Whirlwind - Janet Dailey Page 0,83

yourself short,” Brock said. “You’re smart, and you know plenty about ranching, especially bull ranching. What’s even more important, I can trust you—that’s rare in my business.”

“Your business?” Shane felt a prickle along his nerves—a premonition that he was about to hear something he’d never heard before.

“Let me lay my cards on the table,” Brock said, leaning closer. “My one try at marriage was enough to convince me that I’m not a family man. I’ll never have the patience for a wife and kids. That leaves me with nobody to carry on the legacy of the Tolman Ranch.

“What I’m proposing is that you come back and let me teach you everything I know—not only about ranching but about my business—the investments, the properties, all of it. You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a son. If you meet my expectations, when the time is right, I’ll draw up the papers and designate you as my legal heir.”

Shane’s throat had gone dry. After knowing Brock for a decade, he’d assumed that he understood the man. But he’d never expected anything like this.

“Well, what do you say?” Brock demanded, impatient as always.

Shane groped for words. “It’s . . . a very generous offer. Not just generous, but unbelievable. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Brock. But this is a huge decision. I won’t accept unless I can be sure that I won’t let you down. For that I need time—time to heal and time to think.”

Brock studied him for a long moment before he rose to his feet. “Understood. I know my offer isn’t one to be taken lightly. Take all the time you need. I’ll be in touch.” He extended a hand. Shane accepted the handshake and watched as Brock turned away and walked outside to his vehicle.

What Brock had just offered him was beyond belief—a future of untold material wealth and power. Only a fool would turn him down. But the owner of the Tolman Ranch never did anything without a self-serving purpose. Shane understood that if he said yes, Brock would demand unconditional obedience, and that would include acting against his principles—acting ruthlessly if Brock required him to.

Even so, Shane was tempted. Who would he ever be without his legs? Not a champion bull rider. Not a man who could stand alone and hold a place in the world. What if signing his life over to Brock was his only chance for a solid future?

But he wasn’t blind to the consequences. A deal with Brock Tolman would be a devil’s bargain—everything a man could want for the price of three things—his conscience, his freedom, and Lexie’s love.

* * *

With Lexie and Ruben both hauling bulls, it had fallen to Tess to drive into Ajo for supplies. Val had taken over cooking lunch and dinner, though she refused to get up early for breakfast. She’d given Tess a long list that included delicacies like bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, hoisin sauce, and a wine with a name Tess couldn’t pronounce, let alone find on the shelves of Ajo’s single, large grocery store, which specialized in basics like Ritz Crackers, canned beans, and frozen pizza.

Tess had taken one look at the list, stuffed it into her purse, and bought the usual items. Val would just have to make do.

She was walking out to the truck, pushing a loaded cart, when her cell phone jangled. Fumbling with her free hand, she pulled it out of her purse and took the call.

“Tess?” It was the sheriff calling. “We must have a clear signal today. I can hear you fine.”

“You can hear me because I’m in town,” Tess said. “What’s happening? Have you heard from the medical examiner?”

“I have a report from the autopsy and the crime lab. Since you’re in town, why don’t you stop by my office?”

“Sure. Let me load my groceries, and I’ll be right there.”

The sheriff’s office was only a few minutes away. Tess’s spirits darkened as she drove. Callie’s death had haunted her for the past ten days, but with so many other concerns, she’d done her best to put the tragedy aside. Now she was about to learn what the investigation had found. But with so many unanswered questions, she sensed that no conclusion would give her peace. All she felt sure of was that Callie shouldn’t have died the way she did.

The receptionist was at lunch, but the door to the sheriff’s office was open. He rose to greet Tess as she walked in. “Sit down.