Travis Comes Home. Patricia Thayer

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СКАЧАТЬ I’ve put on weight since we’ve been married.”

      “I wasn’t going to mention it….” Cade teased and Chance playfully punched him in the arm. “Hey, I’m only telling the truth.”

      “Like you aren’t as happy as a dog with a bone.”

      The two brothers shared a smile.

      “Well, as far as I’m concerned,” Hank began, “I’m grateful to Joy and Abby for sweetening your dispositions. You weren’t fit to live with before.”

      “Well, the right woman will do that,” Cade said.

      Travis glanced away. Both his brothers had gotten married this past summer. Although he was happy that Chance found Joy and Cade found Abby, it was difficult to be around all their wedded bliss.

      “You didn’t eat much, Trav,” Chance observed.

      “I guess I just wasn’t hungry. But tell Joy I liked her stew.”

      Chance smiled. “I’ll be sure to do that. What’s on your mind, bro? Anything we can help with?”

      He released a sigh. “Yeah, turn my life back about six months. And make me a whole lot smarter about choosing a business partner…and a woman.”

      Cade pulled his chair closer. “I would if I could, but we can’t, Trav. But maybe we can help fix it.”

      Travis raised an eyebrow. “How?”

      “I know a private investigator who might be able to dig up some answers,” Cade continued.

      Travis shook his head. “No, the two people with the answers are long gone. Byron and Lisa are probably out of the country by now, along with a lot of money.”

      “Doesn’t hurt to try,” Chance said. “Not if you want to clear your name. Not to mention fight those lawsuits.”

      Travis shot out of the chair. This was a nightmare. Private Access had been his life. It had taken off. With his know-how, and Byron’s marketing skills, they were going to take the computer world by storm. Now everything was gone. He could never recover that momentum.

      “I have nothing left, Cade,” Travis said. “They took all the assets, ruined my credibility. You can’t run a security business without people’s trust.”

      “But it wasn’t you that sold out,” Hank said. “It was Neeley, and he has to be held responsible. Go after him, son. This guy Cade knows is the best. If anyone can find them, Alex Rucker can. He specializes in computer technology fraud.”

      Travis hated not being in control. It was just like when he was a kid, and his older brother got him out of messes. Well, he wasn’t a kid anymore. And he did still have a little pride left.

      “Look, I appreciate y’all wanting to help. But if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to do it myself.”

      Both his brothers nodded as if they understood. “You think I could have this Rucker’s number?”

      Chance pulled out his card from his pocket and gave it to Travis. “Had a feeling you’d want to handle it yourself.” He got a smile. “Don’t worry about the cost, this guy works for a percentage of the recovery.”

      Travis studied the card. That gave him some encouragement. But he had little hope of getting back what he really wanted, his reputation. “Thanks, I’ll let you know what happens.”

      Hank spoke up. “We’re here for you, Travis. Just don’t lose the sense of who you are and what you’ve worked to become. Your name is important. All you boys struggled hard to overcome what your daddy did. I know you don’t take this lightly, Travis, and we’re just glad you’ve come home to let your family help you out. We will stand by you no matter what.”

      Travis swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked around the table to see his brothers nod in agreement. God, he’d missed this. “Thank you.”

      “You’re doing the right thing, Trav,” Cade said.

      He nodded. “Yeah, I know. It’s just that I feel lost. I’ve worked twelve-hour days for so long…and now nothing. I feel so useless.”

      “Oh, are you going to be sorry you said that,” Chance said. “We’ve been letting you take it easy these past weeks. We have plenty to keep you busy, especially since we’re trying to open Mustang Valley Guest Ranch by spring.”

      “Hey, I’m not a rancher.”

      “You used to be,” Cade said. “And believe me, it will all come back to you when you’re in the saddle for a few hours.” When Travis tried to speak, Cade raised his hand. “I think I remember a kid brother who could ride us both into the ground. So don’t give us any sob stories.” Cade grew serious. “Really Trav, we need you. And the Circle B is one-third yours now, and not just the ranching part. If we’re going to be ready for the retreat opening by April, we need someone to computerize the entire operation and design a Web page to help promote business.”

      Travis felt his mood lifting. Maybe this could be a new beginning. At least it was a start. His thoughts went to the woman asleep upstairs in the guest room. Someone else needed a start, too. What was Josie going to do if she didn’t get this job? How was she going to take care of her child?

      “Before I build a Web page, I’ll need some pictures of the valley. Have you had any other offers to do the brochure?”

      By the half-hidden smiles on his brothers’ faces, he knew they weren’t buying his innocent question. Cade spoke up. “Abby likes Josie’s photos. But I was hoping to get a look at the pictures she took of the valley.”

      “Why don’t I take the roll in tomorrow and have it developed, then you can decide?”

      “Sure. We’re going to have to move quickly on this. Abby wants to send the brochures out to some travel agents.”

      “I’ll talk to Josie.”

      “How is she feeling?” Hank asked, unable to hide his concern.

      “Her ankle hurts, but she’s too stubborn to admit it. She doesn’t like having to stay here.”

      Hank frowned. “Are you giving her the impression that we don’t want her to stay?”

      Travis shook his head. “No. I know now I was wrong to treat her like I did.”

      “It takes a big man to admit his mistakes.”

      “And to see that the woman is a real looker,” Chance added.

      Travis felt the heat rise to his face. “I bet Joy would love to hear how you feel.”

      Chance scooted his large frame lower in the chair. “My wife doesn’t have to worry, she knows exactly how I feel. But a man can’t help but admire beauty.”

      “Is that so, Mr. Randell?” Joy asked as she came through the door, carrying her sleeping six-month-old daughter.

      “I’m in big trouble,” Chance joked as he stood and СКАЧАТЬ