Crow Mountain by Lucy Inglis Page A

illegals coming in here just now for the summer work. Gotta keep on top of it.’
    â€˜Cal, go to the office and get the photocopies for Jesus and Sebastian.’
    Cal turned on his heel and went off to the far wing of the house, banging into the offices.
    â€˜Elizabeth well?’ Chief Hart asked, a sly note in his voice.
    â€˜As well as ever,’ Caleb Crow replied curtly.
    â€˜Fine woman.’
    â€˜Of that, I am certainly aware.’
    â€˜Shame to keep a woman like that hidden away out here, I’ve always thought.’
    Caleb Crow’s jaw flickered. ‘As opposed to keeping her in a cage and selling tickets? Or what?’
    Cal returned with a sheaf of papers in his hand and passed them to the chief. The big man didn’t look at them, just carried on looking at Caleb Crow.
    â€˜Guess I’ll keep these on file at the station. Being as how your men will have the originals, naturally. Tell them to bring them in next time they come to town. Just to be sure.’
    Caleb Crow folded his arms and shifted his weight on to one hip, a gesture Hope recognized from Cal.
    The two policemen made no effort to move away. ‘So yougot two English women guesting with you. Mother and a pretty daughter, about sixteen I’d say.’
    â€˜That’s right,’ Caleb said.
    Hope realized they all knew she was there in the doorway.
    â€˜Maybe we’ll drop by now and again, just to see if she’s OK.’ The chief turned, pretending to see Hope for the first time. ‘Hey, Freckles. How you finding Crow hospitality?’
    â€˜I . . . perfect, thank you.’
    He saluted with the sheaf of papers. ‘Well, you take care now, honeypie, y’hear?’
    Freckles? Honeypie? Gross . The two men got back into the police car and it turned in a wide circle, making Cal shift out of the way. Father and son watched it go, then moved towards each other, conducting a low, tense conversation as they walked to the corral, down to where Cal’s pick-up was parked.
    Hope, feeling awkward, started to walk over to them. Cal was leaning against the side, arms crossed and one ankle over the other, his brown leather workboots dusty. Caleb was standing there with him. They were deep in conversation and Cal looked agitated. Buddy was pressed against his leg as usual.
    â€˜Hart is a real curly wolf. Always has been, like his daddy before him, and that son of his.’
    Cal took a breath. ‘Dan and Steve were in town when we came through on our way back from the airport. They drove by and threw a half-full pop cup at the rig, frightened Hope.’
    â€˜Yeah, well, they got no manners either,’ Caleb said, hisusually calm voice unexpectedly fierce. ‘Which is a well-established fact of public record.’
    â€˜There’s a few other things that are a matter of public record,’ Cal said.
    â€˜Son, you did the right thing and you know you did. I know it wasn’t easy, walking away from school like that, away from the team, but it was the right thing. We’re proud of you.’
    â€˜Didn’t help Tyler, did it?’ Cal muttered bitterly. ‘The chief—’
    â€˜Ignore anything John Hart says.’
    Cal stuck his thumbnail between his front teeth for a second. ‘What he says is what everyone else thinks.’ He straightened up suddenly when he saw Hope.
    Caleb cast him a final look, then smiled at her. ‘Well, look at you, all ready for the outdoors.’
    Hope looked down at herself, unsure if putting on walking boots and a cardigan was quite outdoors enough.
    Caleb strode to the front door and picked up her bag and a long raincoat from the peg. ‘Take this slicker, Hope, just in case.’
    Hope opened her mouth to say she wasn’t going, but he carried on talking, taking her elbow and steering her towards the pick-up.
    â€˜I’ll tell your mom where you two have gone, and that you’ll be back in a few days. Give