“Fine. And I’ll let you know about the funeral.” He walked into his bedroom, closed the door, and locked it behind him.
If his mother ever saw what he was really viewing on the old desktop computer that was all he could afford, she’d probably have a heart attack. But that wasn’t his problem. He was an adult, and what he watched and did for pleasure was his own business.
With a quiver of anticipation, Kyle pulled out the chair, sat down at the desk, and switched on his computer.
CHAPTER FOUR
IT WAS MIDAFTERNOON ON FRIDAY WHEN A WHITE TOYOTA CAMRY with rental plates swung into the yard and pulled up below the porch. Rose had been waiting, watching through the front window. She’d kept in contact with Will over the years, but she and Beau had long since lost touch. What would he be like now—the sweet but fiercely independent young boy she remembered so well?
As the Camry came to a stop, she burst through the front door, crossed the porch, and raced down the steps. The sound of light, eager footsteps told her that Erin was close behind her. But Will had remained inside the house.
The driver’s side door opened. The man who stepped out, dressed in jeans and sneakers, was tall, with a lean runner’s build, light brown hair, and finely drawn features. Only when he smiled did Rose catch a glimpse of the young boy she remembered.
“Rose! I can’t believe it.” He opened his arms and twirled her off her feet as if she were a little girl, then set her down. “I was hoping you’d be here.”
“There was no way I wouldn’t have come,” Rose said. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
“And Erin!” He caught her as she flung herself into his arms, then eased her away so he could look at her. “My stars, girl, where did the time go? You’re a grown woman!”
“I’ve missed you,” Erin said. “All of you.”
A pretty, dark-haired woman, visibly pregnant, was helping a child out of the backseat. “Rose, this is my wife, Natalie, and our daughter, April,” Beau said. “Natalie, I’ve told you about the lady who saved my life, and Will’s, when we got kidnapped by the drug cartel. Here she is, in person.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rose.” Natalie gave Rose her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you. I wish we had more time to get acquainted, but our flight is leaving early Sunday morning.”
“Why so soon?” Rose asked, although she suspected the reason. It was as she’d been made to understand—Beau and Will were barely on speaking terms.
“We’ve both got work commitments,” Beau said. “The DEA could only spare me for a couple of days, and Natalie has her veterinary practice.”
“But you’ll miss the burial,” Erin said. “We’ll be taking Jasper’s body to his old home in the Hill Country. If we leave Saturday, after the funeral, it’ll be dark when we get there, so we’ll need to take him the next morning—that’ll be Sunday.”
“I wish I’d known that,” Beau said. “But it’s too late to change our plans now. We’ve already booked our flight.”
“Well then,” Rose said, putting on a cheerful smile. “We’ll just have to make the most of the time we have, won’t we?”
Will had come out on the porch. He waited there, unsmiling, as Beau and his family climbed the steps, followed by Rose and by Erin with one of the suitcases. Tension, as heavy as water, seemed to thicken the air as the two brothers stood face to face. Then Will held out his hand and spoke.
“We’ve come together to mourn an old friend. Let’s not dishonor his memory with our differences.”
“Agreed.” Beau accepted the handshake.
“I figured you’d be hungry,” Will said. “We’ll be eating in an hour. That’ll give you time to rest and freshen up. Erin, will you show our guests to their rooms?”
Our guests? Will’s words struck Rose as odd. How could Beau be called a guest when he’d grown up in this house?
Rose was tired of second-guessing. When Beau and his family had gone to their rooms, and Erin hadn’t returned, she walked into the den, where Will was pouring himself a shot of Jack Daniel’s. “Can I get you a glass, Rose? It’s good stuff. Takes the edge off whatever’s troubling you.”
She shook her head. “I’ve found it doesn’t help much,” she said, “especially since what’s troubling me is you.”
He emptied the shot glass and poured another, his silence inviting her to explain.
“The most vivid memory I have of you and Beau,” she said, “is the two of you running away from those drug dealers, to your dad. I see your hand, hanging on to your little brother’s, so tightly, as if nothing in the world could make you let go.”
“That was a long time ago,” Will said.
“Erin told me that you’d bought out Beau’s share of the ranch,” Rose said. “But what happened between the two of you, Will? I need to understand.”
Will exhaled. “I guess I owe you that much. But you won’t be surprised.” He took another sip of whiskey. “Beau never really wanted to take responsibility for his share of the ranch. Oh, he’d come home on and off. He’d make a show of trying to work the ranch with me. But being number two never set well with him. He likes that fancy government job, and the DC lifestyle. I think his wife likes it, too, especially things like having their little girl in that snooty private school.”