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“You’ve come to Stannich with the intention of purchasing the land of hardworking folk, under the guise of having government collusion. The civil lawsuit for that felonious lie is already in the works as more ranchers come forward every day, but that’s none of my concern. Although if I were you, I would be worried about the government coming afteryouin this case. You may want to actually hire one of those dozens of lawyers you monopolized—assuming any of them will touch you now.”
Carolyn Wyatt’s dark eyes blacken so that I can’t see her pupils. “I have no idea?—”
“As I said, I care little for what the government will do to your company for illegally trading on eminent domain, as my work pertains to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s what brings me here, Ms. Wyatt. Pay attention!”
The professor in him fully takes over as Rose smothers another giggle, inching closer to me, and I extend my arm out to subtly lace it behind her back. I can feel her heart racing beneath her shirt, and she glances at me.
Jeff smiles at Katherine, who nods encouragingly before he whiplashes back on Carolyn Wyatt. “I’ve had occasion to visit the Winterbourne property,” he goes on pleasantly. “And what a lovely area it is. I can see why your company is so hellbent on destroying it for shopping plazas and high rises.”
“Mr. Thomas! You don’t?—”
“Imagine my surprise to find that the area is home to the white bark pine tree and endangered animals such as the black-footed ferret,” he continues as if she hadn’t spoken.
I carefully study the director’s face and watch every ounce of blood drain from her complexion. “W-what?”
Jeff Thomas speaks with a friendly tone, but his words carry a warning. “Winning the lawsuits against you–federal, state, and local–is highly unlikely. But even if you do, that won’t change much. Building on that land is nearly impossible now, especially with the environmental protections involved. You overlooked the due diligence, Ms. Wyatt, just like with your other properties. Those lands from the ranchers are now worthless to your company. And with the EPA alerted, any construction activity will only bring more trouble.”
He shrugs and smiles, standing. “Maybe those other agencies let you get away with your nonsense because you line their pockets, or they just don’t care about the little man, but we care very much at the EPA, Ms. Wyatt, and we are watching. Closely.”
Mr. Thomas strokes his mid-length beard and turns to us. “Did I forget to mention anything, boys?” he asks innocently.
Rose looks at me encouragingly, and I step forward, squaring my shoulders.
“If you were smart and wanted to save yourselves some ugly publicity and civil issues, I would consider giving that land back and forgetting you ever saw Stannich—hell, make that Montana—on a map.”
“Take some ethics classes,” Eli volunteers.
“That’s some sound advice,” Rose agrees. “Tear up any pending contracts and move your business elsewhere.”
“Like Antarctica,” Katherine concludes.
Jeff nods curtly, but the slight movement of his lips indicates he’s suppressing a smile.
Carolyn Wyatt scoffs, but there’s barely any wind behind it. “You…I…” she sputters. “You’re making it sound worse than it is.”
Mr. Thomas grins at her wickedly. “I’m sure the courts would love to hear your side,” he comments. “You can tell them all about how you manipulated dozens of families out of their homes under an imaginary threat and took away their legal options. I’m sure the case will go your way. It still won’t change the fact that you can’t build anything on that land you acquired. So welcome to Montana, Ms. Wyatt. I hope you know how to ride—although judging by the looks of you, I doubt you’d last two minutes.”
Abruptly he spins to look at us, as if Carolyn Wyatt had completely disappeared from the room. “Are we about done here? I could go for a big steak.”
He doesn’t wait for anyone to answer before stalking out of the office, Katherine at his side, but Rose’s grandmother sneaks her an excited look as they exit.
“Tear up those land deeds,” Rose tells Carolyn again. “Maybe the government will go easier on you.”
With Eli on one side and me on the other, she follows her grandmother and Mr. Thomas into the hall, but as soon as we’re on the sidewalk, she almost collapses into our arms.
“That was intense!” she gasps, her body shaking as Eli and I hold her.
“Do you think it did anything?” Eli asks worriedly.
Rose raises her head and stares at him helplessly. “I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see now.”
CHAPTER28
Rose
The calm is almost as unnerving as the storm, a fact that I tell Eli and Hudson when we get back to the renovations over the next week. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, which never comes.
Summer peaks, and the piercing sun over doesn’t feel as hot as we set up the siding on the barn, spreading the insulation inside.
