Never Trust a Cowboy by KATHLEEN EAGLE

Author:KATHLEEN EAGLE
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Eager to run off the night’s jitters, the two horses charged past Del and into their little pasture as soon as he opened the gate. Other than a little roof damage, the outbuildings below the hill had fared well. It was a relief to report good news when Lila met him at the kitchen door. And it was a pleasure to smell coffee and bacon.

“No injuries to the livestock, all the buildings are still standing and my job is secure.”

“The new house came through fine. I called. Dad said the wind lifted a few shingles, but nothing major.” She handed him a cup of hot coffee. “Your job is to keep him off the roof.”

“I’m the hired hand. My job is to be handy.”

“I didn’t hire you.” She gestured toward the kitchen table with the gray Formica top and stainless-steel trim. He’d grown up with one almost like it. “But I’ll feed you, even though I did share the shower.” She set a plate in front of him. “I hope you like your eggs scrambled. I know every inch of your body, but I have no idea what you like for breakfast.”

“Anything jiggly and boneless.” He flashed her a wink, and he picked up his fork. “I’ll work it out with Frank and fix what needs fixing. It’s mostly the yard. There’s a little water damage inside the schoolhouse. Lots of shingling to be done, but I’m good with heights.”

“I want to go over and check on Stan. I called, but there was no answer.” She joined Del at the table. “I turned on the news. No tornado touchdown was reported, but some places lost power. Do you have time to give me a ride? It’s not far. It won’t take long.”

“Over to Stan Chasing Elk’s? Sure. The man’s had his share of troubles lately.”

She gave him a funny look. “I thought you didn’t know him.”

“I know of him. Last night you told me he’s your friend, your friend’s father. That’s all the endorsement I need.”

“What do you mean?” She frowned. “Did Brad accuse him of something? Because if he did...” She shook her head. “We don’t need Twitter around here. We’ve got Brad Benson. He has a habit of repeating rumor as fact.”

“I can generally tell the difference.”

She was quiet for a moment. Then defensive, as though someone had accused her of something. “There is no way he stole any cattle.”

He lifted one shoulder. Back on the job. “When there’s a lot of talk, you reach for the salt.”

“It’s beer talk. Bar stool babble.” She pushed her chair back from the table. “I need a ride over there. You can just drop me off.”

“You said I could meet your friend. I can do that now if I can talk your dad into staying off the roof until I get back.”

* * *

Stanley Chasing Elk lived a small house flanked by a cottonwood and chokecherry shelter that stood beside a creek fed by runoff from a cluster of rolling hills a few miles away.

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