Texas Forever (The Tylers of Texas 6)

“Very. In fact, I think he was even an Eagle Scout. And he lives close enough to have been in the area. His claim is totally believable.”

The sick tightening in Luke’s gut told him he already knew the answer to his next question, but he asked anyway. “You’ve told me that much. Can you tell me who it was?”

Harger hesitated, then shrugged. “I don’t see why not, since you’ll find out sooner or later. It was the neighbor’s son, Kyle Cardwell.”

* * *

Erin stood on the porch as the hulking, tan SUV took Luke away. Until now, she’d managed to keep a tight rein on her emotions. Falling apart with the sheriff looking on would only have worsened Luke’s case. But now that the sheriff’s vehicle had vanished in a cloud of dust, those emotions broke free.

“We’ve got to do something!” Wheeling like a cornered animal, she turned from Beau to Rose, who’d come out onto the porch. Neither of them spoke.

“He didn’t do it! You know he didn’t! You’ve got to believe me!”

Rose came forward and laid a gentle hand on her arm. “I believe you, dear. Luke is a good man. But what can we do except wait and let justice take its course? He’ll have a lawyer—”

“Only a public defender—not a good lawyer. Beau, you must know some of the best defense lawyers in the country. Who can I call?”

Beau shook his head. “I know some good lawyers, Erin. Unfortunately, you could never afford their fee, especially with the ranch in such dire straits.”

“I’d do anything!” Tears blurred her eyes. “I’d even sell Tesoro!”

“Even that wouldn’t be enough,” Beau said. “And I have a feeling that Luke wouldn’t want your help, especially that kind of help. He strikes me as a proud man.”

“But we could at least hire somebody local—somebody good—”

“You aren’t listening, Erin.” Beau exchanged glances with Rose. “I know you want to help Luke. But there’s nothing you can do. You’ve got enough troubles of your own right now.”

“What—?” Erin stared at him. “I know things are tight, with the drought and all. But we’ve survived hard times before. Surely—”

“Come with me, Erin.” Rose took her hand. “Beau, would you excuse us for a few minutes? We need to have a private talk.”

Beau nodded, his expression knowing. “I’ll be right here.”

Rose led Erin inside and down the hall, into the ranch office, with its view of the ranch yard, the barns, and the escarpment beyond. Erin had spent her share of time in this room, sitting at the antique desk that had passed through three generations of Tylers before her. But only now, as she took her seat in the big leather chair, its surfaces worn soft and thin from long use, did she feel the true weight of the responsibility that had fallen on her shoulders.

On the wall next to the door, in a leather frame, hung a photo of her grandfather, Bull Tyler, taken when he was about fifty years old—a man in his prime, handsome in a rugged way, his demeanor cocksure, as if he knew he could take on the world and win. The photo had been posed for a magazine article, at a time when Bull was already a legend.

“What do you think he would say to you?” Rose’s question broke into Erin’s thoughts. She’d taken the chair on the opposite side of the desk.

“I only knew him when he was old,” Erin said. “But I think he would say what he said then—Land and family. Family and land. Nothing else matters. Is that the reason you brought me in here?”

“I wish it was. No, dear, there’s something you need to understand before another day—or even another hour—goes by.”

“All right. I’m listening.”

“Your father was my good friend,” Rose said. “He confided in me—things that I need to pass on to you now. Things he would have told you himself if he’d been given the chance.”

“Are you saying my father was keeping secrets from me?”

Rose settled back in the chair, hands in her lap, fingers stirring restlessly. “I think you know how much he loved you. He wanted to spare you the burdens he carried, to give you time to have fun and enjoy your life as a young girl. But toward the end, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He had to tell you the truth.”

“But he never got the chance.” Erin felt her father’s loss like a knife through her heart. “So now that’s become your job. I’m sorry.”

“No sorrier than I am,” Rose said. “You know that when Will bought out Beau’s share of the Rimrock, he had to borrow the money from the bank.”

“Yes, I know that. And I know it was a hardship for him. That’s one

reason that he and Beau were barely on speaking terms. But we’ve made the payments for the past three years. I know it hasn’t been easy, but we’ve always managed.”