Page 53 of The Outlaw and the Heir

"Brother?"

"No. For both."

"Well," Samuel said, running his hand over Bear's snout. "I'm going to think of him as your dad, okay? I'm sureyouwill be okay with that. Because we don't care what he has to say on the matter, do we?"

I turned, glaring at Walter. "Somehow, this is your fault."

"Could be," Walter said with a wink. "Now, get going before it goes cold."

Samuel scoffed. “I doubt anything in this place could actually go cold."

"It can get cold," I said, pulling my shirt back on and motioning for Bear to follow.

"Wait till later in the year," Walter told him. "You'll see."

"Please," Samuel snorted. "Not one of you desert dwellers knows the first thing about cold. Talk to me about cold when the air is trying to slice your face off from the sheer chill outside."

"I think I'll pass on that," Walter said, looking uncomfortable at the thought. I didn't blame him. I knew what it was like to feel like the sun actively despised all living things for daring to exist under its intense gaze, but to have the air attack you? That was too far for me. "You two enjoy yourselves. I'm goin' to finish my walk."

"Where's Arthur?" I wondered, it wasn't like the boy to be too far from his father.

He gestured toward Samuel. “Ask that one. You two take care."

As we walked, I glanced at Samuel. “What was that about?"

Samuel shrugged, one hand on Bear's neck as we walked, just resting there. "He's been following me around a lot lately."

"Really, why?"

"Kids like me, pretty much always have. I think it's because I don't mind when he's underfoot."

I gave him a sidelong glance. “You play with him."

"Well, yes. He's a kid. Kids need to be played with, especially when they don't exactly have a whole lot of other kids around to play with them."

"So, you're saying he likes you because you're a giant kid."

He laughed. “Probably. I like kids; they remind me there are still things in this world that can make me happy and have fun without a bunch of strings attached. Plus, he's a good kid. Tries so hard to be good, but he's eight, so that gets the best of him sometimes, and he gets up to trouble."

"Walter's done good with him. Still, he probably could use some other kids."

"Well, when your nephews are allowed to run free, it helps."

I stopped, glancing at him in surprise. "What? They play with him?"

Samuel shrugged. “Sure. Your sister agreed all the boys need some play time with each other."

"Wh-when did you speak to Elizabeth?"

"Um...last week sometime? While she was walking the ranch."

"Sincewhendoes my sister walk the ranch?"

"Apparently, she does it once a week."

"How did I not know this?"

"Because you're usually so engrossed in your work that you don't pay attention to much else unless there's a problem. She probably doesn't want you to know."

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