Page 22 of Beau
Colt was in full uniform, which for him was a crisp tan shirt with a star pinned to his chest, utility belt with radio and pistol, jeans, sturdy leather boots, and his white Stetson. His hair was a mess and his eyes bloodshot. It didn’t look like he’d had much sleep and was running on caffeine and determination.
“Cam texted me earlier and said Junior’s going to be fine,” I announced to the group. At least I had something positive to share. A step in the right direction, at least. “I’ll collect him and the trailer from his clinic later. And Buck’s handling the chores at home.”
“We just don’t know why someone would do this,” Ma stated. She was usually unflappable. Having eight boys made her handle the most trying of situations with impressive calm. But her hair was pushed up on one side, as if she’d slept on it and she looked as tired as Colt.
“I do.”
A shaky voice came from behind us. Everyone turned to the woman in the doorway who just admitted to knowing the truth.
“Taylor?” Katie stepped away from Bray and crossed the room to her, forcing Trig and Ellie to step back.
I knew her. Taylor Reeves. She was a fellow barrel racer. Up and coming. Very good, but not as in sync with her horse yet as she could be. She was in her early twenties and had years in front of her to keep working the circuit. I knew she hit rodeos and events outside of Montana that I never attended.
She was closer to Shep’s age, red hair pulled back in a sloppy ponytail. Her face was splotchy as if she’d been crying and she was literally shaking in her cowboy boots. She had on jeans and a pale pink button-up. Every time I’d met her, she was bright and smiling. Cheerful.
She wasn’t cheerful now.
“Katie, I’m so sorry!” Taylor started to cry and Katie pulled her into a hug. Katie looked over her shoulder at her family in total confusion.
“Okay. Just take a breath and tell us what’s going on,” she said.
Colt’s keen gaze narrowed and he set his hands on his hips above his utility belt. I doubted he was going to shoot Taylor, who seemed to be a friend of Katie’s. I didn’t realize they were close. Katie was the quiet one. Content to stay at home and read in her free time. Shy.
Ellie grabbed a napkin from the table with the food and handed it to Katie.
“Here,” Katie pushed the napkin into Taylor’s hand. “Wipe your face and then tell us everything.”
It took another minute for Taylor to calm herself enough for the tears to stop and to wipe her eyes and nose. When she looked at Pops, I thought she was going to cry again.
“It’s Rod. He did this.”
Colt weaved around his siblings to get to her. Ma sat on the side of the bed next to Pops and took his hand, even though he wasn’t awake. Beau pulled me back against his chest and wrapped a hand around me.
“Rod?” Katie asked, frowning in confusion. “Wait. Your boyfriend?”
“Ex.Veryex,” Taylor clarified, her mouth turned down.
“Katie, aren’t you going to introduce us?” Colt pressed.
Katie turned and looked at Colt, her long braid sliding over her shoulder as she did. “Yes. Right. This is Taylor Reeves. Her family’s place is down the road from mine and–”
“Reeves. Right. I know the ranch,” Colt said.
“Your mother used to win the chili cookoff every year,” Ma added.
That made Taylor smile, if only a little. She nodded. “That’s right. I forgot about that.”
“Taylor used to work for me in the stable. Gosh, for about two years, but then I had to cut back and let her go–”
“Who’s Rod?” Colt asked, interrupting Katie.
“Colt, don’t be rude and cut her off,” Ma gently scolded.
Colt glanced over his shoulder. “Ma, she came here to tell us this guy Rod is the one who hurt Pops. I want to know about him. Now.”
I did, too.
Ma pursed her lips and nodded.
