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Bull walked Tanner outside and stood watching from the porch as he clilanced in his rearviewthat Ferg Prescott had ever wanted to be—and that he never would

“So it’s true” Ferg’s fist clenched on the desk top “Bull really gave her that property”

“Checked it out myself,” Garn said “That kid at the recorder’s office thinks I’m his best buddy Buy hi I want to know”

“But that’s one of the round on the Ri?”

“Maybe that giving the land back to Rose was the only way to keep us fro our hands on it There’s a clause in the deed forbidding her to sell it to anyone but the Tylers And if she dies without an heir, the parcel goes back to the Rie with a bow” Garn grinned, as if he were enjoying his father’s frustration “So I guess that leaves us up the proverbial creek without a paddle”

“You’re saying we should give up?” Ferg cast a contelance at the son he’d never wanted “Prescotts don’t give up Haven’t you learned that by now?”

“Are you about to tellhi had always hated

“One plan, at least You seeh You could marry her—maybe even knock her up”

“What?” Garn’s jaent slack “No! I mean, she’s a sexy little piece, and I’d sleep with her at the drop of a hat But marry her? Hell, the woman’s too old for me And with that mark on her face”

“There are res like that Besides, you wouldn’t have to stay al heir”

“I’ to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Garn said “But for your inforet irl with the family name and money to advance my career If you’re so all-fired anxious to have the woman and the property in the family, you can damn well marry her yourself!”

With that, Garn stalked out of Ferg’s office and sla shook his head, a bitter s a corner of hisRose At least he’d had the satisfaction of seeing his son truly rattled—a rare thing these days But damn Bull Tyler to hell for the way he’d tied up that creek property This time there seemed to be no way around it

He was pouring hiain, this ti the door behind him, was muscular and weasel-eyed, with a military tattoo on his shaved head

“I told you not to co said