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“Okay. Let me take you back to the barn, and I’ll head to the office to check these tracks.”
“You’ll let me know, right?”
“I’ll keep you in the loop, but honestly, Mrs. Walters, the odds of recovering your bull are low.”
“It’sMs. Walters. I took my maiden name back after that fiasco I called a marriage. And I asked you to call me Dylan. Agent, I know the odds are low, but I must do something.”
“I get that. I see it in every rancher, livestock owner, or farmer I deal with, but let me do my job. You just attend to your ranch.”
She clenched her fists, stepped closer, and flattened her lips.
“Do not tell me what to do on my ranch, Agent Reeves. This is my livelihood, and I will not stand by and watch someone take it from me.”
“I didn’t mean to sound like I was telling you what to do. I’m telling you, it’s best if you run the ranch as usual. Don’t look suspicious—”
“Iamsuspicious, Agent Reeves. Of everyone, and I hate it, but someone took my bull, and I am pissed.”
“Look, I get that. I deal with this all the time. I’m not new to this. I’ve been doing this since I was twenty-one, and I’ve seen a lot in seventeen years. I’ve seen the devastation a theft can cause. I do my best to find the culprits, but the livestock is often gone.”
Dylan brushed a tear away and nodded.
“I know. I’m sorry to jump all over you, but if that bull isn’t recovered, I am out of a lot of money. I only have a few sperm straws of his semen, which is not good. The two young bulls are producing, but my other older bull isn’t. He’s twelve years old and retired.”
“I’m sorry. I will do what I can. I don’t want you to get angry if MDOL doesn’t find him. He is tagged, right?”
“Yes, he has a brand, an ear tag, and microchipped.”
“They’ll remove the tag and try to brand over yours. What is your brand?”
“The letter W in a circle.”
“Okay, that could be to your advantage. I think that would be a little hard to change. I doubt they know the bull is microchipped. Which could also help us if they try to auction him.” He sighed. “I’ll be in touch. Let me take you back to the barn now.”
Dylan did all she could not to cry. It wasn’t just the bull; someone thought it was right to take something of hers, and she felt violated.
“How old is the bull?”
“Three. My dad purchased him when he was a year old.”
“Someone had to know where he was. They watched your ranch and saw when you moved the bulls. Do you know anyone who would steal from you?”
Dylan nibbled on her lip, and then she shook her head. She saw Alex staring at her.
“No,” she said.
He didn’t take his eyes off her for a few seconds, then nodded.
“Okay, let me get you back.” He stepped around her and strode to the truck.
She heaved a sigh and followed him. He opened the door for her, and she slid onto the seat and watched him through the windshield as he walked around the truck. The door opened, and he climbed inside the cab, started the vehicle, and drove back to the house. He smelled entirely too good. It was then she noticed the scar below his sideburn, ending in front of his earlobe, running through the scruff on his jaw. She was curious about how he got it.
Once he stopped beside the porch, he put the truck in gear and looked at her.
“Where is your ex?”
“Why?”
Alex shrugged. “I’d like to talk to him.”
