Page 45 of Rangers Last Promise

“I don’t have a head injury.”

“Then get inside before Doc gives himself one from worrying about you,” Sheriff Tate says.

I stare at both men.

“You Rangers are irritating.”

Tate lifts an eyebrow. “I wasn’t a Ranger.”

“Then you’ve been spending too much time with them.”

I walk into the tavern before either man can answer.

Wolf locks the metal case inside his office while we move upstairs.

The Last Stand has seven rooms along a narrow hallway. Most are empty, though Wolf says Rangers and their families use them whenever they need a place to stay.

Room Five is at the far end.

Doc takes Room Four.

I stop outside my door.

“Absolutely not.”

He unlocks the room beside mine. “What?”

“You aren’t sleeping next door.”

“I’m not planning to sleep.”

“Then you aren’t standing guard next door.”

“I’ll sit in the hallway if you prefer.”

“That would be worse.”

“Then Room Four seems reasonable.”

“You can stay downstairs with Wolf and Trigger.”

“They’ll be covering the doors.”

“Sheriff Tate has deputies outside.”

“Someone shot through a tavern window while the building was filled with armed men. I’m not relying on numbers.”

I lower my voice.

“I don’t need you guarding me because of a promise you made fifteen years ago.”

His hand stills on the doorknob.

For one instant, pain shows in his face.

Then it’s gone.

“Tonight isn’t about the promise.”