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Dylan sighed. “I know it wouldn’t be your fault, Alex. But I want my bull back.”
“I know you do, but it’s not that simple. I will do all I can to find him, but there are no promises.”
“I understand. It’s just that, I feel so violated.”
“I’m sure you do. It’s like any other type of theft. Someone took something that belonged to you.”
“I know I’m not supposed to get attached, but Toga was my dad’s bull, and I feel like I’ve let him down.”
“No. Dylan, you didn’t let him down. Being a rancher, he knew the risks. Rustling is always going to happen. Ranchers and farmers know this. They do all they can to minimize the chance, but it doesn’t always work. I’ve seen too many ranchers get shot at when they try to stop a theft. It’s not the best thing to do, but I do understand why they do it. I can’t make promises I might not be able to keep.”
“I know.” She shook her head. She knew she couldn’t do this. “Alex, I like you. I do, but I really can’t get involved with you.”
“Until I solve the case?”
“Not at all.” She looked at him. “I can’t.”
“You kissed me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but as attractive as I find you, I just can’t.”
“I see. All right. I’ll do the job the best I can and after that, you’ll never hear from me again. Have a nice day, Ms. Walters.” He touched the brim of his hat and strode from the barn.
****
Alex climbed into his truck and drove off. He hit the steering wheel with his fist, then swore at the pain. God save him and any other man, from a stubborn woman. Damn it. He shouldn’t have kissed her, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Then she tells him she won’t get involved with him. What the ever-loving fuck? Was it because he was a livestock agent, and she knew how dangerous it could be?
He became an agent to follow in his father’s footsteps,and he loved the job. This is exactly why he was divorced. Sheila hated his job and refused to have kids with him until he quit. He wouldn’t. They argued constantly and he finally couldn’t take it anymore and filed for divorce. It hurt her, but she eventually accepted it. She was married now with a baby on the way. He was happy for her. He truly was, but shouldn’t she have stuck by him? A lot of women were married to a man in law enforcement and Alex knew the divorce rate was higher, but he’d been hoping he’d found the one woman to accept him the way he was. No matter what he did for a living. He made a difference out there and he’d keep doing it until he was no longer able.
Dylan Walters was the first woman since his divorce he’d been interested in, but it did him no good. She didn’t want anything to do with him, other than him finding her bull. Why the hell had she kissed him?
After parking the truck in the lot of MDOL headquarters, he entered the building, rode the elevator up to the floor, then stepped out once the doors opened, and entered the office.
He walked to his desk, he removed his hat and coat, pulled the chair out, and sat. After turning on the computer, he started looking through files about stolen breeder bulls. He opened a file and read about a group of men who were suspected of stealing bulls, but no one could pin them down.
Reaching for his phone, he scrolled through the numbers until he found the one, he was looking for and called it.
“Agent Reeves. What can I do for you?”
“Clive? I need info on some rustlers stealing sperm straws from known breeding ranches.”
“Where?”
“Clifton.”
“I’ll see what I can find out.” He disconnected.
Alex set the phone down and continued looking through files until he saw Dave enter his office. Alex pushed the chair back, stood, and walked to Dave’s office. He knocked and Dave waved him inside.
“What’s up, Alex?” Dave asked him as he sat behind the desk.
“Can I get some help on the Walters case? It’s kicking my ass.”
“No luck?”
“Not yet. I just spoke with my informant, so I’ll see what he comes up with, if anything. The thing is, I need to investigate her ex-husband too, and it’s tough to do with everything else going on.”
“I see. Well, I’ll have to see who would be available, but I’ll let you know.”
