Forever and Always by Leigh Greenwood Page B

Cassie’s judgment.” He glanced over his shoulder at the dog that was still watching him with unfriendly eyes. “On top of all that, you’ve got a dog with plenty of reasons not to trust anybody defending your campsite like it’s his own. I’d say that speaks well for your character.”
    Logan ached to tell Jared they were brothers and that he’d do everything in his power to be worthy of his respect and friendship, but he didn’t want to start something he couldn’t finish. He would do everything he could to help Sibyl. When they learned after his death who he was, they’d have reason to think well of him without having to deal with his illness and death.
    â€œI’ll talk to my wife about your suggestion tonight,” Jared said. “I may be able to let you know tomorrow.”
    â€œTell Sibyl, not me—but don’t let her know I had anything to do with it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI feel more comfortable not taking credit for something she would have thought of once she got over the shock of the robbery and Norman’s death.”
    Jared looked like he was about to say something when a thought made him stop and regard Logan with a curious expression. “You wouldn’t be the stranger who shot all the thieves, would you?”
    His question stunned Logan. “Why would you think that?”
    â€œSibyl says he was a stranger who disappeared before everyone came rushing into the bank. She says she was so shocked she never really got a look at him. As far as I know, you’re the only stranger in town.”
    â€œDo I look like a gunman to you?”
    â€œI doubt he was a gunman. I’d say a marksman was more likely.”
    Logan was glad to know his brother was intelligent, but he didn’t like what Jared was doing with that astuteness at the moment. “No doubt you’re right,” Logan said. “That means it was probably someone who’d been in the army. You said there was a fort not far from here.”
    â€œI never met a soldier who wouldn’t have been eager to take credit for a feat like that. They’d have been after a reward, too.”
    â€œMaybe it was a retired soldier who didn’t need the money or want the notoriety.”
    â€œOr maybe it wasn’t a soldier at all. Sibyl, Cassie, and Horace say they can’t describe him, but I don’t think they’re telling the truth.”
    â€œWhat makes you think that?”
    â€œSibyl and Horace can tell a lie with a straight face, but Cassie is as transparent as glass. A child could tell she was lying.”
    â€œWhy would they pretend they couldn’t describe him? You’d think they’d be eager to tell everyone what the man looked like and who he was.”
    â€œThat’s what you would think, which makes them doing the opposite intriguing.”
    â€œWell, I’m sure they have their reasons. When the time is right, I expect they’ll tell you what they know.”
    â€œWe’ll see. In the meantime, keep an eye out for a stranger who’s handy with a gun. Until then, I’ll be keeping an eye on you. A friendly eye,” Jared added. “Like I said, Steve likes you, and I trust the boy’s instincts.”
    â€œI liked him, too,” Logan said. “He seems to be a fine young man.”
    Jared turned to the dog, who had never taken his eyes off him. “Have you given him a name?”
    â€œHe’s not mine. Why should I name him?”
    â€œI think you’re his ,” Jared said. “You might as well give him a name. Dog seems an unappreciative way to refer to such a staunch friend.”
    Jared mounted up. “Why don’t you drop by the ranch sometime? I’d like you to meet my family.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWhy not? Do you have anything against meeting new people? My wife loves company. She says the ranch is too far out for most people. She keeps threatening