Page 32 of A Cowboy's Trust
“New hand?” Aiden leaned back on the stall railing, eyeing Declan.
“He got our address from my contact with the McCloud Corrections Institution.” Declan said it quietly, but there was an edge to his tone.
“Something not right?” Jake demanded.
“Yeah, with me,” Declan confessed.
Jake and Aiden exchanged shocked glances.
“What do you mean?” Aiden asked.
Declan stared at the ground for a moment before lifting his head. “We talked about this when we discussed High Water. Would we accept felons? And the answer was of course. In some ways, they need the hand up the most as a ton of people will see nothing but a criminal record and turn them down immediately for any job.”
“So, what’s the issue?” Aiden asked again.
Jake kept his mouth shut because he had a feeling where this was going, and if he was right, he was guilty as well.
Declan cleared his throat. “Now that Don is here, I’m finding it harder to be generous. He said all the right things, but…” An enormous sigh escaped Declan. “How much of what I’m currently feeling is because of society, and how much is because something really is not right?”
Aiden shook his head. “I hear you, and trust me, I get it. Thinking about protecting Petra and Jinx, and now Tansy—I don’t want to endanger them in any way. But…”
The churning in Jake’s gut didn’t die down, but one thing he remembered helped. “You’re right, Deck. We did talk about this. We researched and made a list of dos and don’ts that covered every angle. Let me find it, and we’ll see what we’re not thinking of right now that might help.”
Declan’s expression lightened considerably. “Thank God, I remember that now. You’re right. We had some really good checkpoints to put in place. Between the four of us, including Kevin, we can keep High Water a safe haven for our precious family and even the rougher guys.”
That’s what thepay it forwardpolicy meant. Not everyone would look as if they deserved a second chance. They had to give people the benefit of the doubt and trust that they’d live up to the ideals.
Jake found the list, and they sat down with Don, outlining exactly where he was allowed on the property, and when, and other expectations.
The man seemed to take his restrictions in stride. “I just need a couple of weeks. That’s all I’m asking.”
Which made both Aiden and Declan kick their own butts again for being suspicious.
Jake? He didn’t say anything but silently vowed to keep a close eye on Don. He could deal with having a guilty conscience over thinking less of the man if it ultimately meant keeping the women safe.
Two days later, another man arrived. This one was even quieter. He introduced himself as Tony, accepted their help with a nod, and then disappeared into his room unless called upon to help with chores. He didn’t cause any trouble, but his presence added to the growing tension in Jake’s gut.
By midway through the weeklong booking, Jake had gotten used to knowing the only way he’d catch a glimpse of Tansy was to join her in the kitchen or help with setup in the studio. Both of which he did, but it wasn’t the same.
He dropped Chris off at the bus station on Thursday. “Good luck,” Jake offered, extending his hand.
Chris took it and shook it firmly then pulled Jake in and bro-hugged him, accompanied by extensive back pounding. ‘Thanks. For everything. You guys were lifesavers. And I mean that.”
“Glad we could be there,” Jake offered sincerely.
The man stepped back and shouldered his duffle. Chris hesitated then lifted his chin. “You guys have a great situation. Not just the ranch, but all of it. Your family. Hold on tight to that.”
“We mean to.”
Chris struggled to say something more, then shook his head. “Gotta go.”
He walked away, and both pride and worry smacked Jake upside the head. They’d made a difference in one more life.
Balancing act. Always with the balancing act.
It didn’t help that the feeling something was brewing returned. It wasn’t anything specific, but the air felt charged, like a storm waiting to break.
The sensation only intensified when Jinx tracked him down on Friday, her face unusually serious. She caught him brushing down one of the horses.
