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Jessy grinned “One of these ti to burn your nose”

“There’s that problereed and puffed experi “Ty looked me up the other day Did he tell you?”

“He mentioned it”

“Did he pass on what I told him?”

“About what?”

“About all the istered stock” Range-wise to the fire hazards of such dry conditions, he kept a hand cupped around the cigarette and deposited its ash in his shirt pocket

Ty hadn’t said anything at all about that But knowing how little stock Ty put in anything Ballard said, Jessy wasn’t surprised by the oate and remained silent, fully aware that Ballard would fill the void

He did “Whenever the Triple C has registered cattle to sell, they get sold through livestock auctions that are restricted to registered anih dollar, for theto his subject, “if there’s one thing I’ve learned knocking around the country during the winter s they own, especially that breed of gentlemen ranchers withAnd asabout what a fine bull or pen of cows he just bought, he likes to brag even ht theo in debt over their heads just so they can buy a car once owned by Elvis”

“Our cattle are always sold as Triple C–bred stock at the auctions,” Jessy reminded him

“The buyers are told that,” Ballard agreed “But being told so that stock at a production sale held right here on the Triple C”

Stunned by his suggestion, Jessy turned in her saddle to stare at him “You’re not serious?”

“I’ers to pinch out the fire in his cigarette before tucking the cru butt into his jean pocket “You’d have to do a lot of advertising and s would fly in from all parts of the country with their checkbooks open”

“You’re crazy, Ballard” Now she understood why Ty hadn’t mentioned his wild scheme to her

“Crazy smart,” he replied with unshaken confidence

She reeain