Back in the country,he turned into the cattle entrance.
“Hey,” Cash called, standing next to Bob. “Come on! You’re just in time.”
“Serving up burgers,” Bob said from the grill. “Hungry?”
“Yeah,” Chase said, with a wave to the ranch hands taking seats at picnic tables.
Even with all that was going on, being here made him feel better. Triple C Ranch-Central would always be home. His strength came from his family and friends, the land, and its legacy. Chase spoke to Martyman and Mean Pete, then Red, Reno, and Faro. Mitch and Thatch, along with Rafe and Hank, were all dedicated to helping Chase wherever and whenever needed. Much the same way Richard felt about Blade, Tommy-Gun, and Wolf, these cowboys were Chase’s trusted men. Though Bob had initially felt sorry for a homeless Ragsdale and taken a chance on him, it had been an error in judgment.
“I’m damn sorry about Ragsdale, boss,” Bob apologized with a nod at Chase’s temple.
“Don’t worry about it,” Chase said sincerely, stopping beside him. He nodded at Max, a cousin of Hank’s, who had recently left the rodeo circuit after being bucked off one too many bulls and had replaced Ragsdale. “Hank’ll keep Max in line.”
“Yes, sir. He will,” Bob chuckled. “Not to mention, Coop is Max’s hero.”
“So?” Cash asked. “What happened in town, Chase?”
“Here,” Bob said, handing them plates with two burgers each on them. “Eat.”
“Thanks,” Chase said as he took a plate and sat down at one of the picnic tables with Cash.
Each pulling a cart, Coop and Teresa came forward from the barn, where they stocked a refrigerator mostly with bottled water, soft drinks, and beer. Setting in ice was plenty of bottled water and soft drinks. No beer during working hours. Coop passed out drinks, and Teresa served up baked beans from a pot on the grill. Bob saw to it that everybody had as many burgers as they could eat. Then Teresa and Bob sat across from Cash. Coop sat across from Chase. Chase knew they wanted to hear the latest but hesitated.
“Everybody knows,” Cash said with a shrug.
“Word travels fast in the bunkhouse,” Bob added.
“We have your back,” Martyman assured him from another table.
“We always do, boss,” Mean Pete added, sitting across from Martyman as others at nearby tables seconded that.
The entire crew, with the exception of Max, had met Jade at the Memorial Day picnic, and she had left an immediate and lasting impression. So Chase told them there was a Jade sighting at her office, and that was a relief to everyone. Then he said he was meeting up with the Sons of Steel later to look for Lester, the man the ranch hands had seen the previous day while branding. Threats against the suspected perpetrators flew like bullets around the tables.
Shaking his head, Bob said, “God help Lester or the Spatafores if they come out to this ranch.”
* * *
Even with thebranding to sidetrack him, it was a long afternoon. Cows mooed the same, dirt smelled like dirt, and the sun beat down as it does in June. But the work Chase had done all his life felt off today, less fulfilling. Around six, he went home and took a shower. All he could think of was washing Jade’s body, shampooing her hair, and sliding his hand into her bikini. He muttered a curse and turned off the water. He wouldn’t rest until he found her. After pulling on a long-sleeved blue shirt and jeans, he buckled his belt and tugged on his boots.
Teresa slowed him down in the kitchen long enough to hand him a sandwich. Eating it as he walked, Chase made a detour to the stables to check on the new horses. He especially wanted to see Jubilee. In his heart, Jubilee wasn’t his horse. She belonged to Jade. Max had expressed a fondness for American Quarter Horses, and Coop had suggested he be assigned to look after Jubilee. Chase found Max and Hank brushing the horses as Coop regaled them with rodeo stories. Picturing Jade in her cowboy hat, green top, white jeans, and red boots, Chase wondered if he’d ever see Jade ride Jubilee again. Yes. Theywouldride Valor and Jubilee together.
“Thanks,” Chase said to Coop, Max, and Hank before leaving the stables.
“Chase,” Coop called after him.
“Yes, sir?” Chase stopped and waited for his grandfather to catch up with him. When he neared, Chase headed for his Harley, and Coop fell into step beside him.
“I see that Ruger Blackhawk stuck in the back of your belt,” Coop said. “I see the Harley you’re about to ride, and I know the club you’re riding with tonight.”
“You don’t have to tell me to be careful. I will be, and I’ll see you later, Coop.”
Coop’s blue eyes watered. “I love you, son. Bring her home.”
Chase hugged him. “Love you too.”
Heading alone to his Harley, Chase met up with Cash. Chase told his brother he couldn’t go into town with him. He didn’t want to scare Katy off, and he had plenty of backup with Richard and his boys. Cash wasn’t any too happy about it but reluctantly let him go.
* * *
