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With that pronouncement, Andrew glared around the room as if daring anyone to
try to stop him. Then he stood abruptly and stomped through the kitchen. The
slamming door was a sharp retort in the stunned silence of the dining room. Nobody
said a word until the sound of his medical van faded completely.
 Now what in the hell has gotten into him? Cass wondered aloud, repeating Ty s
own thoughts. When no one answered him, he turned to Tony.  You probably know
Jed better than any of us. Does this seem like something he would do? Cass asked.
Tony stiffened under everyone s attention, and looked down at his plate.  Jed s my
friend, he mumbled.  He has some problems, but nothing like what you re talking
about. But you shouldna done what you did to him, Tyler. You shouldna embarrassed
him like that.
Before Ty could respond, Manny said  Boss, me and the guys need showers and
some sleep, effectively diverting the attention away from the awkward situation.
 Holden? Cass tossed the question to the sheriff.
 No problem. I just have a few more questions for you, Cass.
Tyler watched all of the drama, feeling as though he had definitely missed
something important by staying in the house all day. It seemed as though Holden and
Cass might have some things to say in private, so he followed the men into the kitchen
and loaded them down with the leftover sandwiches. He had to admit he was stung by
Tony s remarks. All he d done was disarm a drunken ranch hand. He hadn t set out to
embarrass Jed. Seemed to him, the idiot had done that well enough on his own.
When Ty returned to the dining room, Holden was standing by the sideboard,
yawning and pouring another cup of coffee. Cass was leaning back in his chair with his
eyes closed. Both men looked exhausted.
Ty moved to stand behind Cass and placed both hands on his shoulders.  Do you
know what happened, yet? he asked.
Blowing out a heavy sigh, Cass said,  Someone drove onto the ranch and put
oleander clippings around the water station in the north quarter. We were lucky Manny
got out there as quickly as he did and prevented any more cattle from eating the leaves.
It wasn t a fucking accident, Holden, he said, suddenly leaning forward, arms on the
table.
 No, the sheriff agreed mildly.  But there isn t any evidence right now that s going
to help us find out who did this, either. Goddamn prima donna doctor went off
halfcocked. So tell me what you think? Is this something your former ranch hand would
do?
 Jed? Hell, I don t know. I wouldn t have thought he d fire a gun over losing a shot
at a guy, either. I can t believe I ever did anything to him that s worth hurting innocent
animals.
The sheriff sighed.  This isn t about the animals, and you know it. This is personal
toward you, Cass. Whoever did this was looking to cause you pain. Is there anyone
besides Jed who fits that category? A former lover? Other employees you ve fired? A
hate crime?
 What? No! I don t know who would do something like this. This isn t exactly the
most liberal part of the country, but mostly people out here are live and let live. I don t
flaunt my lifestyle in town and I don t hire hands that take offense. Hell, I ve had other
ranchers send me guys who they thought would fit in better at the Willow Springs.
With another huge yawn, Holden looked toward the door and then back.  Tyler, can
I press you for a travel cup or two of this coffee. It s a long-assed drive back to
Kingman.
 I have a better idea. Why don t you stay? We ve got plenty of room. It s going to be
dark soon, and you shouldn t be driving back on such little sleep. I ll throw your
uniform in the washer and you can shower, sleep, and when you re ready, you can just
get up and go. That s when I ll give you some coffee.
Tyler stopped talking and tried to ignore the fact he d just invited someone to stay
the night, as if this was his house.
Holden looked into his coffee mug for a long moment, as if it might hold the answer.
He folded his lips together, shifted his weight, sighed.  Yeah, all right. That makes
sense. If you re sure it s not too much trouble.
 No trouble at all, Cass answered, looking suspiciously as if he were hiding a
smile.  Ty, you re going to have to loan him some of your clothing though, because he
sure isn t gonna fit in mine. And don t worry Holden, we ll put you in a room with a
lock. Your virtue is safe enough, if that s what s bothering you.
Holden s chestnut colored skin camouflaged most of the flush.
Chapter Twelve
Cass watched Tyler move around the kitchen, wiping the counter tops, putting
coffee grounds in the filter for the morning pot, checking the salt and pepper shakers. It
was like sitting in a diner at closing time.
 Angry? Ty asked, without looking around.
He blew out a big breath and tried to figure out what he was feeling.  I m kind of
numb, I think. Why would anyone do that?
Unexpectedly, Ty circled around behind him, wrapped strong arms around his
waist, and laid his head against his shoulder.  I m sorry, Cass. I hope this isn t because
of something I did. I mean, I was never interested in Jed, you know that, but maybe I
could have handled things differently. You ve been nothing but nice since I
Gibby
Cass twisted in Tyler s arms as he turned around on the stool. Drawing the younger
man to stand between his knees, he pressed their foreheads together.  Tyler, there is
only one person responsible for all of this. If it is Jed, then it s something wrong with
him. Not with me, not with you, not with us together. Him.
Holding Tyler this close, breath touching breath, Cass was consumed with desire.
He was hungry to possess and be possessed, to take and to give. But he had to be sure,
had to know that Tyler was comfortable with the choice he d made. Doubt had swept
through him earlier when Ty pulled away and blushed when they d been caught in
their embrace. On the other hand, Tyler had invited the Sheriff to stay the night at the
house, as if this were
 Tyler, are you sure about this? I mean we haven t 
 Is this because I got embarrassed earlier or because I invited Holden to stay? Ty
whispered.
The moment felt increasingly intimate, more intimate than making love, as if he and
Tyler were about to take an irrevocable step. This was unchartered territory for both of
them.
 Both, he admitted. Reluctant to let this intimacy pass, Cass prepared to jump with [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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