“Thenthey’d give me their blessing.”
Fedora regarded him doubtfully. “It will cause trouble for you.”
“I only care if it causes trouble for you.”
She nodded once before she opened the door and led him into the kitchen.
•••
Roen and Clay arrived at the sheriff’s office without having exchanged more than a score of words. Ben was cleaning his Colt at his desk when they went in. He paused long enough to tell them he’d seen Hitch dash across the street to lend assistance to Fedora Chen.
“He’s sweet on her,” said Clay. Aware that Ben and Roen were staring at him, he said, “Well, he is.”
“Yes,” said Ben, “but how do you know?”
“Before Mr. Shepard took me on, I used to do more odd jobs at the Butterworth, and I saw how it was with Deputy Springer. Frankie’s got the work there now. I bet if you ask him, he’ll tell you the same.”
“Huh.” Ben put down his gun. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. Does Miss Chen reciprocate his feelings?”
“Reciprocate?”
Roen said, “It means share or return.”
“Oh.” Clay looked back at Ben. “You could’ve just said so, Sheriff.”
“Now that you know what it means, I don’t have to,” said Ben. “Well, what’s the answer?”
“Can’t really say about Miss Chen. She’s not one for showin’ herself. I’d be real careful about inviting her to play poker. She’s got the face for it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Did Hitch tell you when he’d be back?” asked Roen.
“He didn’t tell me he was leaving. Hitch is still a little green behind the ears.”
“How long has he been your deputy?”
“About two years now.” He grinned. “Plenty of time yet to iron out the rough edges. You might like to know that I sent him out to the Double H yesterday while you and I wereotherwise occupied. Thought it would be good for him to follow up our visit, and he knows the Hardy brothers better than I do. He went to school with three of them for a while. Harrison’s oldest son was already working the ranch then.”
“And?” asked Roen. He was aware of Clay leaning in to hear Ben’s response. “Did he learn anything?”
“He did. It seems that Caleb, that’s the third son and one closest in age to Hitch, has suspected for a long time that the strip of land you’re questioning doesn’t belong to the Double H.”
“He said that?”
“Hitch said he did. There was a touch of hubris in the confession. Caleb wanted Hitch to know he was at least a half step smarter than his father and brothers.”
“I don’t suppose he confessed to shooting at us.”
“No, and Hitch doesn’t think he did. The most likely culprit is Judah.”
“The oldest.”
Ben nodded. “His father’s heir. Harrison told his sons he’s not dividing the land like it’s some damn piece of pie. Caleb’s words again, not mine.” He glanced at Clay. “Sorry, Clay. I should mind my words even when they’re not mine.”
“It’s all right,” said Clay. “I won’t tell my mother.”
“Thank you.”
