Joe Two-Feather looked up from the chunk of cedar he’d been carving into a stem for his Pipe. The young man walking up the path to his isolated cabin outside Golden, British Columbia, had the black hair and facial features that identified him as “not quite Native” but “not strictly Caucasian” either. Everyone who followed rodeo would recognize the muscular build, handsome face, and steel blue eyes of the reigning world champion saddle bronc rider instantly.
“Matt Dillon, what you doing here?”
“Can’t a man call on a friend?”
Joe spat out a wad of tobacco and waved away Matt’s question. “You figure I’m getting too thick to remember what day it is? Why in hell ain’t you back in town getting ready to ride that bronc of yours?”
Every rodeo fan knew today was Showdown Sunday and no cowboy in the country would pass up an opportunity to compete for the biggest prize in rodeo, and certainly not the current champion, especially since he’d soon have a wife to support.
So as soon as Joe spotted Matt walking up his path at half past ten on Showdown Sunday, he knew something was wrong. The rodeo was a three-hour trip from Golden, and even if Matt had a helicopter stashed somewhere—and Joe’d have heard one of them landing within 50 miles of his isolated Rocky Mountain cabin—there wasn’t any way Matt could make it back to ride in the Calgary Stampede finals this year.
Joe wasn’t sure what was going on, but the situation didn’t smell one bit like a friendly chat between brothers—which they might as well have been, raised together the way they were. Joe had lost his Cree parents in a car wreck when he was only six. Matt’s dad, an RCMP officer, had been the first one on the scene, and the one who’d delivered the bad news to Joe and his grandma. From that day onward Joe had spent nearly every weekend with Constable Dillon and his son Matt. So, it had only seemed right that when Joe’s grandma left to join her son and daughter-in-law in the spirit world, Joe’d moved in with the Dillons.
“Nice to see you too, Buddy.” Matt crouched down beside his brother and watched quick hands run the knife along the cedar shaft.
Joe stopped in mid-peel and focused sharp black eyes on Matt’s face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well,” Matt propped his back against the wooden stair railing and stretched his legs. “As you might’ve noticed, today’s Showdown Sunday and I’m here and not in the infield.”
“Yep. I did in fact notice that.” Joe nodded and waited for Matt to continue.
“Somebody’s playing dirty, and I’m not sure how I want to handle things. Guess I needed some time to sort it out.”
“Dirty how? Who?”
“Chance Mayfair. You oughta know that without asking.”
“So, what did he do this time?”
“I don’t know, but he did something that made his horse go nuts. I can’t prove it of course. But I know he did. I got a good look at that poor bugger when they chased him out of the ring, and I’m telling you, he acted spooked. Chance had to know there was something wrong with that horse but he didn’t give a damn, not Chance, the only thing he cared about was pocketing his share of that million.”
“So why not turn him in?”
“That’s the hell of it. I went and talked to one of the Vets, who took me over to talk to the women from the Animal Advisory Panel. When I told her what I suspected, she asked the Vet if all the horses had been drug tested like usual and he said yes. Since I had no idea what Chance had done to his horse and no proof, I couldn’t back up anything. They made it obvious they thought I was just mad because Chance outrode me. They suggested I get a good night’s sleep and get ready for today’s ride and things would probably work themselves out.”
“Oh boy.” Joe knew Matt’s temperament as well as he knew his own, so he knew how that must’ve gone.
“I guess I kind of lost it at that point. I told them I wouldn’t be riding in any fucking rodeo where they cared more about their image than they did about protecting their stock. I walked out, jumped in my truck and headed out here.”
“That’s not like you, Matt. If the brother I know thought someone was doing the dirty he’d be like a dog with a bone until he got to the bottom of things.”
Matt shrugged. “It seems nobody’s interested in what happened out there. Apparently they all think it’s just sour grapes on my part.”
“Nobody who knows you and knows Chance will have any doubts.”
“Yeah. But things are different now. The money makes everything bigger. A lot of riders don’t even know each other. It’s not the way it used to be. Besides, I did take a stab at getting to the bottom of things, the hard way. Guess I screwed that up, too.”
Joe shook his head. “Don’t tell me. You always did have a knack for hitting first and asking second. You put him in the hospital?”
“Nope. Busted his lip and wounded his dignity, but that’s all. He’s telling everyone who’ll listen that I jumped him from behind because I’m pissed off about not winning top day money. Says I’m chicken shit and afraid he’s going to take my title.”
“Want a beer?”
“No. I need to keep my head clear. I think I’ll take a walk over to Northern Lights.”
Northern Lights was a Wolf Center and a favorite with both men. They’d invested a considerable amount of their time and money helping. Wolves have been hunted to near extinction in the past century, and the species only survived now because of centers like Northern Lights.
“I need to see if any new pups have shown up since my last visit.”
“Good idea. I was over the other day. Maybe you’ll spot the white male. It seems he’s appointed himself leader.”
“That I’ve gotta see.” Matt stood, then leaned down and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Thanks, Joe. I appreciate you trusting my word.”
“What else?” Joe picked up the piece of cedar and put his knife back in motion.
* * *
Northern Lights Wolf Centre was located a few miles outside of Golden on the border of Yoho National Park. Nestled between the Rocky and Purcell mountains, the scenery was nothing less than spectacular, and being it was mid-summer, Matt would have little chance of visiting the center without encountering more than a few tourists. Still, he figured if he took the back trail and worked his way around he might just get a look at the new white wolf, and even if he didn’t manage to make it alone, just getting to spend some time among these awesome animals more than made up for any unwanted companions he might encounter along the way.
I know it’s stupid. Matt told himself as he headed up the increasingly steep path that led around to the back of the Centre. I shouldn’t have walked out, but what the hell. They suspected I had a reason for claiming Chance did something to his horse but all they care about is keeping their image clean. I hate that political bullshit.
His self-talk helped take the edge off his anger and by the time Matt reached the far enclosure he’d settled his insides. He’d spend a few hours with the animals and then he’d make his way back into the City. No doubt Irene would tear a strip off him when he got back, but he deserved it and his relationship with Irene was another of the fences he needed to mend.
He leaned against a post and squinted into the sun, watching as the greyish white wolf loped up the hillside and paused long enough to cast an eye over Matt as he stood outside the enclosure.
God, you’re gorgeous.
The white wolf watched for a time, until seemingly satisfied with his inspection. Then the magnificent, proud beast turned towards the mountain and loped out of sight.
Wow. Matt let out his breath. You were most definitely worth the trip.