Cade Coulter's Return by Dyer Lois Faye

Author:Dyer, Lois Faye
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.
Published: 2010-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Cade met with Ned Anderson the following afternoon.

“Have you found out where Brodie went when he left New Mexico?” he asked after declining a drink.

“Not yet. I talked to the investigator just before you got here and he says it’s as if Brodie walked out of the hospital and disappeared into thin air.”

“Damn.” Cade removed his hat and dropped it on the floor beside his chair, raking one hand through his hair. “Where the hell is he?” His gaze sharpened over the attorney. “What did the hospital records say about his injuries?”

“Broken arm and a few cracked ribs,” Ned said. “The doctor who signed his release said Brodie left over his medical objections but he was walking. Nothing life threatening, evidently.”

Ned rocked back in his chair, crossing his hands over his round belly, and eyed Cade over the rims of his glasses. “I hope the investigator finds some leads soon. Due to the manner in which your father split the assets of the ranch among you four, all of your brothers need to be found as soon as possible.”

“I know.” Cade rested one booted foot on the opposite knee, frowning. “It’s possible we could raise enough money to pay off the taxes if we auctioned off Mom and Dad’s collections. But that’s not doable without everyone’s permission.”

“Have you been inside the storage barns and the Lodge or cabins?” Ned asked.

“No. I checked the buildings to make sure they were structurally sound with solid walls and roofs but decided to leave it to my brothers to investigate the contents.”

“I suspect there may be auctionable items in your mother’s studio.” Ned considered Cade, his eyes shrewd. “Her work was worth a great deal before she died and has only increased in value since the accident. I believe Joseph told me that he sealed her studio on the ranch the day of her funeral and no one has been inside since, is that correct?”

Cade nodded silently.

“I cannot give the studio key to anyone but Eli, officially,” Ned continued. “But if the structure were unsound in some way and you needed to make repairs, as executor of the estate, I would certainly understand the necessity of you entering the building.”

The attorney’s inference was clear. But Cade shook his head.

“Much as I’d like to know whether Mom left something that might save the ranch, Ned, I can’t do it. At least not yet,” he added. “If Eli doesn’t check in before long, I’ll consider it.”

The attorney shrugged. “Your choice, Cade. I wouldn’t have suggested you verify contents if I didn’t know how badly your father wanted to see his sons back on the Triple C. Losing the ranch to taxes never occurred to him, at least as far as I know. He was concerned with leaving each of you something of your mother’s in addition to equal shares in the land itself. That was his main focus.”

“Too bad he wasn’t as concerned about us when we were kids.”

“It’s my personal belief that he regretted his actions when you boys were young,” Ned told him, his voice carefully neutral.

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