“Will do.”
Nick gave him a nod then strode down through the barn.
After loading the ladder into the truck’s bed, Wilder drove back to the road on Trent’s property.
He stopped the truck, stepped out, lifted out the ladder, and walked to the trees to see where he could put the three cameras.
Looking up, he saw some branches that would be perfect. If he could angle the cameras just right, they would pick up the fence and the pasture.
After he leaned the ladder against a tree he got the cameras from the backseat of his truck. Setting two of them on the ground, he took the strap of the other one, put it between his teeth, and climbed the rungs to attach the camera to a branch. He checked his phone to make sure that one was pointing where he wanted it, then he did the same thing with the other one but the third one; he attached it to a tree, set back a little, and aimed it at the road. Maybe he’d get lucky and get a license plate.
This was getting ridiculous. Since he had started working on the farm, there had been no cows taken, but Rory didn’t put the cows in the same pasture since losing the last five.
Once he hid the ladder back in the trees, he headed back to the farm. He needed to speak with Rory again. It wasn’t something he looked forward to because his damn dick liked her way too much.
Stopping by the back porch, he stepped out, walked up the steps, and knocked on the door. It was getting late, and he was sure she’d be inside, but when she didn’t answer, he turned to walk down the steps to his truck. He supposed he could talk to her tomorrow.
Just as he reached his truck, the backdoor opened, and he turned to see her standing there in a blue robe.Shit. Do not go into the house!
“Wilder, is there something wrong?”
“No, it can wait until tomorrow.” He turned toward his truck.
“You’re already here. Come inside.”
“Not a good idea, Richards,” he muttered.
“I’m sorry?”
“Nothing. Just talking to myself. Seriously, it can wait, Rory. I see you’re relaxing for the evening.”
“Just get the hell in here,” she snapped.
As he walked up the steps, he tried not to smile. He could smell the soap on her skin as he strolled past her, entered the house, and did his best not to look at her.
“What is it?”
He huffed out a breath. “I want you to move some of your cows to the east pasture where the first theft happened.” He raised his hand when she opened her mouth to speak. “Rory, I need to catch whoever is doing this. I can’t do that if they don’t take the cows.”
“Oh, sure. Why not? They’re not your dairy cows,” she growled out.
“I’ve been here a week now, and nothing is going on. Either someone knows who I am, suspects me of something, or whoever is behind this has been checking and noticed the cows weren’t there anymore. We need to do this.”
“I don’t want to lose any more cows. This is my livelihood. I can’t afford to lose more of them. I know I have a thousand head, but each produces so much a day. There are deadlines to meet.” She placed her hand over her mouth, and he watched a tear roll down her cheek.
Stepping close to her, he pulled her into his arms, and she cried against his chest.
“I know. I’m sorry, but I need something to happen to catch them.”
“I know you do. I have calves, but they’re not ready yet. The seven cows are an enormous loss, but it doesn’t sound like much to some people. Each cow produces ten gallons of milk a day. The company I supply to demands a lot. I can’t afford to lose cows. Oh, sure, I could buy more, but what good will that do me if someone keeps stealing them?”
“That’s why we need to put some in the pasture. If the cameras don’t catch them, I’ll sleep up there.”
She raised her head, looked up at him, and blinked her eyes.
“You’d do that?”
Wilder grinned. “I’ve slept in worse places, believe me.”