“Have you had a chance to write to your mother?” Mary asked placing a plate before him, and looking at him sharply. “I didn’t think so,” she continued with a frown at the look on his face. “I’ll fill you in over breakfast.”
The next hour was spent enjoying home cooked food and catching up on the family back at the ranch. Clay had another new crop of foals coming on, and a buyer in Casper looking for fast horses. There was still a need for good working cattle horses, but racing stock was becoming a niche market, and Clay was ready for it.
The school back home was busy with even more children, and Lilly was considering taking a teaching position further west where the town had been struggling to keep anyone in the position.
Blake shook his head as he thought of more family spreading across the country. Still there were enough James decedents that the ranch was in good hands and the Ballads didn’t appear to be inclined to go anywhere else.
“When will you and the family be headed back to the Broken J again?” Blake asked, a faraway look in his amber eyes.
“Probably not until summer,” Bar answered seeing the sparkle in his wife’s eyes. “The children have school and won’t be free until then. We have several promising men who may be able to look after things here while we're gone as well.”
Blake smiled. “It would be nice if I could wrap this case up and get home as well.” He stood picking up his hat as he prepared to go. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to get back here,” he added. “I’ve got some leads to follow, and there is no telling where that will take me.” He pulled some money from his pocket and handed it to Barrister. “Will you see that my horse is well cared for if I have to leave town unexpectedly?”
“I’ll be glad to, and if you’re gone too long I’ll send for your father to take the beast back to the ranch.”
“You will be careful.” Mary grabbed Blake’s arm, her bright eyes filled with worry.
“I’ll be careful,” Blake agreed, taking Barrister’s outstretched hand then pulling Mary into a one armed hug. “Tell the family I’ll be home as soon as I can.” He turned as Mary nodded and headed for the door. There was work to be done and sitting here sharing memories and wishes wouldn’t get it done. Squaring his shoulders, Blake Allen stepped out into the misty morning and headed for the darker side of town.
Chapter 8
“Miss Darcy?” Blake hurried toward the huddled form of the woman in the mink coat. Where she stood outside the door of the saloon. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” the woman said, turning her face toward the darker corner. “I’m, I’m just getting some fresh air.”
Blake scowled as a number of heavy trucks passed by spewing exhaust fumes in their wake. “Maybe you should have gone to the roof top instead.”
“Why don’t you mind your own business,” Darcy barked turning to glare at him.
Blake took a step back as he noted the dark bruise circling Darcy’s left eye and he closed his hands around his anger.
“You should get some ice on that,” he said, gently.
Darcy’s eyes widened and she hissed in pain at the action. “Oh, this?” she smiled waving her hands as if it were nothing. “Silly me, I walked into the coat rack this morning.”
Blake schooled his features to nothing. He would recognize the mark of a fist anywhere, but he wouldn’t’ take the woman’s pride. “Come on inside, and I’ll get you some ice,” he said, gently rapping on the door of the Dog and Bone. Jim opened the door, a wave of emotion flickering across his face when he saw Darcy, but he didn’t say anything.
Blake led Darcy to the bar settling her on a stool and grabbing the ice pick before heading into a back room where he chopped off a chunk of ice and wrapped it in a soft towel. “Here, put that on it,” he said with a smile. “It should feel better soon.”
Darcy leaned against the bar gingerly placing the ice against her eye. She looked weary but said nothing for several long seconds.
“I suppose it’s too early for a drink,” she finally spoke only to be interrupted by Jim.
“Boss says no booze for you Darcy.”
She lifted the towel from her eye and glared at the big man, smiling when he flinched at her hard look.
Blake walked around the bar filling a glass with something clear. “Here, try this,” he offered setting the glass in front of her.
“What is it?” she asked, looking at the glass of clear liquid.
“Water.” Blake grinned at the look of disgust on her face but was gratified when she drank it.
“Blake, the boss is headed out of town again this afternoon,” Jim looked around the empty bar. “You willing to keep an eye on Darcy for him?”
“If that’s what he wants.”
Jim let his eyes run down Darcy’s form where she slumped against the bar. “I’ll let him know when he gets up.” A moment later he had slipped back through the door and was gone.
“Pierce is leaving again huh?” Blake asked Darcy who now had her chin propped on her hand where she leaned against the bar. “He’s a busy man.” The former cowboy turned cop moved back behind the bar to a tiny stove and began preparing coffee.
“Important man, busy man, whatever.” Darcy said. She sounded weary and bitter, and Blake knew this was the best time to prod her for information.
“Isn’t that why you like him?”
Darcy sat up peeling the ice from her eye and as her gaze flamed. “Something like that,” she said. “Isn’t that why you work for him? Everyone wants a piece of what he’s offering.”
“What exactly is it he’s offering?” Blake pressed. “All I see is
