Carson nodded. “Except from now on, no one goes anywhere on this ranch alone. We’ll do like dive buddies. Two or more.”
“Agreed.” Kade bobbed his head. “We are not to take any chances until Ray is caught and, preferably, behind bars.”
“Do you think the two hands in custody will be released?”
“I hope not.” Carson looked around the room. “I truly hope not.”
Clint couldn’t agree more. Not so much because he was afraid of the pipsqueaks, but more so because if he ever got his hands on the bastards who stole from Alice and made her and her family’s lives so difficult, he couldn’t promise he wouldn’t wind up back in jail again, this time for a crime hedidcommit.
Chapter Thirteen
After several hours of pretending to be asleep, Alice decided that there was no such thing as fake it till you make it when it came to slumber. Climbing out of bed in the pitch of night was standard for ranchers. There was much to be done and the day always started early. For her, it was in the kitchen, but for the rest of the family or hands, the work was usually outdoors and always strenuous. Today, she would have a hearty breakfast ready for her crew and join Clint on his search of the shacks.
As soon as he’d mentioned checking for more stashes of cash or goods, she wondered why the heck hadn’t they done that right away. It was foolish to assume that was the only money Ray or one of his people had hidden.
“Wow.” Kade came into the kitchen with his buddy on his heel. “You’re up early.”
“I could say the same about you.” She flipped pancakes on the griddle.
Josh chuckled. “She’s got you there.”
“What’s your poison?” Alice pointed to the griddle. “Pancakes, there’s a French toast casserole in the oven, eggs in the frying pan, and I’ve got bacon or sausage or both.”
Her son’s friend looked from the stove to Kade and back, and then, a smile took over his face. “I guess a little of everything.”
“Keep eating like that and you’re going to have to go on a crash diet before reporting back for duty.”
“Hey,” Josh raised his hands at Kade, “I’m no fool. Uncle Sam could learn a thing or two from your mother. I’m going to enjoy this home cooking for as long as I can.”
The back door swung open. Removing his hat, Clint slapped it against his thigh and stomped his boots on the mat.
“Hungry?” She waved a spatula at him.
“No, ma’am.” He shook his head. “I’ve already eaten.”
Swallowing quickly, Josh ran a napkin across his mouth. “You do not know what you’re missing. You may want to rethink that.”
Clint looked at Josh, gave a slow lazy smile and nodded. “Miss Alice is an excellent cook.”
Now why did that little complement make her cheeks warm? “If you’re not hungry, what brings you up to the house?”
“I’ve left Benny fixing the chute for vaccinating. Last time a few good kickers tore it up a bit and it needs to be reinforced before the next round.”
Alice nodded. Having Benny around was helping them catch up on deferred maintenance.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to get an early start, check for some more loose floorboards in the shacks and make sure the cameras haven’t been tampered with.”
“Have a seat. I’m almost done with the last of the pancakes. Then I’ll get my boots on and we’ll go together.”
“That won’t be…” his voice dropped off at her glare. “Yes, ma’am.”
She almost chuckled out loud. That look had worked just as well with all her children and Charlie too. It was kind of nice to know after all these years, she hadn’t lost her touch.
From her husband’s office, the door squeaking shut could be heard followed by the fall of booted heels against the floor.Carson came to a stop in the doorway. “I know we’re ranchers, but isn’t this rather early for everyone?”
“Couldn’t sleep so I got up and started breakfast early.” Alice shrugged.
“We were going to do a morning run, but we got waylaid by Mom’s cooking.” Kade shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
