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“Amazing. What about Markham? Has he called?”
“No. It makes me wonder if he’s heard.”
“He has. You can bet on it.”
The mere mention of his name altered the tenor of their conversation, adding a tension to it. “Cat called before they left for the airport,” Jessy said. “O’Rourke’s funeral is set for eleven o’clock Saturday morning. Graveside services will be held at the old cemetery.”
For the most part, Culley’s death had become lost in the excitement of Chase’s imminent return. When anyone bothered to remember it, it was usually in connection with Cat, invariably framed in a remark that noted the irony of losing her uncle on the same day she found out her father was alive. Not even the fact that O’Rourke had died of a gunshot wound seemed to arouse much interest. Most people seemed willing to believe someone had been shooting at a coyote or prairie dog and the bullet went astray—one of those tragic freak accidents. Considering the way O’Rourke ghosted over the countryside, they doubted that the shooter had known anyone was in the area.
“I hear there is a big barbecue planned for Sunday to welcome Chase back,” Laredo remarked.
Jessy nodded. “My mom told me about it. There seemed to be a groundswell to do something to mark the occasion.” She paused, her thoughts turning to another concern that was never far from her mind. “I still think Chase should have laid low awhile longer. I know Culley’s death made that difficult. Just the same, though, I don’t think it’s wise for him to come forward now.”
“It was his decision. Whether it’s wise or not doesn’t matter anymore. It’s done.” It was a statement that pointed out the futility of second-guessing now.
Jessy understood the reasoning behind the decision—to force Monte to make another attempt at Chase, hopefully panicking him into a rash one. There was always the possibility Monte would wait to see how much of his memory Chase had regained, but somehow Jessy knew that wasn’t likely.
“At least there shouldn’t be any problems at the barbecue. Monte isn’t apt to try anything with so many people around.” She found some relief in that thought.
“Don’t count on it,” Laredo warned. “Markham has to know he will have trouble luring Chase away from the ranch. And there aren’t many places he can lie in wait for Chase around here without running the risk of being seen. The crowd and confusion of a barbecue might just be the kind of setup he wants.”
She felt a chill of foreboding. “You’ll be here at headquarters from now on, won’t you?”
“Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “I plan to stick as close to Chase as his shadow.”
“Where are you headed now?”
“Back up to the Boar’s Nest. If I’m going to be staying around here, Hattie will need the truck. If Markham shows up while I’m gone, let me know his reaction.”
“Will do,” Jessy promised and stepped back from the truck, watching as he drove away.
The highway cut a long gray line through the plains of eastern Montana. The traffic thickened, signaling the nearness of a city. Spotting a signpost ahead, Cat leaned forward in the passenger seat, her expression a mix of anxiety and excitement.
“Seven more miles,” she announced. “Thank heavens. This is the longest drive to Miles City I ever remember making. I wish now we had flown here in the ranch plane.”
“It wouldn’t have been any different. The flight would have seemed twice as long.” Logan took his gaze from the highway long enough to run a glance over Cat. Throughout the trip she had been a bundle of restless energy, rarely still, all edgy nerves with emotions running the gamut.
She turned her face toward the side window for a moment. Swinging back toward him, she asked for at least the tenth time, “Are you absolutely certain it was Dad you talked to?”
“Positive. His voice is unmistakable. The minute I heard it I knew it was Chase even though my mind told me it was impossible,” Logan replied. “It was an eerie moment.”
“But what if i
t’s an imposter? You told me yourself that the man claimed to have amnesia. He could remember some things, but not others. There wasn’t any way he could prove to you he was Chase Calder.”
“We’ll know soon enough whether or not he’s an imposter.” Logan made the turn onto the road that led to the airport. “But I’m positive he’ll turn out to be the genuine article.”
“I hope you are right.” Cat propped an elbow on the window ledge and closed her hand, holding it against her chin. “I’m just afraid to believe it, though.”
Reaching over, Logan covered her hand, aware of the emotional roller coaster she had ridden during the last twenty-four hours, first learning of her uncle’s death, then receiving the stunning news that her father was alive.
From the backseat, Quint asked, “Do you think he will remember us, Dad?”
Logan glanced at his son’s reflection in the rearview mirror, observing the troubled light in his eyes. “I think he will.”
“What time did you say his flight is supposed to land?” Cat focused all her attention on the terminal building. It was a small one by big-city standards.
“In about fifteen minutes,” Logan replied. “I’ll let you two out and go park.”
