Texas Fierce (The Tylers of Texas 4)

Susan had seen Rose, too, Bull remembered. She’d promised not to tell anybody, but then she’d promised other things, too. He couldn’t count her out as a danger.

“We can’t count on anything,” Jasper said. “We’ve got to plan for the worst.”

“Will you be okay with my going to Atlanta this weekend?”

“And risking your damn neck again? I’ll be okay, but will you?”

“The money’s good. I could win a pile of cash.”

Jasper sighed. “You’re the boss. You don’t need my permission to make a fool of yourself—especially if you try to see that girl.”

“I don’t plan to see her. She’s in Savannah, and Georgia’s a big state. Anyway, I’ll be back before Ham gets home. Rose should be all right until then.”

“You’d better be sure of that. If I see any sign of danger, I’ll take her in the truck and drive her back to Sally’s old farm in the hill country. You know, it might not be a bad idea to do it sooner. She’d be safe there. And Sally’s folks would be glad to have her.”

“We can talk about it when I get back from the rodeo,” Bull said.

“We should ask her, at least. All she does around here is work. It can’t be much of a life for a young girl.”

“Fine,” Bull said. “I’ll leave it to you. You can ask her anytime. Meanwhile, we need to finish that tank and get the water in it before I leave. Tell the boys to be ready. We’ll start after supper, when the sun goes down.”

* * *

Rose had cooked a big pot of chili with beans and taken part of it out to the bunkhouse for the boys. As an extra treat, she’d made fresh baking soda biscuits that were still warm. She’d turned out to be a pretty fair cook, Bull mused as he filled his bowl. He would miss that if she left. But Jasper was right. She had to be protected, and the Rimrock wouldn’t be safe much longer.

“This is a right tasty meal, Rose.” Jasper gave her a smile. “We don’t thank you often enough for all your hard work—do we, Bull?”

Bull looked up from buttering a biscuit. “We don’t. Thanks, Rose. You do a lot around here.”

Rose flushed and looked down at the table. Clearly she wasn’t used to much attention.

“We were talkin’ before supper,” Jasper said. “Much as we like having you, this is no life for a young girl—cookin’, cleanin’, and washin’ clothes for a bunch of men, with no woman around to mother you and no friends your own age. I know a farm couple back in the hill country—nicest folks you’ll ever meet. Earlier this summer they lost their daughter. I know how lonesome they must be.”

“How did they lose their daughter?” Rose asked.

“She drowned. We were plannin’ to be married.” Emotion roughened Jasper’s voice. “That’s how I know these folks. They have a little farm, with a nice house. I know they’d be happy to have you stay with them. You could even take your chickens.”

“You’re sending me away?” Rose’s eyes widened. A spoon clattered to the floor as she rose out of her chair. “No! I can’t go! I won’t!”

Jasper looked pained. “But it would be so much nicer for you, Rose. You could have friends, go to school—”

“No more school! When I went to school, the kids made fun of my face. They said I had a witch mark. So I learned by myself. And my grandpa taught me. He taught me a lot.

“But that isn’t why I want to stay here. I promised myself that I wouldn’t leave until the man who killed my grandpa was in jail or dead. And nothing’s happening! Why can’t I talk to the sheriff? I could tell him exactly what I saw and what that man looked like!”

Bull hadn’t meant to interfere. But with the girl so frustrated and Jasper slumped in defeat, it was time to step in. Rose was brave and intelligent beyond her years. She deserved some honest answers.

“Sit down, Rose,” he said. “Sit down and I’ll tell you as much of the truth as I can.”

Rose lowered herself to her chair. “Go on,” she said.

“I know who shot your grandfather,” he said. “I won’t give you his name, but I can tell you that he’s very rich, very powerful, and very dangerous. If he knew you’d seen him, and that you could testify against him in court, he would likely have you killed. That’s why Jasper wants to send you someplace safe—and so do I. Do you understand?”

Rose nodded, but her chin kept its determined thrust. “I understand, and I’ll be careful,” she said. “But I’m not going anywhere. Not until that man is locked up or dead. Why won’t you tell me his name?”

“Because knowing his name would put you in even more danger.”

“Does the sheriff know?” Her sharp gaze narrowed as Bull scrambled for an answer that would satisfy her. “Does he know?” She was on her feet again, her hazel eyes blazing fury. “He doesn’t, does he? Because you haven’t told him! You haven’t even told him my grandpa was murdered! You just stuck that old man in the ground and walked away, didn’t you? And then the two of you lied to me! Why, Bull? What is all this buying you?”