In her truck, she covered the short distance to the Flying W in a matter of minutes.
It was a good thing she did.
When she found Liam and the inspectors in the storeroom, Tory immediately realized he was floundering. She couldn’t imagine why. When she’d gone through the paperwork with him, it had seemed like he had everything in order.
“Hi, everyone,” she said after listening at the door a few minutes, and she caught a look of surprise—and then gratitude—in Liam’s eyes. “I’m an associate of Liam’s,” she told the inspectors, worried they might ask her to leave if she said she was a friend—or, more truthfully, a family rival.
She shook their hands with a smile but still sensed trouble, both from Liam’s tense greeting and the inspectors’ tight smiles. They were pretending a cheerful sort of curiosity about Liam’s set-up, but it was clear he’d already clashed with them on something.
And that wasn’t fair, because he’d worked damn hard to do everything correctly.
“Where are we in the process?” she asked Hayley briskly, keeping an eye on Parker while he kept an eye on her.
“We’ve taken all the samples we need.” Hayley’s expression was guarded as she looked Tory up and down.
What’s wrong? Weren’t ready to pick on someone your own size? Tory wanted to ask her but behaved herself. She was full of righteous energy after waiting twenty-four hours and still not hearing back from Steel. If these inspectors thought they could railroad over Liam, they were dead wrong.
Something in her eyes must have warned them she meant business.
“Just need to fill in a few details,” Parker said. “Liam was unable to give a satisfactory accounting of some aspects of the operation.”
“I’d be happy to go through any part of the inspection with you again,” Tory said. “In fact, we can start over if you want, now that I’m here.”
The pair exchanged an alarmed glance. It was obvious neither of them wanted to take another trek around the ranch in this heat.
“That won’t be necessary,” Hayley said slowly. “Let’s just go over the details we’re missing.” She took the clipboard from Parker’s hands and skimmed through it. “First of all, we’re concerned about whether you can maintain organic practices during unusual climate conditions, such as an extreme drought.”
“We’re in an extreme drought,” Liam burst out angrily. “And I just showed you how we’re managing.”
Behind the inspectors’ backs, Tory made a calm-down motion with her hands. “What specifically are you worried about?” Hayley and Parker turned back her way.
“You depend on water from the creek, but the creek is awfully low this year. If it were to dry up, how would you provide the herd with clean, chemical-free water?” Hayley asked.
With the paperwork she’d done with Liam still fresh in her mind, Tory quickly supplied the answer. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. Liam gave her a panicked look, but she waved him away. “We are allowed—in fact, required—to provide for the animals in our care however necessary in cases where complying with the regulations of the National Organic Program is unfeasible.” She smiled. “Since that has no bearing on your report, I’m sure you were asking to set your own mind at ease. You’ll be happy to know a local bylaw gives any rancher the right to draw water from Chance Creek itself in times of need. I can supply you with documentation as to the cleanliness of Chance Creek, as well as geological surveys showing that Chance Creek is unlikely to ever go dry even in an extreme drought.”
“No need for documentation. That will do,” Hayley said shortly. She glanced up at the sun and made a face.
Tory realized one mistake Liam had made and rushed to correct it, certain it would make a world of difference. “It’s a hot one today. Am I the only one wishing for a glass of lemonade? How about we head toward the house while I answer the rest of your questions?”
“Sounds good,” Parker said with obvious relief, confirming her suspicions. She shot Liam a reproving look when the inspectors’ backs were turned again.
“Got any snacks?” she murmured as they made their way to the house.
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll figure something out,” she assured him.
Hayley was studying the clipboard. She asked a few more questions but nothing Tory couldn’t easily provide answers for. Parker seemed far more interested in making it to the house.
“We can provide any additional materials you need,” Tory made sure to state several times. “I can pull information on the organic certifications of our suppliers, prior research done on the chemical content of the local soil, whatever you require.”
When the inspectors exchanged another, almost desperate, look, Tory knew her ploy was working. It was perhaps the most underrated trick she’d learned from her reading about being a lawyer: the fastest way to reach a settlement was to threaten to flood the other team with tedious paperwork.
“I think we have what we need,” Hayley finally said when they made it to the house and Tory had fetched them the lemonade. Thank goodness everyone in these parts kept a pitcher handy in hot weather. She found some homemade cookies, too, and passed them around. Doubtless Maya had made them. She was always baking for her farm stand at the end of the lane.
“You should be hearing back from us soon,” Parker said when he’d drained his glass and eaten several cookies. “Pretty country here.”
“That it is.” Liam was still riled, but at least he was trying to act friendly.
“I think that went pretty well,” Tory said when the inspectors had left. “We make a great team.”
She turned to Liam and was surprised to see him studying her.
“Can Turners and Coopers ever be on the same team?” he asked.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Tory went to take a seat, then must have thought better of it since she
