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“No way.”
“Then ask Kramer. Wasn’t it his son who started the fire?” Little beads of sweat dotted Ivan’s upper lip, and he was so angry his entire body had begun to shake.
Beneath his beard, Colton blanched. “That’s over.”
“Oh, right. So now you and the Kramers are one big happy family?”
The younger man’s lips thinned. “Careful, Ivan,” he warned.
“Look,” Cassie interjected, “you came over here to say something to Dad. If you’re done accusing, then get down to business, and when you’re finished, leave.”
Colton’s eyes moved from Ivan to Cassie. “All right. Let’s talk about the fence.”
“Cassie says you claim it was cut.”
“It was.”
“And you think I did it.”
“Or know who did.”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree, McLean,” Ivan growled. Bending near the fireplace, he tossed a mossy log onto the fire in the grate, turned his back on Colton and prodded the log with a poker. “If someone did take your horse, and I’m not saying they did, they must’ve come onto my property through the north gate that leads to the road—the one we use for the hay baler and combine.”
“I know which gate you’re talking about.”
“Good.” Ivan dusted his hands and straightened slowly.
“Why would anyone else go through your land?”
“Ah, motive,” Ivan said, rubbing a crick in his back and glowering. “I suppose I’ve got the best one, don’t I? After all, it was my wife your uncle used, my daughter you dallied with—”
“Enough!” Cassie shouted, the old wounds bleeding.
Colton sucked in a swift breath. He clenched his fists, and he took a step forward before getting a grip on himself. “Let’s leave Cassie out of this,” he said through teeth that barely moved.
“Seems you forget quicker than I do!”
Colton bristled defensively. “What happened between Cassie and me hasn’t got anything to do with this.”
“Bull!”
Colton’s storm-gray eyes darkened with a private agony. Was he still hurting, too? Cassie wondered. But if so, why the witch-hunt?
“You think I would steal your horse, then leave tracks all over my property?” Ivan tossed back. “What do you take me for? I’ve been burned too many times by the likes of you to take a stupid chance like that!”
“I thought you might like to rub it in.”
“Stop it,” Cassie cut in. “Everyone’s had their say.”
Colton slid a glance her way. “So now it’s over, eh?”
Deep inside she quaked and her voice shook. “It’s been over a long time.” She stared straight into his eyes, hoping she didn’t look as vulnerable as she felt.
“Go home, McLean,” Ivan suggested, seeming suddenly tired and worn, “before I lose my patience altogether.”
“I won’t let this lie,” Colton warned.
“Fine, fine, waste your time and your breath,” Ivan suggested. “But don’t waste mine.”
