“Yes, how about that?” Chase said. “Coop did a little research and found out that Frank Dalton was based out of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He said that was the whereabouts of our ancestor, Cade Cooper. He said Frank Dalton had a reputation as a brave and honest lawman.”
“Tracy Dalton is a looker, isn’t she, Cash?” Sam prodded him.
“What’s a looker?” Colton asked.
“It means she’s a beautiful woman,” Cash told his nephew. To the men, he said, “She’s hot enough to melt dry ice.”
They talked about the barbecue and the ranches then. The day was another beautiful one in sunny Colorado. The blue skies overhead had nary a cloud, and the traffic was light on this scenic back road into Denver. Their first stop was to the company that made banners and signs. After picking up the banner Cash had ordered, the next stop was only a few miles away. Minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot for the dealership of the million-dollar-plus helicopter. Once it was determined the helicopter was ready as promised, Sam took Cash’s place behind the wheel of the truck and waved goodbye.
It took a little longer than Cash had expected to get the banner appropriately attached to the chopper. In addition, the wind had come up. The Chinooks weren’t strong enough to keep them from flying but towing the banner would slow them down. They’d land on Triple C-East around six and the barbecue would be in full swing. No matter, he had good people in place to handle things until he got there.
The interior of the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X included the pilot’s seat and the one beside it up front. Behind those seats were three seats across the back of the helicopter. Colton knew the drill and held Chase’s hand as they approached the chopper. Chase helped him into the back of the cockpit and buckled him up in a window seat. Cowboy hats off allaround, Chase then fitted Colton with his ear protection headset. Cash and Chase boarded and donned the headsets, which they could speak and hear through, as well. Cash started the engine, and they rose into the air.
“Yeehaw!” Colton whooped and clapped, making his uncle and dad chuckle as they started the flight back to Triple C-East.
Once they were headed south, Chase asked, “Coop likes this Tracy Dalton. The ancient history aside, I’d like to hear your take on her.”
“She’s intelligent, well-spoken, and accomplished,” Cash said.
“And you like her,” Chase replied knowingly.
“Yeah, but—” Cash shrugged.
“But what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. What’s the story?”
“I don’t know if she feels the same. She ghosted me in the middle of the night.”
“She spent the night?” Chase asked. “At your house?”
“Yeah.”
His brows raised in surprise, Chase said, “Okay. So, youmustlike her. A lot.”
“Did you hear the part about her slipping away without telling me? What do you think about that, Chase?”
“I think she didn’t want anyone to see her leaving in the morning,” Chase replied. “For your sake and hers.”
Cash looked at him. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Chase said. “What did she say today when you asked her why she left?”
“I didn’t ask her. I avoided her.”
Chase frowned. “Don’t let pride get in your way, Cash. Talk to her.”
“If she doesn’t feel the same about me, I don’t want her to feel obligated.”
“Only way to find out how shefeelsis to talk to her.”
“I guess.”
“Iguessshe’ll know howyoufeel when she sees the banner.”
“If she’s still on the ranch.”
