Page 34 of Legacy of Lies
Chapter 8
“Yep, looks like more damage.” Kerr’s light tone belied the seriousness of the situation. He shifted on the horse like he was born to ride. Nowadays, Garrison’s younger brother moved more naturally on the horse than on solid ground. That damned IED in Afghanistan had taken his brother’s right leg, but it hadn’t taken his tracking skills.
Or his killer sharpshooting abilities.
Kerr pushed up the brim of his hat so a bit of curly orange hair, the same color as Shelby’s, appeared. Then he adjusted the scope on his rifle. “I see some people over in that next valley. And cattle.”
“Our cattle?”
“Whoa there, trigger. I’m good, but I’m not magic,” he said, while continuing to look through the scope. His slow, shallow breaths sent streams of vapor into the cold air. At least it had stopped snowing this morning, leaving only a few inches on the ground to contend with today.
Not that Garrison ever worried about getting lost with Kerr around. His brother’s GPS power was an odd gift that served him well on missions in the Middle East. And that ability sure came in handy when he guided clients into the mountains for days or weeks at a time. Always exited the forest right where the trucks and horse trailers were parked. Uncanny.
He could also disappear. Well, not exactly disappear, but fade away to where no one noticed him. Kerr rarely used that ability. Too painful, he said.
“You’re not magic? That’s not what I’ve heard from the ladies,” Garrison needled his brother.
Relaxing away from the gun for a moment, Kerr flashed a rakish grin. “I bet you have heard, Mr. Polygraph. And of all the people on this earth, only you know for sure it’s God’s honest truth.”
Good to see Kerr finally back to his old randy self. The last two years had been pure hell on him and rough on the whole family. Kerr’s warped sense of humor had been a big factor in his recovery.
Garrison snorted. “Humility is one of your greatest qualities.”
Puffing out his chest, Kerr swept invisible dust from his shoulder. “I resemble that remark.” He winced as he kneed his horse over and blew out a lungful of air. He squinted again into the scope. Brow furrowing, he muttered, “I can’t see the tags or ear cuts on the cattle from here.”
“Can’t you dial up more magnification or something?”
“I know they say there are no dumb questions, but man.” He pulled a face and said in a voice that was almost too manly to be believed. “Yeah, you’ve caught me. I’ve been holding out on you. Let me pop my bionic lens into the scope.”
Garrison growled.
Kerr scrubbed the orange stubble on his chin and spoke in his normal tone. “Dude. I’m exhausted. After spending ten days up in the high country wiping the hineys of those city slickers from Texas, I’m beat. I can only kiss ass for so long before my lips start to stink. And you know I’m still having those stupid dreams we’re all experiencing. Consider yourself blessed that I was willing to track with you today.” He glared at him.
“You think I’m lucky, having you here? You smell like armpit and rotten horse.” At the offended gasp from Kerr, Garrison shrugged. “But in all seriousness, thanks for helping out.”
Yeah, Kerr didn’t have to turn right around and come with him to the back of the property. Damn it, Garrison was running out of options for help.
Dad had wanted to rest at home. Very unusual for an active guy like his father who rarely missed out on any action on the ranch. Dad had refused to see a doctor, which was typical. But Garrison had caught him shuffling aimlessly and staring into space a few times. Damn it. He needed to get checked out by a professional.
More items on the to-do list.
“Not a problem. Happy to help.” Kerr popped his hand onto a hip. “Speaking of body odor, smelled yourself lately?”
“Fresh as a daisy.”
“I did notice the thick musk of bad cologne there. So. Who’s the lucky lady?”
Warmth, like thick, delicious molasses, spread out from his chest. “Uh. There’s no lady.”
Garrison avoided making eye contact. Kerr couldn’t read emotions, but hiding anything in this family was nearly impossible.
“That’s not what Shel says.”
“Come on. When did you two get a chance to talk?”
Kerr tapped his forehead beneath his tan cowboy hat. “Don’t need to.”
He turned his upper body square to his brother. “What? Your power changed? You two can communicate mentally now?”
