Page 65 of Wrangled

I nodded. “I told him I didn’t understand, and he said, ‘You look into his eyes. Trust me when I tell you, you look into a man’s eyes and you can see into his soul. There’s something in Butch’s past that haunts him, and whatever it is, it’s not good. He’s only here because I gave him the benefit of the doubt. That boy is looking for atonement, and I don’t know if he’ll ever find it.’”

Teague stared at me. “Okay, we both know Butch might be lacking in a few social graces—”

“A few?”

“Yeah, all right. But…wild animal? What did your dad know about him that no one else did?”

“I don’t think he did know anything for certain, but whatever else he suspected, he took it to his grave. Want to know something else? Diana was bitter about it for a while, but Butch? He took it on the chin. Never badmouthed my dad about it, not once.”

Teague got to his feet and walked to the edge of the porch, staring out at the ranch below us. “It’s almost as if Butch knew your dad was right.” He turned to face me. “It makes you think, doesn’t it? We have all these guys working here, and we know nothing about their past before they arrived at Salvation. Who knows what baggage they carry with them?”

“Their baggage istheirconcern, not ours. It only becomes ours when it comes knocking on our door.” I knocked on the wooden table. “And so far…”

We lapsed into silence as the sky shed red and orange and took on purple.

“I wonder what tomorrow will bring?” I mused.

Teague leaned against one of the posts that supported the porch. “Whatever is coming right around the corner at you, it’s best to be prepared. Practically speaking.” His face flushed. “And if you need… anything, just holler. I mean, whatever you still have lying around must be out-of-date by now.” He cleared his throat. “I’d better be off to my bed. Thanks for the beer.”

He stepped off the porch, and crunched his way down the path.

I was still puzzling over that last remark when it hit me.

Did Teague just offer to procure some condoms?

Chapter Fifteen

Tuesday, June 14

Toby

Breakfast was finished, and I needed a ride to get my head on straight before Zeeb continued with his roping lessons. My arms ached less than they had the previous day.

What day is this? Tuesday?I’d lost all track of time. The following week would be the cattle drive, and once that was over, there’d be a day to chill out a little, and then I’d be out of there, back to San Francisco.

The prospect of going home didn’t fill me with enthusiasm, not when my mind was focused on other things.

Okay, one thing in particular—a certain sexy rancher. I could still hear Zeeb in my head.

Maybe getting you between the sheets is the first step to him getting his life back.

Make him live again for those two weeks.

That got me thinking.If I did make a move, what would be my motivation? Altruism—or lust?

Maybe a little of both.

I smiled to myself. Who was I kidding? It was lust, all the way.

Butch and Walt were laughing at something on Butch’s phone, and Zeeb had the radio on. Garrett and Declan were huddled in a corner, lost in conversation, and Paul was already heading out to the stables. Teague wasn’t around.

I needed a moment of peace and quiet. I grabbed my hat and jacket, and followed Paul into the stables. “Can I take Lightning out?”

He smiled. “Sure. Seeing as you’ve got permission now.”

“Thanks.” I grabbed Lightning’s saddle, and went into his stall. “Hey boy,” I said in a soothing voice. “Wanna go for a ride with me?” I got him ready, aware of the first rays of sunlight creeping in through the open door. It had to be around five-thirty, the perfect time for a morning constitutional on horseback.

I knew exactly where I’d be headed too.

---