“What did Silas say about them being wrong?”
“Nothing really. I told him he should contact the person who made them. Silas said he probably wouldn’t, since they were a gift from your father.”
“I still see him hanging them. I wish you could have known him. You would have liked him.”
“Could I have beaten him at poker?”
Wrapping an iron rooster, Ginny laughed. “No. Who do you think taught Silas to play?
“Could you hand me the plaque behind the jewelry box on the dresser?” With humor, Ginny peered at Gavin as he found the plaque.
“Silas owes me three hundred dollars.”
“Losers weepers.” Quoting half the old saying, Ginny took the plaque from Gavin.
“Please tell me this is the only tournament Silas played in.”
“I would, but it would be a lie.”
Gavin looked toward the doorway ruefully, as if hoping Silas would walk past.
“I tried to warn you.”
“Exactly when was that?”
“I wiggled my eyebrows.”
“I thought you were telling me to take it easy on him.”
“No, it was warning. When I took the pie away from Silas, that was me telling him to take it easy on you.”
“Well, he fucking didn’t.”
“Neither did you,” she reminded him.
“How fucking good is he?”
“He won every poker tournament he’s played in. Last year, I believe he won the International Tournament in Las Vegas.”
Gavin’s left eyelid began twitching.
“If he wins such big pots, why did he work at the lumber yard so long?”
“The lumber yard has the best insurance in the county, and Silas needed that when they were all younger. He’s comfortable enough now with the boys having their own business that he can financially handle just Fynn’s medical care. You’re not really mad, are you? I was going to tell you. It just never came up. Then you were the one who wanted to play. I didn’t want to disappoint you. You were in such a good mood.”
“I’m not now.”
“I can see that,” she soothed him. “I thought, what could the harm be when you were only playing with five-dollar bills?”
“It went to twenties real fast.”
“I kind of thought Shade would have mentioned Silas played. He watched the tournament with me—it was televised.”
Both of Gavin’s eyelids began twitching. “He didn’t.”
“Are you mad at me? I didn’t—”
“No. I know exactly who’s to blame.”
“Who?” she asked innocently.
“Shade. The brother is dead meat when I get ahold of him.”
“You really wouldn’t hurt Shade.” Ginny made a face of disbelief at him.
“Shade doesn’t have four legs.”
* * *
“Rough night?”
Ginny moved to the side to let Silas fill his thermos. Blowing on her cup of black coffee, she put a slice of bread in the toaster. “Yes,” she answered in a low voice, not wanting Gavin to hear if he was awake. “He spent most of the night trying to claw the mattress.”
“Were you able to get any sleep?”
“Some. It took him three hours to fall asleep before I could slip in his room. Do you want some toast?”
“No, thanks.”
Pushing the lever of the toaster down, she went to the refrigerator for the preserves. “I promised myself I wouldn’t go inside his room. I sat on the steps, telling myself I wouldn’t.” Ginny closed the refrigerator door, empty-handed. Pressing her forehead against the door, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
Silas pulled her away from the fridge and into his arms. “I saw you. I was relieved when you went in. I couldn’t take it any longer myself. I was going to break and wake him up. Probably would have gotten my ass kicked for the effort.”
Ginny reached for a paper towel next to her. “Good thing you didn’t. He’s mad at you.”
“He was good.” Silas took the paper towel from her, wiping her tears away. Then, opening the refrigerator, he took out the preserves to give her. “Just not as good as me.”
“Not many are.” After making her toast, she went to take a seat at the table.
Carrying his thermos, Silas went to the hall closet to take a metal box off a shelf. Going to the table, he opened it and took out a gun.
Ginny paused with the toast halfway to her mouth. “I don’t think he’s mad enough that you’ll have to defend yourself.”
Silas gave her a crooked smile as he loaded the gun. “This isn’t to protect myself from Reaper. Knox called me this morning to let me know Fish & Wildlife posted an alert. A man was about to be arrested for hoarding dogs. Before they arrived, he set them free. His daughter told them what dogs were released. They’ve been able to capture thirteen, but two are still missing. The daughter told them the dogs are vicious; that’s why she made the report. That was over the border four days ago. If they make it this far, they are going to be hungry, and I don’t want to be their next meal. Moses is keeping an eye out for them. I don’t want you going out without me or Reaper.”