Page 20 of Deadly Evidence
“Violin and piano.”
“That’s wonderful. Maybe you can play for us sometime while you’re here. What do you think, Vi—” Anna turned and scanned the patio. “Now where did he go?”
“Inside,” Gil said, his voice amused. “He seemed to be in quite a hurry.”
Brady touched the brim of his hat. “I’d better go take another look at my horse and start chores. Good to meet you, Gil, Mia.”
He’d only gone a few paces when he heard Gil come up behind him. The older man fell in step with him on the way to the barn.
“Lovely little gal, isn’t she?”
“Vicente must be proud of her.”
Gil laughed. “Maybe someday—at this point he’s probably still in shock. Never met her until today.”
“I’m new here. I wouldn’t know.”
“I gave her a ride from town myself, because she came clear across country on a bus just to meet family she’s never seen before. Spunky kid, if you ask me.”
Gil gave Brady a curious look when they entered the cool, dark aisle of the main barn. “I hear you have a connection with Anna.”
Brady reached for the halter hanging outside of Buck’s stall. “College days.”
“Figured as much. You’re not the kind of guy we usually see dropping in for a job.” Gil braced a hand on the frame of the stall door as Brady went inside to halter the gelding.
“I needed a job for a few months. After this, I have an offer up in Oklahoma.” Brady led the horse into the aisle and cross-tied him, then reached along the wall to turn on the lights. “I like change. I’ve lived all over the country.”
“Can’t miss a Texan’s accent no matter how long he’s been away. You from around here?”
Brady laughed. For all of his questions, the guy did have a twinkle in his eye.. “What is this, an inquisition?”
“Just concerned. Anna is like family to me, and she’s a soft touch for anyone with troubles. She hired that wild kid who came from who knows where—” distaste flitted across Gil’s face “—and with her grandfather laid up, she needs looking after.”
Remembering the fiery gleam of independence in Anna’s eyes, Brady knew she’d disagree, but he just nodded. “Sounds like you’re a good neighbor.”
“People watch out for each other.” The hint of warning in his voice was unmistakable. “And I especially watch out for Anna. Her dad was a good friend.”
Brady reached for a plastic tub on the floor containing antibiotic ointment and dressing materials and pried off the lid. “I’ll bear that in mind.”
“Consider this as well,gringo,because I have reason to worry.” The older man moved closer. “She has run a lot of intruders off her land. She thinks she is seeinghombresbehind every tree and goes out into the night with her rifle like some old gunslinger in the movies.”
Gil spat on the floor near Brady’s feet. “If she isn’t careful, she’s going to get herself killed one of these days. Tell her to stop. Protect herself. It isn’t worth trying to fight a war by yourself, and she does not listen to what this old man says.”
Brady applied a smear of the salve to Buck’s pastern, then rose and met Gil’s gaze. “I don’t think she’ll take any stock in what I say, either.”
Gil shook his head slowly. “She’s got to listen to someone, or she isn’t going to be around much longer. Tell her.”
Brady watched the old rancher stride back to the house.
Anna was the kind of independent woman who probably wouldn’t change her tactics no matter what anyone told her—whether he was her nosy neighbor or an agent with the DEA.
And that, Brady thought, could prove to be a problem.
CHAPTER FOUR
The moment Mrs. Andrews and Holly dropped her off at the ranch, Lacey raced for the barn.
Vicente sat by the open door, saddle-soaping a bridle. His weathered face split into a broad smile at her approach. “Been too quiet this week without you chasing off in all directions on your horse. How was camp?”
