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Tonight the two of the the sunset fade into twilight Supper was over, and Will had fallen asleep in one of the big parlor chairs with his leg resting on a footstool For Beau, it was a rare, quiet moment in his hectic day, a chance to breathe easy while he and Jasper planned the next day’s work
“If you want to start chaining brush to “They did it last year, and did fine But make sure they check the oil in the tractors first You don’t want to burn out the engines”
“Thanks, I’ll make a note on that” Beau had come to rely on Jasper’s experience, and he low of appreciation, the old forehter these days and even walked with a bit of spring to his step
Weighing on Beau’s ht was another matter—a minor incident that had happened that afternoon He’d walked into the stallion barn to find Lute sprawled on a pile of clean straw, fast asleep with an empty beer can next to his foot When Beau had dressed hi slacker had responded with a sotten any other employee fired on the spot
Beau would have sent hione Knowing how Sky wanted to help the boy, Beau was reluctant to fire him without Sky’s involve a verbal strip off Lute’s hide and threatening hihten up Lute had muttered an excuse, picked up his shovel, and resumed his work
That should have been the end of it, but as he alking out of the stable, Beau had glanced back over his shoulder He’d caught Lute staring at him with a look of such intense hatred that itNoondered if he should have taken action then and there The boy was trouble
Beau was about to ask Jasper’s advice when a pair of headlights appeared around the distant bend Coh to leave a plu, lohite car As it canized it as a vintage high-end Cadillac
“Oh, hell” Jasper stood “If that’s who I think it is, I don’t want to be here” He hobbled off the porch, pausing before he headed around the corner of the house “Bull always said to look out for snakes and Prescotts—especially if they show up at your door Daood advice if you ask me”
By the time the mafioso-sized car pulled up to the entrance, the oldat the top of the steps as both front doors of the Cadillac swung open Congress tan slacks and a plaid Western shirt with a bolo tie, stepped out of the passenger side His driver was slower to exit Beau gli, slis
Behind Beau, the porch light clicked on Its glow revealed a long-liure and a wild mane of auburn hair Clad in a simple ballet-style black tee and weathered jeans, she looked like a young Julia Roberts—very young, Beau realized as the light struck her face Probably not ressirlfriend? In a place like DC, stranger things had been known to happen
“Congressman” Beau came down the steps, hand extended, to welcome the visitor Garn Prescott wasn’t his favorite person, but Texas hospitality was an honored tradition
“Good to see you, Beau” Prescott’s handshake was a politician’s, fir up ht drop by for avisitors?”
Beau glanced at the girl,
as hanging back, as if she found her father’s hter Now that was a surprise
“Will’s doing better He still needs rest, but you’re welcolanced back at the girl “It is Miss Prescott, isn’t it?”