Read The Tin Star for Free Online Page B

a thought and sure beat cold cuts and frozen suppers.
    Just as he put the last plate in the dishwasher, Fred came bounding in with the ball he’d found for her earlier. He chuckled and took it from her. “Okay, girl, let’s go in the living room where we have space to play without destroying the house.” The living room had a huge, open area. Once he and Fred got there, Ethan tossed the ball toward the front door.
    Jamie was half sitting, half sprawled on the couch, watching TV. As Fred ran by, nails clicking on the wood floor, he yelled. “Fred! Don’t run in the house!”
    Ethan chuckled. “It’s okay, she’s just enjoying herself.”
    Jamie started, then glanced over his shoulder. Apparently, he hadn’t heard Ethan throwing the ball. “Oh. I didn’t know you were playing with her. You don’t mind her running through the house?”
    “Nah. There isn’t much she can mess up in here. She wanted to play, so I obliged her.”
    Jamie grinned. “You know the way to a man’s heart is through his dog, right?”
    Ethan laughed as he walked to the couch. Before he could sit down, Fred brought the ball back. He tossed it again and made himself comfortable. “Nope, I believe it’s through his stomach ... and my heart is all yours. Supper was wonderful. Thank you.”
    Jamie mumbled something that sounded like, “I wish,” then he flushed and ducked his head a little. “Thanks.”
    Damn, he was cute when he got all shy like that. Jamie obviously didn’t take compliments well, and Ethan vowed to change that. He’d always known that John was the favored son, but damn! Killian’s favoritism had always seemed grossly unfair, but it wasn’t till recently that it had really started to bother Ethan.
    Jamie was a credit to his family and deserved his fair share of praise. It disturbed him to realize that there was just something about the younger man that made him want to coddle him. “You’re welcome.”
    Jamie’s hand came up and brushed his dark hair out of his wonderful blue eyes. He cleared his throat nervously, then looked directly at Ethan. “I don’t mind doing the cooking, if you’ll do the dishes.”
    Ethan smiled and flung the ball again. “That’s a hell of a deal! You’re on.”
    He got a chuckle and an offered hand. Ethan found himself staring at those long fingers and callused palm for a second. Jamie had nice strong hands, a working man’s hands. What would they feel like on --?
    They shook on the deal, then Jamie watched soberly as Fred scrambled after her toy. “So you really don’t mind Fred?”
    “No. She’s a good dog.”
    Jamie nodded absently and gestured to Fred, then tossed the ball for her. “Daddy always complained. He doesn’t think dogs belong in the house.”
    Ethan snorted. “No offense, but I’ll tell you exactly what I’ve told John over the years: your daddy can be a real asshole sometimes. Dogs are like family; of course they belong in the house.”
    Jamie blinked up at him and snickered, blue eyes sparkling and nose crinkled up ever so slightly. It was the sweetest thing Ethan had seen. “Yup. Hell, I’d let George in the house, too, if she’d fit.”
    Ethan laughed. “Okay, I draw the line at bringing the horses in.”
    Jamie cracked up. “All right, no horses in the house, I promise. Have you heard from John?”
    “No. Why?”
    “He was supposed to bring me some more of my things and George, too.”
    Ethan shook his head. “Last I heard from him was early this morning. Word apparently got back to the Quad J about your fight last night.”
    Those dark eyebrows arched. “Yeah, I heard. How do you think that happened, anyway? It doesn’t seem something Bill, Ed, or Hayden would call people about.”
    Ethan shrugged and held out his hand as Fred came trotting up. “There’s no telling how it got around. I swear ranch hands gossip more than a gaggle of old, blue-haired ladies on bingo night.” They shared another laugh. “Carl and Jeff probably whined