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Seth chose that moment to make an appearance. “Then I suggest you produce your copy and prove that she signed it.” He forced a smile. “Because from what I understand, she never gave her verbal okay and she damn sure didn’t sign a worthless contract.”
“Seth Stallard.” Bonzo looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“Bonzo Maldeni.” Seth was staring at the devil.
“What brings you out here today, Seth?” Sheriff Ray focused on his cards. “I figured you’d be banging a broad about right now.”
Beck probably had that covered. He didn’t say as much. “I’m here to talk to the banker who lied to Lindsey.”
If the tight frown lines in his forehead were any indication, Bob Callaway was facing his sixties with very little optimism. “I was let go.”
“Fired?” Seth asked, arching his brow.
“That’s right,” Bob said.
“I see.” Seth pulled up a chair and sat next to Bob. “So I take it you won’t show up for the Christmas party this year and your SUV won’t be parked around back at the home office a day or two after the sale. Right?”
“What are you driving at, Stallard?” Bob was the kind of man who had played the game and learned the rules well. If his weathered skin was any indication, he’d chalked up his share of losses more than wins.
“Well, as you can imagine, I’ve done my homework. My brother and I have friends all over the state and we found out something rather interesting about you.”
“And?”
“And you have a real habit of tying up farmers during their last hours of ownership. You make them believe that there’s no need to seek assistance from other farm lending programs or banks because Farmer’s Lending has every intention of refinancing. Does that sound vaguely familiar?”
Tom flashed a quick grin. He’d undoubtedly found out all sorts of information just by joining in on the Saturday afternoon poker game.
“Are you making an accusation?”
“Sounds like it. Don’t it?” He was country to his core then. Leaning back in his chair, he rested his dirty boot on his knee, bouncing it enough to shake off the cow crap that was caked on the bottom. When a large piece fell to the floor, he turned to Bonzo. “It’s hell when you have to clean up after other people. Isn’t it?”
“What do you want, Stallard?” Bonzo gritted his teeth. “You’re interrupting a high-stakes game.”
“Hmm. Is that right?”
“Want to gamble for something in particular?” Bonzo asked, challenging.
Seth gripped Bonzo’s thin shoulder. Giving him a firm shake, he said, “There’s no need now. My woman is staying with me and my brother. She isn’t on your payroll now and she won’t be in the future.” He stood then and glanced at the sheriff, noticing how he seemingly slumped in his chair.
“Here’s the thing, Bonzo. The sheriff is in your pocket and whatever arrangement you have seems to be working well. He’s happy, satisfied in fact, but he faces tremendous danger.” Seth smirked. “His wife is a valuable member of his financial support group and he needs her in his corner. You know where I’m going with this.”
Bonzo nodded once. “Now I can’t do anything about the outstanding debt owed against Lindsey’s farm, but I can stress two things here today. One, you won’t enforce a contract that you don’t have and two, if you try to, then your sheriff here will have a very unhappy home life. W
e wouldn’t want that for the good sheriff now. Would we?”
Bonzo cursed under his breath and then turned to Seth’s attorney. “Leonard, show yourself out and take your client with you.”
“We were just going,” Tom said, collecting his money and jacket.
Right when they reached the door, Bonzo called out, “She’s in the clear here, but when her property is auctioned, know this, I’ll steal away with it and do it with a smile.”
“You might wear a smile,” Seth said. “But it’s gonna cost ya.”
Chapter Ten
“Beck! Lindsey!” Seth rushed upstairs and threw open the door. Ready to share his exciting news, he was taken aback by what he found.
He’d never seen a woman ride a man with such enthusiasm. She cupped her breasts and gave him a come-hither stare and Seth was pretty sure he ripped out his zipper trying to strip away his jeans. He shrugged off his shirt and lost his hat and boots along the way, too.
