That sobered everybody.
Sadie's smile softened.
"He stayed in the house."
I nodded.
The gout had been hitting him hard all week.
He hated it.
Absolutely hated it.
The old rancher wasn't used to sitting still.
Unfortunately, his knee had swollen so badly yesterday that he'd needed help getting up the porch steps.
The thought sat wrong with me.
Hank Walker belonged outside.
On horseback.
Working cattle.
Not trapped inside watching life happen through a window.
Which was one more reason I kept showing up.
Or at least that's what I told myself.
Sadie watched me carefully.
Like she knew exactly what I was thinking.
Dangerous woman.
Very dangerous.
Then she smiled.
And ruined everything.
"Good thing you're here."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Why?"
"Because that's your cow."
I stared.
"My cow?"
"Yep."
"It is not my cow."
