Chapter 16

Chase headed out to check the fence line once more. When he reached the area where it had been cut previously, he saw a nice repair job. He hadn't heard from the Sheriff or from his neighbor Duffy, and decided to go have a talk with him himself. They'd been friends for years, and neighbors forever.

He turned his horse around and took a shortcut to Duffy's house. His longtime neighbor didn't rise when he rode in, just sat quietly on one of the rockers on his front porch. He'd aged a lot in the few weeks since Chase had seen him at the last quarterly Bureau of Land Management meeting. He had a full head of silver hair and watery blue eyes that appeared to have seen too much. He hadn't been active in the ranch for the last couple of years due to his age and failing health, but he knew what needed to be done and how to do it.

Chase got off his horse and tied the reins to the bar across the front porch. "Mornin', Duffy." He held out his hand. Duffy placed his hand in Chase's and pumped hi