True Love at Silver Creek Ranch by Emma Cane Page B

town?—he said, “I’ll check out the game in back.”
    Adam could feel Tony watching him as he headed for the back room, but at least it was friendly interest. As he moved down the length of the bar, others gave him curious looks. A couple guys were close to his own age, and if given a moment, he might have recognized them, but he kept moving.
    The bikers in their leather vests and jeans had taken over the pool table, and Adam worked his way into the lineup and won a few games. He was a master at the concentration required to line up a good shot, after all his years with the rifle as his constant companion. As a civilian, he didn’t carry a gun, only a pocketknife. It bothered him that he still thought of ways he would defend himself if necessary, but after all those years at war, it was hard to abandon the mind-set. But the bikers were good sports and didn’t mind being defeated.
    There were women in the bar, too, and as he left, more than one gave him a “Welcome home, soldier” glance, but he couldn’t muster up the interest. As he got in his pickup, it dawned on him that that was the story of his life lately, no interest in anything. It was time to get on with it, to accept his ghosts, to find a better reason for life than just existing.

Chapter Four
    L ate the next afternoon, Adam had his head under the kitchen sink, reinstalling the garbage disposal after the sink had clogged, when he saw his grandma’s legs as she walked slowly toward him with the aid of her cane. She was wearing a dress, striped in bright orange, and he knew she hadn’t been wearing that earlier. He would have remembered it. Ducking his head out from beneath the kitchen sink, he squinted up at her. She wore a matching orange bow in her blond wig.
    â€œGoing out for dinner?” he asked.
    She smiled gently. “And so are you. The Thalbergs are celebratin’ Sandy’s discharge from the hospital, and they also want to thank you for helpin’ Brooke rescue the horses.”
    Adam frowned. “Brooke already thanked me.”
    â€œHer parents didn’t.” She raised a hand that faintly trembled. “And I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d holler. Rosemary’s already gone, and I need a ride. So shower and let’s go.”
    â€œI wouldn’t holler,” he insisted as he rose to his feet. “And I’m bothered you think I wouldn’t take you to the Thalbergs.”
    â€œOh, I knew you’d take me,” she said, smiling. “But I needed you to stay.” Her hand was still quivering where she rested it on the cane.
    â€œOf course I’ll stay, Grandma. Anything you’d like.”
    â€œMy, you’re so accommodatin’.” She batted her wrinkled eyelids at him.
    It was hard to smother a grin. “I’ll shower quick.”
    At the Silver Creek Ranch, Adam parked his truck outside the front door. As he helped his grandma up the stairs, the door opened, spilling a shaft of yellow light through the gently falling snow.
    A man strode out onto the porch, and Adam recognized Doug Thalberg.
    Mr. Thalberg reached out a hand. “Adam, good to see you.”
    Adam took his hand in a firm grip. “Mr. Thalberg, sir, thank you for the invitation.”
    â€œWe’re not all that formal,” Mr. Thalberg said, stepping aside to usher them in. “Your grandma is practically family, and that makes you the same.”
    Which made Adam uncomfortable, but he had nothing to say. He glanced toward where he knew the ruins of the barn were.
    â€œThe burned smell still makes the cattle uneasy,” Mr. Thalberg said. “I’ll never get used to the change myself. I’ve spent my life lookin’ at that barn. But not much we can do to clean it up until winter is over.”
    Adam escorted his grandma inside, noticing the massive stone hearth that must have been part of the original ranch before they’d expanded