Free Ellie's Legacy by Ginger Simpson Page B

town, too. Ty, do you mind if I ride along?
While you see the Sheriff, I can pick up a few things I need from the
mercantile.”
    His grin was the only answer she needed.
    Ty and Ellie rode in silence except for the snorting of Ty’s
mount as he nervously tossed his head and occasionally sidestepped away from
Ellie’s horse. His uneasiness was contagious. The mare cast wide eyes at the
other steed and did a little crow-hopping of her own. Ellie leaned forward and
patted the Chessie’s neck. “It’s all right girl.”
    Ty held the black in check for the first couple of miles,
until the stallion settled down, and both horses obediently trudged along the
rutted road leading to town.
    The chilly morning turned into a mild day with intermittent
sun filtering through the trees along the trail. Even with half their leaves
gone, the foliage was still thick and colorful, but Ellie had a hard time
getting last night’s kill out of her mind, and asked, “We know who did it, but
what do they expect to accomplish?”
    Ty relaxed the reins, waiting to see the stallion’s
reaction. When it was clear the horse had grown used to bearing a rider, Ty
pushed his hat back further on his head and relaxed against his cantle.
    “Your pa told me that years ago he secured quite a hefty
loan from the bank to buy the cows. He’s paying it back as he can, but Dude
Bryant is smart enough to know that the animals are the collateral Ben used. If
your pa fails to repay the money, the bank will take the cattle, but if there
aren’t any, they get the ranch.”
    “Well, that just steams me.” Ellie spoke through clenched
teeth.
    “Me, too. The cattle mean a lot.”
    “That’s not what I mean,” she snapped. “I’m referring to the
fact that Pa tells you all his personal business while I know nothing. See what
I mean about you always being in his favor? I swear he treats you more like his
offspring than me.” She glared ahead with lips drawn into a tight line. It hurt
that Pa kept her in the dark about so many things. What else didn’t she know?
    Ty heaved a loud sigh and adjusted himself in the saddle,
and then the silence between them returned. The only sound was the horses’
hooves clopping on the hardened trail.
    Her mind spun. Pa was indebted to the bank? How much did he
owe? Were they destitute? Ellie fretted over his liability, but it didn’t
matter; she didn’t have the money to repay the loan if it came due. Maybe she
could get a job, but doing what, and where? Or, she could make a plea to Joshua
Bryant for his family to leave Pa in peace. He was nothing like the other two.
She nodded. That’s what she’d do, just as soon as she could figure out how to
isolate him from his evil twin.
    “I know it might not be the time, but when exactly is this
shindig we’re going to attend?” Ty’s words pulled her from her thoughts.
    She supposed she couldn’t fault Ty because Pa chose not to
keep her informed—for other things, but not this. She gave him a weak smile. “A week from Friday. That’s why I wanted to come along. I
need a new dress.”
    Her mind full of upsetting thoughts, Ellie rubbed her
throbbing temple, telling herself to stop dwelling on the unpleasantness. She
tried to study the colorful landscape, picturing which hue of red, yellow,
burnt orange or green might look best on her. Stealing a glance at Ty, she
wondered if she could find a sky blue to match his eyes.
    But, a horrid thought crossed her mind. What if this whole
mess erupted into a range war? There might not even be a dance. Did praying
that the social didn’t get cancelled make her selfish? What
if…
    “A new dress, huh?” Ty’s voice
broke her concentration. He cocked his head and gave her a confused look. “I
thought you bought material to make one. At least that’s what your pa said.”
    “Ah…well…ah…I did, but I’ve waited too long. I don’t have
time enough to finish it before the dance.”
    Her explanation appeared to satisfy him, but