Page 87 (2/2)

“Will do, Ty” It was a quiet answer, respectful and subdued

There was a weakness in his knees and legs as he left the two men without another word and crossed to the pickup It was a long drive to The Hoer drive to Helena with a detour to the school to break the news to Cat Until then, he had to keep his feelings at bay

IV

Trouble’s got a way of picking its time

To beep you fro your dead

Look to the land for the answer,

’Cause now you’re Calder

born—and Calder bred

22

Al1 the while he was on the telephone, Ty stared at the es the impersonal voice on the phone was te

lling him, he found it difficult to believe his father was in so of hi in this room

The voice finished its report Ty absently thanked it and hung up Instantly the stillness of the house crept in and put its pressure on hiarette, but his coat was still buttoned and his hands were still gloved In a kind of suppressed agitation, he pulled off the gloves and jerked open the buttons

He watched his hands treed the ss The action seemed to shatter the stiffness that had held hi off his hat and leaving it on the desktop while he co to rake out the knowledge that clawed at him

It hurt to breathe He caught hi for sounds—any sound that would tell him there was life in the house, not just hollow echoes of it Its silence seemed to tell him louder than the sheriff’s words that he’d never hear his ain The front door opened, and Ty attehted his body Straightening, he turned to meet the sound of quick footsteps

“Ty?” Jessy halted in the doorway For a long second, she si open He appeared all withdrawn and forbidding, invisible barriers surrounding him to shut her away Then she saw the stark despair in his eyes and slowly crossed the roo more about your father?”