here.” He tosses the napkin at Redd in a final act of decency from this family before Redd helps himself off the patio.

Canyon shakes out his hand.

“Shit. I didn’t know you had that in you,” Blade teases of the middle Eaton.

“Can you still play? Do you need ice?” I step forward as Canyon glances after Redd.