Free Rough Ride CV4 by Carol Lynne Page B

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Smokey leaning on the glass checkout counter. “Something I can help you with?”
    Smokey’s eyes narrowed just a bit. Wyn swallowed and took a step back, setting the package on the floor. “Smokey?”
    “You’re going to destroy everything Ezra’s worked for.. A ranch is only as good as the relationships that are forged in hard work and camaraderie.”
    “What are you talking about? I leave Ezra to his business all day. Are you saying that my seeing him at night is going to destroy the ranch?”
    “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Before you showed up, Ezra ate every meal with us. It was the time of day we discussed issues concerning the EZ Does It. Maybe it sounds stupid, but the hands felt Ezra cared.”
    “And they don’t now,” Wyn guessed.
    “Hell, outside of work, we don’t see him anymore. All the cowboys know is that he leaves in the evenings to spend his time with someone of a higher class than they are.” Smokey stood and took a step towards Wyn. “It needs to stop.” Wyn took another step back. “I’ll talk to Ezra about it.” ROUGH RIDE
    Carol Lynne
    61

    Smokey took three steps forward and was in Wyn’s face. “Why do you need to run to Ezra? You’re a man dammit. Start acting like one for a change and do what’s best for Ezra, and that means staying away from him.”
    The front door opened and Ryan stepped inside. “Nate said you had something for me to pick up.” Ryan stopped when he saw the scene in front of him.
    “Wyn? Is everything all right?”
    Wyn looked into Smokey’s eyes. At one time he’d considered Smokey friendly, but there was nothing friendly about the way he was being stared at.
    Smokey turned and tipped his hat to Ryan. “I’m done here, Sheriff.” Wyn watched as Smokey walked towards the door. With his hand on the handle, Smokey turned back to Wyn. “Think about what I’ve said.” After he left, Wyn felt frozen to his spot. Ryan came over and put a hand on his shoulder. “You okay? You’re shaking.”
    Ryan gestured towards the door. “What was that all about?” Wyn looked at Ryan. “To be honest, I’m not really sure. I think I was just warned to stay away from Ezra.”
    He bent down and picked up the package. “Here are Nate’s shirts.”
    “Forget the shirts,” Ryan said, tossing the package on the counter. “Why would Smokey tell you to stay away from Ezra? That doesn’t sound like him.” What the hell was the deal with Smokey and the people of Cattle Valley? They seemed to think the man was a saint. Wyn had dealt with another man the town once revered and he’d learned there was no such thing in Cattle Valley. Men were men, some good, some not so good.
    Wyn started to walk away, but Ryan held firm to his shoulder. “Talk to me. Not as a Sheriff but a friend.”
    “Smokey said that Ezra’s ranch would be in trouble if he didn’t start paying more attention to the cowboys and less attention to me.” Wyn turned to brace his hands on the counter. “I happen to think Smokey’s jealous. I’m not sure if it’s merely his friendship with Ezra that he’s afraid of losing, or something more.”
    “That’s bullshit. All of it. Don’t let Smokey ruin what you have with Ezra. Talk to your man and let him know what’s going on.”

    ROUGH RIDE
    Carol Lynne
    62

    Wyn shook his head. “I won’t break up a friendship. I’ll deal with Smokey in my own way.”
    “You’re shaking like a leaf. Smokey’s got a good fifty pounds on you.” He turned to Ryan and grinned. “Maybe I need a few more lessons from Nate before I travel down that road.”

    * * * *

    By the time Wyn locked up and drove out to the ranch, it was nearly eight. He spotted Ezra standing beside a holding pen next to the barn and walked that way. “Hey,” he said as he approached the broad back.
    Ezra turned and looked him up and down. “Where’ve you been? The store closed ninety minutes ago.”
    Something in Ezra’s tone