Robin Lee Hatcher Read Online Free Page B

convalescence. Discovering how Olivia Vanderhoff had transformed herself into Libby Blue would prove an interesting diversion until he could finish the job he’d come here to do.

    Sawyer waited until Libby was hanging clothes on the line before he ventured over to the bedroom door and peered inside.
    When Mr. Walker saw him in the doorway, he said, “You must be Sawyer.”
    He nodded.
    “Come on in.”
    Sawyer glanced toward the back door. Libby had told him to stay away from Mr. Walker. But she came in here all the time, so he couldn’t be dangerous. Besides, he’d run off Mr. Bevins. In Sawyer’s mind, that meant Mr. Walker couldn’t be a bad man.
    “It’s okay to come in. I’ll tell your mother I invited you.”
    Sawyer stepped into the room, stopping at the foot of the bed.
    “My name’s Walker. Remington Walker. What’s yours?”
    “Sawyer Deevers. And Libby ain’t my ma. My ma’s dead.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.” He held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sawyer. Excuse me if I don’t get up, but I’ve had a bit of an accident.” His smile was friendly.
    Sawyer moved forward to shake Mr. Walker’s hand. “’T’weren’t no accident. Libby meant to shoot you. She just thought you were somebody else.”
    Mr. Walker laughed aloud. “So she told me. I guess I’m lucky she’s not a good shot.”
    “You’re lucky all right. Libby can’t hit nothin’ she aims at. She prob’ly meant to kill you, which is why you’re still alive.” He sat on the chair next to the bed.
    Mr. Walker’s smile faded. “I thought ranches always had lots of men around the place. Why haven’t I seen anyone else around?”
    “McGregor, he’s with the sheep. Ronald Aberdeen too. The others were all let go. Libby can’t afford to pay more help. Things’ve been kinda hard ’round here since my dad died.”
    “Your dad worked here?”
    Sawyer dropped his gaze to the floor. “He was foreman for Miz Blue and Libby. He froze up on Bear Mountain last winter, lookin’ for the sheep Mr. Bevins run off.” He squeezed his hands into tight fists. “It’s Mr. Bevins’s fault my dad’s dead, and someday I’m gonna get him for it.”
    Remington empathized with the boy. He knew what it meant to lose a father. He also knew what it was like to want revenge.
    Hoping to divert Sawyer’s thoughts, Remington asked, “Have you been taking care of my horse for me?”
    Sawyer’s brown eyes grew wide,
all traces of anger disappearing. “I sure have. He’s about the best horse I’ve ever seen. What’s his name?”
    “Sundown. I’ve had him a long time. Raised him from a colt. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him. I’ll tell you what, Sawyer. You take good care of him for me while I’m laid up here, and I’ll pay you fifty cents a day.”
    “Fifty cents! A day ?”
    “That’s right.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Walker,” Libby interrupted from the doorway, “but Sawyer can’t accept.”
    Both Remington and Sawyer watched as she entered the bedroom, stopping at the foot of the bed. She gave the boy a pointed look.
    With his chin nearly touching his chest, Sawyer turned toward Remington. “I’ll take good care of your horse, Mr. Walker, but you don’t gotta to pay me for it. Thanks anyhow.” With that, he shuffled away.
    Remington felt bad for the boy. Wasn’t Libby being a bit hard on him?
    She seemed to read his mind. “I’m sure you meant well, Mr. Walker, but Sawyer should take care of your horse because it’s the right thing to do, not because he can make money doing it.”
    “But I—”
    “I’ll see that he doesn’t disturb you again.” She shut the door behind her when she left.
    Remington sighed as he leaned against the pillows. Sawyer had said money was short, and Remington figured the boy would take good care of Sundown. Was it such a terrible thing to pay him for his work?
    “Sawyer should take care of your horse because it’s the right thing to do, not because he can