Mal has not had an easy life. He’s struggled to overcome a lot of roadblocks and hardships as he built himself a life as a mechanic, despite a serious handicap. He’s admired rancher Dan from afar but never dreamed events would play out to land him in the amazing spot of being able to do a real service for his secret hero. Can he maintain his cool and a safe distance when they’re sharing a house and working to resolve a dangerous mystery?<br><br>Dan says he does not have employees but friends who help him run the ranch he inherited from his father. Challenged by his younger step-brother and facing dangerous sabotage to his truck, he enlists a young mechanic to help solve the puzzle. He’d always wanted a real brother or a partner he could trust but his step-brother is not the right guy to fill that role. How about Mal, who brings some fine but rare qualities to the Flying W?

Wrenching

What’s that damn punk doing here in the middle of the week? I hope he and Mal didn’t get into a pissingcontest. It’d be like him, but I suspect Mal can hold his own. For a young guy, he’s got HKU grad written all over him. I’d even say with honors.


He drove the flatbed on down to the barn, where a couple of the hands were waiting to unload it. Even though he was tired and hungry, he pitched in to help, and they soon had the feed, wire, t-posts and a stack of lumber unloaded in the barn’s shelter. Dan made it a point to thank them before he headed for the house. He had not lied when he told Mal he didn’t have employees but friends who helped run the ranch. Courtesy and kindness were never wasted.


Chapter 12