Kearney insisted on driving me out to where the landowner lived. It was clear he didn’t trust me as far as he could throw me. And I felt the same about him. But I didn’t argue. It was when he got out of the car along with me at the rancher’s house that I drew the line.

“Where d’you think you’re going?” I demanded.

“With you, of course, darlin’. This will be a tricky prospect, and I’d like to offer you the benefit of my experience.”

Experience, my arse, I thought; ’tis to spy on me you want.

Instead of showing my anger, I put on a false smile. “That’s so nice of you, Mr. Kearney,” I said, “but I really think it will be better if I go in alone.” I winked at him as I adjusted my dress, pulling it down to show off more cleavage. “You’d only distract the man from what I’m offering.”

Kearney’s smile was more like a leer. “I get your meaning completely, darlin’. I’ll wait for you here. If you need my help, just holler.”

I turned my back on him and walked up to the house. The truth was, the last thing I wanted to do was sell this lease to Sullivan and his cronies. It would mean the end of Aidan O’Hanlon. I didn’t want that on my conscience. But if I failed, the threat of Sullivan’s revenge scared the wits out of me more than a guilty conscience.

My heart skipped when the door was opened by a wizened oul’ feller old enough to be my granda. From my experience he’d be a much easier sell than a young feller with a jealous wife. But when he looked me up and down and spat tobacco at my feet, I suddenly wasn’t so sure.

“Ain’t no call here for what your selling, missy,” he said and tried to close the door in my face. I felt Kearney’s eyes burning through my back. I had to put on a show for him.

“Oh please, Mr. McCabe,” I said, tugging the neck of my dress back up, “I’m no floozie from the town. I’m a respectable businesswoman, and I’ve come to talk to you about your oil lease.” I pulled out a printed card. “I represent S&K Exploration Company.”

I prayed that McCabe would let me in so I could close the door and get away from Kearney.

“If you’d let me in, I can tell you why I’m here. I know you’ll find it worth your while. It just isn’t polite to keep a lady standing on the doorstep.”