To Love a Stranger by Connie Mason Page A

anyone who would fit the bill?”
    “I’ll ask around.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Morris Kent. People around these parts call me Dude because I’m from back east. Where are you from?”
    Pierce shook Dude’s hand. “Pierce Delany. I hail from Wyoming.”
    A man sidled up to the bar beside Pierce. “Did I hear you say you married Miss Zoey? Are you running the Circle F now?”
    “You heard right. I’m Pierce Delaney, Zoey Fuller’s husband.”
    “I’m Bud Prichard. I was ramrod on the Circle F before Robert Fuller up and got himself killed.”
    “You’re one of the men who left my wife high and dry when she needed you.” His voice held a note of accusation.
    Prichard shifted uncomfortably. “I can’t afford to work for nothing, Mr. Delaney. All the hands up and left when banker Willoughby spread the word that the Circle F was in deep financial trouble and about to go belly-up. I stayed longer than the others, but in the end I was forced to seek work elsewhere.”
    Pierce studied Prichard’s face and liked what he saw. Prichard returned his gaze with unwavering honesty. Prichard wasn’t young, but neither was he old. Tough and wiry, the ramrod looked as steady as a rock and fully capable of handling his job.
    “Where are you working now?”
    “Unfortunately the new job didn’t work out. I’m looking for work.”
    “I’m hiring,” Pierce said. “Can you round up a half dozen or so men to work the Circle F? I’m offering top wages. The work won’t be easy, What livestock remains is scattered throughout the hills and must be flushed out. Three hundred head are needed to fulfill the army contract. If you can do that, you can have your old job of ramrod back.”
    “Is Cully still at the Circle F?” Prichard wanted to know.
    “He’s still there.”
    “He’s a good man. A mite old but still a good man to have around. I’ll see what I can do, Mr. Delaney. When do you want us?”
    “As soon as possible. Bring them out to the ranch and I’ll decide if they fit the bill.”
    “Sure thing, Mr. Delaney.” They shook on it and Pierce left to join Zoey at the hotel. His steps slowed when he passed the bank. A devious smile spread across his face as he opened the door and stepped inside.
    Several people were waiting to conduct business. Pierce waited his turn at a teller’s cage.
    “May I help you, sir?” the clerk asked when Pierce reached the window.
    “I’m thinking of depositing a large sum ofmoney soon and wanted to know how safe my money will be.”
    “This is the safest bank in Montana,” the clerk bragged. “All our accounts are strictly confidential and we’ve never had a successful robbery. Is there anything else you require, Mr. …”
    “Delaney. Pierce Delaney. I married Zoey Fuller from the Circle F.”
    The clerk’s eyes widened. This was indeed news. “Will you be handling Circle F business?”
    “I will indeed. I’m infusing some of my own money into the operation. My wife has had a run of bad luck.”
    “So I’ve heard,” the clerk said, lowering his gaze.
    “Things are changing fast. I’ve taken steps to hire competent help.”
    “Excuse me a moment, Mr. Delaney, I’m going to the back room to get some forms for you to fill out You’ll want your name on the Circle F account.”
    The clerk disappeared, returning a few moments later with Samson Willoughby. The banker’s face was mottled with rage.
    “Come into my office, Delaney. I’d like a private word with you.”
    “Of course, as long as it won’t take too long. My wife is waiting for me at the hotel.”
    Pierce strolled into Willoughby’s office as if he didn’t have a care in the world. The door slammed shut with a loud bang, giving testimony to Willoughby’s anger.
    “I understand you’re hiring hands to work the Circle F.” Willoughby looked at Pierce with loathing. “Ranch hands expect to get paid at the end ofeach month. What’s all this crap about making a large deposit in my bank? You