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“I will. Thanks, Mr. Prescott.” Reuben’s slithery way of walking carried him out of the office. Seconds later, Ferg heard the front door open and close.
“Interesting,” he said aloud, thinking of what he could do with what he’d learned. Maybe he couldn’t get his hands on the property. But what if there was a way to widen the breach between Bull and Rose? If the two were to become bitter enemies, that might leave an opening for him to step in and befriend her. Who knew where that might lead?
With his mind made up, Ferg reached for the phone and punched in the number for the Blue Coyote Bar in Blanco Springs. “I’d like to leave a message,” he said when the bartender answered. “Whenever Deke Triplehorn shows up, tell him Mr. Prescott wants to talk to him.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TANNER WAS BACK IN TEXAS,
WORKING FOR THE TSCRA. HIS FIRST assignment had taken him to a ranch outside Rock Springs, where he’d caught the pair of bungling teenage cattle rustlers within a couple of days, recovered the calves they’d stolen, and turned the boys over to the juvenile court system.
He’d hoped Clive would be impressed enough to assign him something more challenging, but he was in for a surprise when he walked into the TSCRA regional headquarters the next day.
“Come into my office.” Clive Barlow was stocky and middle-aged, with horn-rimmed glasses and wispy gray hair. His exploits over his years as a special ranger had become the stuff of legend.
“Have a seat.” Clive took the chair behind his desk. “I’ve got a proposition for you, McCade. Hear me out. Then you can say yes or no.”
Tanner took a chair and waited while Clive cleared a space on his cluttered desk. “Over the past few months, there’ve been growing reports of cattle rustlers hiding stock in the canyons below the caprock. My supervisors have decided to open a post in Blanco Springs to deal with them. Since you’re one of the few rangers who’s familiar with the area, and the people, we’d like to put you in charge.”
“You’re sure?” Tanner was momentarily stunned. “But I’m just barely familiar with the area. I’ve only been on the job a few months, and most of that was training. Hell, I’m not even a Texan.”
“Let’s just say we’ve checked out your background, and we think you’ve got what it takes to grow into the job. You’ve gotten to know the big ranches and the important people. That’s a good start. And before you make up your mind, I don’t suppose it would hurt to mention that it comes with a nice raise in salary.”
Tanner thought of the extra cash he could send his brother’s family. The money would help. But there were other things to consider. “Like you say, I can at least hear you out,” he said.
“We’ve had a realtor looking for the right place to set up,” Clive said. “She’s found us a two-bedroom house outside Blanco Springs. You’d stay there, mostly with another ranger on rotation. We’d set up your office with connections to our dispatcher and everything else you’d need. There’s a stable out back with a tack room and space for a couple of horses. We’d furnish those, along with a truck and horse trailer.” Clive chuckled. “Don’t look so surprised, McCade. A lot of planning’s gone into this. That includes finding the right man for the job. However, there is a catch. It’s not likely to be permanent. Once the rustlers are cleaned out, you’ll be shut down and transferred.”
“In other words I’d be working myself out of a job.”
“That’s the idea. Are you still interested?”
Tanner answered without hesitation. “Absolutely.”
“Fine. Get some lunch and we’ll start the move this afternoon.”
Tanner walked out into the sunlit parking lot and climbed into his truck. From the moment Clive had mentioned the post in Blanco Springs, he’d been fighting back thoughts of Rose. But now the prospect of seeing her again, holding her again, slammed him like a flash flood roaring down a canyon.
Rose. She’d been on his mind the whole time—on the road, in Wyoming, and in his dreams. His mind remembered every detail of her face. His body remembered loving her and the wonder of her response.
Rose. Bless her. Curse her. He’d tried to walk away for good, but it was as if she were branded on his skin—branded, even, on his soul.
His job had to come first. But he would see her. There was no way he could not see her. It was only a question of when and under what conditions. He could only hope she was safe and still willing to welcome him.
But what if she’d had enough of his walking away? What if she wasn’t ready to trust him with her heart again? He would understand. But could he accept her decision?
* * *
Two days later, he had settled his meager belongings into the small frame house on the outskirts of Blanco Springs. The technicians were still installing the radio, phones, and other communication devices, as well as beds, desks, and chairs for two rangers, and a filing cabinet. A trailer had delivered two sturdy horses to the stable, along with their tack and enough feed for several weeks. On the far side of the stable was a paddock where the animals could be turned out to graze.
For the first few days, at least, Tanner would be alone here. He would use the time to review the files and study the aerial maps of the escarpment, which was a maze of cliffs, gullies, and deep, broad canyons. Small ranches were scattered among these canyons. It would be Tanner’s job to remember their locations and get to know their owners, especially the ones who might have reported missing stock.
He was going to have plenty of work. But he’d have some time to himself tomorrow. He would drive out to Rose’s place first thing in the morning. What happened after that would be up to her. She could welcome him with open arms, or she could slam the door in his face.
When it came to Rose, Tanner knew better than to assume anything. He only knew that he had to see her, and he wouldn’t rest easy until he knew where they stood.
* * *
Rose hadn’t seen Bull, Jasper, or the boys for the past three days. Fine, she told herself. If Bull didn’t like the idea of her raising sheep and was keeping the others away, that was his problem. But she missed their company. The days were longer, the work less like fun in their absence.
