Page 35 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Thanks, but I doubt my siblings are any sorrier than I am that he’s gone. The man was a meansonuvabitch.”

“Go on,” said Beau.

“You’d think death would’ve put an end to the way the old man manipulated my brothers, sister, and me, but it sure as hell didn’t. In fact, it got worse.” I looked at Sam. “Sorry for my language.”

“No apology necessary. You’ll hear plenty of swear words from Beau,” she responded, smiling.

“Anyway, our family owns ranchland in Crested Butte, Colorado, called the Roaring Fork.” I told them about my dad’s trust and how Buck had had to live onthe ranch for a period of one year or all of my siblings and I would’ve lost everything.

“When the year ended, we returned to the lawyer’s office, but that’s when we learned there was more. As I said, Buck was first. I was next.”

“What does that mean?” Sam asked.

“It’s why I’m here. Actually, that’s what got me here. The why is a mystery.”

“Quite conveniently timed, given your uncle had just passed away,” Beau commented.

“I think that might have been coincidental.” On the other hand, maybe it hadn’t been at all. However, until I knew more, I intended to limit how much I speculated. “All the trust said was I was supposed to travel to East Aurora, New York—a place I’d never heard of—and get a job at the Lilacs. And, like my brother, I have to remain here a full year. I hate to disrespect the dead, but I guess it’s a good thing my uncle died when he did. I’m not sure I would’ve been hired on otherwise.”

“You don’t think your uncle would’ve given you a job, considering the trust’s stipulations?” Beau asked.

I shook my head. “He didn’t know me from Adam, sir.”

“Was he your father’s brother?”

“No. My mother’s, and until recently, no one in our family knew she had any siblings.”

“An hour ago, I would’ve said Cena Covert leaving everything to me was the most bizarre thing I’d ever heard, but, Cord, I think you’ve got me beat,” said Sam.

“Not a distinction I desire.”

“Believe me, I understand.”

“What about the man who hired you? Hoss Schultz?” Beau asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Does he know anything?”

“As I told you earlier, all he said was that he wanted me to stick around until the estate was figured out.” I looked between them again. “Have you met him yet?”

“We have not,” said Beau.

“I have no reason for thinking this, other than my gut saying I should, but I have a feeling Hoss may have expected someone else would inherit.”

“Who did he think would?” Sam asked.

“I have no idea except, that man you saw at the bar? The one who was throwin’ daggers at me? It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen him.”

“Where else have you run into him?”

“Here. Talkin’ to Hoss.”

“There’s something I need to take care of,” Beau said, standing and leaving the room.

“Tell me more about yourself,” said Sam.

“There’s not much to tell other than my life feels like a movie I’m watching right now.”

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