The sheriff chuckled, but the sound seemed forced, and Reno turned her back on the pair to lead her horse to the barn. They were acting like a couple of high school boys, trying to impress a girl. But then, she often wondered if the male gender ever grew up.
After caring for Plenty Coups and turning him out into a paddock behind the barn, Reno returned to find the three men in a deep discussion about the poachers.
“I’ve got everyone on the force keeping their eyes peeled for anything even remotely suspicious,” Austin was saying as Reno sat in the chair Cade vacated for her. “And I’ll bet the poachers know it. I’d say they aren’t likely to strike again for a while. You probably scared them off last night.”
“Maybe,” Cade said. “But it won’t hurt to keep a sharp eye out.”
“That’s what they’ll be expecting,” Austin said. “For us to be watching. Of course, it’s always good to be cautious.” He drained his glass. “Sorry to drink and run, Reno,” he said, setting the tumbler on the table. The ice cubes rattled, and as an afterthought, the sheriff fished one out and popped it into his mouth to chew on. “Tell Sam to keep me posted,” he mumbled around the ice cube.
“Yeah, sure.” But Cade wore a stubborn expression.
Wynonna pulled into the yard in her beat-up GMC pickup as Austin was loading the sorrel into his trailer. They exchanged greetings before the older woman climbed the porch steps, carrying a couple of shopping bags.
“Need help with that?” Cade asked, rising.
“Heavens no, it’s just a few groceries. How are you, Matt?”
“Been better,” the cowboy said.
“Well, let’s pray you’re on the mend,” Wynonna declared, the false hope sliding off her tongue as slick as wax on a snowboard.
As she passed Reno, she raised a curious eyebrow that said, We’ll talk about this later. Reno knew Wy would have fun teasing her about drawing the attention of two good-looking, single cowboys. Having tea on her porch at that.
I was thinking of Matt, Reno would argue.
Uh-huh.
Or maybe a cowboy with blue-green eyes. One she seemed to be harboring a new kind of feeling for, in spite of their muddy past.
CHAPTER FOUR
CADE DROVE HIS FATHER home, unable to get Reno out of his head. Not to mention the way Austin Pritchard had looked at her. The man rubbed him the wrong way. Always had, even though they’d worked together only a short while before Cade quit the sheriff’s department. Austin was cocky, and he’d had what women called fast hands. Back in the day, on more than one occasion, Cade had seen him get grabby with the ladies after a couple beers in the bar. And the guy had had an eye for Reno years ago, even though he was only a year younger than Cade himself.
Jackass.
“I enjoyed that,” Matt said. “Thanks, son.”
Cade focused on the road. He knew how hard it was for his dad to admit his limitations. Putting up with Austin was well worth the effort if the outing gave Matt even a few moments’ pleasure. “Glad to have your company, Dad.”
Matthew harrumphed. “If your mother had her way, I’d be in some damn hospital lying flat on my back, waiting to die.”
“Don’t you think you’re being hard on her?” Cade asked. He hated the rift that seemed to grow between his parents with each passing day. Estelle couldn’t hide her anger that the man she loved and had been married to for nearly forty years had smoked his way closer to his grave. “Be patient, Dad. Mom only wants what’s best for you.”
“In her own way, I suppose she does. But it’s not my way.”
Stubborn old cowboy. Yet, like it or not, Cade could relate.
“Sam’s thinking about camping out near the watering hole,” he said, changing the subject. “Keep a closer eye on the mustangs that way. I might go with him, if you and Mom can spare me for a little while.”
“Those horses are gonna find someplace else to water if you spook them,” Matt said, “not to mention the poachers aren’t likely to return to the same spot, when they know you saw them there.”
“It’s a place to start. I’ll take Jet up there with me, and one of your packhorses, if that’s okay. Sam will be on horseback. Maybe the herd will be curious enough about the geldings to stick around for a bit. If not, then I guess Sam will ride after them wherever they go. I’d sure like to help him,” he repeated. Actually, helping catch the poachers had a great deal to do with Reno. Cade owed her. If he could in some small way make up for the past, maybe he’d sleep better at night, and God knew she loved those mustangs.
He couldn’t be gone on a long stakeout, since he’d come here to help his parents with the Diamond L. If only he could clone himself…
“Do what you want,” Matt said. “Your mom and I don’t expect you to spend every waking minute with us. But she’s got a Fourth of July barbecue planned for tomorrow. It’s something she’s been doing the past several years. She’s got all the neighbors coming, and she’ll be disappointed if you’re not there.”
Cade’s hands went cold. A barbecue? His mother had never mentioned it to him. Shit. That meant he’d have to face all their neighbors in one fell swoop. Neighbors who knew he’d killed Sonny. Some had thought him a hero, others not so much, not after the way he’d left Reno. Either way, he wasn’t ready for this. He didn’t want to be the center of attention.
It’s just a barbecue. Get a grip.
“What time?”
“Five-thirty, thereabouts. After the rodeo.”
“All right. But I think I’ll still camp out tonight.” Riding always put him in a better frame of mind. Maybe he’d feel calmer, more up to facing people afterward. “I’ll let Mom know I’ll be back in plenty of time to help set things up.”
“Guess that’ll work.”
“Is Reno invited?” The question slipped off his tongue before Cade could stop it.
“I reckon. She’s a neighbor, ain’t she?” In Eagle’s Nest, anyone living in the county was considered a neighbor. “Sure wish I could camp out with you,” Matt said, his breathing labored. He looked ready for a nap.
“So do I,” Cade said.
As a kid, how many miles had he covered with his dad over the years, riding herd, fixing fence? Enough to stretch coast to coast and then some, he’d wager. He grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Coming back early will work out all right, anyway. I can’t leave you alone too long with Mom distracted. You’re bound to sneak a smoke, or maybe try to move the cows by yourself.” Cade and Heath—the one ranch hand they had left—were planning to drive the cows and calves to new pasture in the next few days.
“Humph. I wish,” his dad grumbled. “Your mother would have my hide tanned into saddle leather, just so she could ride my back even after I’m gone.”
Cade couldn’t help but laugh. “She loves you.”
“I know.” Matt reached into his shirt pocket and fished out the single cigarette he kept there. He put it in his mouth and rolled it from side to side. “Man, I miss these confounded things.”
Cade grunted. “Why do you torment yourself that way?”
“Sometimes a little torment is worth it,” Matt said. “Kind of like you and Reno.” To Cade’s surprise, a twinkle lit his father’s eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He snorted. “Any fool can see you still care about her.”
“It’s