Ace

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  Ace picked up Billy and carried him to Harlan. The old man took the little dog without a word. Then Ace returned to the back of the truck and hauled the twisted metal to the barn.

  Cody looked up as he entered.

  “Think you can get this thing running?”

  The old cowboy scratched his head. “I can try.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  Ace strode back to the truck and climbed inside before turning to Harlan, who was holding tightly to the little dog. “Now I’ll drive you into Prosperous.”

  “What for?” Harlan demanded.

  “So a doctor can look at those injuries.”

  “Don’t need any fool doctor looking at me. I’m just cut up is all. Right now I’m more worried about Buster.”

  “I told you. He’ll get the best care possible.”

  “That’s what you say.” The old man’s chin jutted in the same way Ally’s did when she was angry. “I’m not going anywhere until I see for myself that he’s all right.”

  “Okay. Suit yourself. But you’ll be stuck spending time in the enemy camp.” Ace turned off the key and slammed out of the truck. Obstinate old man, he thought, as he came around and opened the passenger door. Without a word he lifted Harlan, still clinging to his dog, and carried him up the steps and into the house.

  With Agnes and Maggie watching in openmouthed surprise, he strode through the kitchen and made his way to the great room, depositing his burden on a sofa.

  “I’ll get some soap and water and disinfectant for those cuts,” Ace muttered as he walked away.

  When he was alone Harlan leaned his head back and closed his eyes, exhausted by his ordeal. When Ace returned he found the old man asleep, with the little dog still cuddled in his arms. He watched for a few moments, then set aside the basin of water and clean cloths. He’d tend the old man’s wounds later. For now, he’d let him rest.

  “He’s going to be all right. I just know it.” Erin had her arm around Ally’s shoulder as she led her from the lab, where Hazard had set up his surgery. “I’ve seen my husband work miracles with injured animals.”

  “I know. But Buster is so old.” Ally’s lips quivered, and when she spotted Ace, she flew into his arms and buried her face in his chest. “Oh, Ace. What if he doesn’t…”

  “Shh.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “Hang on, Red. Hold a good thought.”

  “I’m trying.” He could feel the tremors that shook her. “But he was so still. So quiet.”

  “I know. But I know this, too. If anybody can save that old dog, Hazard can.”

  Erin stood across the room watching. If anyone had told her, just one week ago, that her wild and reckless brother-in-law would be the calm in the eye of a hurricane, she’d have scoffed. But here he was, steady as a rock, while those around him were falling apart.

  From his position on the sofa, Harlan Brady was watching as well. And resenting every moment that his granddaughter was being held by the son of his enemy.

  He cleared his throat, and she turned, then crossed the room to kneel at his feet. “You okay, Gramps?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re bleeding all over your shirt.”

  “I am?” He seemed surprised as he glanced down at himself.

  “Yes. And all over Billy.” She took the little dog from his arms and buried her face in his fur. And began to silently weep.

  Harlan lay a hand on her head, feeling completely helpless. And hating it. His voice was gruff. “Stop your crying, Allycat. He’ll be fine. He’s tough.”

  “I know.” She lifted her head and forced a smile through her tears.

  Just then Hazard stepped into the room and surveyed the scene. “I was able to remove the bullet. It didn’t hit any vital organs. But he’s lost a lot of blood. The next twenty-four hours will be critical. Erin and I will take turns sitting with him.” As he stepped closer he saw the blood on the old man’s face. “You need to see a doctor. You may need stitches for that cut.”

  “He won’t go,” Ace said from across the room.

  “Your brother bragged that you’re the best vet in the county. If you’re as good as he claims, why can’t you stitch me up?” Harlan demanded.

  Hazard stared at the old man for several moments before coming to a decision. “Okay. I can take a look. But I warn you, if I find anything serious, I’ll have Ace haul your hide into Prosperous, or we’ll fly you up to the hospital in Laramie.”

  “You won’t do either one.” Harlan’s chin lifted like a prizefighter. “Just clean me up and stitch what you have to. That’s as much doctoring as I’ll allow.”

  Hazard left the room and returned with his medical bag. With Erin assisting, the old man’s injuries were cleaned and disinfected, and several gaping cuts were stitched.

  Hazard studied the old man, who hadn’t made so much as a whimper during the entire procedure. “I’m going to give you something for pain.”

  Harlan held up a hand. “Don’t want anything that’s going to make me feel all fuzzy-brained.”

  “All you’ll do is sleep for a couple of hours. When you wake up, your mind will be clear. I promise.” Hazard handed him two pills and a glass of water.

  Reluctantly the old man swallowed them. Minutes later, Agnes shuffled into the room with a pillow and blanket. Harlan Brady offered no protest when his granddaughter plumped the pillow and eased him down before covering him with a blanket.

  With his legs draped over the end of the sofa, he slept.

  “And this stranger, who beat up the old man and shot his dog before torching the barn, said he was sent there by us?” Chance and Hazard confronted Ace in the library of their home, which they used as an office. It was the one room where they could count on being undisturbed.

  Chance sat behind the desk. Hazard sank into a chair on the opposite side of the desk, while Ace paced nervously to the window and back.

  “That’s what Harlan claims.” Ace shook his head. “I know it sounds incredible. But even though he hates us I can’t imagine he’d make up such a story.” He paused and turned toward his brothers. “I’ll tell you something. When I saw that fire and that old dog lying bleeding in the middle of it, I realized someone had a real grudge against Harlan Brady. I knew I had to get him and Ally out of there right away.”

  “Wait a minute. Back up.” Chance held out a hand. “What were you doing there in the first place? Especially in the middle of the day. Why weren’t you working?”

  “Okay.” Ace slumped down into a chair. “To start with, Harlan Brady found out my name and ordered me off his property.”

  “When was this?” Chance demanded.

  “This morning.”

  His two brothers glanced at each other.

  “This morning.” Hazard cleared his throat. “And where did you spend last night?”

  “At the Brady place. With Ally.”

  Hazard turned to Chance. “And all this time we thought business was so good at the mine that he was sleeping there. We should have known. Wherever there’s a pretty face and a killer body, little brother can’t be far away.”

  “Listen.” Ace lunged forward, catching the front of his brother’s shirt and dragging him close. “Ally’s not just a face and a body. Got that?”

  “Yeah. Sure.” Hazard slapped his hand away and straightened his shirt. “And I didn’t just hear you say you’d slept with her.”

  “Don’t say it like that.”

  “Why not? Isn’t that what you just told us?”

  “Yeah. But you make it sound like…a one-night stand.”

  “Oh. You mean you’re going to defy the old man and sleep with her again?”

  “See?” Ace caught him in a vicious grip, this time holding a fist to his face. “You keep twisting my words. It isn’t like that with Ally. She’s different.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Chance rounded the desk and stepped between them. “We can see that she’s different. Really a hag. Ugly face. No body to speak of.”


  “Very funny.” Ace shoved him hard enough to send him crashing against the wall. “That’s enough, Chance.”

  “Uh-uh.” His oldest brother came at him with both fists, and managed to catch him with an uppercut that sent him spinning. “You started this. Now let’s see you finish it.”

  “You want an ending?” Ace butted his head into Chance’s midsection, dropping him to his knees. “Here’s your ending. Ally’s something special.”

  Hazard’s jaw dropped. “You mean like a wife?”

  “Of course not.” Ace nearly choked. “I just mean… Hell, I don’t know what I mean. But she’s special. And don’t you forget it.” He turned to Hazard, and landed a punch to his nose, sending blood spurting.

  “Oh, you’re going to pay for that. You dump our father’s enemy in our laps, and tell us you’re goo-goo-eyed over his granddaughter, and expect us to just swallow this swill.” Hazard returned punch for punch, until both brothers were bruised and bloody, and struggling for breath.

  “I’m with Hazard.” Chance stepped between them. “Time for you to straighten out this mess, little brother. You caused it. You clean it up. And I suggest you start by finding out just what the hell was between Dad and Harlan Brady. And, by the way, this one’s for that head butt,” he muttered as he landed a solid blow to Ace’s chin, driving him back against the door.

  When he straightened, the door opened and Maggie stood on the threshold.

  “Oh, good. I just love it when the three of you get together for one of your manly talks.” She stood surveying the damage, hands on her hips. Then she turned to her husband. “Dinner is ready. I hope you’ll clean up that blood before you come to the table.” She turned to the other two. “And, in case you’re interested, Hazard, Erin says your patient is awake and starting to howl. And Ace, Ally says her grandfather is making noises about crawling home if someone doesn’t volunteer to drive him soon.” She walked away, muttering under her breath about there never being a dull moment in the Wilde household.

  Chance offered a hand to Ace, helping him to his feet. “You all right?”

  Ace shook his head to clear it. “Yeah. I guess so.”

  “Good. You’d better see if you can talk some sense into that nasty old man.” Chance turned to Hazard. “And you’d better hope that patient of yours lives. Otherwise, I have a notion that Harlan Brady will probably be seeing a lawyer and saying you caused his old dog’s death.”

  Ace paused. “I like what you said about finding out what went on between Dad and Harlan Brady. The only trouble is, of the two who know the truth, one is dead, and the other refuses to talk about it.”

  “Then I suggest you use some of that charm, little bro.” Chance punched his arm. “Because unless you solve the mystery of Harlan’s hatred of the Wildes, your future with his granddaughter doesn’t look very bright.”

  The three brothers walked from the library, arms around each other’s shoulders, feeling almost euphoric. There was nothing like a good knock-down-drag-out fight to clear the air. Except maybe a good meal, followed by a night of good loving.

  “Where’s that son of a…?” When Ace ambled into the room, Harlan’s lips peeled back in a snarl that resembled his dog’s. “I’ve spent all the time I intend to in this house.”

  “Gramps.” Ally hurried over to clasp his hands in hers. “You’ve been asleep for almost three hours now. You can’t just up and leave.”

  “Why can’t I?”

  Her mind raced. She’d had plenty of time to talk over her dilemma with Ace and his family. They were all convinced that, for the sake of safety, she and her grandfather needed to remain here. But she knew that no matter how carefully she couched her words, Harlan Brady would resist the idea of staying even one night under their roof. So she carefully avoided talking about anything except the most mundane things.

  “First of all, because Maggie has dinner ready. It wouldn’t be polite to leave without accepting her hospitality.”

  His eyes narrowed on Ace, who remained across the room. “I’m not interested in being polite to a Wilde.”

  “Your fight isn’t with Maggie.”

  “She’s a Wilde, isn’t she?” He looked around, wishing he could see something he could lean on. “You go find me something with wheels, so I can get out of here.”

  Ace stepped closer. “Cody’s fixing your scooter. If anyone can make it work again, it’s him.”

  “I’m not hanging around for any mangled scooter. Just get me something to lean on.”

  “Okay.” Ace strolled away, leaving Ally watching in stunned silence. Why had he given in so easily?

  “You stay here, Gramps,” she said foolishly, knowing the old man couldn’t get himself across the room without help.

  When she reached the kitchen she stopped. Ace had the door between the two rooms open and was fanning the air with a towel. “What in the world are you doing?”

  “Seeing that that stubborn old man gets a whiff of Maggie’s pot roast.”

  Ally started laughing. “Spoken like a man.”

  “It takes one to know one. No matter how eager he is to leave, I don’t think any red-blooded man can resist Maggie’s cooking.” He continued fanning the air.

  A few minutes later he returned to the great room, where Harlan sat scowling. “I’ll arrange for somebody to drive you home right after supper.” He kept his smile in place. “Don’t know if you’re interested in joining us. Maggie’s made pot roast. Ally said she may as well have some, since the truck and driver won’t be ready for another hour or two.”

  Harlan pressed his lips together. But from this distance, Ace could see the old man breathing deeply.

  “Pot roast, huh?”

  “Yeah. Smothered in gravy. With new potatoes and carrots and beans from her garden. Maggie grows all these fancy herbs, too. Taste amazing in pot roast.” He started to turn away, then paused. “I could take you to the kitchen, if you’d like to join us.”

  Harlan held back for almost a full minute before giving a grudging nod of his head. “I suppose I could eat a little something.”

  Ace sauntered across the room and picked him up, then carried him to the kitchen, where he settled him on a chair at the table. Billy trailed behind and lay down beside his master.

  The others were already there.

  “I’m glad you could join us.” Maggie removed flaky rolls from the oven and arranged them in a basket.

  Harlan watched in silence as she carried a platter to the table and began to carve thick slices of beef so tender it nearly fell off the bone. She served his plate, adding potatoes and vegetables. From a fancy dish with a ladle she poured gravy that was as smooth as silk. The aroma in this kitchen was enough to make a man drool.

  Cody entered, hanging his hat by the door and taking his place beside Harlan.

  Harlan looked up. “I hear you’re fixing my scooter.”

  Cody nodded. “Trying to. Pretty busted up. But I think I’ll have it up and running by tomorrow.”

  “I’m obliged.” The words nearly choked him. Though he had no grudge against this cowboy, there was no doubt his loyalty lay with the Wildes. That made him an enemy in Harlan’s eyes. “I’ll have my granddaughter drive over to fetch it when it’s ready.”

  Ally glanced around, assuming someone would voice a protest over his planned departure. Instead, the others went on eating.

  Harlan managed to clean his plate twice, along with a generous slice of home-baked apple pie and two cups of fresh-ground coffee. When he finally sat back, he could feel his strength returning.

  He turned to Maggie. “I guess when it comes to cooking, your brother-in-law doesn’t exaggerate. That was one fine meal, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Harlan. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “I did. And now,” he said, turning to Ace, who was still sipping his coffee, “I’d appreciate that ride home.”

  To Ally’s surprise, Ace nodded. “I’ll get my keys.”

  Before he could get to his
feet Hazard stopped him. “I’m puzzled, Harlan. Don’t you care about Buster?”

  “Buster?” The old man leaned forward. “What about him? My granddaughter told me he came through the surgery without a problem.”

  “He did. But he has a long way to go before he’s fully recovered. He’s bound to wake every few hours. And when he does, he’s going to need to see a familiar face. Otherwise, his old heart might not take the shock of being in a strange place, with strange people.”

  Harlan’s brow wrinkled with concern, as he digested the information in silence. “Then we’ll take Buster home with us. I’ve had dogs all my life. I’ve learned a thing or two about taking care of them.”

  “But this is special, Gramps.” Ally squeezed his hand. “Buster’s been shot. Hazard is giving him antibiotics intravenously. We could never do that at home.”

  Harlan turned to Hazard. “Will you let me at least see him?”

  “I’ll do better than that.” Hazard glanced toward his wife. “Erin and I thought you might want to sleep in my lab tonight. We’ve fixed a cot beside Buster’s cage. That way, whenever he wakes, he’ll see you and smell you and be comforted by your presence. If you sense that he’s in any trouble, there’s a bell beside the cot. Just ring it and I’ll be there in seconds.” He leaned down to pet the little dog who lay at Harlan’s feet. “You and Billy will play an important part in Buster’s healing.”

  Harlan studied him a moment before nodding. “Ace said you were the finest vet in the county. I can see why. You don’t see your patients as just dumb animals.”

  “There’s no such thing as a dumb animal. They speak to us in a dozen different ways.” He met the old man’s look. “How about going to see Buster now?”

  Harlan nodded.

  Ace winked at Ally before lifting her grandfather in his arms and carrying him easily from the room. It hadn’t been nearly as difficult as he’d feared. Of course, while the old man slept, Ace and his brothers had discussed every possible argument they could use. And all three had agreed that his love for his old dog would be the most compelling.

  At least, for tonight, they’d won a reprieve. But knowing the old man’s temper, they’d have to unravel this mystery quickly. Harlan Brady wouldn’t be willing to stay under their roof one day longer than was absolutely necessary.