SIXTEEN

“Now what?” Ward asked Cade as they left the Parker ranch. Ward was as impatient to get back as the sheriff. Except he was missing a dog instead of a wife. There was something kind of sad about his situation, and it was something he didn’t want to think about at the moment, which is why he asked Cade the question.

“Right now all I can think about is getting home to Leah and Banks,” Cade said. “But I reckon I should swing by Watkins’s place, just to let him know that he’s not getting away with anything.”

“You best tread easy,” Ward said.

Cade laughed. “I’m guessing that means I can’t just shoot them.”

“While it’s tempting, I wouldn’t recommend it. You are impressive with that gun, but I’m pretty sure Watkins will have more men than even you can handle.”

“I could deputize you,” Cade threatened.

Ward raised his hands in mock surrender. “I am nothing if not a man of peace.”

“Yeah, I really believe that,” Cade said.

“How about you tread easy, because I don’t want to have to tell Leah that her second husband got shot in the line of duty.”

“I can live with that,” Cade said.

“You better, because she would kill me and I’m much too young and good-looking to die.” They crossed the main road and cut back to the drive that led to the Watkins place. The heavy skies finally came through with their promise of more rain and a light drizzle started.

“We’re going to have some flooding if we get another downpour like last night,” Ward observed. “When the snow turns loose of the mountain peaks it gets pretty bad.”

They were moving down a gentle slope. “I’ve seen it run right through here,” he said, pointing to the stream that bubbled down from Cassie’s land, “and then run into the bigger stream that runs behind Watkins’s spread.”

“What about the town?” Cade asked. “Is there ever much water through there?”

“I’ve seen it get up to your shed,” Ward said. “Without much more rain than this. We had an exceptional amount of snow last year. I’d be wary if I were you.”

The valley opened up before them as they rounded a bend. A lot was going on, in spite of the drizzle. Several cows milled about in a large corral. Some cowboys were inside with ropes, and others were around a small pen. A few were on horseback, watching the others work.

“Oh great,” Ward said. “It’s castration day.”

“What, are you afraid someone will slip up and tie you down?”

“Just don’t like the noise,” Ward admitted. “The way those poor fellas cry.”

Watkins saw their approach and rode up to meet them. “Sherriff,” he said. “Phillips. What brings you back out my way so soon?”

“Actually we never made it home last night,” Cade said. “The rain started and the Castles asked us to spend the night.”

“Isn’t it nice when everyone is so neighborly,” Ward added. “Welcoming and all that.”

“Some people are just that way,” Watkins said. “Others aren’t.”

“And you’re in the ‘aren’t’ category?” Cade asked.

“I’ve seen more people come and go than you’ll ever know, Sheriff,” Watkins said. Ward got the feeling there was a hidden meaning in Watkins’s statement. As in there were bodies buried and they would never find out where.

Cade must have been tired of messing around because he got right to the point real quick. “We just came from the Parker spread,” he said. “People are hurt and livestock are either dead or missing. I am going to find out who did it.”

Watkins made a noise deep in his throat and spat in the dust in front of Cade’s horse. “Are you threatening me, Sheriff?”

“Nope.” Cade casually leaned across his saddle horn. “Just assuring you that I’m determined to make sure that everyone in this valley is safe. In case someone comes and does the same to your place.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Watkins assured him. “We can protect ourselves from anyone who decides to pay us the visit.”

“Just as long as you know that others are inclined to do the same,” Cade said.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Watkins said, and without another word turned his horse and went back to his work.

“What do you think?” Cade asked as they also turned their horses and started the trip back to the main road.

“I think he could care less what you or anyone else thinks,” Ward said. “Which is pretty much the norm for him.”

“I’m all for living your life the way you see fit,” Cade said. “As long as you don’t hurt other people when you’re doing it.”

“Live and let live?” The rain came down harder as they made the turn to town. Both men hunkered down in their slickers. Ward knew Cade was deep in thought. This was his first real test as sheriff. Most of his work since taking the job last December had been making sure the drunks at Ward’s bar didn’t shoot up the town. They rode the rest of the way in silence, not even talking when they got to Martin’s livery beyond a “See you later,” after they’d taken care of their horses.

Lady greeted Ward as if he’d been gone for a month instead of a night. She whined and jumped and licked his cheek before flopping over on her back for a belly rub and then scrambling up again before he could touch her.

“That dog has grieved the entire time you were gone,” Pris said as she came down the stairs. She stretched and yawned and retied the belt on her robe. It was pretty early for Pris to be up and about.

“She loves me; I have no doubt about that.” Ward hung his slicker on the coat stand, knelt down next to Lady and hugged her. “We missed breakfast this morning,” he said. “But don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you at lunch.”

Pris giggled. “I’m sure Dusty will love that.”

“He’ll get over it soon enough,” Ward said. “Did I miss anything last night?”

“Just some wet cowboys is all,” Pris said. “Bob can fill you in. I went upstairs as soon as I saw them. I can’t stand that Baxter guy from the Bar W. He gives me the creeps.”

Now that was an interesting turn of events. Cowboys didn’t usually come to town during the week. Not unless they’d been out doing something and wanted to celebrate afterward. And these guys were from the Bar W, which was Watkins’s place. “They didn’t bother you, did they?” Ward asked her.

“No, sir. You put a good lock on my door and I know how to use it.”

“Good,” Ward said. He looked around the Heaven’s Gate. Everything was as it should be. His clothes were a bit damp, but they’d dry soon enough. As was his habit, he went to his piano. He had some thinking to do and he always did his best thinking when he played. Lady lay down beside the bench, content that he was home, and the rain beat a steady accompaniment on the roof.