Page 58 of Deadly Evidence
Brady’s thoughts drifted to Anna as he rode on, scanning the terrain for any unexpected movement.
He hadn’t intended to kiss her again last Saturday night. The first time had been a mistake because she’d stirred up emotions he’d thought were long dead.
But seeing her in that soft light, her long hair tumbling over her shoulders, he’d thought about what it would be like to be able to build a real relationship with her. Something long-term, with a future.
Because if there was anything he sensed about her, it was that she was a strong woman who didn’t waver in her loyalties or her goals, and who went after what she wanted with focus and determination.
The glint of silver sparked so unexpectedly off to the right that he barely had time to reach for his rifle scabbard before a shot rang out—
And another.
Pain seared his shoulder as Copper shied violently to one side, then reared high.
The rocky ground spun in dizzying circles. Closer and closer...then even greater pain exploded through him, and everything went black.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Anna glanced out the kitchen window, then finished braiding Lacey’s hair and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Brady’s usually here for breakfast by now. Have you seen him this morning?”
“Nope.”
“Your bus will be here any minute. Are you ready?”
Lacey nodded and pushed her chair away from the kitchen table, her face glum.
Concerned, Anna rested her hands on the child’s shoulders. “You’ve been quiet all weekend. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Vicente seemed grumpy this weekend, too. Did you two have an argument?”
Lacey’s silence was a pretty good clue. “Let me go talk to him,” Anna said.
“Please, no...it’s all right.”
“But honey, just stewing over things doesn’t make them better. If you two talk this over—”
“I was wrong, all right? I found some old stuff in a trunk and took it to school, and I didn’t ask him first. Just leave me alone.” Lacey grabbed her backpack and jacket and rushed out the door.
Through the window, Anna saw the school bus pull to a stop. Lacey climbed aboard without a backward glance.
With a sigh, Anna turned to the stove and finished serving up a plate of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, and toast for Jonah.
Vicente had done some grocery shopping and had made a few lighter meals, though he hadn’t been up at the house as much as usual.
Probably avoiding Mia, she guessed as she carried the tray down the hall. She’d tried to talk to him about his granddaughter several times, but he’d refused to even listen.
She rapped on Jonah’s door, then stepped inside. “How are you doing, Gramps?”
He lifted a shaky hand in greeting. He appeared weaker now, and she’d seen signs of more problems when he swallowed.
Without saying anything to him, she’d begun serving him softer foods that might be easier for him—casseroles, and meats that simmered in a slow cooker all day.
She tried not to think about what was ahead. If he had to move into a nursing home, the move alone would probably kill the proud old rancher who’d been able to weather every other storm in his life with sheer determination.
This time, he wouldn’t win.
“Do you want me to crank your bed up higher, or do you want to sit in the chair by the window?”
