A Montana Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

unhealthy hatred toward me.”
    â€œYou think he could have killed your husband to hurt you?”
    â€œIt’s possible,” she said, “but I don’t know how he could have left the ranch without someone knowing about it. Zane did an investigation. None of my father’s firearms were missing or had been fired close to that time. In any event, Dad had people keeping an eye on my brother.”
    â€œBut if he went off his meds, he might have found a way to make it over to this ranch. Is that what you’re thinking?” Trace asked.
    â€œHe could have. One of the guys he hung around with in high school is still his friend and visits him. Through him it’s possible he got hold of a gun or rifle he hid somewhere before he’d been committed. I try not to think about it or I get ill.”
    â€œThat’s why the military disqualifies a person with a history of mood or behavioral disorders.”
    â€œExactly. But home isn’t the military, and my parents want him back to help around the ranch.”
    â€œThat’s hard on everyone.”
    â€œI’ve talked this over with Zane. If Ned was the one responsible, Zane will find out in time. After the shooting, he advised your father to close the ranch to hunting and keep it closed until more proof of what really happened came to light. As you know, he was a tough Navy SEAL before he started working as a special agent for the BLM.”
    â€œI know him by reputation. Let’s hope he has an answer for you soon.”
    â€œYes. Avery said Ned is going to be coming back to live with my parents again on a permanent basis.” The anxiety in her eyes spoke volumes.
    Trace cringed for her. “With restrictions, of course.”
    â€œI don’t know what they’d be as long as he keeps taking his medicine.”
    â€œCassie, I’m sorry you’ve had to live through such pain.” To lose her husband and be afraid that her brother might have been the one to shoot him was horrendous. Worse, he could tell she was worried that Ned might come after her one day when he got the chance. That frightening possibility was going to keep Trace awake nights from here on out.
    He couldn’t begin to imagine the pain of Cassie’s loss, but she was obviously handling it. She was a strong woman to have married for love despite her father’s wishes. Trace admired that strength and her will to get on with her life.
    Just then his cell rang. He checked the caller ID. “It’s my dad. He’s on his way to the ranch now.”
    â€œThen let’s get back. I have a pot roast with potatoes and carrots cooking.”
    â€œI could smell it before we left the house. Did he tell you that’s my favorite meal?”
    She smiled. “That’s why I made it. To welcome you home. He’s so happy you’re going to be living here from now on, you can’t imagine.”
    Trace was afraid he could and didn’t look forward to the conversation he was about to have. When they reached the barn and dismounted to take care of the horses, he turned to her. She was removing Buttercup’s bridle. “I want to thank you for what you and Logan have done.”
    â€œWe were just doing our job.”
    â€œIt was a lot more than that and you know it. You’ve eased my father’s mind while I’ve been away and made the place beautiful. There’s no way to repay you. I’ll feed and water the horses while you go into the house. It’s the least I can do.”
    Once dinner was over, Trace went out on the front porch with his father. He sat on a chair while his dad settled for the swing. “That Cassie could make her living as a cook.”
    â€œAgreed. I can’t remember the last time I had a meal that good.”
    His dad studied Trace. “You’re talking home cooked. Nothing like it.” Trace nodded. “Do you have any idea how good it feels to be sitting on the