Page 86 of Colton's Last Resort

“And you’ve been keeping tabs on me,” Noah acknowledged.

“Part of my job,” Joshua explained. “Did he mention Erica Pike?”

“Your brother’s secretary?”

“Executive assistant.”

“He didn’t. Why?”

“No reason,” Joshua said quickly.

“Why?” Noah pressed.

Joshua nickered to the stallion when the animal bobbed his head impatiently. “Laura thinks something may have happened between her and Knight. I asked Erica. She said it didn’t.”

“You don’t think she’s being truthful?” Noah asked.

Joshua shrugged, obviously uncomfortable with the subject. “It’s no good—relationships between staff and guests. Or management and staff, for that matter.”

“No wonder you think so little of Laura and me,” Noah noted.

“That’s another matter,” Joshua told him. “You met her before you came here. And you’re hiding something.” He spotted Noah’s look of surprise and snorted. “I’m the second son of Clive Colton. I know when a man isn’t being truthful. I don’t expect you to tell me what you’re lying about, but I will ask you not to lie to Laura. Come clean with her or coyotes will be the least of your worries.”

Noah knew what it was to be a brother. It was a shame Joshua would never know that he and Noah had something so crucial in common. “Laura knows who I am.”

“I hope so,” Joshua said sincerely.

Noah glanced back at CJ Knight. He was lifting his canteen to his mouth and taking a long drink. His manager, Doug DeGraw, unsettled on his mount, struggled to keep up. “That guy’s a nuisance.”

“Who?” Joshua turned in the saddle. “CJ’s manager? We rarely get inexperienced riders on challenging drives like this one. But he insisted.”

“Doesn’t look like he’s having much fun,” Noah said.

“The man’s sweating bullets,” Joshua observed.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t turned back.”

“Knox offered to take him. He seems determined to stay by Knight’s side.”

Noah frowned. “Seems more like a nanny than a manager.”

“I’m surprised you and Knight are getting on so swimmingly.”

“Why’s that?”

“Unlike you,” Joshua said, “he’s a Boy Scout.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. Like any celebrity, he values his privacy. But he’s personable with other guests and staff. He’s uncomplaining. He tips well and not because it’s expected of him—because he’s grateful.”

“You like him,” Noah stated.

“I do,” Joshua said.

This coming from the guy who claimed he could spot a liar at fifty paces. If Joshua had guessed that Noah wasn’t being entirely truthful, wouldn’t he have been able to do the same with Knight if he was the killer?

Joshua tapped Maverick with his heels and rode ahead. He turned the horse to face the riders. “Congratulations! You’ve all reached the south point. We’ll rest our mounts for a while before the return journey. Dismount. There’s a creek down at the bottom of the hill where you can lead your horse to water.”

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