The man looked away. “There was no one else here, and to be honest, I thought this was the worst run ranch in Arizona.” He finally met his gaze. “But I’m glad I was here, especially since that monsoon came through.”
He clapped the man on the shoulder. “I am too. When Riley started to worry about the horses, I assured her you’d take care of them.”
Wyatt rubbed the back of his neck. “I just wish I hadn’t fallen asleep on the couch Friday night. I would have called Cole sooner. It wasn’t until I woke up Saturday morning that I realized things were serious.”
Garrett stepped back. “You didn’t think something was wrong when Black Jack came back to the ranch riderless?”
“My mind was on other things and by time I got here, the horse was standing next to the lean-to by the barn, so I thought someone had saddled him and then got called away and forgot. There was nothing on him to say he’d thrown anyone or wandered off on someone. Like I said, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’ve been on edge ever since Gramps died. Nothing’s right now. Not even me.”
He studied the man. There was more to this, but he didn’t have the time now to figure it out. “Well, I’m glad you did call Cole. Another day in that mine and we would have been in tough shape. So thanks. Is Riley home?”
“She is for now. I’m going to take Guinness for a ride.”
Garrett nodded and moved past the man to open the screen door. He knocked.
Wyatt yelled over his shoulder. “Cole’s in the kitchen. Go ahead in.”
Opening the door, he strode inside and found Cole.
“I thought I heard a truck. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.” Cole’s welcome seemed a bit over the top. He’d been the one to get them out of the mine after all.
“It’s good to see you. Is Riley here?”
Cole moved to the fridge and pulled out a beer, silently offering him one.
He shook his head.
“She just quit on me.” Cole opened the bottle and sat at the table.
“Quit? I thought she liked working here.”
Cole’s shoulders fell. “She wouldn’t give me a reason, but I think she blames me for the mine cave-in. I should have boarded that place up years ago. I kept meaning to.” He took a gulp of beer and looked at him. “Any chance you’ve thought about that job I offered you.”
“No, I haven’t.” That wasn’t the Riley he knew. He had to talk to her. Find out what was going on.
“Then think about it. As of today. I have no fulltime ranch hands and no ranch manager. I need both.”
“Where is she?”
Cole gave him a shrewd look. “Upstairs. While you’re talking, see if you can’t talk her into staying.”
“Believe me, I will.” He spun on his heel and walked down the hall, but he took the stairs two at a time, his heart going into double time. Remembering his quick run through the house less than a week ago, he turned left at the top of the staircase.
Her door was open, and he could hear her on the phone. “I can come down on Thursday. I appreciate it.”
He walked to the open door and leaned against the jamb. She sat on one of the two twin beds, her back to him and a large Army duffle bag lay open on the floor, a few things already in it. “Going somewhere?”
She stood, spinning around to face him, her phone dropping to the bed. “Shit, Garrett. What are you doing here?”
“I came to see if you’re okay. That’s what teammates do after going through a tough experience. Surely you know that.” He couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. Everything in the room screamed she was running away, but he tried to tamp down his rising anger. There may be a logical explanation.
She looked down at her phone and picked it up, putting it in her back pocket. “Cole told me you were okay.” She shrugged. “I don’t know where you live, so I figured you’d be by eventually. I know you have family in town.”
He strode forward, needing to be near her, but suddenly unsure of her. After the mine, he thought she had feelings for him, maybe felt as strongly as he did. “But you’re packing. Cole says you quit.”
“I’ve got a new job. This was only supposed to be temporary anyway.” She flung her arm out to encompass the room, as if that explained everything.
Ire rose, but he clamped down hard. Maybe someone nearby had offered her a job. “Where?”
