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I’ve got cows and calves up in the mountains that I need to bring down, and I’ve been counting on my upper pastures for them. If I can’t irrigate that area, what am I supposed to do?”
    Wade shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not saying no to your idea outright. But I’m definitely going to need a little time to crunch the numbers and see if it will work.”
    â€œBut it’s not your water.” Lori’s clenched her hands into fists, digging them into the sides of her thighs, trying to keep her temper in check. He held the fate of her ranch in his hands, and he couldn’t be bothered to give her an answer? How could he be so selfish? How could he not say yes?
    â€œI’m sorry, Lori. I promise I’ll look the numbers over this week and get back to you.” Wade stood up a little straighter, as if letting them know the conversation was over.
    There had to be a way to make him see reason. “Wade, if this is about the other day...”
    â€œHang on, Lori.” Jim set a warning hand on her arm. “We appreciate it, Wade. We really do. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.” Jim reached out and shook Wade’s hand and then took Lori firmly by the elbow, steering her to the truck.
    Fury seethed inside. She hated this. Hated that Wade had only been on Marker Ranch for a few weeks and he was already causing her trouble. Once again he showed up in her life and destroyed it in one cool, detached move. She turned, ignoring Jim’s murmured warning.
    â€œI take back that apology.”
    â€œI figured you might.” Wade’s jaw was set and stubborn. “Just say your piece, Lori. Then we can both get on with our day.”
    She’d heard the term seeing red before. Now she knew what it meant. Anger colored everything. Her, Wade and his damn ranch were all on fire. “What you’re doing is wrong. Wrong! You took our water!”
    â€œI didn’t...”
    She didn’t want to hear his excuses. About anything. “There’s a right way to ranch and a wrong way to ranch. And you don’t seem to know the difference. You should listen to people who do know right from wrong. Like Jim here!”
    Jim put up a hand in protest, as if telling her to leave him out of her tirade. She was beyond caring.
    â€œYou know what, Wade? You can pretend you’re different from your family. That you are back here trying to turn this place into a legal business. But right now you’re acting like just one more Hoffman thief. Just like your brothers! Just like your dad!”
    Wade froze as if she’d struck him. If she’d had any kind of large, heavy object, she might have. She was that furious.
    Jim’s grip tightened on her elbow, and he tugged.
    â€œLet go of me,” she spat out, still glaring at Wade.
    â€œLori, that is enough!” Jim barked and all but dragged her the rest of the way to the truck.
    As soon as they were inside and she had the engine roaring, he turned to her. “You want to tell me what was going on back there?”
    â€œHe’s wrong.” She jerked the wheel, trying to get them turned around and away from Wade as fast as possible.
    â€œYeah, and he probably would have figured that out if you’d given him the time he was asking for. Instead you just drove him into a corner. I’m pretty sure you can say goodbye to that water.”
    â€œWell, he was already making it pretty clear he wouldn’t share it.”
    â€œHe was asking for time to think! Don’t you remember how that kid struggled in school? He probably just needs some time to work out the math and make sure it’s all going to be okay. It was a reasonable request.”
    Every word Jim said was true. But there was more to it than he knew. And there was no way she could tell him. “I’m sorry I wasted your time today, Jim,” she said stiffly. “I’ll order some water to tide us over until