"Brenda lied to you," I stated calmly. "She has no authority here. This is my land. If you don't believe me, we can wait for the Sheriff. In fact, Brenda, did you call the police like you promised?"
"I certainly did!" she shrieked triumphantly. "And they are on their way to remove you in handcuffs!"
We didn't have to wait long. Within ten minutes, the crunch of gravel announced the arrival of a county Sheriff’s cruiser. It parked right behind the tow truck, boxing everyone in.
Brenda immediately sprinted toward the cruiser, throwing her hands in the air and putting on an Oscar-worthy performance of a distressed, victimized citizen. "Officer! Thank God you're here! This man broke into the old abandoned cabin, refused to leave, and is now threatening me and Gary! He is a danger to the entire community!"
The officer stepped out of the vehicle, adjusting his utility belt. He was an older man with silver hair and a thick mustache. I recognized him immediately. It was Sheriff Tom Miller, a man who had gone hunting with my grandfather decades ago and had known me since I was a kid running around in the mud.
Sheriff Miller looked at Brenda, then looked past the tow truck to where I was leaning against the porch railing with my coffee mug. He pushed his aviator sunglasses up on his forehead and let out a booming laugh.
"Jack? Is that you, son?" Miller called out, walking right past a bewildered Brenda. "I heard you were over in Dubai building bridges or some nonsense. When did you get back?"
"Just drove in about an hour ago, Tom," I smiled, walking over to shake his hand. "Good to see you. Wish it was under better circumstances."
Brenda’s jaw dropped so hard it practically hit the dirt. "Sheriff Miller! What are you doing? You know this... this vagrant?"
Miller turned to Brenda, his friendly demeanor fading into a stern, professional look. "Mrs. Vance, this 'vagrant' is Jack Henderson. He is the legal owner of this cabin."
"That's impossible!" Brenda screeched, aggressively waving her clipboard. "I am the HOA President! I have the property records! This lot has been vacant for years. He is squatting on HOA land, and he needs to be removed immediately!"
I chuckled and set my coffee mug down on the hood of my truck. "Tom, I think Brenda here is a little confused about where her property lines end. Do you mind if I clear things up for her?"
"Be my guest, Jack," Miller sighed, crossing his arms. "This ought to be good."