"No, but," he said, removing his Stetson and running his fingers through his blond hair. "I shouldn't tell you this, but I know you'll keep scheming unless you know the facts." He exhaled and then licked his lips. "Colby came home about five years ago for a visit. His mom and dad were here too. Everything was going great. Heck, they even invited me for a cookout. It was like old times. Then Gray Cloud mentioned the Pow-Wow and asked his family to dance. His son and daughter-in-law thought it would be great, even Clay said sure. Colby flat-out refused. I was stuck in the middle. Did I side with Gray Cloud and tell Colby it was one day and he should dance and make his grandparents happy, or did I side with Colby and risk alienating myself from wonderful people who always accepted me as part of their family? It was tough and I said nothing." Brett took a deep breath. "Colby stormed out and left later that day. Gray Cloud and Running Doe have tried, but Colby wants nothing to do with them or this part of the country."
"Why is he back?" Megan blurted.
"Where did you see him?" Brett asked, concerned yet angry.
Trapped between keeping Colby's secret or lying to her cousin. "He's been around the ranch and last night in town he introduced himself," she finally said.
"Steer clear of him." His blue eyes pierced her soul.
"Why?" she stammered.
"What I told you isn't reason enough? He'll drag you into the fight, which has nothing to do with you. Do you want to be caught in the middle of a no-win situation?" He forced his hat onto his head. Inaudible grumbles followed him out of the barn and pushed him faster. Long strides gave an unfair advantage, keeping Megan from reaching him. Visions of his destination appeared in the clouds.
"He's heading to Gray Cloud's place," she said. "What a mess!" A knot the size of Texas filled her as she stood with one hand on her hip and the other on her forehead. "What do I do now?" she said, pacing. "If Colby leaves without talking to his family, then they suffer more heartbreak." Megan sighed. "If they talk and argue again…" She shook her head. "I know how to mess things up." Within minutes, her shoulders straightened and a smile washed across her face. "I'll find Gray Cloud first."