A lot has happened in the past 6 years. My parents died in a car accident two years ago. I took over my dad's ranch while finishing up school. I got into a 3+3 law program with the University of Montana, so basically I'd do 3 years of undergrad and 3 years of law school. I still graduated 18 months early due to taking extra classes and doing summer semesters, thanks to my parents for having a great life insurance policy, and setting me up for life. I graduated last May and started working for a firm here in Bozeman. I love my job, I'm great at it. I've never lost a case which is crazy but I have over 4,000 cases won. I was offered partner 6 months after graduation which is unheard of. I do really well for myself.
My alarm goes off at 7:30 and I immediately regret drinking last night. Beth Dutton just got back to town from Utah and we had drinks at the country club to catch up. I stayed in touch with the siblings who I knew wouldn't say a word about me to John or Kayce. John would tell Kayce everything.But Lee, Jaime and Beth loved me and wanted to ensure I was happy. We never talked about Kayce, or his family. They know he broke me all those years ago and knew I moved on. I don't love him anymore.
To add insult to injury, Lee called me last night to come sleepover. He does that when he gets lonely, so does Jaime. We always snuggle up and fall asleep, they're basically brothers to me. They make me feel less lonely too, so l appreciate them. Lee rolled over and threw me back to the bed,"Five more minutes," he groaned. I laughed,"Sorry bro,I've got court all day." Lee perked up,"Oh you'll be in such a good mood later then, so I'll be lonely again tonight." he said. He was right, I love court days."Sorry buddy, but I have plans tonight and will not be lonely."I responded. He threw himself back on the pillows,"Ugh, tell Luke you're busy. Or maybe Jaime and I will have to just show up."I laughed, grabbing a pillow and hitting him."If you show up you'll see whole lot of Luke you might not wanna see." He looked at me and shivered. "Ya know I'm a cowboy too, why not just marry me and I'll give ya what Luke does."he said with a wink. Luke is my boyfriend of 3 years. We met in college and he helped me get through after the breakup, we were friends. About a year later, he asked me out and we've been dating since. I rolled my eyes."I used to fuck your youngest brother Lee I'm not keeping it in the family." He laughed,"You can have Jaime too ya know. All the Dutton brothers are a fool for ya beautiful." I looked at Lee who was grinning ear to ear. "My last Dutton brother left a bad taste in my mouth."I laughed, "That's what she said." He said as He hit me with a pillow. I walked into my bathroom laughing and he spun me around. "Have fun with Luke, but not too much fun. Remember, if you're not married by 25, we made a pact and you promised to Have my babies. Id prefer you to be childless but if ya get knocked up it's no biggie, I'd be step dad material too" Lee said with a smile. "You're impossible, you made me get drunk for that agreement," I said rolling my eyes. He responded, " damn right, but at least I'd get to have ya. That's why I got you that ring by the way, so everyone thinks you're married already and keeps you single." He said pointing to the 1.5 carat diamond ring on my left ring finger he bought me a year ago. It was so weird but it's a really good joke we have going now.
Nine o'clock was my first case of the day. We're now at 12:30pm and we've finalized 15 cases. This next sentence will win this, I thought to myself. This case was a farmer suing his neighbor for installing cattle guards on his easement, forcing them extra expenses to truck the cattle to the pastures."Your honor, my client owns the property as well per the easement. According to Montana state statute 11.5.07.of the agricultural code, Mr. Greenly has all rights to walk his cattle up his easement unless there's been a zoning change approved by the court, and now he's been forced to occur additional expenses due to the defendant illegally changing the easement. So he should be forced to not only remove the guards but be forced to pay the extra expenses of $46,980.77 that it cost Mr. Greenly." I stated factually. Judge tanner responded," I'm sure I don't even have to ask but do you have the statute handy for me to read?" I looked up and smiled my case winning smile. "Of course," I said handing it to him looking at the defendants attorney Sarah who was rolling her eyes and huffing out a sigh of defeat. After a few moments Judge Tanner said,"Alright, Mr. Greenly you're going to be awarded back the money you lost. Mr. Montely, you are required to pay that back within 60 days and remove the guards within 2 days . Anything else counsel?" I smiled at the judge, "Not for this case your honor." He responded "You'll be the death of me girl. Case dismissed"chuckling.
My legal assistant next to me, Mitch, handed me the next case on the docket and I paused.
Marked Equities vs. John Dutton, Bethany Dutton, Lee Dutton, James Dutton,and Kayce Dutton. Fuck. I looked to see who the counsel was running against me and it was still Sarah. I can't represent someone going against people I know legally. I spoke to the judge, "Your honor, could we have a recess?" Judge Tanner looked at me and the time,"Yeah sure, 30 minute recess for lunch. Next case will start at 1:15pm." He responded. I advised Mitch to have Sarah and her clients meet me in conference room one in 10 minutes as I told the co-counsel with me that they'd be doing this case possibly against me. After we were in agreement, I took the file and headed to the judge's chambers to inform him of the possible council change pending what the Dutton's agreed to.
Fuck fuck fuck, I don't want to do this but it's what's right. According to the file, Market Equities is suing for imminent domain of 50,000 acres of the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. I know I can beat this with even my team against me. So I have to offer, I know how much the ranch means to John.
Walking into the conference room, all eyes were on me. I have no idea why Mitch is in
here. "Mitch get out." I said sharply and he immediately left. I look around the room that was filled with myself, John, Sarah, Beth, Lee, Jaime, and ugh of course, Kayce."Good afternoon everyone, I'm sure you're all curious why we're here."I said. Sarah lets out a sigh. Lee and Jaime laugh as I stare her down. "Mr. Dutton.."I started when John cut me off, "Bella I've known you since the day you entered this world, don't you dare call me anything but John. Also once we're done and before we go back I wanna talk to ya, catch up." I smiled at John and nodded. I wonder why Lee, Beth, or Jaime didn't tell me about this. "I go by Isabell now so please don't call me Bella. John, can you ask Sarah what her argument is for your case?"I said. He looked at Sarah, as I noticed Kayce had been staring at me, not blinking, white as a ghost. Don't give him the satisfaction, I thought myself and Sarah started to list the basics of her argument which literally was just that it wasn't fair. "Sarah, you know I can't go against you for this but I'd advise my team. You know I'll win and they'll lose their land. Give me the case."I said nicely. "Fuck no Isabell. They came to me, I need this."Sarah responded. She needed the money of course, and she knew John had it. I nodded my head, "John you'd like to keep the land right?" I said. He nodded. "She can't do that John, but I can, sign this." I said while sliding him a legal contract so I could defend them."Isabell, what the fuck?." Sarah said. "I'm not letting you lose their land and their money. What's the total invoice before trial and after?" l asked. Sarah sighed loudly"$6300 pretrial, $11,000 post." I grabbed my bag and took out my checkbook,"John if you want to win I'll do it for you. Sign the paper, all of you." John signed the contract and passed it down the line to each of his kids. I wrote out a check for $11,000 and handed it to Sarah."Please let the judge know the arraignment is finalized and please ask
Mitch to come in here with his stamp." I said. She took the check and left. "Damn girl you're feisty. I'll write you out a check for what you paid her and your fees. "John said. I looked at him and laughed."No you will not pay me back and sorry but ya can't afford me. We can catch up once Mitch stamps the paper and leaves." Lee and Jaime laugh at the afford me comment, and I turn to smile at them. Mitch came in to notarize the contract and left. I had a series of questions I had to ask for my argument.
Bella: "Real quick, how many total acres are you at?"
John:"225,862 acres"
Bella: "Beth math check me, is it 22% they want to take?"
Beth:"Close enough, 23%."
Bella: "Thank you Beth. How many cattle?"
Lee: "4211 as of last night."
Bella: "Wonderful. Lastly, how much would you lose if you couldn't use that space? Revenue, hay cost, anything."
John looked at Kayce who was still staring and as white as a ghost but staring at my left hand now."Kayce you gonna answer, you're the one with that figure? Jesus you look like you just fucked Casper the ghost son." Kayce couldn't answer, apparently in shock. Beth laughed as Lee shook Kayce and Jaime snapped his fingers near his face.
Bella: "Does anyone else know? Ballpark it."
Jaime: "I'm just the vet but I'd say half a mill a year."
Bella: "Thank you, that's all I need."
