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“Yeah, I might have heard a thing or two about it,” Clint said, cigar smoke billowing around him.
Nash stiffened.
Chase pushed on, placing one foot on the first porch step, crossing his arms. “Then I’m sure you’re also aware that we’ve been having issues with the inspector.”
Clint smirked. “Heard something about that too.”
The cedar hints in the smoke tickled Chase’s nostrils. “Good. Then let’s be clear. Are you behind this shit with the inspector?”
Clint gave direct eye contact, studying Chase intently while he took another puff on his cigar, the vibrant colors burning the paper. “Boys, I’ll tell you exactly what I told my daughter when she came to me and asked me that exact same question.”
Nash’s eyes turned hard, cold, and flinty. “What does Megan have to do with this?”
Clint thrust out his chest, tapping the ash off his cigar into the ashtray. “She came to see me last week after Shep’s girl told her about the failed inspection.” He leaned back in his seat, crossing an ankle over his knee. Looking like the cocky bastard he was, he continued in a bored voice, “Listen well, boys, I don’t need to play dirty. I’ve already gained most of Blackshaw Cattle’s largest customers. Why would I even bother with this small venture?”
Nash said through gritted teeth, “To ensure we fail so we’ll need you to swoop in with your big offer to purchase Blackshaw land.”
Clint gave a dismissive wave, sending ashes scattering around him. “The land would have only expanded my ranch, but I don’t need your land to swallow up Blackshaw Cattle, as you’ve already seen.”
“Goddamn prick,” Nash said beneath his breath.
Clint smiled, showing teeth at Nash. To Chase, he added, “Have you considered the work isn’t up to the level it should be?”
Chase lifted his chin, projecting his voice. “The work is solid.” Which was exactly why Chase stood here in front of his father’s sworn enemy. Something seemed off about this inspector. The first issues Todd found were plausible. The second round seemed motivated by another reason. Inspectors never missed things. It was their job to see everything on that first inspection. Todd wasn’t just being picky, he was being impossible. “Let me be clear, Harrison. If you are in any part involved in this, it won’t end well for you.”
Clint laughed dryly. “Certainly not. That’s not the Blackshaw way.” He took another long drag on his cigar, the smoke curling from his mouth. “I may play hard, boys, but I don’t play dirty.” He pointed the cigar at them. “Your father respected that game of business.”
“Sir, we need you over here,” a cowboy called out near the barn.
Clint rose and glared at Nash. “That’s the first, and last, time I will explain my position on this.” To Chase, he asked, “Anything else I can help you with, boy?”
The condescending edge to Clint’s voice clenched Chase’s jaw. He widened his stance and smiled. “Please give Mrs. Harrison our regards.” Clint might be the devil incarnate, but Megan’s mother was a sweet and thoughtful woman, much like Megan.
Clint gave a dismissive nod. “Best you move along now.” He walked down the porch steps. “Some of the boys might not take too kindly to you being here.”
Chase glanced over his shoulder, spotting a group of five guys off to the side of the barn watching them closely. He didn’t doubt that with one word from Clint he and Nash would have a shitload of trouble on their hands.
Nash, being typical Nash, smiled in challenge. “Ah,” he drawled. “And here I thought we could make some friends.”
Clint scowled before he turned away, heading toward his guys.
Chase shook his head, tapping Nash on the arm and heading toward his truck. Nash, out of any of them, possibly loathed Clint the most. Nash’s hot temper never could stand Clint’s insults. “Must you goad him?” Chase asked once they got out of hearing range.
“Yes,” Nash said without remorse, stepping into stride. “He’s a prick that deserves so much worse.”
Chase couldn’t disagree there.
Once they were back in the truck, Nash added, “He sits on his thrown like a goddamn king while his minions work around him.” Nash glared at Clint, who stood near the barn with the men around him. “I fucking hate that man.”
“Rightly so.” Chase absorbed everything Clint had told him, then focused on his brother. “Did you think he was lying?”
Nash considered, inhaling deeply then blowing it out slowly before replying, “I think Clint is a lot of things, but he’s never been a liar. He has too much arrogance for that.”
“He didn’t strike me like he was lying either.” Chase pondered some more, then put a voice to his thoughts. “I can’t imagine anyone else trying to stop the guest ranch.”
Nash shook his head. “Me neither.”
Chase ran a hand over his tired eyes, then rubbed the tense muscles on his neck. “That said, there is no way this inspector is simply picky. There’s something off about all this.”
