Page 13 of Silent Deception
“I should haverecognizedyou,” Ruth said faintly.
“Probably not. I was just ten when I left town with my mom. When I came to see my dad, he was usually out working on one ranch or another, and we rarely ever made the long trip into town.”
“I see. It isn’t...I mean...” Her cheeks flushed pink. “It’s just...”
Mindful of Cody’s heightened interest in the conversation, Kristin gave his hand a quick squeeze. “I think we’d better get moving, Tiger, so we aren’t late for that practice. I’ll just try calling RaeJean later.”
At the door, she urged him outside and then turned back toward the flustered woman. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
“No...I mean, yes...” The color in the older woman’s cheeks betrayed her struggle for tact.
“Whatever you may have thought about him, I do know my father had a good heart.” Kristin held the woman’s gaze. “I’m here because I’m good at what I do, this town needs me, and because I need a new start for my son. My last name should make no difference at all.”
Ruth’s mouth tightened. “You misunderstand me, dear. The Almighty sits in judgment, not me. But...there are people who still blame your father for how things changed around here. They might not be so ready to forgive.”
* * * *
“IT’S GOOD TO HAVE YOUback in Texas, son.” Leland Simpson clapped Ryan on the shoulder, then winced in sympathy as Ryan flinched. “Sorry. I didn’t think. How’re you doing now? Better?”
“Fine.” Ignoring the pain radiating down his arm, Ryan took a step back and hooked his thumbs in the front pockets of his Levi’s.
The years had been kinder to Clint than they’d been to his lifelong friend. Deep creases lined Leland’s cheeks, and his hair had thinned to a few long wisps on top. His once imposing, elegant frame no longer stood quite as tall. The man had been Ryan’s boyhood mentor, and had once seemed as ageless as the massive live oaks lining the drive. Now, surely in his late sixties, he’d aged beyond his years and his mortality was all too apparent.
“I’m glad you could drop in so soon. I imagine a young buck like you would rather spend a Saturday morning on a horse or out on a golf course, eh?”
He waved Ryan to a chair in the corner of his office, motioned to his secretary from the open doorway, and then sat next to Ryan. “I suppose Garrett hightailed it off to some rodeo for the weekend?”
“He left late Wednesday for Billings.” Without so much as a fast hello and goodbye for the eldest brother he’d once followed around like an orphan pup.
Leland eyed Ryan thoughtfully. “Nothing his daddy says gets through to him. He’s heading for a full-body cast if he doesn’t quit chasin’ bulls and gold buckles every weekend.”
“And the cute little buckle bunnies, from what Trevor says. I understand Garrett’s been busy leaving a trail of broken hearts from Canada to Houston.”
“I keep warning him to be careful. All we need is one avaricious gal who knows about the Gallagher name, schemes to get his ring on her finger, and his future will never be the same.”
A valid concern, Ryan supposed. With that deep-dimpled, aw-shucks grin and a devilish twinkle in his eye, Garrett had always been a charmer. He’d usually gotten exactly what he wanted while making others feel happy to hand it over.
“At least Trevor is well settled,” Leland continued. “Nice wife, kids.”
“And works his tail off, from what I’ve seen so far.”
Leland took a pair of reading glasses from the breast pocket of his coat, settled them low on his nose, then studied Ryan over the rim. “He’s a good hands-on manager. He knows cattle, horses, and people.”
“But...?” Ryan raised a brow.
“As he admits, he doesn’t have the skills to handle the broader financial picture. We need to get past the Nate Cantrell incident, put the ranch affairs back in order, and hire a permanent manager.”
“Exactly what he said. But I’m not sure I can be much help, unless Dad needs a sniper with an M4 guarding the ranch.”
A portly secretary dressed in a severe black skirt and jacket marched in with a tray of coffee cups and a small coffeepot. After settling the tray on the end table between them, she bustled out, closing the door firmly behind her.
Leland leaned forward to hand Ryan a cup, then cradled the other one in both hands and smiled at him affectionately. “Your brothers wanted you here, so look at this as a chance to rest up after all you’ve been through.” He paused. “You’ve given enough of your life to the service. With your business degree, you could head for Chicago or New York, if you want something besides cedars, sand, and sagebrush in your backyard.”
“I’m still on active duty. I plan to go back as soon as I can.”
Leland’s sympathetic gaze drifted to Ryan’s knee as he put his cup down. “Maybe you’d like to, but—”
Ryan struggled to curb his irritation. “After surgeries and rehab, they’re even able to return some amputees to the front lines. I’ll go back, even if I have to be an instructor.”
