Read Let It Go for Free Online Page B

act.
    Becca bounced over and stood beside him, her head only coming up to his shoulder while Sawyer snapped a picture with his cell phone of the two of them together. “So, are you and Eli friends? He’s never mentioned he knew you. Are y’all flying out to Dallas together later? Come on, Eli, I thought you were driving.”
    “Well, it’s, ah, sort of complicated.” Eli pointed to the black band around his ankle. “I’m not going to be riding in events in the foreseeable future. Creed either. At least not until Tom gets over this need to teach me a lesson.”
    “That’s a shame. Creed was odds-on favorite to win another title this year,” Sawyer said, looking from Creed back to Eli shaking his head. “Guess I don’t need to ask why half his face is black-and-blue, then, do I?”
    “No, sir, I guess not.” Eli looked down at his feet instead of at the silent trio surrounding him. “I have a temper. It’s worse when I drink. Working on it. Creed got in the way. It’ll all be fine. It’s only the start of the season. He’ll be back out there before it’s too late.”
    “Well, nothing to be done about it today, is there? Tom is doing what he thinks is best. I’m sure in the long run this will work out. In the meantime, is there anything you need? I’ve checked the herd. I’ll come back on Wednesday and we’ll move them into the east pasture. I’ve got a load of hay coming from Tennessee. Pickings are slim this year with the drought and all. I’ll keep you up on where I find more.” Sawyer got down to business without taking a breath and all Eli could do was keep up. He tried not to think about the bruise growing darker on the right side of Creed’s face. Or his bare feet. Or the shy smile that had twitched his lips. Jesus.
    “It’s been dry all over. We’ll probably have to look farther than the southeast this year. I’ve got plenty of feed. Still need hay. Keep me posted on what you find. I’ll get you the money for my share. Oh, yeah. Guess I’ll have to get permission from Tom to take the calves to auction next week. And Sawyer, could you send someone into town to pick up an order from Piggly Wiggly? I’ll call it in tonight and I’ll pay him for his time and gas.”
    “Sure. Not a problem. Do you need someone to find your truck? The sheriff probably has it in impound. I can send someone for it tomorrow.” Sawyer took off his hat and scratched his balding scalp; he did that when he was getting ready to broach a subject he wasn’t comfortable with. “I have to ask one more time about that stallion my cousin has for sale. He’s a good choice to replace Old Paint with. Good stock, big fella. Be great on the farm. And if you want to get back into racing—”
    “Same deal. He’s unbroken and I don’t have the time to break him and—” Eli stopped when he remembered that he now had too much time on his hands. And the horse was gorgeous. Great bones. Spirited. What was he going to say now? That he didn’t want to replace Opie? Opie had served him for a long time. There was no replacement for that old pony. “Sure. But offer five hundred less. There’s a reason he’s still got the damned thing after all these months. Probably unbreakable. God damn, what the hell is wrong with Tom?”
    Sawyer slapped his big hand on Eli’s shoulder and laughed. “One day you’ll figure that out for yourself. Becca, you’ll be seeing Creed around for a while now; get in the truck and stop embarrassing the man. Eli, call around to the house in the morning. I’ll be running Becca in to school. I’ll be happy to stop and pick up your grocery order, and I’ll get back to you on that bronc. Nice meeting you, Creed. Well, gotta get to the house; the missus will have supper ready soon. You boys need anything? I’ll send some back.”
    “I got some steaks thawing. I’m good on meat at least.” Eli waited for them to climb into the cab, and with a swat to the hood they drove away, leaving him alone