“Looks like it burned down.”
“That’s what happened.” The weight on his conscience pressed against his teeth so he couldn’t hold back the words. “That’s where Chet died. It was my fault.”
Ignoring the steps, he jumped to the ground and marched away. Every thud of his boots hammered the words deeper into his head and heart.It was my fault. All my fault.
“Jace. Jace. Wait.”
He didn’t slow down. Not even when her footsteps thudded after him.
Dianne gatheredup her skirts and raced after Jace. He couldn’t drop an announcement like that and then leave without explanation. “Jace! Wait!” But he hurried on as if he hadn’t heard. Or didn’t want to talk to her.
Skip barked at Eddie’s side as they trotted after her.
Jace’s long legs covered ground faster than she could, but that didn’t deter her. She would catch him sooner or later by sheer determination.
Two young men—or perhaps they could better be described as boys—stepped from a long narrow building—she guessed it to be quarters for the hired man. What did they call it here in the West? The word came to mind—the bunkhouse.
Their interest stopped Jace in his steps. “Howdy.” Jace’s greeting held a husky tone.
The taller of the boys nodded and responded, the gaze of both boys taking in Dianne and Eddie.
She made sure Eddie stayed behind her. The dog remained with him.
Jace rocked back on his heels and appeared to struggle to remember his manners. “Mrs. White, these two brothers work for the ranch. Lee—” He indicated the taller one who stood to the front. “And Cal.” They both had bronzed skin and hair as black as the finest coal. She guessed they had Native blood.
The boys nodded and greeted her politely.
Jace glanced past them to the building’s interior. “Where are the others?”
Lee’s gaze was dark and unblinking. “Slim took supplies and said he’d be at the north line cabin.” The boy cleared his throat and glanced at the floorboards. “Ernie took his things and left.Didn’t say where he was goin’. Ain’t seen Jimbo since the funeral.”
The air grew tense as if there was more.
“Al?” Jace demanded, a warning in his voice.
Lee and Cal edged aside and pointed to the door.
His blue eyes shooting sparks, Jace turned to Dianne. “Wait here.” He stepped into the interior. “Al!” he roared.
Mumbles and groans answered him.
“Pack your bags and be off this place in five minutes.”
More groans and a harsh yell.
Dianne pressed her fingers to her mouth. Was Jace going to be hurt?
Noting her concern, Cal offered a shy smile. “He’ll be all right.”
“I’ll saddle up his horse.” Lee trotted to the nearby pen.
Dianne didn’t take in a satisfying breath until Jace emerged, his face dark and blotched. Seeing she watched, he tried for a smile but didn’t quite make it.
“Chet would never tolerate drinking on the place, let alone a man too drunk to know what’s going on.”
Lee led the horse back.
Jace thanked him. “You two ride over to the rise south of Mare’s Coulee. There’s half a dozen cows there. At least one has signs of blood on it. Take supplies.”
