Page 28 of Dependable Cowboy

But that didn’t mean that he’d forgotten the conversation he’d overheard between Keifer and Tyler.

It was Friday and right outside the main house when he heard his name in Keifer’s mouth again, only it wasn’t his name. It was “the newbie” said in the nastiest of sneers.

Of course, it was.

“Think the newbie will be off this weekend like usual?”

“Sure, he will. He thinks he’s above the rest of us, that’s why he insists on getting that special schedule.” This came from Brock.

It was also utterly untrue.

As Aaron had risen through the ranks, he’d worked weekends like everyone else. It had only been since his very recent promotion that he’d been given every weekend off. And most of that came due to him needing to be at the ranch for important deliveries and other duties that took place only Monday through Friday.

Aaron and the other members of the staff were well aware that technically, the Duncan brothers were off on the weekends yet often ended up working if something came up.

That was just ranch life.

“I figured,” answered Keifer.

“See, he’s got ‘em all fooled. He’s convinced the Duncans that he’s some dedicated golden boy who deserves to lord things over the rest of us, but really, I think something’s happening under the table. Bet Sam would’ve given the position to me instead, if I’d offered to pay him off like the newbie did.”

Pay him off?

What in the world did Brock think he was saying? For one, Aaron would have to have money to pay Sam off, which he didn’t. And two, and more significantly, Sam didn’t run the ranch that way. None of the Duncans did. They had above-board business practices and were respected by everyone in Rocky Ridge.

Well, everyone but Brock, it seemed.

What did Brock ultimately think he would accomplish by slandering not only Aaron’s good name but Sam Duncan’s?

Fury leaped into Aaron’s blood and seared through his veins. It took a lot to make him mad, but talking hogwash about Sam was enough to do it. He’d been aggravated by Brock’s behavior before, sure. But straight uplyingabout Sam and how he’d been supposedly manipulated by a payoff that Aaron couldn’t afford to offer in the first place?

And to do it while the Duncans were in such a state of worry and concern?

That crossed the line from dirty to reprehensible.

“Brock,” Aaron shouted. It was rare for him to raise his voice, but it was even more rare for him to feel quite this incensed. “Get over here.”

The instant Keifer caught a glimpse of Aaron, his eyes went wide and fearful. Then, he sprinted for the hills like the coward he was. That left Aaron alone with his former bully, the man who just didn’t seem to know how to behave like a decent human being.

“What?” Brock said, all uncowed bravado. No wonder weaklings like Keifer followed him. He could be brazen, that much was for sure.

“I heard what you said to Keifer.” Aaron waited, wanting to know what Brock’s next move would be.

“I say plenty to Keifer.”

So, that was how it was going to be.

“That’s slander. Spreading falsified information about me and Sam is slander, and you know it.”

Brock smirked at him, one hundred percent unrepentant arrogance. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Aaron had been standing maybe ten feet away from the man, but now he took enough steps forward to have no more that a foot and a half between them. For the first time, Brock’s stance became slightly less obnoxious as his complexion paled by a shade or two. Aaron lowered his voice to just above a murmur.

“Since you so clearly have a problem being here, I’m suggesting that you go find employment somewhere else. The Duncans have enough on their plates without you pulling stunts on their ranch. Especially when all you’re trying to do is stroke your own ego.”

Brock’s expression went apoplectic, the perpetual look of scornful disdain he gave Aaron filling with rage. “How dare you? You’re nothing, newbie. Nobody. And you certainly can’t fire me.”

“Actually, I can,” Aaron kept his tone mild. Totally tranquil except for the beam of steel underneath it as he kept his eyes locked on Brock’s. “I overheard you myself, and I have a witness willing to make a written statement about the specific brand of horse manure you’ve been spreading. Don’t think I’ll hesitate to use those means to get rid of you. And I don’t just mean from the Duncan Ranch. I mean from the entire town. I’m sure the powers that be in Rocky Ridge would be fascinated to hear your word against someone like Sam Duncan’s.”

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