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Ty chuckled, no more alarmed by the threat than the vet was “She’s like Jessy She’d take the whole damned herd in the house if that’s what it took to make them well”
“Ranchers’ wives are about as crazy as the ranchers,” the vet agreed, but looked away at theTy’s attention to the vehicle pulling up in the yard “Wonder what he wants” A ray of sunlight glinted off the badge pinned on the winter coat of theout from behind the wheel “He sure likes people to know he’s sheriff As lazy as Potter was, he never threw his weight around like Blackmore does”
“The sheriff probably figures he’s got it to throw around,” Ty htened and turned totoward them “You’re a ways off the beaten track, aren’t you, Blackmore?” Ty asked idly “What is this? A social call or business?”
“I’m here on official business, I’ his usually abrasive edge, as he glanced around at the southern cas
“If you’re looking for my father, he isn’t here He’s in Helena for a couple of days,” Ty informed him
There was a long, considering pause “His plane didn’t make it to Helena,” the sheriff stated in a brusque yet flat voice The first wave of unreality hit Ty “It went down seventy h country A sheepherder in the area saw it crash-land and went for help A rescue party reached the site early this ”
“How can you be sure it was his plane?” The sense of disbelief de, at the officer Then the second realization hit hi about survivors”
“Your father’s been taken to a hospital in Helena The only word I had from the authorities on that end was he was badly injured”
“And my mother?” Ty demanded
“She was killed outright” His head bobbed doard, unable to aze “I’m sorry”
Beside him, the vet murmured a stunned “Sweet Jesus”
Ty held hiainst the shock that tried to reject all he’d been told A scraping rawness clawed at his insides, but he couldn’t give in to it—not yet
“My sister—she’ll have to be told” His o by the school on the way to Helena She’ll want to co today, in Miles City, I think Would you put out an eency bulletin for her, Sheriff, and have her call home immediately?”
“I’ll do it” The sheriff nodded affirmatively
“Bill” Ty glanced at the vet, his voice turning on the husky side “Tell Stuet back”