Page 47 of Texas-Sized Secrets

“After giving my father hell for years, you expect me to believe you?” She turned her back. “Go away. I can handle this on my own.”

“That’s just it. You’re the only one with the rustler problems.”

Mona faced her uncle again. “Just me?”

“Yeah. None of the other ranches are getting hit. Someone…” Her uncle shook his head. “Someone has it in for you, Mona.”

“Why me?”

“I don’t know. Although I wanted you to fail at the ranch, I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I never wanted you or your father to get hurt. I just wanted Grainger land to remain intact. That’s all I ever wanted. I even hired Dusty to keep an eye on you and report in every week on what was going on over here.”

“You hired Dusty?”

Her uncle snorted. “You don’t think he came to work here because of the great pay, do you?”

“You hired Dusty to spy on me?” Mona’s face flamed. “I should have known.”

“Listen, I came to help in any way I can.”

“By hiring spies? I think not.”

“I told you, I was wrong about you and about Dusty. I think he might have something to do with the rustling. If I could buy his information, who’s to say he didn’t sell it to others? Not to mention, he’s been wearing more expensive clothing out on the town and driving a new pickup.”

“The bastard.” Mona’s mouth firmed into a tight line.

Stepping forward, Reed cupped Mona’s elbow. “Makes sense, Mona. We should check it out.”

She stared up at her uncle, betrayal making her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “I’d expect as much from Dusty, but you were family.”

Arty nodded. “I’m sorry to say, but I’d bet my last dollar Dusty is involved in the rustling.”

She stared out at the rain-washed horizon. “Why didn’t I see it?”

“Because you were busy. He drove an old beat-up truck to work every day and did what you told him, for the most part.” Reed wanted to take her in his arms, instead he stayed back. She wouldn’t want to show any weakness in front of her uncle.

“If it makes you feel any better, your father didn’t know either.”

She faced her uncle, her brows rising up her forehead. “That’s supposed to make me feel better? Your spying on your own brother is supposed to make this all right?” She crossed to her uncle. “Get out.”

“Now, Mona. I said I was sorry and I am. I came to help.”

“I don’t need your help. I don’t need any man’s help. Not now or ever. I’ll figure this out on my own. Now get out before I call the sheriff to have you thrown out.”

Mona marched back into the house, leaving Reed, Catalina and Arty standing on the porch.

Reed shrugged. “You can’t expect her to trust you after so many years.”

“I know. I just wish I’d done things differently before her father died.” Then he descended the porch stairs and left.

Mona pushed through the screen door, letting it slam behind her. Her keys jangled from her fingers as she crossed the porch and took the steps downward two at a time.

“Where are you going?” Reed asked.

“To town.” She climbed into the driver’s seat of the pickup and started the engine.

“Don’t just stand there, go get her,” Catalina said.

Reed barely had time to leap from the porch to the ground and round the pickup, before she backed out. “Let me go with you.”

---