the wall. Even in the black-and-white photograph, Bull had the look of a man who never gave in, never gave up, and never stepped aside.
What would you have done, Dad? Will asked silently, as he often did when faced with a tough decision. How would you have handled this in my place?
But this time, Will realized, he already knew the answer. To the Bull Tyler whom Will remembered, the land had been more important than love and family, more important than life itself. A horse and a child’s tears would have meant nothing to him. For all Will knew, Bull would have sold his entire family down the river for the sake of this ranch. In a way he almost had.
Gazing at that face, Will felt a sudden flash of understanding. All his life he’d tried to measure up to his father and had failed. And now he knew why.
I’m not you, Dad, he said, continuing the silent conversation. I may look like you, maybe even talk and act like you sometimes. But I’m not you, and I’m not going to make the decision you would have made. I’m not going to destroy my daughter’s happiness for a piece of earth that has no mind, no heart, and no memory. If you don’t like it, fine. When I get there, we’ll settle our differences in hell.
Decision made, he opened the office door and walked back into the den. Beau was standing by the bar. He’d opened a beer from the miniature fridge. His grip tightened around the can as Will appeared. “Well?” he asked.
“Tesoro isn’t mine to sell,” Will said. “I promised him to Erin, and we’re keeping him. So you can tell Bob’s rich friend that the answer is no.”
The can came down on the bar with a thud, splattering beer on the mahogany surface. “Are you crazy?” Beau demanded. “That foal is ranch property, and we can sell him if we have to. Erin can always choose another foal to raise and fuss over. But that palomino is the key to saving our land.”
Will shook his head. “I can’t believe this. You sound like Dad.”
Beau’s eyes flashed a startled look, but he swiftly recovered. “Well, you know what Dad would say if he was here.”
“I do, and for once I don’t agree with him. I won’t betray Erin and see her hurt. You’re about to have a child of your own. When you do, you’ll understand.”
“I can’t believe this!” Beau stalked out of the den, crossed the hall into the office, and slammed the door behind him.
Tori had been so quiet that Will almost had forgotten she was there. Now she rose from the couch and walked toward him. Without a word she reached out and pulled him to her in a hug that couldn’t be mistaken for anything but gratitude. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For Erin and for me.”
Will waited until she’d stepped back. “I need you to do something for me. As you know, if I go to prison, Beau will have power of attorney to sell ranch property. I need a separate document drawn up declaring Erin sole owner of her foal.”
“I’ll have it for you to sign tomorrow. But do you really think that’s necessary?”
“I hope it won’t be.” Will didn’t like going against his brother, but this needed to be done. “Beau means well. But his idea of what’s right doesn’t always match mine.”
Tori nodded. “How much do you think we should tell Erin about this?”
“No more than we have to. The idea that Beau would’ve sold Tesoro to pay off the bank would just upset her. She’s already got enough grief on her young shoulders. I just wish to God I could spare her this mess.”
Will turned away, but she seized his wrist. Her grip was surprisingly strong as she yanked him back around to face her. “Listen to me, Will Tyler!” Her eyes blazed, passionate and falcon fierce. Her voice rasped with emotion. “We’re going to beat this, do you hear? You’re innocent of any wrongdoing. I’m going to prove it to the world, if I have to take on the whole damned justice system. So help me, I won’t let you lose your freedom! I’ll fight this to the last breath in my body!”
Her honest gaze burned into him, its heat pure enough to sear all pretense from his soul. He’d prided himself on having the strength to stand alone. But he’d never needed anybody the way he needed this