Shadows in the Silence
Page 17

“Pull right in front of the house,” Cadan instructed.
I aimed for a long, rambling single-story house with a rickety porch that wrapped around the front and western side. It faced a pasture filled with black cattle and spotted cow ponies. Behind the house was a barn that had seen better days, but it was age, not neglect, that wearied it. A few ranch hands bustled about their chores, leading animals in and out of the barn, dragging hoses to water stalls and pasture troughs. I shut the car off and climbed out with Cadan just as the front door of the house swung open and a tall, lean, elderly man in a cowboy hat, plaid shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots stepped out, wiping his hands on a clean dishrag. He had a gray mustache and even a freaking twinkle in his eyes. I liked him already.
“Cadan,” the man called cheerfully. “Wish I could say I was glad to see you, but the old lady’s in the house and I know soon as she gets a look a’ you, she’ll leave me. Even after thirty-two years. Why is it I keep gettin’ older and you’re strappin’ as ever?”
Cadan grinned—and I swore I caught sight of a little color in his cheeks—and he ran a hand through his hair. “Good genes, I guess. Great to see you, Judah.”
The cowboy smiled at me next. “And this…this must be her.” He descended the porch steps and reached for my hand, but before he took it, he asked, “May I?”
I watched him confusedly, unsure if he was really asking for permission to touch me. I blinked and nodded.
Judah took my hand at last, cupping it with both of his. “Welcome,” he said. “I know who you are, so don’ be shy. I know who that scoundrel over there is too.”
I glanced at Cadan, who watched me almost sadly. It surprised me that Cadan would know this human and would even reveal himself to him. How much did Judah know? If he said he knew who I was, did that mean he knew my name was Ellie—or Gabriel?
Judah let go of my hand and put his own on his narrow hips, beaming down at me. “I’ve got the boys saddling up the horses for you. I’m sure you want to be on your way. Grace’s fixin’ up pulled pork sandwiches for your trip. You should eat one before you go.”
My stomach growled at the thought, so loudly that Judah heard and laughed. “That sounds awesome,” I said.
He turned to the house and waved us inside. The front door led into the kitchen, where a woman worked at the counter over stacks of shredded meat and bread and little baggies for each sandwich.
“Grab me a coupla’ those, will ya, Grace?” Judah called with a pat on her shoulder. “Guests are here.”
She smiled at Cadan and me with bright eyes and flushed cheeks. “Cadan.” She greeted him warmly and pulled him into a one-armed hug with a kiss on his cheek.
“Hey, now,” Judah said, the amusement in his voice passing through his frown. “Don’t make me arm-wrestle the boy for my honor back.”
Grace rolled her eyes and moved away from them both. “That would be unwise, dear. Who’s your girl? You’re a vision, darlin’. Are you like him?” She gestured to Cadan, but gave a smile with it.
“She’s nothing like me,” Cadan interjected gently, his gaze avoiding mine.
“Not a reaper,” Grace surmised. “Just a lucky girl, then. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Ellie,” I told her.
“How’d you two meet?”
Cadan opened his mouth to speak again, but Judah was quicker. “Grace.”
She seemed to understand the tone of his voice and took it no further. She grabbed a sandwich for each of us and poured two glasses of sweet iced tea and placed them on the round kitchen table. Again, as I inhaled the sandwich and tea, I was left wondering what exactly this couple knew about Cadan and me. I feared saying anything at all.
“All finished?” Grace asked with a smile.
Cadan sat back in his chair and exhaled. “That was delicious, as always. Thank you so much.”
She took both our plates to the sink. “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll make sure your packs are all ready? I double-checked the tent and it has no holes, but we’ll see how many blankets you’ll need. Remind me to grab the grain bags for the horses.”
She beckoned to Cadan and he followed her from the kitchen. Then it was just Judah and me. One corner of the old cowboy’s mouth curved into a knowing smile beneath his scruffy mustache.
“Grace makes the best pulled pork in Colorado,” he said. “Pretty sure that’s why he keeps comin’ back here.”
I studied his face carefully. “You know he’s a reaper?”
“I do,” Judah replied, taking in a long breath.
“And you know what it means for him to be what he is?”
“I know he looks pretty darn good for his age.”
“Do you know the difference between a demonic reaper and an angelic reaper?”
“I know the difference between a good man and a bad one,” he replied. “No one’s perfect, and that boy wears his heart on his sleeve. I am also an imperfect man. Who am I to judge someone else based on where they come from? What counts is what that man does with his life and for others.”
“I agree with you,” I said. “Did Cadan tell you who I am?”
Judah leaned forward and rested one arm on the table. “He did, but Grace don’ know. You seem surprised that I trust him, but I’m even more surprised that you trust him.”