stupid. Letty was a mighty fine cook. “Sure.”
A half hour or so later, Lonny accompanied his brother-in-law to the house. After washing up, Chase brought out two cans of cold beer. Then, just as they had on so many other evenings, the two of them sat on the porch, enjoying the cool breeze.
“The doc said Letty’s going to be all right?” Lonny asked his friend.
Chase took a deep swallow of beer. “According to him, Letty’s as fit as a fiddle.”
That was what Lonny had guessed. His sister had come home after ten years without telling him why—that her heart was in bad shape. She’d needed an expensive surgery, one she couldn’t afford, and she’d trusted Lonny to raise Cricket for her when she died. Cricket’s father had abandoned Letty before the little girl was even born. Letty hadn’t told Lonny any more than that, and he’d never asked. Thankfully she’d had the surgery and it’d been successful. She was married to Chase now; even for a guy as cynical about marriage as Lonny, it was easy to see how much she and Chase loved each other. Cricket had settled down, too. For the first time in her life, the little girl had a father and a family. Lonny was delighted with the way everything had turned out for his sister and his best friend.
“You like married life, don’t you?” he asked. Although he knew the answer, he asked the question anyway. Lonny couldn’t think of another man who’d be completely honest with him.
Chase looked into the distance and nodded.
“Why?”
Chase smiled. “Well, marriage definitely has its good points.”
“Sex?”
“I’m not about to discount that,” his friend assured him, his smile widening. “But there’s more to marriage than crawling into bed with a warm body.”
“Such as?”
Chase didn’t take offense at the question, the way another guy might have. “I hadn’t realized how lonely it was around this place since my dad died,” Chase said. His expression was sober and thoughtful as he stared out at the ranch that had been in his family for four generations. “Letty and Cricket have given me purpose. I have a reason to get out of bed in the morning—a reason other than chores. That’s the best I can explain it.”
Lonny leaned back and rested his elbows on the step. He considered what his friend had said and, frankly, he didn’t see it. “I like my life the way it is.”
Chase nodded. “Before Letty returned, I thought the same thing.”
At least one person understood his feelings.
“Is it okay if I join you?” Letty asked from behind the screen door before moving on to the porch. She held a tall glass of lemonade.
“Sure, go ahead,” Lonny said agreeably.
His sister sat on the step beside Chase, who slid his arm around her shoulder. She pressed her head against him, then glanced at Lonny.
“Did you phone her?” It probably wasn’t a good idea to even ask, but he had to admit he was curious.
“I will later,” Letty said. “I was afraid if I called her now, she might be too distressed to talk.”
“I’m the one who’s distressed,” he muttered, not that anyone had asked about his feelings.
Letty ignored the comment. “You’ve really got a thing for her, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t.” Dammit, he wished his sister would stop saying that. Even his niece was parroting her words. Lonny didn’t want to argue with Letty, but the fact was, he knew his own feelings. “I can guess what you’re thinking and I’m here to tell you, you’re wrong.”
“You seem to talk about her quite a bit,” she said archly.
No argument there. “Now, listen, I want you to give me your solemn word that you won’t do anything stupid.”
“Like what?” Letty asked.
“Like try to get me and Joy together again. I told you before, I’m not interested and I mean it.”
“You know, big brother, I might’ve believed you earlier, but I don’t anymore.”
Not knowing what to say, Lonny just shook his head. “I want your word, Letty. I’m serious about this.”
“Your brother doesn’t need your help.” Chase kissed the top of her head.
“He’s right,” Lonny said.
“But—”
“I don’t need a woman in my life.”
“You’re lonely.”
“I’ve got plenty of friends, plus you guys practically next door,” he told her. “Besides, Tom’s around.”
At this reminder of the teenage boy living at the ranch, Letty asked, “How’s that going?”
Lonny shrugged. “All right, I guess.” He liked the kid, who was skinny as a beanpole and friendly but still reserved. “He’s a hard worker.”
Letty reached for Chase’s hand. “It was good of you to give him a job.”
Lonny didn’t think of it that way. “I was looking for seasonal help. He showed up at the right time.” When Lonny found him in the barn, Tom had offered to work in exchange for breakfast. The kid must’ve been half-starved, because he gobbled down six eggs, half a pound of bacon and five or six slices of toast, along with several cups of coffee. In between bites, he brushed off Lonny’s questions about his history and hometown. When Lonny mentioned that he and Chase were hoping to hire a ranch hand for the season, Tom’s eyes had brightened and he’d asked to apply for the job.
“I’m worried about you,” his sister lamented, refusing to drop the subject. “You do need someone.”
“I do not.”
Letty studied him for a long moment, then finally acquiesced. “Okay, big brother, you’re on your own.”
And that was exactly how Lonny wanted it.
Chapter Four
Tom Meyerson finished the last of his nightly chores and headed for his room in the barn. Stumbling onto this job was the best thing that’d happened to him in years. He’d been bone-weary and desperate when Lonny Ellison found him sleeping in his barn. That day, three months ago now, he’d walked twenty or twenty-five miles, and all he’d had to eat was an apple and half a candy bar. By the time he saw the barn far off in the distance, he’d been thirsty, hungry and so exhausted he could barely put one foot in front of the other. He didn’t think he’d make it to the next town by nightfall, so he’d hidden in the barn and fallen instantly asleep.
Life had been hell since his mother died. The doctor had said she had a weak heart, and Tom knew why: his dad had broken it years before. His father was a no-good drunk. There’d been nothing positive
