Page 49 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Wait,” said Sam, turning from me to Mr. Creola. “Is there any reason Juni has to leave?” she asked.

“None at all.”

Her eyes met mine. “I’d really like you to stay.”

“Of course.”

They walked in the direction of the house, but I hung back, hoping Cord would approach me. When he did, I took his hand; he was trembling.

“What happened?” I asked.

He wrapped his arms around me and rested his head against mine. “I’ll tell you later. I promise. For now, I just want to hold you.” We stood that way for a few seconds before Cord said we should go inside.

“As I said, I have important things to tell you,” Mr. Creola was saying when we came in the front door. “A few days ago, I informed you that Jimmy Rooker filed a petition to challenge Mrs. Covert’s will. The judge denied it today, which means I can give you this.” He handed Sam an envelope. “I’m not sure what went on here earlier, but visiting the bankcanwait until tomorrow. Although I’m going to suggest you go as soon as possible.”

“I’d like to go there now,” she said to Beau, who nodded. Then she turned to Cord and me. “Will you two go with us?”

When we said we would, Beau handed him a key fob.

We were almost out the door when I heard Decker ask how long Mr. Creola had known Sam was Cena’s great-granddaughter?

I gasped, then covered my mouth with my hand.She was Miss Cena’s great-granddaughter?My mind raced with what it could mean.

“Thereisa letter from Mrs. Covert in the safe-deposit box. It explains everything, not that it’s any of your business,” Mr. Creola snapped at Decker.

I satin the front seat with Cord on the way to the bank. Out of everyone in the vehicle, Beau seemed the most agitated. He was holding onto Sam’s hand so tightly it had to hurt.

Maybe once they went inside, Cord would be able to tell me what had happened. I still didn’t know, other than guessing he’d shot Jimmy Rooker.

“It’s exciting that you’re related to Sam and also to Miss Cena,” I said when we were finally alone.

“It is. I sure wish I’d met her, though. Maybe then I’d have some idea of what I’m doing here.”

“Mr. Creola said Miss Cena wrote Sam a letter that explains everything. Maybe it will give you some answers too.”

He nodded. “I can’t imagine I’m just here to look after horses and cattle for a few months. I suppose it could be so I can find someone to do it after I leave, but I’m sure Sam and Beau could do that on their own.”

I reached over and put my hand on his. “You’ll figure it out. I’m sure of it.”

“Maybe now that Sam is more settled, the security system is in place, and Jimmy Rooker is no longer a threat, I’ll be able to work on doing just that.”

If Jimmy was dead and Cord had shot him, his attitude toward the man seemed flippant to me. “What happened to him?”

“I shot out his kneecap.”

I gasped. “Oh my God.”

“It was either that or he would’ve killed Sam. I couldn’t let that happen.”

“Is he still alive?”

“Yeah. He’ll live.”

“That mustbe painful.”

“I’m surprised you couldn’t hear him screaming all the way from your house.” He looked down at our hands and brushed the back of mine with his thumb. “Jimmy said a lot of shit, and it’s all on surveillance footage. I have a feeling he’ll be in prison for the rest of his life.”

“For attempted murder?” I asked. It didn’t seem like that would result in such a long sentence.

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