Page 28 of Dark Side of the River

He was still surprised about what she’d told him at breakfast. The rifle used to shoot Oakley had been a 270. He was just glad that he didn’t own a 270 and it wasn’t one of the guns that the deputy had taken from his pickup.

Still, it worried him that Stuart would follow him out of town. Maybe the sheriff was just jealous. If so, maybe he was building a case against Cooper to get rid of him. The thought of an arrest reminded him of the last time he’d been hauled into jail. It hadn’t been pretty. Nor had he done well behind bars.

He didn’t want to go down that road again. He remembered the deputies coming to the house the other night. They’d taken all the rifles, but according to Tilly, they had really wanted just the 270s to compare to the slug taken from her sister.

“I think we’d better not give the sheriff any reason to arrest us for interfering in his investigation,” he said now. He was sure that Stu didn’t think that he’d shot Oakley. Then why was he following him out of town earlier? Stuart hadn’t turned back until it was obvious where Cooper was headed—to the ranch. The whole thing made him nervous. Had it been anyone but his best friend, Cooper might have been worried that evidence would be manufactured that made him look guilty.

Then again, it could be what Tilly had said. Stuart wanted to know where Cooper had been headed because of her. He shook his head. There was nothing to be jealous of. Surely Stuart wasn’t worried about him stealing his woman. If Tilly even was the sheriff’s woman. He realized that he’d missed something Tilly had said on the other end of the call. “Pardon?”

“Tick. He called. He wants to buy me a drink tonight at the Buffalo Bar in Miles City. I think I should go and see what I can find out from him when it’s just the two of us. There is something about him.”

Something lecherous. Not that Tilly couldn’t handle herself. She’d had enough cowboys try to take advantage of her over the years. If Tick did try, he would know the pain of defeat. It would probably have him limping for weeks.

So why was she calling him? It was odd. He’d known Tilly his whole life. She wasn’t calling to ask his permission or his approval. He was sure she’d already made up her mind to go. So what was this about? Had she seen something in Tick that made her worry she might not be able to handle the Texan?

“Sure, if that’s what you want to do.” He made the decision in a split second. “Would you mind if I went along? I haven’t been to the Buffalo in years.”

She laughed, but sounded relieved, which made him realize that he might have been right. “I don’t think a double date was what Tick had in mind.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t. That’s why I’ll sit at the bar, and when you get ready to leave, I’ll make sure you leave with me. That way you can tell me what you found out on the way back to Powder Crossing.” He waited to see if he’d overstepped. He knew how easy it was to get her back up if she thought he was trying to protect her. Or worse if she thought he was telling her what to do.

“You’re just looking for an excuse to get away from the ranch, aren’t you,” she said.

“You guessed it. On the way I’ll tell you about my new little sister.”

“Your what?Your father?”

“It’s not that. Truthfully, I don’t know what it is. But Holden came home with this twelve-year-old girl. Apparently, she’s going to be living with us and we’re supposed to be nice to her. Has something to do with a promise he made. The girl’s father’s dead and her mother recently passed away.”

“That’s awful, the part about losing her parents. It’s nice that your father is taking her in. Though I feel sorry for her. I know you’ll be nice to her. But Treyton? He’s not nice to anyone. I bet he isn’t happy about the situation.”

Just the mention of his older brother had him gritting his teeth as he recalled their argument at the real-estate office.

“What is she like?”

“I haven’t met her yet, but I’m almost to the ranch now. Let me shower and change, and I’ll fill you in on the way to Miles City. What time is your...date?”

It was an hour drive. They decided to leave by seven. He was hoping that going with her wasn’t a bad idea. But he’d gotten the feeling that Tilly didn’t want to go alone. Going with her, though, worried him a little because of Stuart. He needed to call him soon to go out for a beer so he could test the temperature of their best-friend status.

As he pulled into the ranch yard, he saw Deacon Yates, coming out of the stables. He had a young dark-haired girl by the scruff of her neck and was hauling her toward the house. One look at the ranch manager’s angry expression and Cooper figured this must be Holly Jo—and she’d already gotten into trouble. It appeared she was off to a less-than-auspicious start here at the ranch.

“What’s going on?” he asked as he climbed out of his pickup.

“Tell him to get his hands off me!” she yelled.

“This little scamp was in the stables trying to saddle Midnight—of all our horses. It’s a miracle he didn’t kick her into next week.”

“Let me go!” she yelled again, squirming to break free.

“I’m taking her to your father,” Deacon said. “Let him deal with her.”

Cooper studied the little scamp in question. “You must be Holly Jo,” he said to her. “I’m Cooper McKenna. You ever saddle a horse before?” She glared at him in answer. “We have rules on the ranch, most of them for your own good. You’re going to have to abide by them.” Her look of utter defiance said she thought otherwise. “Have it your way. But when it comes to this ranch, my father won’t put up with any shenanigans. Go ahead. Take her to Dad.”

Cooper watched the girl go, kicking and squealing, and Deacon steadfastly hauling her to the boss. He had to wonder who this girl was and why his father had brought her here. He couldn’t imagine the kind of promise that would have Holden McKenna raising a twelve-year-old girl at this time of his life.

When he reached the house, Holly Jo was getting a good scolding. Cooper heard the girl say, “I don’t even know whatcorporal punishmentis.”

“I suspect you’ll find out soon enough if you ever pull something like that again,” he heard his father say before sending her to her room.

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