Chapter 6

“Mornin’, boss.” Spark’s salutation lacked its normal cheery ring. Even his blue eyes sparkled less than usual. “What’s the good word today?”

Although they really didn’t have a leader, the blond Texan often seemed to speak for all three, cheerful and straight forward about it. His jovial and forthright manner seemed shadowed today.

Stace also appeared almost subdued, not at all his normal smart-mouthed self. Casa, too, was quiet. His dark gaze met Jason’s for an instant and then dropped.

“Okay, boys, we need to talk. I’d have to be blind, deaf and stupid not to see what’s been happening, mostly right under my nose. Stace, the grapevine tells me your California movie mogul is setting up shop down in ‘Cruces. Of course, that isn’t any of your doing, is it?” He paused to grin, trying to set the black rider at ease.