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Mac hooked his ankle around her calf and kept it there while he studied the map. Five horses in the same broad country. Fewer easy places to observe them than the screen made it look.
“Another possibility. How tall are Virgil’s fences there?”
“I’d have to ask him, or dig through photos. But yeah, if they’re lower, you think they might be jumping them there?”
“Could be. He’s complained about the horses trespassing, homing in on his herd’s water. They’ve knocked down fences, too.”
“So they might have strayed onto his land, where no one can go to spot them.”
“Exactly.” He reached down and squeezed her thigh above her knee. “I wouldn’t worry yet.”
“Yet?”
“Well, I’ve always believed in listening to your gut, too.”
She sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s probably just nerves. I know they’re going to break their word and send in helicopters.”
Mac’s phone rang. He picked it up and looked at the screen.
“Hank.” Mac was surprised. He’d given the horse rancher his number while they were working on his ranch, for convenience, but he didn’t expect to hear from the man after that.
Jodie lifted her head from his shoulder. “Oh, shit. Why’s he calling you?”
Mac shrugged as he answered. “Morning, Hank.”
“Mac. You got a minute?”
“Sure.”
“Your horse people still planning to come back out for the gather, or have they been kicked out?”
Mac looked at Jodie. “Hang on. I have Jodie here. Can I put you on speaker?”
“Yeah, you better. It’ll save me a call, besides Willow.”
Jodie mouthed what’s wrong? Mac set the phone down and hit the speaker button.
“Go ahead, Hank.”
“Hi, Hank.”
“Jodie. You might want to tell your people not to count on my place.”
Jodie straightened. “What happened?”
“They changed the plan.”
“Who did?”
“The Bureau. Called me about half an hour ago. Tried to call Willow, but got no answer, then you, then Mac.” Hank sounded resigned. “They’re bringing helicopters in after all.”
Jodie mouthed Fuck!
Hank continued. “And they don’t want the temporary pens on my land anymore.”
“So what’s the problem with your land?” Mac asked.
“The excuse, you mean.” Jodie sat back and crossed her arms.
