Page 52 of Silent Deception
“It’s not that easy. Nothing was computerized—or at least, not very well. A lot of documents are misfiled or incomplete, and while I’m trying to go through all of that, most of my time has to be spent on current business.”
And he planned to leave in just two more months, leaving behind the Gallaghers, who were already convinced of her father’s crime. Her hope faded. “So in the end, my dad will take the blame and my son will always believe his grandfather was a thief.”
“Whatever happened, you and your son had nothing to do with it.”
Garrett stirred and muttered under his breath. She turned to look at him, then unbuckled her seat belt and reached back to lay her hand against his forehead. “How’re you feeling?”
He cracked open his good eye. “Like I can’t wait to get out of this truck. Where are we, anyway?”
“Another hour.” Ryan glowered at him in the rearview mirror. “Just be thankful we were there, or you’d be on a Greyhound—if there were any routes even close to that town—or you’d be hitching a ride back.”
Kristin settled into her seat and fastened her seat belt. “He’s still got an hour before he’s due for another pain capsule.”
“Anyone who rides bulls for a living has to be tough. He’ll live.”
Ryan’s words were harsh, but his profile, illuminated by the dim lights on the dashboard, revealed a much deeper concern for his brother than he wanted to show, Kristin decided. “I’m sure he will.”
At the exit for Homestead, Ryan took the cloverleaf and headed into the darkness. Here and there, security lights glowed like distant stars on the hillsides, marking the otherwise invisible presence of ranches and acreages. He took a back road around the town itself, and a few miles later he turned up the drive to Cedar Grove Farm.
Kristin, who’d been checking on Garrett again, turned to Ryan in surprise. “Wait a minute—I said I’d come to the ranch with you. I can be there if he has any problems.”
Ryan drove up to her front door before pulling to a stop. Turning toward her, one wrist resting on the top of the steering wheel, he reached out and gently cupped her chin. “You’ve been wonderful. Three hours in an ER and having the privilege of listening to my ungrateful brother is more than anyone could ask.”
“But—”
“I’ll check on him every hour. He seems to be doing just fine, but if anything comes up, I promise I’ll call. Fair enough?”
He was so close, in the intimate confines of the cab, his light blue eyes shadowed by the thick crescents of his eyelashes, the lean angles of his face mysterious and compelling in the darkness. She imagined the feel of his mouth on hers...
“Hey, man,” Garrett mumbled from the backseat. “I...I’m about...to barf. Let me...out...”
Ryan jerked back and flung open his door. In a heartbeat he had his arm around Garrett’s shoulders. “C’mon, buddy. I’ve got you. Just nice, slow breaths, now...” Garrett winced and cried out as Ryan eased him to his feet. “Any better?”
“Maybe the fresh air will help.” Kristin moved to Garrett’s other side. “This could be due to his mild concussion or the pain meds. Has he ever had any problem with codeine?”
Ryan looked blankly at her, but Garrett mumbled something decidedly profane.
“Apparently he has.” Ryan took a half step back. “You could have said something when that nurse was taking your health history.”
“What...nurse?” Garrett raised his head briefly and gave him a loopy grin. “Pretty?”
Ryan snorted in disgust. “Let’s just get you home and into your own bed. The sooner the better.”
But while Garrett had come out of the truck without much trouble, he now seemed to have strong ideas about getting back in. Bracing an arm against the door frame, he dug in his heels. “Gonna be sick. Can’t.”
“We’ll be home soon,” Ryan said soothingly. “You made it this far, and this poor woman has had more than enough of both of us, I’m sure. Just get in.Please.”
Garrett gave Kristin a woozy, pleading smile. “I’d rather...walk.”
“Look, it’s no problem,” Kristin said briskly. “You can leave him here on my couch—he won’t have anything more than a few porch steps to navigate, and he’ll be close to the bathroom. It could take a few more hours for the codeine to wear off, and that will be morning anyway.”
Garrett pulled away from Ryan’s grasp, braced his arms gingerly over his damaged ribs, and turned awkwardly away to vomit in the bushes next to the truck.
“Definitelyleave him here,” she added.
“Then I guess you’ll have us both, because I can hardly leave you to deal with him alone.” With a resigned sigh, Ryan reached into the truck for the ignition keys. “And if he starts feeling better, I can just haul him home. I’m sorry about all of this, Kristin.”
Over the past few weeks, Kristin’s thoughts had often wandered to the past. She’d imagined Ryan’s kiss, his gentle touch...and what it might be like to spend an evening dancing in his arms.
