The Beautiful Strange Woman Arrived at the Wrong Ranch by Mistake—Then She Saved the Cowboy’s Future
Chapter 8
Thomas disappeared for three weeks.
During that time, Blackstone attempted to sell its interest in the development.
But the legal investigation had already begun.
Several officials resigned.
Gregory Wells entered a plea agreement.
The bank’s internal records revealed years of irregular approvals.
Ethan’s case became a regional scandal.
But while everyone focused on the legal side, Ethan focused on the ranch.
He rebuilt the barn.
Repaired the fences.
Bought new equipment.
Paid the workers who had stayed.
Clara helped.
She could have returned to her old life.
Instead, she stayed.
One evening, they sat on the porch.
“You could go back,” Ethan said.
“I know.”
“Your career is waiting.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
She smiled.
“Because I like Montana.”
“That can’t be the only reason.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“I like you too.”
He laughed.
“That’s better.”
She leaned against him.
“What about you?”
“What?”
“Your future.”
Ethan looked over the pasture.
“For years, I thought keeping the ranch was enough.”
“And now?”
“Now I want something more.”
“What?”
“A life.”
She smiled.
“With who?”
He looked at her.
“You already know.”
Before she could answer, a vehicle approached.
A black SUV.
Thomas Harper stepped out.
Ethan stood immediately.
Clara reached for his arm.
Thomas raised his hands.
“I didn’t come to fight.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To offer you something.”
Ethan laughed.
“You’ve offered me enough.”
Thomas looked at Clara.
“You know what’s buried beneath this land?”
Clara stiffened.
“The aquifer.”
“No.”
He looked at Ethan.
“Something else.”
Ethan frowned.
Thomas handed him a photograph.
It showed Ethan’s grandfather standing beside a group of geologists.
Behind them was a mountain ridge.
One section was circled.
“What is this?”
“Copper.”
Ethan stared.
“There are mineral deposits under part of the ranch.”
Clara shook her head.
“That report isn’t complete.”
Thomas smiled.
“Exactly.”
He turned away.
“You think this was about water?”
Ethan called after him.
“What is it about?”
Thomas looked back.
“The ranch sits on top of something worth more than your entire family’s history.”
Then he got into his SUV.
Ethan stared at Clara.
She looked unsettled.
“Could he be telling the truth?”
“Maybe.”
She took the photograph.
“Then we need to find out.”
