Read Online Texas True by Janet Dailey - Free Book Online Page B

hesitation, as if Will was debating some issue with himself. “Keep this under your hat, brother, but I’m working on a plan to get this canyon back.”
    â€œWhat?” The question came out, mingled with a near laugh. “Just what makes you think the syndicate would sell it? They sure as hell don’t need the money.”
    â€œIt just so happens that the syndicate doesn’t own this particular parcel,” Will informed him. “I did some checking and discovered that, for whatever reason, this land is part of the Prescott family trust. And our fine, upstanding congressman Garn Prescott is the trustee.”
    â€œSo Garn would have the power to sell it back, assuming you can talk him into it.” Beau swatted away a pesky horsefly buzzing around his face. “It explains why you asked him to do the eulogy at the funeral. You’re trying to get all palsy with him.”
    â€œI told you before, we need allies, not enemies. And it so happens Prescott’s up for reelection this fall. I’m prepared to make a hefty donation to his campaign in exchange for this worthless little canyon that’s too steep for grazing.”
    â€œAnd you think he’ll agree to that?”
    Will’s horse swung its nose around in an attempt to dislodge the fly that had landed on its neck. Will absently brushed off the fly. “Maybe he will. Maybe not. But there’s more than one way to skin a coyote.”
    In his mind’s eye, Beau saw again that scene at the house after the funeral when he’d observed Garn Prescott clearly making a move on Tori. It couldn’t have been more obvious that Prescott wanted to get to know her a lot better.
    â€œI’ll bet Tori could talk him into it.”
    â€œLeave Tori out of this!” Will snapped.
    Beau had seen his brother angry before, but not this hot. “Sorry.” He wisely refrained from mentioning the way Garn had been hanging all over her, recognizing jealousy when he saw it. “Maybe I could help,” he suggested instead. “I’ve never known a politician yet who didn’t have his finger in some dirty pie. Ferreting out nasty secrets is part of what I do for a living.”
    Will briefly considered the offer, then shook it away with a half-irritated sigh. “As much as I would enjoy bringing that pompous jackass down, I’d rather this be an up-front deal.” He gathered up his horse’s reins. “We’ve got cattle to find. We’d better get to it.”
    â€œI spotted a couple headed up the canyon’s other fork.” Beau swung his horse around and brought it up level with Will’s bay gelding. With curiosity nagging at him, he asked, “Did Prescott have anything to do with you and Tori splitting up?”
    â€œDoes it matter?” Will fired back, going all tight-jawed on him. “It happened. And it’s over.”
    Beau doubted it was over as far as his brother was concerned. “You two seemed to fit together so well, like you were made for each other. There were times when I’d see you with Tori and would feel a little envious because you clearly had something special going.”
    â€œFunny you should say that,” he countered. “You see, I always thought Natalie was the special one for you.”
    Beau recoiled slightly. The mere sound of her name was like being stabbed. It was impossible to think of her without remembering the feel of her in his arms, the warmth of her body quivering beneath him, or the welling of emotion that choked him.
    When Beau failed to say anything, Will spoke. “You know Bull was always certain the ranch would pull you back here. I always thought you’d come back for Natalie.”
    â€œAfter I got back from Afghanistan . . .” Beau paused, searching for the right words. “Let’s just say . . . things changed.”
    â€œBut not the way you feel about her. I saw the way you looked at her that