Page 82 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

EPILOGUE

Big E wasback in Kentucky.

A late-night phone call from Asher Blackwell, and Big E had the wheels of his RV rolling down the highway before the sun even considered rising. Fortunately, Big E had been in Kansas City at an annual August Harvest Rodeo and Livestock Show with his grandsons and not too far from Gold Finch.

With his RV parked on the Blackwell Stables property, Big E made his way over to the colt barn.

Asher met him at the door, skipped the handshake and opted for a quick hug instead. “Appreciate you coming so soon, Elias.”

“I wish it was under better circumstances.” Big E frowned.

Asher ran a hand over his jaw, his tone serious. “Elliot died in a one-car crash two nights ago. I would have left it there, offered condolences and got back to the business of trying to save this place.”

“But,” Big E pressed.

“But then I went to collect Elliot’s personal things to return to his family.” Asher opened the door and started up the stairs to Elliot’s former room above the colt barn. He pulled out a key and unlocked the door. “No one has been in here other than me. I wanted you to see what I found before I contact the authorities.”

Big E stiffened and followed Asher into the rather austere living quarters. Elliot might have slept there, but the former assistant stable manager was not living there and certainly not making the place his home. There was a box on the bed with folded clothes and no personal keepsakes.

“Other than books and clothes, Elliot didn’t leave much behind,” Asher explained. “I never knew he was much of a reader, and now I’m fairly certain the books were for cover.”

Big E eyed the only book still sitting on the top of the dresser under the window.

Asher handed Big E a pen and said, “Use this to flip open the cover. No sense adding more fingerprints to anything in here.”

Big E took the pen and arched an eyebrow at Asher.

Asher grinned and lifted one shoulder. “What can I say? I like a good cop TV show as much as the next cowboy.”

Big E chuckled, went over to the dresser and flipped the cover of the hardback book open. The pages had been carved out to form a pocket. There was a syringe and vial carefully tucked inside. Big E read the label on the vial and swallowed hard. “That matches the drug found in Pride.”

“Yes, it does,” Asher said, his voice low and full of emotion. “Pride was doped by one of our own.”

Big E closed the book and tucked the pen into his pocket. “Now we know who did it.”

“But we don’t know why.” Asher looked Big E in the eye. “And my gut is feeling way out of sorts on this one.”

He knew the feeling. Big E nodded and said, “You should make that call to the sheriff. It sure feels like there’s more going on here.”

“We need to leave Joe out of this for now,” Asher said, clearly determined. “Elliot was his hire. And this might be a mistake Joe can’t get past.”

“No sense giving Joe another regret,” Big E mused. “Joe is a solid cowboy, and he was loyal to Walter for years. He should ride a little freer in retirement. I was never much for weighing down another cowboy’s saddlebags if it wasn’t necessary.”

Asher agreed but seemed concerned. “Still, we need a team we can trust. I can’t do this alone.”

Now, that sort of talk sat right with Big E. He tried to hide it but grinned, nonetheless. Big E could not deny the pride with knowing he had a hand in guiding Asher back home. There was no doubt that riding his trail solo had made Asher stronger, but Asher understood now how much farther he would go with folks he could count on. Big E thumped his hat against his knee. “That leaves us one choice really.”

“Family,” Asher stated, no hesitation. No doubt. “We need family.”

Big E’s grin came easy and quick this time. After all, Big E considered family hisreasonfor everything he did. Family was the center of his world.

And if Big E was a bragging sort of cowboy he would claim fixing those broken family tree branches was a kind of specialty for him.

And if Big E’s legacy was a Blackwell family tree rooted deep and standing true, well, there was no finer success a cowboy like him could claim. He asked, “Got a particular brother in mind?”

“Has to be Nathan. He’s got the horse experience we need.” Asher walked out into the hallway, waited for Big E, then locked the door. “And besides, Matt is working undercover with the US Marshals’ office. Caleb is serving overseas. And Ridge has his specialty vet practice to look after.”

Big E eyed Asher. “You don’t look convinced, though.”