Shortly after noon Richard wandered out of the bunkhouse, looking as if he hadn’t been awake more than a few minutes. His hair was mussed and he yawned as he strolled across the yard, his shirt unbuttoned. He wore canvas shoes without socks.
Before going to the house for lunch, Laredo decided to rewrap Roanie’s leg and apply the ointment again. He was half-finished when he felt someone’s presence. He turned around and found Grady standing outside the stall watching him.
“I understand I’m in your debt,” he said with the pride of a man who preferred to owe no one. He looked tired and drawn, as if he hadn’t slept much. For the first time since making Grady’s acquaintance, Laredo felt sorry for him.
“No problem,” he said, straightening. He rubbed his hand down Roanie’s back, reassuring the gelding that all was well.
Grady lingered. Apparently there was something else on his mind. “Savannah told you about the ghost town, didn’t she?”
“She mentioned it,” Laredo said stiffly.
“I thought she might have.” Grady leaned against the stall door. “Listen, I haven’t made my feelings any secret. I don’t like you, Smith. Nor do I trust you. A man who steals gets no respect from me.”
“For what it’s worth, I didn’t do it,” Laredo said, although he doubted Grady would believe him.
“I have even less respect for a liar.”
Laredo tensed. If it wasn’t for Savannah, he’d have had his fist down the other man’s throat. He’d worked hard to prove himself, but apparently a good day’s labor wasn’t enough for Grady Weston.
“You should know I’ve asked Sheriff Hennessey to do a background check on you, although I suspect Smith is probably an alias.”
Laredo’s hackles were already raised, but defending himself again would be a useless waste of breath. He exhaled sharply. “Fine. To be fair, if Savannah was my sister, I’d do the same thing. You’re looking to protect her. I can’t blame a man for that.”
If Grady was surprised, he didn’t show it.
“I’m pleased to hear you say that, because she needs protecting.”
Savannah’s brother had Laredo’s attention now. “What do you mean?”
“Unfortunately she mentioned finding Bitter End to Richard and he seemed far too interested. I heard the bastard when I was washing up for dinner. He was hinting that she should take him there.” He paused. “I don’t want it to happen.”
Laredo agreed with Grady. “She’s already promised me she wouldn’t return alone. I hope she doesn’t go with Richard, either.”
Surprise flickered in Grady’s intensely blue eyes. “So she did plan to go back.” He scratched the side of his head. “Why on earth would she do such a thing?” He looked to Laredo for the answer.
“The roses,” he said, amazed Grady hadn’t figured it out.
“She’s already got more roses than she knows what to do with. How could she possibly want more? What’s wrong with that woman? Why would she risk her fool neck over a few flowers?”
“She’s after old roses,” Laredo explained.
“Old roses.” The two words were part of a deep sigh. Grady seemed lost in thought for a minute and then his gaze found Laredo’s again. “I don’t want her going there with Richard or anyone else, for that matter. It’s not safe. Regardless of my feelings toward you, I care about my sister and I’d appreciate your help.”
“You might find this hard to believe, Grady, but I care about Savannah’s well-being, too.”
“Then keep her away from Bitter End.”
Laredo wasn’t sure he could do that. “I’m not making any promises, but I’ll do what I can.”
Grady nodded wearily. “That’s all I ask.” He hesitated, glanced over at Roanie’s leg and then back to Laredo. “We could use a wrangler this time of year. Are you interested in the job?”
“I’d need to square it with Savannah.”
“That isn’t what I asked,” Grady said, his words sharp.
“I’m interested,” Laredo answered.
“Fine,” he said. “You can start after lunch.”
***
Damn, but the old town looked good. It was midafternoon as Richard slowly drove Grady’s battered pickup down Main Street. He’d barely been back twenty-four hours, and it felt as if he’d never left. Well, not quite, but close enough. He’d thought about returning to Promise more than once—but not driving his brother’s clunky truck.
Despite the town’s familiarity, a lot had changed over the years. The savings-and-loan had a sign that alternately flashed the time and the temperature. Damn if that didn’t beat all. Next thing he knew the town would have its own Dairy Queen.
Luck was with him. Slowly but surely he’d manage to wriggle his way back into Grady’s good graces—enough, at any rate, to convince his big brother to let him stay for a while. It wouldn’t take long to win Savannah back, but then his sister had always been a soft touch. Grady, however, wasn’t nearly as easy. So far, it was Richard two, Grady zilch.
Because not only was Richard staying at the ranch, he had the truck. Okay, Savannah had been the one to give him the keys, but what Grady didn’t know wasn’t going to hurt him.
His brother was a fool. Grady could have sold that ranch ten times over and lived off the profits for years. Instead he’d half killed himself holding on to twenty thousand smelly cattle-filled acres. Richard had listened to the spiel about their forefathers struggling against impossible odds and all that garbage. So what? He wasn’t about to let the ranch or anything else tie him down. He had better ideas than following a bunch of senseless cattle around all that godforsaken land.
Richard pulled into the first available parking spot and hopped out of the cab. Six years away, and he still knew this town inside out, recognized every street and practically every building. On the other hand, no one was going to recognize him, dressed as he was. What he needed, Richard decided, was new clothes.
His first stop was Jordan’s Town and Country. Max Jordan who owned the place would be close to retirement by now.
“Max,” Richard said as he walked into the Western-wear store. He greeted Max as if they’d been the best of friends, slapping the older man jovially on the back. “Don’t you know me?” he asked. “Richard. Richard Weston.”
“Richard.” The other man’s eyes brightened with recognition. “When did you get back?”
“Yesterday. Listen, does Grady still have an open account with you?” He fingered the pearl buttons on a polished-cotton shirt and checked the cost, raising his brows at the price.
“That’s one of our designer shirts,” Max said, and steered him toward another less pricy rack of clothes.
Richard returned to the original shirt. “Do you have it in a forty-two?”
“I think I just might,” Max said with some surprise. He shifted hangers as he searched out sizes. “Yup, got one right here.”
“Great. Grady said I should buy what I need.”
“Not a problem,” Max assured him, grinning at the prospect of a big sale. “How’s Grady doing these days? I don’t see much of him.”
“He works too hard,” Richard said. And it was true. His brother needed to relax and not take everything so seriously.
“It’s good to see you, my boy,” Max said, watching Richard try on a pair of three-hundred-dollar snakeskin boots. They fit perfectly, as if they were just waiting for him. “I’ll take these, as well.”
“Good choice.”
Grady wouldn’t think so, but Richard would pay him back. Eventually.
“I’ve got to say I still miss your parents,” Max continued. “They were good people. My, but your mother knew how to cook, and your pa, why, he was the life of the party.”
The word “party” struck a pleasant chord with Richard. He didn’t imagine there’d been much celebrating around the Yellow Rose since he’d been away. Not with Grady being such a tightwad. He doubted his brother even knew how to laugh anymore, and Savannah ran and hid from her own shadow.