Page 31 of Legacy of Lies
“With someone?” Garrison asked.
“No, on my own. I can still ride.” The older Taggart drained his glass.
“Where’s Kerr?”
Shelby’s head came up sharply and flicked a glance around the kitchen. She and Kerr had an odd connection. Whenever they were separated, they both got on edge until they could reestablish that connection again. Must be a twin thing. All Garrison knew was that the time Kerr served in the military had been hell for Shelby.
“He’s not back yet,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck.
“He’s late. Supposed to be helping here on the ranch.” Garrison gritted his teeth.
With a shrug, she said, “Hey, the clients were determined to get elk, so the guys stayed out another day. It’s good pay. Besides, we need any extra money we can get.”
He flinched.Because my ex-wife sucked the accounts dry.
His father’s eyes narrowed. “Why the hell can’t I ride my own property, son?”
“It’s not specific to you, Dad. I don’t want anyone going out alone. Those Brand folks are getting weird. Unpredictable. Hank came up to me at the Hungry Moose this evening, half-cocked. Of all the stupid things.”
“Why? You barely know Hank,” she said. “And what were you doing at the diner?”
He wasn’t about to spill about his evening with cute teacher. Shelby would needle him forever. “Why does Hank do anything? To be an asshole. But we’ve got to be careful. Until further notice, only go out with another person. And firearms.”
“You’re kidding? Here, on our own property?” Shelby asked.
“I’m dead serious,” Garrison said. “Anyway, Kerr should be back tomorrow, and he can help.”
Shelby murmured, “Man, I wish Vaughn were here.”
Son of a bitch. She’d come out and said it. If their oldest brother, Vaughn, were here, they wouldn’t be in this mess. That’s what she meant. Shelby wasn’t incorrect, which made the statement hurt even more.
The hackles on Garrison’s neck rose, and he squeezed his jaw closed to try to control the frustration. Even though Garrison had taken over responsibility for running the ranch, the specter of his older brother always remained. Never mind that Vaughn had split for New York City over a year ago and never called home. When the going got tough, everyone still wanted to call Vaughn.
Garrison had always come in second place.
His father pushed away from the table and stood up. “Maybe he’ll return home soon.”
And maybe pigs will fly.
“Yep.” Garrison bit his tongue.
No use arguing with his dad. It wasn’t his father’s fault that Vaughn left them, their neighbors had lost their minds, and the ranch was going down the shitter. He curled his hands into fists, watching his father leave the room. For a guy who claimed to be fine riding the property, his old man shuffled like ... an old man. Was he unsteady on his feet? Damn it.
Shelby pinched the bridge of her nose, then shot Garrison a nasty look before storming out of the kitchen. Absorbing all of his foul emotions probably made Shelby’s brain feel like it was getting sandblasted with glass shards. At least Garrison’s power worked like an on-and-off switch. Poor Shelby couldn’t pick which emotions bombarded her. When she was tired or stressed, she absorbed all of the feelings around her.
He wanted to go after her and apologize, but he stayed put.
Garrison had no time to add her to his to-do list.
• • •
Sara’s insides shook like Jell-O as she clutched the front door handle, but she tried to remain polite. No way was she going to give Hank the satisfaction of seeing her intimidated.
“What are you doing here, Hank? I believe our conversation from this evening already ended.”
“That’s the best welcome you can give your former ball and chain?” His calm demeanor clashed with the uncontrollable snicker that erupted from his mouth. “Ball and chain, get it?”
“No, I don’t. And we were only dating, Hank. What do you want?”
