Page 36 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

She chuckled. “You and me both.”

When Beau returned, he appeared troubled when he took a seat.

“Everything okay?” Sam asked, probably sensing the same thing I had.

“Yes. We’ll chat later.”

Sam nodded, and Beau turned to me.

“We’ll be meeting with the estate’s attorney sometime tomorrow. We’ll also make it a point to introduce ourselves to Mr. Schultz.”

“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” I scrubbed my face like I had earlier. As much as I didn’t want to broach the subject, I had to. “I know this is a lot to ask, especially since we’ve just met, but if there’s any way I can stay on here, I’d appreciate the opportunity.”

“Of course,” said Beau, standing. I did the same.

“I guess I don’t need to warn you to be mindful what you say to Hoss,” I said on my way out after I grabbed my hat.

He shook his head. “You do not.”

I was aboutto take a dinner break the following night when two black SUVs pulled up to the main residence. I walked over when I saw several men get out of each one.

“Can I help you with somethin’?” I asked before noticing the last man to exit the SUV parked farther away. “Decker Ashford?”

“Cord Wheaton? What are you doing here?”

Given he knew my brother Buck and about the situation with the Roaring Fork trust, my answer was a simple one. “My father picked me to be next.”

His eyes scrunched. “Seriously?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Shit, Cord. I’m sorry.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Putting a security system in here that’s similar to the one we installed out at your place.”

I raised a brow. “That extensive?”

Decker nodded. “Beau Barrett and I have mutual friends.”

“Speaking of Beau…” I motioned to his and Sam’s vehicle as it pulled up and parked.

“Let’s catch up later, and you can fill me in on why you’re here,” he said, walking over to speak with them.

Soon enough, I’d tell him I had no idea why. Maybe he would.

“Do you know him?” Sam asked, approaching me while Decker and Beau chatted.

“Yeah. He and his crew installed a system on our ranch similar to what they’re doing for you.”

“Small world.”

“He also knows my brother Buck.”

“The other one who had to stay somewhere for a year?”

“That’s right.”

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