Page 10 of Home Changes
Ken watched him go, mouth twitching with disbelief. “I’ve been in five or six conversations where your father talked about that festival.”
Seth nodded. “Figured as much.”
Ken let out a slow breath. “Well, just so you know, Declan Howard owns the Bit and Spur now, and he built a community center onto the back of it.”
“I noticed there was a big addition,” Seth said. “Didn’t realize it was a community space.”
Ken nodded. “Yeah. We do barbecues, festivals, and town gatherings. A couple of wedding receptions, Christmas dances. That kind of thing. Gives folks something to look forward to. We’re putting together a Fall Festival for mid-October. Pumpkins, haystacks, and wagon rides for the kids. Community barbecue. It’s taken over.” Ken sighed. “Flyers all over town, and all the businesses are supporting it. Well, most of it. Someone mentioned a greased pig contest,” Ken added with a laugh. “But I think that got nixed. The new vet was ready to strangle the guys who suggested it.”
“That’s Tegan’s new wife, right?”
Ken nodded. “Yeah, you know Tegan, don’t you?”
Seth shrugged. “All of y’all were a couple of years younger than me. But I remember Tegan. Quiet guy.”
“Still is. But his wife?” Ken whistled low. “She’s not quiet. Former Army. Smart, tough, and not afraid to speak her mind. And frankly, she’s exactly what this town needs. Doc Macy’s only doing large animals now, and Kate handles the small ones.”
“I’ll need to set up an appointment,” Seth said, glancing down at Gomer, who had settled at his feet. “I’ve got his full medical records. She’ll have a solid base to work from.”
“Not sure you need an appointment. Most people just pull up. Her office is at the stockyard where Tegan works. How bad is the dog’s arthritis?”
Seth lifted a shoulder. “Well, if he were still working, it’d be bad enough to be a problem. He couldn’t deploy. It’s tough to medicate a working dog in the field, so they pulled him. Gave him an honorable retirement. He’ll have a long, happy life here. He’s eight now, so I figure I’ve got four or five good years left with him.”
“That was good of you, taking him in.”
“You don’t get it.” Seth shook his head. “It was good of the Air Force to give him to me.” Ken looked confused. Seth crouched slightly, resting a hand on Gomer’s back as the dog leaned into his leg. “I’ve made attachments to five or six dogs over the years. You work with them, trust them with your life … It’s a bond. I knew Gomer when he first came to the kennel as a green dog. I was managing the kennel at the base level. I kept track of him even after I promoted myself out of that job.
“I’ve got a buddy, Reid, who feeds me info aboutthe MWDs getting retired. Who’s going home and who’s getting put down.” Seth’s voice tightened. “I made a few calls when I saw Gomer on that list. There was no reason to euthanize him. He’s friendly, stable. Still got so much life left in him. So, I pushed, and I got my dog.” He reached down and rubbed the tops of Gomer’s ears gently. The dog closed his eyes and pressed closer.
“Even if I’m not working a dog, I need one around. In the military, I couldn’t. Too many logistics, too many moves. But now I can. Where I go, Gomer goes.”
Ken watched the pair, something quiet passing behind his expression. Then he straightened and gave Seth a nod. “Well, I’d better get out and make my rounds. I’ve gotta run out to the Marshall Ranch and see Frank for a few minutes.” He paused. “You do realize Frank Marshall has ties to Guardian Security, right?”
Seth lifted an eyebrow. “No. Why should I? It’s not like I’ve been back for anything other than Mom’s funeral.”
Ken shrugged. “Just a comment in passing. Hell, everyone knows it, even if no one in this town would ever admit to it. We take care of our own around here, Seth. And this town? It’s growing,mostly because of the Hollisters and the Marshalls. We’re in a bit of a boom right now. I don’t know what’s gonna happen when the economy takes a dive, but I’ve seen this little town stretched thin. People pulled together to make sure no one went hungry. That’s who we are. Right now, we don’t have to do that. And we’ve got those two ranching families to thank for it. So, yeah, we take care of our own.”
Seth tilted his head slightly. “Is that a warning?”
Ken barked out a laugh. “Warning? Hell no. Just a bored sheriff talking to someone who ain’t been around in a while. That’s all.” He gave a short nod and headed back to his cruiser. “I’ll let you go, but don’t forget about the Fall Festival. You’ll see flyers at the diner or in Allison’s bakery. Mrs. Sanderson’s General Store expanded a little. You can get most of what you need there. But if you need to stay close to home with Chester, just ask around. There’s always someone making a run to Belle or Rapid. You need something we don’t have up here, someone’ll grab it for you.”
“It’s just like it used to be, just with a few more people now,” Seth said.
“Yup.” Ken climbed into his SUV and started it up. He leaned out the window before backing out. “You take care of yourself and that old man of yours.”
His eyes dropped to Gomer, who stood at Seth’s side like a statue.
“And you … You take care of them all.”
Seth waved as Ken backed out, made a slow three-point turn, and headed down the long driveway toward the road. As the cruiser disappeared over the ridge, Seth looked down at the dog beside him.
“Yep,” he muttered, scratching behind Gomer’s ear. “Some things never change.”
CHAPTER 4
Allison closed her eyes as the physician assistant gently pulled the final staple from her incision. It didn’t hurt. But watching it happen? That was another matter.
She wasn’t squeamish by nature, and she could handle herself in a crisis, but blood, especially her own, made her stomach wobble just a little too easily. She cracked one eye open, then the other, catching the wide, amused smile on the PA’s face. Allison rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “Sorry. I get queasy.”
