Free Lone Calder Star by Janet Dailey Page A

white wings. Arching across to connect them, tall enough to allow a semitrailer rig to pass beneath it, was a span of wrought iron. Scrolled in its center and gilded in gold was the Slash R brand.
    The gleaming black iron gates stood open. Quint wouldn't have been surprised to find them shut. He turned onto the paved driveway, bordered by more white fence. Sun-seared grass covered the pastures on either side of the manicured lane, with no scrub brush or mesquite thicket to be seen.
    A good half mile back from the road, the arrow-straight driveway opened into the ranch yard with its assorted sheds, stables, and barns all painted a pure white. The white paint accented the ranch's immaculate look, all scrubbed and ready for inspection. Quint found it hard to believe the Slash R was a working ranch. It was more like something Hollywood would come up with.
    Off to his left, he noticed a paved road that branched away from the ranch and curved into some trees. He followed it. Within seconds he spotted the sprawling ranch house on the hilltop, hidden from the ranch yard by a screening of trees.
    Rock columns supported a low, wide portico that marked the home's front entrance. Quint parked beneath it and climbed out of the truck. On impulse he hit the remote, locking the pickup's doors and activating its alarm system, then slipped the keys in his jacket pocket.
    A burly man with a crew cut answered the door when he knocked. Blue eyes made a swift, assessing sweep of Quint.
    "If it's work you're wanting, you'll need to go to the ranch oflice and fill out an application," the man said.
    "No, I'm here to see Mr. Rutledge if he's available. Mr. Max Rutledge," Quint added in clarification.
    The man's impassive expression never changed. "Is Mr. Rutledge expecting you?"
    "No. But he'll see me," Quint stated, one corner of his mouth lifting in the smallest suggestion of a smile.
    "Your name?" the man requested, unfazed by Quint's claim. "Quint Echohawk with the Cee Bar Ranch."
    After a small hesitation, the man stepped back to allow admittance. "Wait here, I will inform Mr.
    Rutledge that you're here. But I can't say whether he will see you."
    "I understand." Privately, Quint had no doubts at all that Max Rutledge would agree to see him.
    He stepped through the doorway and moved to one side, allowing the man to close the door behind him.
    "Wait here," the man repeated the instruction and withdrew.
    Out of habit, Quint removed his hat and made a visual inspection of his surroundings. The spacious entrance hall provided glimpses of its adjoining rooms, but not enough to encourage exploration. Like all the rest of the ranch, the house seemed designed to impress the visitor, both with its scale and its artful appointments.
    The whisper-soft tread of the man's footsteps faded into another part of the house. With typical patience, Quint waited as the seconds ticked by.
    The snicking click of a latch drew Quint's glance to the front door an instant before it swung open and Boone Rutledge walked in. He flicked a disinterested look at Quint, then came to a dead stop when recognition set in. He stared at him in bald-faced shock.
    "Hello, Boone." Quint nodded, aware that he was likely the very last person Boone expected to see.
    As expected, Boone didn't bother to extend a hand in greeting, honest not to pretend a civility he didn't feel. A dark displeasure was in the narrowed look he aimed at Quint.
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    "What are you doing here?" But there was a ring of falseness in the question that revealed Boone had already guessed the answer.
    Before Quint could reply, the servant reappeared in the entry hall. "Mr. Rutledge will see you now."
    Boone made a quick dismissal of the man. "I'll show him to the den , Harold." With a slight nod, the man moved away-. "Follow me ." Boone struck our, taking the lead, then cast a questioning look at Quint. "I guess I should have asked if this was an official visit."
    "No." Quint smiled, knowing it was the first question