Chapter 8

Jamie POV

Shortly after breakfast, Walt and I mounted up and headed for the south forty

to gather in the steers for branding. It was silent for a few moments. I assumed we were both trying to figure out how to start the conversation. When Walt didn’t speak, I decided to take the bull by the horns and ask the question, “So, Walt. What do you think is going on with the fence line out here?”

He chuckled and responded by asking a question of his own, “How long are you going to pretend that you aren’t working against Beecham?”

I turned my head so fast it would have fallen off if not attached to my neck, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” I tried to remain cool and not let him know that my heart had at that moment decided to thump as fast as Smoke galloped across the prairie.

Walt slowed his horse and turned to stare at me, eye to eye. “Look, Jamie. I respect a man who has a past and I respect the need for secrets. Hell, I have a few of my own. But I’ve been around here long eno