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“Dad used to eat like that” Beau took a seat “Is that what killed him?”

“You didn’t hear?” Will’s thick, black eyebrows shot up “The oldon booze and pain pills by the time he died The coroner’s report listed his death as an accidental overdose But his heart and arteries were fine You one”

“I’, black coffee “I was in Iraq when he had his accident Otherwise I ht’ve come home”

“Just as well you didn’t There wasn’t much you could’ve done We hired folks to help him But he was in constant pain God knows he wasn’t easy to live with before the accident Afterward, well, I think you can figure that out”

Bernice bustled in with a wire basket of fresh eggs froether in the kitchen She’d come to work at the ranch after her husband died o and was as much a part of Riood to have both you boys in here again What can I fix for you, Beau? Bacon? Eggs? You like them over easy as I recollect”

“Coffee’s enough for ood for five bucks a shot in DC”

“So you’ve decided?” Will lowered his fork to his plate “On the basis of Bernice’s coffee?” Ihtness of Beau’s response, Will snapped “Da, Beau I’”

Beau could al in Will’s place He sucked in his breath, knowing that once the words were out of his

“Let’s say I’ve decided to stay for a while My job entitles me to teeks off for bereave it, but I’ll call the office today”

“And?” Will was bristling with impatience

“I’ll stick around long enough to give this place a try At the end of that tih?” It would have to be Beau was already having doubts, wondering whether he and Will could get along over the long term

Will sat silently, frowning as he ed “Not quite what I’d hoped for, but I guess, for you, itroundup today You’ll have plenty of chances to get those callus-free hands dirty”

Beau sighed, already knohat he’d let hi loves, a hat, a saddle”

“No probleot extras in the bunkhouse Think you can remember hoork cattle?”

“It’ll coe years on the ranch, riding herd until his butt blistered and his stoer Bull Tyler had been a hard taskher on his sons than he was on his cowhands So told Beau that Will would be the same