Page 10 of Beneath Still Waters

“I know, but he doesn’t need to protect me from those people. They aren’t coming for me.”

He squeezed her hand tighter. “That’s where you’re wrong. They would gladly take you. Having you at Wayside has been a joy to me. For him, it’s been good but terrifying. You are one more woman he has to worry about and protect.”

“I’m trained to take care of myself.” She released her grip on his hand, but he didn’t let go.

“I know. He knows. Just think about it.”

At least he knew she could use her brain, if not her abilities. “Just because I was shot doesn’t mean I’m incapable.” That had to be it. She’d failed. Almost immediately. Had to come crawling back home to beg for a place to stay and heal . . . Not that she’d really begged, but that’s what asking felt like.

“Wayside is half yours. It always will be unless you give it to Connor. This is your home. Full stop.”

“Thanks.” Telling him why she wanted to leave would only hurt him. He made Wayside his world, along with Connor.

“You’ll take time to rest and heal, right?”

“I will do what I can. I already told Duke I’d help him. I’m a woman of my word.”

He remained silent for a few tense moments. “Can't blame you for something you likely inherited from me.”

NINE

Sacred Grounds was busier than usual. Apparently, Duke was today's entertainment. He sat across from her, pecking away at his computer like a seagull attacking French fries in a parking lot.

A man in freshly purchased western wear approached and stood at their table, waiting for Duke to recognize his presence.

“Can I help you?” Ferd stared at him. How rude to just stand there?

Duke glanced up from his work and narrowed his eyes at the stranger, then nodded for him to say his piece.

“I’m newer to the area. Kevin is my name. I wanted to let you know that someone’s been using my back forty, driving across. I don’t want them there. Trampling all my grass. My cattle can’t feed on trampled grass.” She wasn’t sure where he’d come from, but the way he spoke wasn’t quite the same as the locals.

New boots. New hat that hadn’t even curled right yet. Something about this didn’t sit well. When was the last time she’d seen a rancher who put on new clothes just to go to town? Not even someplace special, like Cheyenne, just to Piper’s Ridge?

“How long have you lived in the area?” She tilted her head.Can’t be long.

“About a year. Give or take.”

You were new once, too.“Where’s your ranch?” She drummed on the table when he didn’t respond immediately.

“It’s near a few other properties. About three miles from the lake.” He looked away. “Not a big place, but I raise enough beef to sell to the butcher.”

Bailey’s lake. She held in a flinch but must not have done a good job. Duke glanced at her quickly, his eyes narrowing more.

“When did this happen last? Do you have cameras out there or are you just seeing the damage?”

“I don’t have the money to buy cameras. I see my grass flattened by tire tracks that don’t belong there. Do I need to file a report, or can I just tell you about it?” He widened his stance, the new leather of his boots squeaking with the movement.

Ferd laid her hand on her pistol. Concealed, but not far away. His movement felt like a threat, and she wasn’t going to wind up in the same situation she’d been in when she got shot.

“Can I get your information? I’ll fill out a report and give you a call later. I’ll want to come out and see what’s going on, get pictures of the damage. Does that work for you?” Duke went back to his computer.

The newcomer mumbled something, pulled out a business card, then flicked it onto the table. Not a callus or dirt-crusted fingerprint in sight. “That’ll do,” he said. He strode away, his gait awkward and gangly.

Duke watched him walk away, his face calm. “He’s never worn boots before,” Duke began typing again. “I don’t know when he got cattle, but it wasn’t a year ago, and if he did, he’s been ranching in his runners.”

“So, I wasn’t the only one who thought he seemed . . . odd.”

Duke’s mouth quirked slightly. “Not the only one.” He typed for a few seconds. “So, how’s your leg?” He flicked a glance at her.