Hostile Takeover

The peace lasted three days.

On Tuesday, Jericho rode out to the north pasture (per Chloe’s optimization plan) to check for strays. Chloe stayed behind to supervise a pot of beans.

She was humming, actually enjoying the quiet, when she heard horses. Many horses.

She wiped her hands on her apron and stepped onto the porch.

Six men were riding into the yard. At the lead was Mr. Salyard.

He looked worse than before. His velvet suit was dusty, and his face was twisted in a sneer.

"Well, well," Salyard called out, reining in his horse. "The little bird is playing house."

"Can I help you?" Chloe asked, channeling her best 'Receptionist Guarding the CEO' voice. "Mr. Ford is in a meeting. Do you have an appointment?"

Salyard laughed. "Funny girl. I’m here to collect. The Sheriff says the auction was irregular. Says Jericho intimidated the other bidders."

"That's a lie," Chloe said. "And I have the paperwork."

"Burned it," Salyard said, nodding to one of his men. The man dismounted and grabbed Chloe.

"Hey! Unhand me!" Chloe shrieked as the man dragged her off the porch. "This is kidnapping! That is a felony! I will sue you into the stone age!"

"Gag her," Salyard ordered. "She talks too much. We’ll take her to the Canyon Pass. Wait for Jericho to come looking. Then we kill him, and I get my investment back."

They tied her hands. They threw her over a horse.

As they rode away, bouncing her stomach against the saddle, Chloe didn't panic. She got mad.

*Oh, hell no,* she thought. *I just got the inventory organized. This is a hostile takeover.*

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