Texas Forever (The Tylers of Texas 6)

“What kind of concerns?” Roy’s demeanor was all business.

“I’ve found evidence that Jasper wasn’t alone when he died. There was someone else at the scene—someone who may have murdered him.”

Roy looked skeptical. “I know what our investigation found. But go ahead. I’m listening.”

She told him about the missing gun and the almost empty wallet. And she showed him the photo she’d taken of the boot print in the sand. “We found another print, like this one, above the paddock, by the fence. And the night we found it, we saw somebody moving and heard the sound of a motorcycle going away.”

“We?”

Erin gave herself a mental slap. She should have known better than to imply she hadn’t been alone. “One of the ranch hands was with me.”

“His name, for the record?”

“Luke Maddox. He’s the new farrier we hired.” Why did giving out Luke’s name strike Erin as a bad idea? She certainly didn’t suspect him of anything criminal.

Roy jotted down some notes, then leaned back in his chair. “Here’s what we’re looking at,” he said. “What you’ve told me sounds credible as far as it goes. But the only marks on Mr. Platt’s body were those that could be attributed to the accident. Even without an autopsy, there was no sign that foul play was involved in his death.”

“But what about the evidence?” Erin argued. “Somebody was there. Otherwise you’d have found Jasper’s pistol. And I know for a fact that Jasper always carried cash in his wallet.”

“I believe you,” Roy said. “But it’s easy enough to explain. That wash is a known hangout for illegals and smugglers. Before the old man was found, somebody came along and helped himself to whatever was worth taking. If you saw that track again on the ranch, the same lowlife was probably looking for something else to steal. Case closed. If you’d like to file a report on the theft of the gun and the money—”

“No. Whoever the thief was, I’m sure they’re long gone.”

“Fine.” Roy stood and offered his hand. “Let us know if there’s any more trouble.”

With sagging spirits, Erin mailed the Bible at the post office, picked up some groceries at the supermarket, and headed back to the ranch. She’d set out to prove that Will had not been at fault in Jasper’s death. But she’d proven nothing. There was no way of knowing whether Jasper could have been found in time to save his life. As for the so-called evidence, Roy’s argument made perfect sense. There had been no murder, only theft.

At least she hadn’t voiced her suspicions to Will. Now they could be put to rest and forgotten. Her father already had enough worries on his mind.

As she parked by the house and climbed out of the car, she could hear the distant metallic ring of Luke’s hammer blows. For a moment she considered walking down to the pens and telling him what she’d learned in town. But their encounter was bound to be awkward. The news could wait. If he was curious, he could find her and ask.

She was getting the groceries out of the wagon when Rose hailed her from the front porch. “Here, let me help you.” She hurried down the steps to take one of the bags.

“Thanks. You just saved me a second trip,” Erin said.

“You’re very welcome.” Rose mounted the steps beside her. “There aren’t many ways for an old woman to make herself useful around here. The house is spotless, and your cook already shooed me out of the kitchen. But I do want to do my share while I’m with you, and I’ve never been one to sit around and read or knit.”

“Dad mentioned last night that he was going to take you to see your land,” Erin said as they set the grocery bags on the counter.

“He did, but something must’ve come up. Poor Will, I know how burdened he is. I hate bothering him about it.”

“Why don’t I take you?” Erin had seen Will’s truck headed for the pastures on the upper range, where the men would be rounding up cattle for early sale. “We could go now, if this is a good time. I’ll even throw some gloves and shovels and rakes in the back of the wagon. We can spend a little time cleaning up your grandpa’s grave.”

“Oh, thank you!” Rose’s face lit with pleasure. “Just let me get a hat. And I brought my own work gloves. I thought they might come in handy.”

“I’ll load the tools,” Erin said. “Come around to the car when you’re ready.”

* * *

Luke watched the station wagon head north along the back road, with Erin at the wheel and Rose beside her. Wherever they were going, he couldn’t help worrying about them. With a stranger prowling around the ranch, anything could happen.

But maybe his concern was old-fashioned. This was the twenty-first century. Women were tough and independent, especially those two. Erin was young, but she was quick and smart. As for Rose. . . He’d been stunned to learn that the petite woman had killed three men, the first one when she was just fourteen. But after hearing her story last night, he couldn’t doubt the truth of it.

Still . . . Luke worried as he watched the station wagon vanish in a cloud of dust. He worried too damned much, he told himself as he chose another horse to trim and shoe. Last night, after Rose had gone inside, he’d seen the black SUV pull up to the house with a crumpled front end. He’d watched Erin climb out, slam the door, and storm into the house. At least he knew she was all right. But she’d given him no chance to ask her what had happened. She hadn’t even come to tell him about her visit to the sheriff in town.

He understood the reason. She didn’t want to face him after that kiss—the kiss that had left him with a lingering ache. Luke had told himself it didn’t matter. She’d only been flirting with him, or trying out

her charms on an unsuspecting male just to see what would happen. But he couldn’t look at her, or even think about her, without wanting to crush her in his arms and pick up where they’d left off before he pushed her away.