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As if sensing it, Monte reached out and gathered her into the loose circle of his arms. “You have been through so much, Jessy.” He nestled her head against his shoulder and rested his chin atop it. The embrace was too reminiscent of one of her brothers wrapping her in their arms in a gesture of comfort for Jessy to raise any objection to it. “I don’t know how you keep your head up sometimes.”
“I guess it’s knowing that this too shall pass.” When she drew back, Monte made no attempt to hold her.
Just then something registered in her side vision—something that shouldn’t be there. She glanced past Monte’s shoulder and saw Laredo standing motionless in the doorway, steel-blue eyes regarding her without expression.
Shock held her motionless for no more than an instant, but it was long enough for Monte to realize something had distracted her. As his arms fell away from her, he made a half-turn and glanced toward the hall.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Laredo said in a bland voice. “You left a message that you wanted to see me.”
“I did, yes,” Jessy confirmed, quick to adopt a brisk, businesslike pose. “Would you mind excusing us, Monte?”
“Not at all.” He was quick to agree, but the glance he darted between them was clearly curious. “No problems at the feedlot, I hope?”
“No sir,” Laredo replied. “Your cattle are fed and fit.”
“My mother is in the kitchen, Monte,” Jessy told him. “Why don’t you see if you can persuade her to brew you some tea?”
“I’ll do that.” With a parting nod to Jessy, Monte exited the den with a jaunty stride.
Laredo was slow to enter, letting his gaze wander over the room’s interior, taking note of the old map on the wall and the set of sweeping horns mounted above the fireplace. He came to a stop a few feet from her, his roaming glance finally pausing on her.
“What’s the problem?” He didn’t say a word about seeing Monte’s arms around her, but, innocent though the gesture had been, she sensed his disapproval.
It made her angry. Jessy didn’t feel she owed him any explanation and she refused to offer one. “I thought you should know that Logan asked me last night if you always carried a hideaway in your boot.”
His eyebrows went up slightly. “The man has sharp eyes.”
“I thought I should warn you about that, and I knew it would be easier for you to get away than it would be for me.”
Laredo nodded in understanding, turning thoughtful. “I guess I’ll have to go around naked for awhile. Maybe it will make him wonder if he really saw what he thought he did.” He paused, his glance tunneling into her. “Has Cat said anything more?”
“No.”
From the front entryway came the chatter of voices. Jessy recognized Cat’s voice among them. “You’d better get back to work,” she said, wishing he had left before Cat returned.
“I’ll do that.” He crossed to the door, paused, and turned back, showing a marked unconcern for Cat’s presence. “By the way, you were right. Duke didn’t remember Sally.”
With that he disappeared into the hall, but his place was almost immediately taken by Cat.
“Who is Duke? Another family friend?” Cat inquired. Her green eyes glittered with challenge.
“Personally I don’t know him. I think Chase did.” Constant practice had allowed the lies to come easily. “Did you choose a plot for Sally?”
In the end it was decided to bury Sally next to her late husband, thus avoiding any future questions as to why she wasn’t. The only townspeople to make the long drive to the Triple C for the funeral were those who were long-time residents of Blue Moon. All the rest of the mourners were from the ranch except for Monte Markham and Tara.
To Jessy’s relief, Laredo stayed away. Still fewer mourners chose to attend the reception at The Homestead following the graveside service.
As always at such gatherings, small or large, the men gravitated to one area and the women to another, with the children running about to claim all. Jessy stood on the outer fringes of one group of women and feigned an interest in their discussion. In truth, she had no idea what they were talking about. She was too distracted by the sight of Cat and Tara with their heads together.
Ever since she arrived for the funeral, Tara had barely left Cat’s side. Judging from the glances the two women kept sliding in her direction, Jessy guessed that she was the topic of their conversation. And she had no difficulty imagining that it was in connection with her position as head of the Triple C. She wouldn’t have been surprised if Tara had twisted things around to insinuate that she hadn’t done enough to prevent Sally’s death, even though it was obvious to everyone else that Sally’s health had seriously deteriorated.
Jessy thought again about the note Chase had written for Cat’s benefit. There simply hadn’t been any opportunity for Jessy to show it to Cat these last couple of days. Jessy decided it was time to make that opportunity. Immediately a calm settled over her.
With no hesitation, Jessy left the small group and crossed the living room to Cat and Tara. They stopped talking the instant she was within earshot.
“Excuse me, Cat,” Jessy began smoothly. “Would you mind stepping into the den with me for a few minutes? I have something I want to show you.”
“What is it?” Cat asked, coolly indifferent.
