“You haven’t heard the offer.”
“No.”
“It isn’t an offer.”
That changed everything.
He removed folded papers from his coat.
The Older Sister’s stomach tightened.
“What is that?”
“Claim of neglect.”
She stared.
He continued.
“Unstable fencing.”
“Failing water supply.”
“Improper livestock management.”
“And two unmarried women unable to maintain productive acreage.”
The Younger Sister stepped outside.
“That’s a lie.”
The Neighboring Landowner smiled.
“Judge decides.”
The Older Sister reached for the paper.
The Cowboy moved faster.
“Let me see.”
The Neighboring Landowner laughed.
“And who are you?”
The Cowboy held out one hand.
The man hesitated.
Then handed him the papers.
The Cowboy read.
Once.
Twice.
His expression changed.
Not fear.
Recognition.
He looked toward the signature.
Then page two.
Then the filing notation.
The Neighboring Landowner crossed his arms.
“Well?”
The Cowboy folded the papers.
“This is defective.”
The Neighboring Landowner laughed.
“Excuse me?”
“No sworn inspection.”
“No independent livestock assessment.”
“Water claim based on hearsay.”
“And your property description includes twelve acres outside the sisters’ deed boundary.”
The Older Sister stared.
The Neighboring Landowner stopped smiling.
The Cowboy continued.
“Who drafted this?”
“Attorney.”
“Bad one.”
The man stepped closer.
“You a lawyer?”
The Cowboy looked at him.
“No.”
“Then shut your mouth.”
The Cowboy handed the papers back.
“I know land statutes.”
The Neighboring Landowner’s eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
The Cowboy’s expression hardened.
“Because men like you used paper to take my father’s farm.”
Silence.
The Older Sister looked toward him.
The Cowboy continued.
“I spent years learning how they did it.”
The Neighboring Landowner smiled again.
Less confidently.
“You think reading books makes you dangerous?”
“No.”
The Cowboy stepped closer.
“Knowing where you cheated does.”
The hired riders exchanged glances.
The Neighboring Landowner took the papers.
“You have seven days.”
The Cowboy shook his head.
“For what?”
“To prove the ranch is properly managed.”
The Older Sister stepped forward.
“It is.”
The Neighboring Landowner looked toward her.
“Then prove it.”
He mounted.
Before turning his horse, he looked once more at the Cowboy.
“You won’t be here long enough to matter.”
The Cowboy replied:
“Try me.”
The riders left.
Dust swallowed them.
The Older Sister waited until they disappeared.
Then turned.
“You studied law?”
The Cowboy looked toward her.