What the hell is wrong with me? I never talk to my bosses like this. To accuse them and pin this one on them.
Shit! What is coming out of my mouth? I don't speak to my employers like this. Not in meetings. Not in passing. But something sharp and angry has taken root, and I can't keep swallowing it to stay polite. I’m not taking the fall for their oversight.
Margo lifts a brow, voice sharp. "Then maybe you can explain why we were blindsided by this deal?"
Because no one listened when I said they were making moves. Unless it confirmed their agenda, they didn't want to hear it.
"I sent the updates. I flagged the potential risks. You didn't act on them."
Callahan steps forward, his tone icy. "Don't get defensive, Kassi. This isn't about reports. This is about intelligence. You were our eyes and ears in that town, and now we're the ones left looking like fools."
I clench my jaw. "So, what do you expect me to do now?"
"Fix it," Margo snaps. "Find out what's going on with them. If they're struggling. If there's something we can use."
"And if there's nothing to dig up?"
She leans in, eyes hard. "Then make yourself valuable enough to make up for what you've cost us."
"It's obvious the brothers aren't giving up this land. Why don't we approach another ranch? There are a few families leaving town with larger ranches than the Hayes brothers' ranch," I say.
"Silver Creek is the best location. It allows us to be the first thing people see coming in from Amarillo. When they’re coming into a vacation town, they don't want to see the riffraff first," Mr. Callahan says.
I stand there in shock. The Hayes brothers' ranch is anything but rickety. I've learned it's what this town was built on, and suddenly I can't get out of this office fast enough.
Callahan smooths his tie, voice oily. "You've got charm, Kassi. Use it. Get in close to Asher Hayes. Learn what he's hiding. Make him trust you."
The way he says it makes my stomach turn. Like it's a con and Asher is a mark.
But I nod, because what else can I do while my mind is racing? My job, my security, my future—they're all wrapped in this moment. I refuse to make a decision that will affect Emma without thinking about it first.
The minute I'm dismissed, I don't go back to my desk. I certainly don't breathe easily. I walk out of that building like it's on fire, and I'm trying not to inhale the smoke. Then I keep walking straight to my car and head back to Walker Lake. When I drive past the feed store, and out front, like a flashing neon sign, is Asher's truck.
I don't think about it. Pulling into the parking lot, I walk into the store without even knowing why.
There he is, leaning against the counter, talking to Doug behind the register. A bag of grain at his feet. Sun catching in his hair. Laugh lines carved into his face. Familiar in a way that hurts.
He sees me before I get the chance to compose myself. His eyes darken just slightly.
"Kassi," he says, polite, careful.
I step closer, trying to keep it light. "Hey. Didn't expect to see you here."
"You followin' me now?" His tone is dry, but there's an edge.
He doesn't point out that he has a reason to be there, and I don't. I'm thankful for that, even if my brain and mouth aren't talking to each other right now.
"Not today," I say with a half-smile. "Though I do have a question about your land. Something I forgot to ask when we last talked."
His jaw ticks. "Yeah?"
"I heard there were still some permits being processed for the southern part of the property. Just wanted to make sure our files are accurate."
He looks at me for a long moment. Doug, sensing the tension, excuses himself to the back. Smart guy.
Asher crosses his arms. "Funny. Thought that wasn't your concern anymore."
I take a step back, heat crawling up my neck. "It's just... for records."