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there, she wouldn’t feel like the third wheel. Satisfied her impulsive invite would further her purpose, she lay back down and let exhaustion claim her.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
     
    Jared
     
    Jared closed the door behind the last guest. He’d relied on Darleen and Ryder to check on Jen as he listened to friends and relatives’ endless reminiscences about his parents. He hoped Darleen and Jen would become friends. If Jen stayed, she’d have to fit in. Ranchers relied on each other, and he couldn’t afford to have Jennie be at odds with Darleen.
    Jared turned to Harry. “I’m glad you agreed to stay over.” Too much bourbon meant Harry couldn’t drive. “Can I get you anything, Harry?”
    “I’ve been coming here since before you were born.” Harry smiled. “I can find my own way around.”
    “Of course. I’ll go and check on Jen.” Jared wanted to make sure she was comfortable after Darleen insisted he leave her to spend time at the wake.
     
    ***
     
    Intruder
     
    As the sun dipped below the horizon, Harry walked onto the porch, seemingly unaware that someone was watching him from the shadows of the ranch house. He slipped on a forgotten drink, probably blinded by the last strong rays of sunlight.
    Harry looked around him before he called out as he steadied himself against the porch rail. “Who’s there?” Harry swayed towards the steps. “Jared, you should be with Jennie.”
    No one answered. Harry stumbled down the steps. “One, two, arghh!” His foot slipped on the uneven step where Jennie had tripped earlier and which had been deliberately damaged to cause Jennie’s earlier accident. He toppled forwards. Too inebriated to put his hands out to soften the impact, he fell onto his face with a thud.
    Harry raised his head and muttered, “Too much bourbon. I’ll have the mother of all hangovers.” His hand trembled as he touched his damaged head before he groaned and vomited, then fell back against the ground unconscious.
    The intruder stepped from the shadows and checked Harry’s pulse. It was weak but still there. Harry didn’t deserve to die, but the intruder couldn’t risk being recognized. Anonymity was essential for the plan to get Jennie to leave the ranch. Without hesitation, the intruder lifted Harry’s upper body and let his head fall against a sharp rock, which smashed into the unconscious man’s skull. No pulse now. The body rearranged so the injury appeared accidental. A low whistle echoed round the ranch yard. The pinto walked toward him, the intruder vaulted onto his back, and they galloped away, unseen, towards the sunset.
     
    ***
     
    Jared
     
    Jared ran upstairs to see if Jennie wanted to eat, and a dull thud made Jared open Jen’s bedroom door unannounced. She started at his abrupt entrance and pulled the covers tighter around her.
    “Sorry, Jen, I thought you’d fallen over again,” he said.
    She shook her head. No, Jared realized, the sound had come from outside. Jennie hobbled across the room toward the window. Jared joined her as she looked out of it but saw nothing out of the ordinary. The horses in the surrounding paddocks dozed, undisturbed.
    He looked down at Jen, whose leg buckled as she put weight on her damaged foot. Jared frowned. “Your ankle needs rest. Can I get you anything? Painkillers, something to eat?” She looked tired and disheveled but still made Jared catch his breath.
    “I’m fine. Just concerned about the noise we heard. We ought to check outside. Maybe it came from the other side of the house.”
    “I’ll check. Harry’s downstairs. Perhaps he heard something. We must eat something soon. Neither of us has eaten since breakfast.” Jared helped Jen back to bed.
    Jen’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and they shared a smile. “I guess you’re right.” She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. “Let me know what’s going on.”
    Jared ran down the steps. There was no sign of Harry in