Or that someone had wrapped a snatch strap around the entire piece of hardware and hauled it off its struts with a truck. The damage was colossal, the weight of the trough filled with water more than any one man could turn over without assistance. Or half a dozen.
I walked around the area, glad the horses hadn’t trampled the ground too much. Sure enough, dual tire tracks started a few dozen yards back from the disaster zone. I’d bet last year’s salary that I could match those tracks to one of the trucks in the big house yard.No free guesses on which one.I slipped my phone out of my pocket and snapped a few quick photos.
“No idea.” Jude ignored me, intent on the work to be done, not how it happened. “Gotta be fixed, though. You ready?”
I had no idea how we’d make it work, but I was up for the distraction rather than worrying about Eve back at the house on her own for one more day.
“Let’s do it.”
My muscles screamed as I helped the stocky foreman push the trough that must have been a hundred years old, weighed down with what looked like Travis’s personal brand of innovation. Overall, the work was good, and I was glad to put my excess energy to use somewhere other than moping. By the time we were done the trough was dented, much the worse for wear and empty, but back in its place.
All evidence of the tracks I’d photographed before had been erased, and I was glad I’d taken notice when we first arrived. The trough hadn't pushed itself over, and I’d been on this land the last time someone tried to sabotage my girl, hurt her and her kin. Sure, the work was a nice distraction, but my mind was never far from Eve.
Maybe I’ve waited long enough.
Chapter 8
Archer
Eve refused to speak to me at breakfast, and I wouldn’t stop work during the day to flirt with her. That left evenings, with a small window when everyone left for the night.
Before Black Hill boy arrived.
I still didn’t know what his game was with my girl, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. But he wouldn’t get another night with her if she objected.
My trust with Black Hill had never been a strong point. And though I had little to base that on apart from a gut feeling, I'd lived that same feeling for the last twenty something years as first a cop then a Texas Ranger.
And I could count on one hand the amount of times that it had steered me wrong.
“Whiskey?” I rose from the long table, my plate in hand as I held out my other for Jude’s.
He looked up at me, considering. “Not tonight,” he said after a moment. “Feel like I might turn in early.” He looked aside at Will Kirk. “You up for an early night, kid?”
Will stared at his half drunk beer like it might magically evaporate, and sighed. “Guess I do, then.” He took a long drink that didn’t quite reach the bottom and clapped Odin on the shoulder. “We’re done here.”
The man looked up from his chatter. “No, I’m not.”
Will hauled him up physically from the table with one hand. The chatter fell silent.
“Yes, you are. Early morning. Move it. Unless you’re walking back to White Cap at the end of the season.”
That little move had most of the ranch hands moving their behinds, finishing up their drinks with less class and more ass than Will, but move they did.
“Not bad,” Jude murmured, stretching his shoulders.
I watched Odon, who sank back into his seat, and raised my eyebrows at Will.There’s your problem child.
Will nodded, running a hand through his hair.I know.
“What if I want to stay on at the end of the season? Seems there’s decent pickings here.” Odin leaned his elbows on the table making a show of taking his time finishing his drink.
His one mistake? His sights were set on Eve where she cleaned up the kitchen alone.
Will sent me an easy grin as he passed me with Jude. “This one’s yours."
I coughed into my fist. “Decent delegation skills.”
“Told you he leveled up.” Jude slung an arm around Will’s shoulders in a show of support, leading the swarm outside, until there were just the four of us left in the house.
