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“I know he advised you a lot”

“He was a trooper, your granddad,” Luke began “And he worked his tail off to protect our assets after Mom and Dad were killed Rex and I were just kids We didn’t know anything about the cattle business or Texas feedlots All we knew is that we lived in a big house, had more cattle and horses than anyone around, and that ere extrerandfather hadn’t stepped in, we’d be working at the carwash, scraping up pennies for scraps”

“What happened?” Lucy asked, watching Luke situate the burgers on a large tray

“Dad had about twenty thousand head of cattle in Wheeler He was dealing with a crook, and he knew it Mr Malone are of the situation Dad had gone to him for advice numerous times Anyway, after my parents were killed, we received a letter fro so off, at rapid speed

“Needless to say, after the third letter came, Rex and Mrs Carpenter were alarmed They took the letters to Mr Malone, and he flew to Texas with Rex The facility housed about thirty-two thousand head, and it was at capacity The bunks were read several ti Mr Malone’s suspicions The ed to my father Mr Malone obtained a court order, and when the cattle sold, ere paid If it hadn’t been for your grandfather, ould’ve lost millions”

“I never knew about that”

/>“There’s a longer version to that story,” Luke said, grinning “Anyway, Rex learned a lot about randdad, and he spent every waking hour after that trip learning about the business He voe’d never get beat out of a dime So far, we haven’t” A beat later he added, “And we’re not about to let the scuirl”

Chapter Seventeen

Rex took a seat at the head table and looked out over the sood old-fashioned Southern cookout filled the courtyard, and while Rex was hungry, after he’d talked to Fred Graves, he’d lost his appetite

After this was all over, Rex planned to spank Lucy’s ass raw for getting involved with such a co

He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You doing okay, lover?”

“Yes,” she replied, s up at him

His heart skipped a few beats, and he relaxed then, certain Lucy was strong enough to ht Rex nodded toward Luke, and Luke reached under the table The little shit was probably fingering her while he ate

Rex snickered If so, he hoped Graves had a bird’s-eye viehat he was

Taking a sip of his cola, he stood, deciding he could eat later He et this show on the road They had a lot of tracks to cover