The Texas Ranger and the Veterinarian by Susan Payne

Author:Susan Payne [Payne, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western;romance;veterinarian;texas;ranger;serial killer
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: 2021-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next day Jason came running toward Tanner as he brushed down his horse, figuring he would take him out for some exercise and get to know the town a little better.

“Ranger Tanner, Ranger Tanner, I have a wire for you.” He waved the piece of paper in the air.

Tanner swore under his breath damning the Major if he had sent orders already knowing things weren’t going as well with Henry as he had hoped. Henry came out the back door at Jason’s yelling walking forward wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

Grabbing the message, he opened it roughly, expecting to see the Major’s name at the bottom. It was, but the message was completely unexpected. Tanner’s hands trembled.

Henry asked worriedly, “What is it, Tanner? Something wrong with the Major?”

“No, it’s from the Major informing me my parents are dead,” he said, his voice void of emotion.

“Oh, Tanner, I’m so sorry. What about your brother and sister, are they all right?” she asked.

He looked at the short message as most wires were. “They must be all right. It doesn’t include them. It was a train accident it seems, and their train car fell off the tracks and tipped down an embankment. I can’t believe it. My mother would have loved you, Henry, she wanted another daughter she said to make the number of females equal in the family. We voted on things and she got tired of losing.” Tanner still hadn’t shown much emotion other than the trembling.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet her, Tanner. I know you thought highly of her, which means she was pretty special. Can I get you some food and supplies for the trip home? You’ll want to leave as soon as possible, I’m sure.”

Tanner wadded the message in his large hand. “I’m not leaving you. I told you that already.” The fierceness in his voice made Jason step back and look at Henry with big sad eyes.

“Jason, could you finish with the horses and I’ll get back with you about packing. Tanner and I need some private time to discuss how to go on.” She walked into the house knowing Tanner would follow her.

He seemed to be in shock but didn’t say anything more as she sat him in a kitchen chair and dug back into her pantry to bring out a bottle of whiskey. Pouring a good amount into a glass, she handed it to Tanner, telling him, “Drink this, then we’ll talk.”

Glancing up at her, he nodded, downing the golden liquid in one mouthful without coughing or choking. “I’m fine, it was just a shock. I was planning on visiting them soon, hopefully bringing you with me. Like I said, she would have loved you—and her grandchild, of course.”

Henry began to tear up and said again, “I’m so sorry Tanner, but you mustn’t stay here with me. Your brother and sister will need you. They’re so young neither will know how to go on. Please think what your parents would expect you to do.

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