Bull sighed. Only Jasper could pin him down like that and get away with it. “I think you know,” he said. “Rose can’t protect that land. We can. For now, it’s part of the Rimrock. We’ve got access to the creek, and thanks to what Rose saw, we’ve got Ham over a barrel. He won’t dare touch us.”
“You owe that girl,” Jasper said. “You owe her a lot.”
“I know. But I can’t pay her for the land. Not yet, at least. But hell, Jasper, what would she do with that parcel? Sell it to the Prescotts? God knows she can’t live there alone, especially since the shack’s gone. She’s what—fourteen? I can give her a home and keep her safe. For now, that’s the best I can do.”
“Meanwhile, you’re using her to control Ham. He could have her killed, Bull. We both know the old bastard’s capable of that.”
“He doesn’t know who she is.”
“He could guess. He’s not stupid.” Jasper shook his head. “I just want the girl to get a fair shake. Lord knows, she’s had enough rotten luck in her life, starting out with that mark on her face.” He was using iron staples to secure the wire to a post. Taking the hammer from Bull, he pounded one in and reached for another.
“How much has she told you?” Bull asked.
“Enough. Her single mother died of a drug overdose. Rose went into the system. After bouncing from home to home for a couple of years, she lit out and found her grandpa. You pretty much know the rest.”
“Good God!” Bull muttered.
“She’s as tough as they come,” Jasper said. “But the last thing sh
e needs is another raw deal. Her grandpa meant for her to have that land.”
“And this ranch can’t survive without access to the creek. I’ll try to do right by the girl, Jasper, but until I can afford to pay her, I can’t risk her getting that land and selling it to somebody else. Right now, the less she knows the better. If she has questions, you tell her to come and talk to me.”
“Whatever you say.” Jasper’s tone made it clear that he didn’t agree with Bull’s thinking. But Jasper had a soft heart—and soft hearts never kept a ranch running in hard times.
“Something else,” Jasper said. “She’s expecting justice for the old man’s murder. She keeps asking me when the man who killed her grandpa is going to be arrested.”
“Does she know Ham’s name or who he really is? I sure as hell haven’t told her. Have you?”
“I know better than that. If Rose knew Ham was our next-door neighbor, she’d be on her way over there with a shotgun. But I don’t know how long we can keep it from her. She’s bound to find out.”
Bull swore a string of oaths. “We can’t turn Ham over to the law. We need him to keep the peace. If Ferg takes over, there’ll be blood. And if the girl comes forward as a witness against his father, her life won’t be worth a nickel.”
For once Jasper didn’t argue. “So what do I tell Rose?”
“Stall her. Tell her the sheriff is looking into it.”
“All right.” Jasper sighed. “One more thing.”
“Lord, what now?”
“I need to go into town and get her some decent clothes. Those rags she’s wearin’ ain’t fit for muckin’ out a stable.”
“Fine.” Bull fished his wallet out of his jeans and handed Jasper a few bills. “You can’t take her along, looking like she does. Find out her size and get her a few basics. Once she’s cleaned up she can go back—or better yet take her to Lubbock, where she’s less apt to be noticed, and let her pick out more clothes there.”
“Thanks. I’ll go after lunch.” Jasper tucked the bills in his pocket. “As long as she’s family, she might as well dress the part.”
As long as she’s family. As he watched Jasper walk away, Bull had the feeling he’d gotten in over his head. Taking in a young girl, especially one who came with so many complications, was something he’d never imagined doing.
Having a warm, caring woman close by would make things easier. But the one woman he had in mind, the only woman he wanted, was far beyond his reach.
* * *
The tires of the red Thunderbird spat gravel as Ferg pulled out of the ranch gate and headed for town. As he drove, he popped the tab on a can of Budweiser and took a long, cold swig. He needed a break. One more minute of the craziness in that house would have pushed him over the edge.
Susan’s mother, Vivian, had arrived three days ago, blowing in like a hurricane and settling in like a miasma of anxiety and tension. For starters, she’d declared she wouldn’t be leaving until her daughter’s engagement was back on. In response, Susan had made herself scarce. With her mother there and her father mostly able to do for himself, she’d spent her time riding or reading behind closed doors.
Ferg’s father hadn’t been himself, either. Sullen and withdrawn, Ham had spent most of his time closeted in his office or roaming alone on the ranch’s three-wheeled ATV. Maybe it was just because Vivian was here. Or maybe it had something to do with Bull’s visit a few days ago. The old man might even be ill—which wouldn’t be all that bad. Ferg had never been crazy about herding cows and mending fences. But the idea of taking over as boss had some appeal.