The first thing Colt did after entering his room was phone Marc and relay everything hed unearthed that evening.
Bless that judge. He did us a real favor. Six months will buy SOS the time we need.
So my job here is just about finished, right?
Not so fast. A lot could still go wrong. Marley wont want to lose touch with either principal, Marc said, speaking of their boss in Washington D.C., whod organized the network. Marley Jones was a smart man, proud of his African-American heritage. He wielded considerably power in the Washington beltway and with governors around the States. He was born in rural Georgia during the depression, but his perseverance had achieved him a status enviable to any man. What made him stand out was the fact that hed never, in his climb up the political ladder, lost sight of his familys history, which was tied to the soil. Now his dedication in the private sectorsaving endangered land and endangered speciesextended to people as well.
Colt would be forever grateful to Jones, whod seen something worthwhile inside a bitter, thirty-five-year-old ex-Marine. Even as Colt had stood before Marley, skin still jumpy from a scant two days off booze, Marley hired him on the spot and extended a welcoming hand. From that day forward, Marley Jones had Colts undying respect.
If Marley thinks I should stay in Callanton, I will.
You dont sound too happy about it. Marley has a good reason, though. Weve got deals coming to a head in Utah, Colorado, northern California and southern Arizona. They represent a lot of cash, and the coffers are low. Marley needs time to put the arm on some of his backers. Even the ones with deep pockets arent as free with contributions as they were a few years back.
This is awesome country, Marc. Theres no danger well lose it, is there?
Of course not.
Colt heard concern in his old friends declaration. Tell Marley this property has everything. Sweet grassland. Pine forests fed by an uncontaminated river. Its source is a snow-capped peak that sets the ranch apart from city encroachment to the north and west. A granite gorge serves as a buffer to the south. You wouldnt believe the wildlife Ive come across when Ive gone out riding. Plus, theres the clearest blue sky Ive ever seen.
Ill pass on the information. That rangeland wont be lost for lack of trying on Marleys part.
I know. Colt recognized the frustration in Marcs voice.
You handled the initial investigation on the last deal without a qualm. What makes you antsy about this one?
Colt knew exactly what had made him hesitatea glimpse of the pride in Summer Marshs eyes when she told the waitress how long shed run her ranch, together with her admitted desire to pass the job to her son. It hadnt been his imagination that her pride turned to vulnerability when shed glanced at Rory.
Coltrane? We still connected?
Yeah. I dont know why this deal is different, Marc. Maybe because the ranch reminds me of my old place in Idaho. Its probably that simple. I guess I cant stand the thought of one of Ed Adamss supernova resorts ruining this great ranch. There are so few of them left.
Amen. Hang on and keep tabs on anything out of the ordinary. The judges decision is the reprieve we need. But as Marley pointed out in our meeting on Monday, its not in Adamss nature to wait contentedly for something he wants. How about if you and I touch base again at the end of this week? Unless anything drastic comes up and you need us sooner.
Okay. Spirit pulled a tendon, so I havent checked out as much of the ranch as I wouldve liked. His legs healing. Maybe by the weekend Ill have had a chance to survey the rest of the Forked Lightning. Colt couldnt say why he withheld the information that he planned to visit there in the morning.
Talk to you then, Colt. Marc clicked off.
COLT LEFT HIS MOTEL ROOM before daylight. In fact, a three-quarter moon shed a cold light over the sleeping town of Callanton. Since he got underway before the Green Willow opened, he had no choice but to forgo breakfast.
His first stop was the farm at the edge of town where he stabled Spirit. When Colt loaded the gelding into his trailer, he noticed that Spirit still favored his leg. Was that a sign he should let Mrs. Marsh rescue her eaglets alone? he wondered wryly.
Thing was, Colt felt honor bound once hed given his word. And maybe the outing would do Spirit more good than standing in a corral.
Six or so miles out of Callanton, Colt dropped in behind a school bus he assumed was the one scheduled to pick up Rory Marsh. Colt was sure of it when the bus turned down a graveled stretch of road that led to the Forked Lightning.
The sun had barely peeked over Blue Mountain by the time the big yellow bus swung off on a shoulder and stopped beneath a wrought-iron arch bearing the image of a divided lightning bolt. The ranch brand was an exact replica.
Colt stopped the prescribed distance behind the bus, which sat with red lights flashing. The lights had no sooner come on than a pickupthe one Colt had seen Summer driving yesterdayroared up to the arch from the distant house. A sullen-looking Rory Marsh slid out of the passenger seat. Head down, he trudged toward the bus, kicking up dust with his boots.
Colt opened his pickup door and stepped out on his running board. Hey, kid, he called. Have a good day at school.
Rory lifted his head, face brightening. Hi! Wow, you did come to rescue the baby eagles. Mom said you probably had better things to do. Rory galloped around the front of the bus. The driver honked, and the noise started him, making him drop his lunch box.
Summer saw her son dash in front of the bus rather than ascend the steps. What was he doing? Surely not running away! Yet he might just try that following the set-to theyd had at breakfast.
Heart pounding, she yanked on her emergency brake and fought to open the stubborn door that tended to stick. It popped ajar in time for her to hear a mans baritone voice cautioning her son to get on the bus. The blood drained from her head and left her feeling dizzy because she thought Frank had finally decided to visit his son. Then she saw Rory wave and meekly retreat. Hed never do that if it was his dad standing outside the fence.
Go on, the man was saying. Board the bus. Ill see you when you get home.
Summer realized the voice was deeper than Franks. By then, shed reached the fence. Prior to that, the bus had blocked her view of the road. Identifying a pickup with horse trailer, and a mans lanky outline, she expelled her breath in a whoosh.
Coltrane Quinn. Hed come, just the way hed promised.
Summer recognized that he was the source of her sons changed demeanor. Oddly enough, her own heart hammered significantly faster.
Colts here, Mom, Rory shouted. The baby eagles will be okay now, and you dont hafta worry bout Virgil killing himself helping you.
Thats good, Summer admitted, clearing her throat. I know you wanted to greet Mr. Quinn, Rory, but you shouldnt keep Mrs. Reilly waiting. She has other children to pick up. Go on now, or youll make everyone late for school.
kay, the boy mumbled, although he continued to peer around the bus door while waving nonstop at Colt.
Rory had barely found a seat on the bus before the driver shut the door and began a wide turn back onto the road.