Page 91

Dry Run Roadhouse.

It was early when we got to the Dry Run north of town and none of the night crowd was there yet. Travis kept Virge in the back ofthe booth because he was underage and shouldn’t be drinking in a public place.

We all did it, but me and Tammy were older now and could pass for twenty-one. Coyote Creek was an out-of-the-way place where all of the rules weren’t too strictly enforced.

Travis ordered the big rib platters for all of us, and we were having ourselves a time when Olivia Best showed up needing to talk to Travis about something important.

“Sit down and eat with us, Olivia. We can talk after dinner.”

She smiled and Travis ordered her a drink.

We finished dinner and were all in a party mood. No live band during the week, but country music blasted out of the speakers all the same. A lot of couples were dancing.

Even Virgil seemed to be having a good time after a couple of glasses of beer.

Travis and Olivia moved to an empty table to discuss whatever was worrying Olivia. They were two booths away from where we were sitting, talking about financial stuff when Savanna came to join us after work.

She stopped at our table and smiled at us. “Congratulations on wrapping up the case, guys.”

“Thanks.”

“Where’s Travis?”

I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “Olivia had to discuss something with him. An emergency.”

Savanna’s eyes sparked. “Emergency?”

Moving with the speed of light, she covered the distance between the booths and smashed Travis in the face. “You fucker. I knew you’d do this.”

Savanna ran out the front door and Travis was right behind her, running in spite of the pain he was in.

“Come on, Savanna. It’s not what you think. I own the fucking Inn and Olivia needs an advance to keep her going. Come on. Aw, Jesus.”

He stomped back to the booth Olivia was sitting in and they continued their talk.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

When we got home, Travis got a bottle of Jose Cuervo out of the cupboard and set it on the table.

“You shouldn’t drink the hard stuff while you’re still on meds,” said Tammy. “Just say’n.”

“Yeah, I know, baby girl. Nothing ever turns out right. Not ever.”

I sat down at the table before I went to the barn to do the chores. “Your whole family is here, Dad. Savanna will realize she made a mistake and come back.”

“Yeah, you’re right, son. Put the tequila away and save it for another day. I’ll have a beer.”

“Attaboy.”