Texas Forever. Janet Dailey

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СКАЧАТЬ questions.”

      “So, ask away.”

      The man’s insolent undertone made her want to lash out at him. But something told her that if she did, he’d only laugh at her. “I’ll start by asking what you’re doing out here,” she said. “Shouldn’t you be in the bunkhouse?”

      “I thought you were running a ranch, not a prison camp. Is it against the rules to go outside—especially when that damned bunkhouse is noisier than a riot in a Tijuana cathouse? I came out here for some peace and quiet.”

      “Well, then, I’ve got some good news for you.” Erin claimed her own spot against the fence. They stood a few feet apart, looking out over the paddock. “My father asked me to clear out one side of the duplex for you tomorrow. You can take your meals in the bunkhouse, but you’ll have your own quarters.”

      “Now that’s right nice. Tell your father I said thank you.” He actually sounded sincere.

      “You can thank the man they’ll be burying tomorrow. It was his place for years. Boxing up his things won’t be easy for me. Jasper Platt was loved and respected by everyone on this ranch. He’ll be missed—terribly.”

      “I’ll keep that in mind when I move in. If you need help packing, let me know.”

      “You’ll be too busy shoeing horses to help,” Erin said. “That’s another thing. Tomorrow Sky and my father are taking Jasper’s body to the Hill Country for burial. I’m being left in charge.”

      “So you’ll be my boss for the day. That should be interesting.”

      Erin bristled. “My father’s been training me to run this ranch for years. And Sky’s been teaching me to manage horses most of my life. I’m as capable as any man on the Rimrock. I can take anything you throw at me, and don’t you forget it. Oh—and I’ll be alone, without a dueña. Sorry about your precious reputation.”

      A slow grin sidled across his face. His laughter was a bone-deep chuckle. “Remind me not to throw anything at you,” he said. “But as long as you’re going to be around tomorrow, I’ll plan to have a look at your stallions. Those boys tend to be unpredictable, and I’d just as soon not have any sur—”

      He broke off, suddenly tense. The mares were stirring, snorting their wariness, calling their foals closer.

      “What is it?” Erin asked.

      “Shhh,” he whispered. “Along the back fence line, beyond the horses. That moving shadow. Do you see it?”

      Erin peered across the paddock, into the darkness beyond the reach of the security light. She shook her head. “I don’t see anything. Maybe it’s a coyote, or just the breeze blowing some brush.”

      “No. I only caught a glimpse of it, but it moved like a man. And listen to the horses. Something’s spooking them. Stay here. I’m going to check it out.” Keeping low, he slipped between the fence rails.

      “But you don’t even have a gun,” Erin whispered. “You can’t just—”

      “Stay here and be quiet. If you hear a ruckus, go for help.” Without another word, he vanished into the shadows.

      * * *

      Keeping to the darkness, Luke moved along the fence toward the far side of the paddock. The tall, shadowy figure he’d glimpsed could almost have been a trick of light and shadow, or a product of his imagination. But the wariness of the mares had told him otherwise. Somebody was out there. And he’d bet good money that whoever it was, they were up to no good.

      Too bad he hadn’t brought the .38 he kept under the seat of his truck, Luke reflected. If the intruder had a weapon, Luke would be at a disadvantage. As it was, the best he could hope for would be to get a look at him, or at least scare the bastard off.

      A stand of mesquite grew shoulder high near the back corner of the paddock. Using it as a screen, Luke scanned the length of the stout barbed wire fence that separated the grassy pasture from the brushy foothills that rose to the west. Clumps of sage, chamisa, and mesquite grew outside the fence, offering plenty of cover. Only when the strange figure moved did Luke catch a glimpse of long, bony limbs and straight, black hair. As he moved closer for a better look, a flock of quail, bedded in the mesquite, exploded almost under his feet. The burst of calling, fluttering birds sent the alarmed intruder sprinting off to vanish into the darkness.

      Swearing, Luke straightened to his full height. There was no way he could catch up with the strange figure. For now, there was nothing to do but go back to where he’d left Erin.

      There was no need to be stealthy now. He fished a small LED flashlight out of his pocket and switched it on to illuminate his path over the bumpy ground. He was halfway across the paddock when he saw Erin coming to meet him. “I told you to stay put,” he said.

      “No need for that now, is there? Do you always carry a flashlight?”

      “Only when there’s a chance I might run into Henry.”

      She laughed—not a tinkly, little girl laugh, but a full-bodied woman’s laugh that surprised Luke with its innocent sensuality. He forced himself to focus on the danger that lurked in the darkness beyond the paddock.

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