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Jodie winced.

Oh, Virgil.

“Do you have any idea how much work went into preparing this ranch?” Willow swept one arm toward Hank’s pasture. “We’ve been planning observation points, temporary holding, sorting areas⁠—”

“I know what you’ve been doing.”

“—apparently while the Bureau was building corrals on your property.” Willow stared at him. “While Hank was getting his place ready, you didn’t say one damn word.”

Virgil looked away.

Willow shook her head, a disgusted look on her face. “You could’ve picked up the phone.”

Virgil’s gaze snapped back to her. “And told you what? That the Bureau was changing plans before they announced it?”

“Yes!”

Virgil’s jaw tightened. “Wasn’t my announcement to make.”

Hank, who had been standing off to the side, finally spoke. “Would’ve been neighborly.”

Virgil turned toward him. “You want to talk about neighborly?”

“Oh, here we go,” Willow snapped.

Jodie stepped between them before Hank could answer. “Okay. Stop.”

All three looked at her.

She softened her voice, going for calm and rational. “The meeting hasn’t even started yet, and we’re already at each other’s throats. We don’t have to do it like this. Virgil, can you at least tell us something about the new arrangements?”

Virgil opened his mouth. For a moment she thought he might actually answer.

Instead, he turned and walked toward the barn.

Willow stared after him. “Unbelievable.”

Jodie sighed. “Give him a minute.”

Willow turned her glare on Jodie. “I’ve given him a month.”

“And the Bureau isn’t here yet, so yelling at Virgil isn’t going to settle anything before the meeting starts.” Jodie handed the clipboard back to her. “Here, hold this.”

Willow blinked. “What are you doing?”

“I’ll be back.”

She started after Virgil.

He had stopped at a split-rail fence in the shade along the side of Hank’s barn, away from the tables, chairs, and volunteers. He stood with one boot braced against the bottom rail, looking toward the eastern pasture.

Jodie approached slowly.

He glanced at her. “You come to yell at me, too?”

“Thought about it.” She shrugged and smiled.

Virgil grunted.