Page 46 of Dead Man's Hand

They also brought her flowers, candy, lip balm, lotion, a scented candle. They promised that their next visit they’d bring ice cream and small fried pies from Lori’s former sandwich shop.

True to their word, they showed up the next day with the treats and lots of laughter and stories, often about the Colt brothers and growing up around Lonesome.

Sadie couldn’t imagine, not after growing up in Palm Beach. Here the mountains came right down to the small western town. Pine trees grew everywhere. She wondered what it was like when it wasn’t covered in a thick blanket of snow. She thought about what DJ had said about his favorite season, spring in Montana. She had never lived in a place that had seasons.

“How is DJ doing?” she’d asked. She didn’t need to explain herself. They knew at once what she was asking since they knew that he had practically been camped out at the hospital.

“It’s like he’s always been part of the family,” Carla, Davy’s wife, said. “I think at first he was nervous, but once he met his brothers, I think he realized how much they all have in common.”

“If you’re asking if he plans to stay,” Bella said, always the one to get to the heart of things, Sadie had realized, “he knows he’s welcome. The brothers told him that there’s a section of the ranch that is his for a house, if he wants it. They also told him that the ranch is as much his as theirs. I heard them talking about raising more cattle.”

“It’s the way Del would have wanted it, all of his offspring together,” Lori said.

“I’m sure DJ is overwhelmed by all of your generosity. I certainly am,” Sadie said, wondering why DJ hadn’t mentioned any of this to her. Because he was going to turn it down? Or because he was going to take their offer? Probably because it was all overwhelming and he hadn’t made up his mind yet.

“Bet you’re ready for a nice juicy burger,” Carla said. “We’ll bring you one tomorrow.”

“When are you blowing this joint?” Bella inquired. “We want you and DJ to come out to the ranch for dinner. I’m also throwing a New Year’s Eve bash if you feel up to it by then.”

“We’ve worn her out enough for one day,” Lori said. “She doesn’t have to make any big decisions right now.”

“Except about the burger,” Ellie said. “You want that loaded?”

She laughed and nodded. “Fries?”

“Of course fries,” Bella cried. “What do you think we are?”

They’d all left laughing and Sadie found herself looking forward to their next visit even as she realized the visits would soon be ending. The doctor said she was healing nicely and would be able to leave soon—long before New Year’s Eve.

TITUSGRANDVILLEHATEDhis father butting into his business. Worse was when his old man showed up unannounced at his office. He’d had no word on what had transpired up in the mountains. Butch had promised to call the moment it was done. He hadn’t called. The storm had stopped. The plows were running, the roads opening up.

Nerves on end already, looking up and seeing Marcus walk in only angered him. “What are you doing here?”

His father didn’t answer, merely came in, pulled out a chair and sat down across the desk from him.

“Hello?” Titus snapped. “I really don’t need this right now. I’m busy. I have work to do. What are you doing here?”

“This used to be my office,” his father said. “You probably don’t remember when you and your brother Jimmy used to play on the floor in here. You always took Jimmy’s toys.”

“Why are we talking about my dead brother?” Titus demanded. He knew his father still blamed him for the car crash that had killed Jimmy. He’d felt enough guilt over it; he didn’t need the old man to rub it in, especially today.

“I always wondered why you didn’t cry at the funeral.”

Titus was on his feet. “Would love to wade through the past with you, Dad, but not today. You need to leave.”

“Things didn’t go like you planned them, did they?”

He felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. “Why would you say that?”

“Because I saw the cops as I came up the back way.”

It was the smugness on his father’s face. All of his life, his father had tried to tell him what to do. “You never trusted my instincts,” Titus snapped. “Not even once. You never said, ‘Good job, son.’”

“You never gave me reason to,” Marcus said as two uniformed officers filled his office doorway.

“Titus Grandville?” one of the officers said as he stepped in. “We need you to come with us.”

“What’s this about?” Titus asked innocently as he saw his father get to his feet.

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