Page 72 of Silent Deception
Discouraged, he made his way back to the entrance to the barn, where Hayden was waiting. The other boy shook his head. “Your mom didn’t give them all away, did she?”
Hayden chewed on his lower lip. “I don’t think she’d do that. I hope not.” He raced for the office. “Maybe Ryan will know.”
They only found Garrett at the desk. He looked up from some sort of paper he was filling out and grinned at them. “How are you two cowpokes doing?”
“We can’t find the kittensanywhere.”
Garrett’s brow furrowed. “Can’t say as I’ve seen those little rascals lately, either.”
Hayden bounced from one foot to the other. “Then where’s Ryan or Dad? Maybe they know.”
“Ryan’s working one of the colts on the trails across the highway. And last I saw him, your dad was in here talking to Leland on the phone about new breeding contracts for next spring. Leland’s on his way out, so your dad should be around someplace.”
“You don’t think anyone gave them away, do you?”
“I doubt it.” Garrett chuckled. “I think everyone knows how much you two like those cats.”
Hayden slumped into one of the big leather chairs in front of the desk, and Cody followed suit, the missing kittens the only thing he could think about.
Until the nameLelandfinally registered. “Uh-oh.”
He slithered down in his seat, trying to remember Aunt RaeJean’s long message. It was probablyreallyimportant, and both she and Mom would probably be really mad about him forgetting.
“What’s wrong, kid?” Garrett smiled at him. “I’m sure the kittens will turn up. Maybe they’re out having a hunting lesson with their momma.”
“I forgot to tell my mom about that man’s race car.”
“Whatman? Who has a race car around here?”
Both Hayden and Garrett were looking at him now, and Cody sat up straight, feeling important at having such cool news to share. “The guy with the funny name. Leland. Aunt RaeJean says he has a fast race car, the color of the deep ocean. I was ’sposed to tell Mom, but I didn’t write it down and I forgot.”
“That’s dumb,” Hayden scoffed. “Leland doesn’t race cars. He’s just an old guy.”
Hayden hopped out of his chair and headed for the door, then stopped so suddenly that Cody nearly piled into him. “Hey, watch out!”
His cheeks red, Hayden gave him a sharp elbow in the ribs.
Standing in the doorway was a tall man in a suit, and he sure wasn’t smiling. “I don’t know where you get this sort of information, young man, but it’s not true. Not true at all.”
