LITMIR.BIZ

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skirted a trio of pines, leaped over a fallen branch, raced past a grove of cottonwoods and then splashed across the creek. Mike could’ve done without that part of the ritual, but he’d had the bay for five years now and he liked that Dude still had the playfulness of a colt.

      Besides, even in the cold, Mike still got a rush riding like the wind. He wasn’t sure which one of them liked the exercise better.

      After his own excitement leveled off, it was obvious Dude still needed to burn off some energy, and Mike didn’t have the heart to slow him down. Together, they raced across the field, through the tall grass, until the barn came into view.

      Chip, the part-timer he’d hired last spring, apparently hadn’t left yet. His sorry old green pickup was still parked in the driveway. He was a good kid, still finding his way at the ripe old age of twenty-two, but he had a strong back and never complained about the work.

      Right behind Chip’s truck was a newer black crew cab that Mike didn’t recognize. Course, there were about twenty trucks in the county that fit the same description.

      Probably belonged to Victor or another friend of his parents who had come to see them before they left to spend the winter in Florida. For years they’d waited until after Thanksgiving to go stay with his sister, Lauren, and the grandkids and then returned by mid-April. But now all it took was the first dip in temperature to get them packing up their small trailer.

      Mike wouldn’t be surprised if they told him they were leaving Montana for good. His dad didn’t need to be out in the cold dawn hours feeding the animals, what with his arthritis. Mike had taken over most of the chores, although his dad still managed to ride his old chestnut during the warmer months.

      Chip walked out of the barn just as Mike rode up. “Hey, your mom was looking for you.” Chip glanced toward the house. “I think she wanted to catch you outside. I can take Dude.”

      “Thanks.” Mike dismounted, wondering why the secrecy. “Whose truck?”

      “Some old guy named Lawrence. I don’t know him, but I seen him before...over by Twin Creeks.”

      “Ah.” Mike had a bad feeling Lawrence was here to speak with him. “What are you still doing here? I figured you’d be at the Watering Hole by now.”

      Snorting, he took the reins. “I ain’t setting foot in that place ever again. Those friggin’ pool sharks from the Circle K hustled me out of fifty bucks and a round of beer.”

      “Never again, huh?”

      Chip shrugged. “Or until next payday,” he said, chuckling. “Gotta win my money back so I can buy my girl a ring. Hey, I heard you’re pretty good.”

      “I don’t know who told you that. I hold my own, but that’s it.”

      “If you aren’t doing anything tomorrow night, how about meeting me at the Full Moon? Maybe give me a few pointers? I’m buying.”

      Mike laughed. “You just said you were staying away from the game.”

      “Not from pool, just those Circle K crooks. And they stick to the Watering Hole.”

      Mike hadn’t had a night out in a while. Probably do him some good. Especially with his folks gone. The house was going to be too quiet for the first few days. “Yeah, I just might do that. I’ll even spring for the beer.”

      “Sweet.” Chip tugged on the reins. “Come on, boy. I see he let you go swimming again.”

      Mike took off his Stetson and ran a hand through his hair as he turned toward the house. Before he could take another step, he heard the kitchen door squeak open. Time to oil the hinges again. The old log-and-stone house, which had been built by his granddad, needed some attention. Thankfully, Mike had the money to make the more urgent repairs over the slower winter months.

      “Hey, Mom. Chip said you—”

      She motioned for him to keep his voice down as she hurried toward him wearing her usual jeans and flannel shirt but no jacket. He was a good fifteen yards from the house and the windows were all shut tight. No one inside would overhear them. But he wasn’t going to argue, if she’d even give him a second to get a word in.

      At sixty-three years young and only five foot two, Rosemary Burnett was trim and energetic, and boy could she move when she put her mind to it. Probably didn’t realize she was still wearing her fuzzy pink house slippers.

      After a quick glance over her shoulder, she veered left and gestured for him to follow her to the barn.

      They met just inside, out of view. “What’s all the cloak-and-dagger about?”

      “Lawrence Peabody is here,” she said, her face flushed.

      “Okay.”

      “Claims he heard we’re leaving in the morning and stopped to say goodbye. Now, when has that stingy old goat ever given your dad and me a second thought? Huh?”

      Mike couldn’t argue there.

      “First thing out of his mouth was to ask where you were and what time you’d be back.” She ducked her head to look past him toward the house. “If I were you, I’d climb right back on Dude and take off.”

      Mike smiled. The thought had occurred to him. “Maybe it’s not what we think.”

      “Of course it is, Michael. Didn’t you hear? He’s expanding his sundry store over in Twin Creeks, and there’s talk he’s buying the old drive-through in Blackfoot Falls and making it into a restaurant. I bet you dollars to doughnuts he wants you to do carpentry work for him.”

      “If he asks, I’ll explain I’m too busy.”

      She reached up and cradled his left cheek with a motherly hand. “Will you, honey?”

      “Winter might be a slow time, but I’ve got a lot of repairs to make around the house and barn.”

      “I understand why it’s hard for you to say no to some of these folks. Lord knows what we would’ve done without the money you brought in during those lean years. Most folks could’ve waited to get their repairs done, but they called out of the kindness of their hearts. We both know Lawrence Peabody wasn’t one of them.”

      “I haven’t forgotten.” He meant it. Mike felt no obligation to the man who had taken advantage of the Burnetts’ situation.

      Like most everyone in the ranching community, Mike and his family had struggled for a while. The recession had hit the whole country hard. But friends and neighbors had really stepped up, hiring him to do anything from minor repairs to remodeling work on kitchens.

      Only one person had haggled him down to a ridiculously low price: Lawrence Peabody. So, no, Mike wasn’t about to do any more work for the man.

      Ultimately the family and the ranch had survived, and they were doing well now. They’d increased the herd to seven hundred head, which kept him damn busy. In fact, he’d decided to talk to his dad about offering Chip full-time work. They could afford it now and still be able to hire seasonal help.

      “Well, I’d better hurry back inside before Lawrence catches on that I warned you.” She started to leave, noticed her house slippers and sighed. “I’ll chase him out in a bit. We still have some packing to do.”

      “No need to do anything on my account. I have no problem telling him no. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”

      “Before the rooster crows. You know your father.” She took a few steps and stopped. “I’m sorry we’re leaving you here alone for Thanksgiving, Michael. I really—”

      “Don’t give it another thought. The cold is getting harder on Dad. I’m glad you’re leaving now.” It seemed like the perfect time to ask if she thought they might do better living in a warmer climate. But the sad smile that lifted the corners of her mouth stopped him.

      “You should come to Florida for Christmas. Your sister and the

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