Dodge the Bullet Read Free Page A

to ask, but what do you suggest I do?”
    Dodge moved a few steps closer to Sarah and
scratched the hair at the base of his neck. “Well, what I’m trying
to say is that you should probably consider selling this place and
going back home to Atlanta where you belong.”
    Sarah let out a sarcastic chuckle. “How very
welcoming of you, Dodge, but I think I'll ignore your oh-so-helpful
advice. I've got 1200 acres of ranch land. I think I can find
someone.”
    “I’m glad you find this funny, because if
you’re serious about staying and going into the cattle business
you’re going to have to have a sense of humor. This ranch is so run
down that if I were you, I wouldn’t know whether to laugh or
cry.”
    “What are you saying? The ranch isn’t worth
running cattle on?”
    “Lady, what you’ve got here is a whole lot
of potential. You’ve got very senior water rights, not to mention
almost three miles of river on the place.” He'd already done enough
research to learn her place was too rich for his blood. “That’s
about as good as it gets around here.”
    “I know I’m sitting on prime real estate.
I’ve had more than one offer in the last few years to sell. But
this ranch is for cattle, and I want to run cattle on it. I’m not
going to be talked out of this, so if you’re not interested in
helping me than I’ll find someone who is.” Sarah lifted her chin in
the air. “It was nice to meet you, Dodge.”
    When she turned to walk back toward the
house, Dodge bit his tongue and gently reached for her arm. “Now
hold on just a second. I didn’t say I wasn’t interested in helping
you. I’m just trying to be straight with you about how hard it’s
going to be.”
    “If you’re too busy with your own ranch, how
can you help me?”
    “There’s no real way to learn the business
without jumping in and figuring it out as you go. Or you can spend
four years at the University getting a ranch management degree and
then have to start all over anyway because all the crap they teach
you doesn’t apply in the real world.” Dodge was getting off on
another sore subject and stopped himself while he could.
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “So I should
just buy some cattle and see what happens? I don’t operate that
way. I need a plan.”
    “I’m not suggesting you buy some cattle and
let them lose on the ranch. Hell, with the shape of your fences and
the pastures, they’d either starve to death or end up all over the
county.”
    “Then maybe you can help me make a list of
what needs to be done and prioritize.”
    Dodge felt like he’d been maneuvered. She
wasn’t the weak pushover he’d imagined she’d be. “You got some
paper and a pen?”
    “I’m sure there’s some in Todd’s desk.”
    “Why don’t you run inside and get it? We’ll
hop in my truck and you can jot a few things down while we take a
look at the property.” He ushered her along with the impatient wave
of his arms. As she disappeared into the house, he rubbed the back
of his neck and figured a quick drive around the property should
get him off the hook with Tommy and put him on his merry way within
the hour.
    ###
    Sarah eyed Dodge warily before turning to go
inside the cabin. She knew the ranch had been neglected, but to
hear it confirmed was like getting kicked in the teeth. She’d
pinned all her hopes for the future on the ranch. She’d expected a
learning curve, but not to have to start from scratch.
    Dodge obviously didn’t like slick Benji
Burwick, as Todd used to call him. The senator had approached Sarah
on more than one occasion since Todd’s death about buying the ranch
that ‘must be a burden to her and the kids with everything that’s
happened.’ He couldn’t even hide the false sympathy in his voice.
The fact that the people of the state couldn’t see past his façade
and voted him into the senate was more than a little
frightening.
    After locating a pen and pad of yellow legal
paper, Sarah stole a look at Dodge