Dying Assassin by Joyee Flynn Page B

We can always get other horses, Spence. I think she needs them more than we do and I'm proud that you immediately want to help her."
    Before I could say anything, Molly leaned over and planted a loud kiss right on my lips. When I pulled away from her, Ryder and Mike were laughing. I know I turned bright red from all the attention, but I was just happy to help a single mother who'd had some rough breaks.
    "You know you're not going to hide who you are here for very long spending that kind of money," Molly said, giving me a knowing look.
    "Maybe." I shrugged, appreciating that she was looking out for me. "But I'd rather help out someone in the community than worry about everyone knowing that I'm that Fallon. I'm not sure that makes sense."
    "It does and you're a selfless man," she replied, patting my leg.
    "How much would it take to get her out from under the bank and hire help for a year or so?" I asked, trying to run the numbers in my head.
    "Around a hundred thousand or so," Mike answered, his eyes going wide. "But you've already done sixty thousand of that."
    "Does she need new equipment or anything else?"
    "Yeah, the ranch is pretty run down," Mike said, looking embarrassed. "We spend a lot of time there when we're not running the bar, but we don't have much money to help her out."
    "Her next horse is up now, Spencer," Luc informed me, gesturing to the ring. I turned back, glancing at Dean when I felt his hand on my shoulder.
    "You're doing a good thing here," he said, mashing Ethan in between us.
    "It just seems the right thing to do," I replied, feeling my face flush again. "I have money and she needs it. Plus, it's Mike's sister and she lives next door to us."
    "I know, but it doesn't take away from how wonderful you are, Spence," Dean said, smiling at me. The announcer opened the bidding just then, and I made a quick decision, figuring how much it would costs for some new farming equipment as well as upkeep of the ranch.
    "Five hundred thousand," I called out for our bid on the mare. I cringed when I saw the announcer's jaw drop open as his microphone fell to the ground. Then Margaret looked up at us before glancing back at her horse.
    I realized the mistake I made the second before it happened. I didn't warn her it was coming. The shock got to her, because she swayed on her feet before fainting.
    "Aww, shit," I cussed, smacking myself in the forehead. "I really need to start planning things out better. I'm such an idiot."
    "Yeah, that's not the word I was going to use." Mike laughed, hopping out of his seat before making his way back down to his sister.
     
    * * * *
     
    A few hours later we were heading back to the house. Margaret ended up being fine, just a little shell shocked over what I had done. I had apologized profusely, but she wouldn't hear of it. We all ended up having a big group hug and laughing over the situation.
    We pulled up the driveway, and I realized I was completely exhausted from the excitement and fun. I got out of the truck, reaching behind me to pick up a sleeping Ethan.
    "I got the door, Spence," Ryder whispered, standing next to me. "I think we tuckered him out."
    "It hurts my heart to know he's so sick," Dean said, opening the front door for us.
    "I know, but we'll fix that in the morning, I promise," I answered. He nodded, never taking his eyes off Ethan as we all walked up the stairs and into our room.
    "I'll pull in another bed. I'm not thinking five of us can fit on one king-sized bed." Dean chuckled as he left the room. I gently laid Ethan on the bed, then Ryder and Luc helped me turn it. We moved it by the windows at the front of the house, so there was room for another bed next to it. Dean came back in then with the bed frame from one of the guest rooms to start with. Though it was only a twin-sized bed, it should be enough for the five of us. I went to help him get the mattress pieces.
    "Thank you for everything, Spence," Luc said when we started getting ready for bed. I hugged him