He must have realized how harsh he sounded, though, for his tone softened. “I’m better off than some of my neighbors; any of the larger cattle companies are. In the past few years several big Eastern conglomerates have pushed their way into Colorado, buying up small family ranches, taking advantage of bad times, foreclosing on mortgages and the like. And the U.S. government’s policies have supported the outsiders. In fact, the laws they’ve made lately are downright hostile to homesteaders.” Sloan made a scoffing sound deep in his throat. “Hell, half the politicians in our own legislature don’t know the first thing about ranching. They’re miners or railroad magnates who don’t give a damn about the folks who built this state with their own sweat and blood.”

“Like you,” Heather murmured.

“Me and all the ranchers like me, whether cattle or sheep.” He sought her eyes. “That’s the real reason I decided to run in September’s election. As a state senator I could make a stand for the ranchers … maybe make a difference. The man I’ll be challenging sure as hell won’t help them. Quinn Lovell has represented this district for two years, but he doesn’t know beans about ranching or about what Colorado really needs. He’s a mining baron who only cares about raping the land for gold and silver. Lining his pockets. Expanding his rule.”

She understood men like that. And after knowing Evan Randolf, Heather was all too well-acquainted with their methods of acquisition. Whether driven by greed, a hunger for power, or simply the glory of challenge, there would always be men who had to conquer the world by whatever means, fair or foul.

“Lovell’s worse even than the conglomerates,” Sloan observed grimly. “He’s bought out more homesteads than the other Easterners combined—and he’s got his sights on the Bar M.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’d like nothing more than to drive me under. I’m all that’s standing in the way of him owning the entire north range.” Sloan looked away. “I’ll be damned if I want to sell, but with a bust market, I’ll be lucky to hold out through the spring.”

“But… you just said you would never give up any of your land.”

“Not willingly. But I may not have a choice. I’m vulnerable. I took out a bank mortgage on the ranch last month when I married you.”

He didn’t have to be more explicit. To pay her debts, was what he meant.

“Sloan … I’m sorry.”

His shoulders lifted in a shrug. “It couldn’t be helped. But I’m likely to be cash-poor for a long while.”