Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
I nodded to let him know I was actively listening, and when that didn’t seem sufficient, I added, “Okay…” Hell if I knew how to respond to that bombshell of information.
Dash grinned. “When I say substantial, I mean cover the costs of your sanctuary for life kind of money. I don’t believe the other side will allow this to get as far as an actual trial. They’ll try to settle. And I think we can get that judgment that blamed you for the accident thrown out too.” Dash waved a hand and settled back into his chair. “But we’re jumping ahead of ourselves. We aren’t there yet, but I’d like to pursue the case. Of course, you need to agree.”
Unfortunately, my brain went silent for several long seconds before a wave of crashing thoughts competed inside my head.
Why would anyone believe me over anyone else?
Opening myself to the possibility of what-if felt very much like opening Pandora’s box.
I was way too simple a man to play courtroom games.
Having the town learn the truth might take some of the public pressure off me.
Dash lifted a finger to his assistant then stared at the screen, again waiting for my response.
“I guess it’s all right,” I said and shrugged with a casualness I didn’t feel. “Natalie’s family needs to know the truth. I wouldn’t feel so responsible for everything that happened. What’s it gonna cost me?” Investing a ton of money in this wasn’t possible, and I wanted to move forward in life, not stay stuck in the past like I had for so long.
“Nothing up front. I’ll take it on contingency. We get paid when the case settles. Once I know more, I’ll discuss a fee structure with you and get your sign-off.” Dash shifted the screen to capture the man who’d been off-camera. All I could say about Stone was that his tone matched the man in that wealthy, professional way some men had.
“I believe we could handle this quickly. If not, I’m an excellent advocate. It won’t feel as daunting as it may right now,” Stone said.
The silence was back. Them patiently waiting on me to decide, and my mind whirling with all this new information.
After another full minute of quiet, Stone said, “You agree to allow us to move forward, correct?”
I went ahead and nodded because what did I have to lose?
“We need you to say it out loud,” Stone said with a coaxing smile.
“Okay, yes, but I don’t want to know everything. I worked hard to put it behind me the best I could. I can’t go back to that dark place.”
“Got it. I’ll let you know before we file,” Stone said. He sat back in his seat, removing himself from the camera’s view.
I needed to talk this through with Slade. I didn’t live in a world where accomplished attorneys agreed to help me with no money down. It was strange.
“I’ll stay in touch, Mace. Your nervousness is natural, but this is what we do. You were wronged and we can make it right,” Dash said, helping to calm my sudden bout of nerves.
“No, I’m good. I guess,” I said, lifting a trembling hand. “If any of this gets out of hand, we’ll have to include my parents. They have lots to lose. It’s a small community.”
“If anything changes, we’ll reevaluate,” Stone reaffirmed.
“Okay, good. It’s a lot. Thank you,” I said, lifting my gaze past the kitchen to the pasture outside. The new herd of cattle Slade had bought moved into view in the distance. They were an Angus herd, several hundred head of cattle, gazing.
“It’s really not a lot. The case will take care of itself. I’m certain,” Dash said.
I nodded again and lowered the laptop screen.
Seconds after it closed, I realized I hadn’t said goodbye and lifted the lid again. The video call had disconnected.
Once I received an email, I’d apologize. For now, I needed to do something. Anything to get my mind off missing Slade. I slid off the barstool, Willow lifting her head. We’d go for a ride and a jog to tire Willow out. She needed it as much as I did.
Chapter 24
Mace
A Little Over a Week Later
The low rattle on the bar top filled the silence before my Thursday night shift kicked off. A faint vibration from my phone cut through the steady quiet of the place, making me glance up to pretend to see whose phone needed attention.
I searched the saloon, only seeing the usual rows of tables and chairs, not the camera that Slade must have had installed. My chuckle allowed the crazy thought to develop. He installed a sneaky spyware camera trying to watch me. Such a ridiculous idea, but seriously, how did Slade always know where I was and what time I was there?
“You aren’t foolin’ anyone. Everybody knows you got a new girlfriend,” Charlie, my uncle, said from down the bar where he finished up his shift.