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he wouldn’t let Mandy make up her own mind about him. She was a grown woman, and if she offered a kiss, he was taking a kiss. If she offered more, well, okay, he didn’t imagine he’d be around long enough for that to happen. So there was no sense in borrowing trouble.
    He deliberately took a chair across the table from Mandy instead of sitting next to her. Travis grunted his approval.
    As dishes were passed around and plates filled up, the family’s conversation became free-flowing and boisterous.
    “If there’s a competing interest lurking out there,” Mandy’s sister Abigail was saying, “I can’t find it. But it’s important that as many ranchers as possible show up at the first meeting.”
    “We need a united front,” Hugo put in, helping himself to a slice of roast beef before passing the platter to Travis. “It’s suspicious to me that they’re calling the review five years early.”
    “The legislation allows for a water use review anytime after thirty years and before thirty-five,” Abigail responded. “Technically, they’re not early.”
    Seth, the eldest brother, stepped in as he reached for a homemade bun. “When was the last time the state government did anything at the earliest possible date? Dad’s right, there’s something they’re not telling us.”
    “I’ve put in an access to information request,” said Abigail. “Maybe that’ll solve the mystery.”
    “That won’t get you anything,” Hugo grumbled. “The bureaucrats will just stonewall.”
    “You should catch Caleb up,” Mandy suggested.
    “This is important to you, too,” said Travis, and Caleb waited for him to elaborate.
    “Any decrease in the flexibility of our water licenses, will devalue the range land.”
    “Devalue the range land?” Seth interjected. “Who cares about the land value? It’ll impact our grazing density. There are operations up and down the valley that are marginal as it is. The Stevensons, for example. They don’t have river access anywhere on their land. A couple of tributaries, but they depend on their wells.”
    “Seth,” Maureen put in, her voice stern. “Did anyone ask you to bring your soapbox to the dinner table?”
    Seth’s lips thinned for a moment. But then he glanced down at his plate. “Sorry, Mom.”
    Maureen’s face transformed into a friendly smile. “Now, Caleb. How long do you expect to be in Lyndon?”
    Caleb swallowed a mouthful of potatoes smothered in the best gravy he’d ever eaten. “A few days. Maybe a week.”
    “We’re sorry you missed the funeral, dear.” Maureen’s tone was even, but he detected a rebuke. One look at Mandy’s expression told him he’d detected correctly.
    “I was tied up with work,” he said.
    “Did you know Caleb owns his own company in Chicago?” Mandy asked.
    Caleb appreciated the change in topic, and silently thanked Mandy. The Jacob family would learn soon enough that he was planning to sell the Terrell ranch. Just like everyone would soon learn about Wilton’s will. But he was in no hurry to field the inevitable questions.
    “Active Equipment,” he told them. “Heavy machinery. We’re making inroads into Asia and Canada, and we hope to succeed in the South American market soon.”
    “That’s lovely, dear,” said Maureen, her quick gaze going from plate to plate, obviously checking to see if anyone was ready for seconds.
    “Active Equipment?” asked Hugo, tone sharp and vaguely accusing. “ The Active Equipment, loaders and backhoes?”
    “Yes,” Caleb confirmed.
    “So, you can get me a discount?”
    Maureen scowled at her husband. Travis laughed, and Mandy’s eyes danced with amusement.
    “Absolutely,” Caleb answered, unable to look away from Mandy. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds under the chandelier, and he didn’t think he’d ever seen a more kissable set of lips. “Just let me know what you need.”
    “Seth and I will come up with a list,” said Hugo.
    “Happy to help out,” said