Page 39 of Fool's Gold

"It figures," he said sourly.

"What?"

"Never mind." Tab hooked his thumbs in his pockets and leaned against the house. "I've been here longer than your husband. I was born and raised on the Double-H. My pappy worked for Rafe's daddy. For a while, after Rafe's daddy passed on, I thought I might buy Rafe out. But things didn't work out."

She glanced at his handsome, weather-beaten features, and relaxed when she caught his easy smile. "That's quite a family history. It must be nice to have such deep roots."

He inclined his head. "You might say that. Course, things changed after Rafe took over from his pa."

Sarah wondered whether he meant for the better or worse. "Yes, I suppose they would. Things never stay the same, no matter where you work. I'm sure Rafe is a good boss."

"Yeah, I suppose so. Like I was saying, are you looking for someone special?"

The screen door slapped, and Zeke walked onto the porch.

"Zeke's the one I wanted to talk to."

"Mrs. Halliday?"

Sarah turned back toward Tab. "Yes?"

"There could be rough times ahead, what with your husband accused of a crime. You might want to consider clearing out."

She gaped at him. He had no right to talk to her like that. "It's mine and Rafe's private life, and none of your business. Unless you know something I don't know?"

Tabs lips thinned. "It was just a friendly warning. You being a rich city girl, you just don't fit in here, especially when times are rough for the boss."

She gave him a lingering glance as he walked away. Just what was behind his friendly warning? A dislike of her or was he just protecting his boss?

She walked over to Zeke, who was sitting on one of the porch rockers. "Good evening, Zeke. I wonder if we could talk?"

He patted the seat next to him. "Why don't you sit a spell. Rafe told me you were all right. He get that right?"

Sarah leaned back and rocked in the chair. The breeze that lifted the wisps of hair off her neck was refreshing. "I'm fine. It was just a scratch."

"Still, I don't like it," Zeke grumbled.

She smiled and looked at his wizened face. "I'm not too happy about it myself, but there's something else on my mind tonight."

He stopped rocking and glanced at her. "And just what might that be?"

She looked around. The porch was deserted, only motes of dust danced in the twilight. She remembered Rose had felt someone snooping when they’d talked about Sarah's plans to track down the site. A person couldn't be too careful because someone might be listening.

"I heard about Rafe having trouble securing a loan to open his dude ranch. He's considering selling off a parcel of the ranch for cash."

Zeke scowled. "Where'd you hear that? Has Rose been a-gossipin’?"

Sarah grinned at the ornery way he said Rose's name. "I've got my sources, and they're private." She had no desire to tell him of Lisa's confidences.

He harrumphed and leaned back in his rocker. He looked off into the distance. "You figuring on leaving him again if it's true?"

She was saddened by the tense set of his body. "No, you're not going to get rid of me that quickly." She watched his shoulders relax. "So, give. Is it true?"

He studied her. "Why do you want to know? Are you plannin' to help him out? A rich gal like you probably has more money than she knows how to spend."

She leaned back and started rocking again. "I'm not the rich woman you think I am. I walked away from my grandfather's money years ago, and I never looked back."

"Just like you ran out on Rafe," he said sourly. "You kind of got the habit of running when the times get tough, don't you?"

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