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Bull swigged his coffee, saying nothing. But Tanner could imagine his mind working.
“She might not have any more common sense than a prairie chicken,” Jasper continued, “but that doesn’t mean we can just throw her out there and hope for the best. Like you say, Bull, Rose is family.”
Bull put down his coffee mug. His narrowed gaze was fixed on Tanner. “What about you, McCade? Have you got designs on her?”
“If you mean that the way I think you do, the answer is no,” Tanner said. “I’ve got a job to do. When I’ve caught the rustlers that are taking Ferg Prescott’s cattle, my work will be done here and I’ll be leaving. But I like Rose, and I’m concerned about her. I want to know that she’ll be all right.”
“Have you got a wife and family anywhere?” Jasper asked. “Just wondering, mind you.”
“I’m a widower,” Tanner said. “And I’m not looking to change that anytime soon.”
In the brief silence that followed, Bernice ushered two young boys into the kitchen. It hadn’t occurred to Tanner that Bull would have children, but the older child was a carbon copy of his father. The younger one was fair and slender, but with something of the Tyler look about him.
“We’re off to the bus stop,” Bernice said.
“Homework done?” Bull asked.
“Yes, sir,” the older boy replied.
“Fine. You boys behave, now, and mind your teachers.”
“We always behave.” The younger boy spoke with a smile, as if harboring a secret joke.
“They’re fine-looking boys,” Tanner said as the pair left by the front door. “You must be very proud of them.”
“I am,” Bull said. “Everything you see on this ranch, and the work that goes into it, none of it’s for me. It’s all for them and their families to come. If you don’t already know, you’ll learn that only two things matter in this life—family and the land. At least that’s what I believe.”
Tanner knew better than to ask about Bull’s wife. Bernice’s presence and the hauntingly beautiful portrait he’d noticed in the great room were sure signs that somehow Bull had lost her.
“As long as I’m here, I might as well do my job,” Tanner said. “When I spoke with Clive earlier, he mentioned that you were missing some cattle, too.”
“We were,” Jasper said. “But we found ’em on the last day of the roundup. Seems they’d just wandered off looking for something to eat.”
“So all your cattle are accounted for?”
“That’s right,” Bull said.
“Did you notice any suspicious activity? Any strangers or unfamiliar vehicles.”
“Nothing except for that fool stunt Ferg tried to pull. If he was trying to get me in trouble, he picked a stupid way of going about it. Come to think of it, it was Rose who told me about those so-called stolen animals. She said she was out riding with the boys, and Will found you lying shot next to your horse. The boy thought you were dead. He was pretty upset about that.”
“Maybe it’s just as well he didn’t recognize me this morning,” Tanner said. “I never did find out who fired the shot. Ferg’s cowhands tried to convince me it was you—or one of your men.”
“Not likely,” Jasper said. “We were all on the roundup. And we don’t go around taking potshots at strangers. There are laws against that sort of thing.”
“Ferg’s been known to hire some shady characters to do his dirty work,” Bull said. “But even if he’d be crazy enough to order the shooting of a TSCRA agent, you’d have a tough time proving it. He’s careful not to get his hands dirty. You did say that Ferg was missing cattle, right?”
“Only the best prime animals, gone without a trace,” Tanner said. “Whoever’s taking them knows exactly what he’s doing.”
“Sounds like an inside job,” Jasper said.
“That makes sense, but I’ve checked out all the Prescott cowboys, and their records are clean. And there’s no reason for Ferg to be stealing his own cattle. If you notice anything suspicious, like tracks cutting through your property, let me know. Or if you can’t reach me, give Clive a call.”
“Will do.” Bull had finished his breakfast. He stood. “I’ve enjoyed this visit, but it’s time to get back to work. Stop by anytime, McCade. You’ll be welcome.”
Tanner and Jasper had risen with him. “And don’t you worry about Rose,” Jasper said. “We’ll see that she’s safe and has what she needs.”
Tanner sensed that Jasper Platt was a man of his word. But it wouldn’t hurt to check on Rose, anyway, just to make certain she was all right.
