“I’m no beauty.”
“Neither is she.”
Keely laughed softly. “Of course she is.”
“She’s not a beauty inside,” he said doggedly. “You are.”
“Thanks, Clark. You’re nice.”
“Nice.” He laughed. “Well, at least we’re still friends. Aren’t we?”
“Yes.”
“Then you can go riding with me from time to time. At the ranch. When Boone isn’t around,” he added with a wicked chuckle.
“We both know you’re not afraid of Boone,” she chided.
“Not much, anyway.”
“What did you tell Nellie, about not seeing her anymore?”
There was a long pause.
Her heart sank. “Clark, you’re not still seeing her?”
There was a longer pause.
“Her husband might hurt you. Really hurt you,” she warned.
He sighed. “You don’t understand. It’s complicated.”
“I guess I don’t,” she replied. “Be careful. Okay?”
“I’ll be careful. I know I have to break it off. But we had something special—on my side, at least. It takes a little time to adjust.”
“You watch your back,” she replied.
“I’ll do that. See you.”
“See you.”
She hung up, but she was worried. Clark was playing with fire. If she and Boone were really friends, she’d tell him. But Boone hadn’t called or come near her since the dance, when he’d kissed her so sweetly. She’d dreamed about him, ached to see him, but she hadn’t had so much as a glimpse of him. Perhaps he’d just been leading her on, she thought sadly, to get information about Clark and Nellie. There was a miserable thought, and it kept her unhappy the rest of the day.
* * *
She and her mother were getting along better than they ever had, although Keely lived in terror that her father, or worse, Jock, might just show up at the door. Ella had talked to a Realtor about the house and land. She had to take Jock’s threat seriously, she said, and she didn’t want to go to jail. Keely was worried that the secret might come out anyway. She felt guilty just knowing about it.
Things got worse when Hayes showed up at the vet’s office where she worked in the middle of the next week. He was somber and worried. He asked Keely out into the parking lot, away from the crowd in the waiting room, where they could talk undisturbed.
“What’s wrong?” Keely asked him apprehensively.
“It’s about your father,” he began hesitantly. His face became hard. “I’ve heard something. A little gossip. It involves my brother…”
“Oh, heavens!” Keely ground out. “I’m so sorry!”
The expression on her face spoke volumes. She never could keep secrets, and this one had cost her many a night’s sleep. If Hayes pushed, she’d have to tell him. She went pale.
“You know, don’t you?” he asked quietly. “Tell me, Keely.”
