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Jumping up off Harlan, I checked to make sure he was okay, then I dropped down on Andrews where the bouncer was holding him and snapped cuffs on him.

Jack stood watching and shaking his head.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

One quick trip to the station to lock Art Andrews up on assault charges and we were done for the day.

“You can book him tomorrow, Harlan. He assaulted both of us. Are you sure you’re okay? That was a lot of weight lying on you.”

Harlan laughed. “You guys were fuckin heavy. I might have some bruises.”

“Art is right where he wants to be—with his cousin.”

Chapter Three

Wednesday, May 23rd.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

With no Billy and no girls, the house was eerily quiet when I got out of bed. Soon I wouldn’t have to put the woodstove on in the mornings, but there was still dampness in the air after all the rain we’d had.

Harlan and I had a quiet breakfast. He always wanted pancakes and it didn’t matter to me. I made him some, fried up a couple of eggs and cooked a pan of bacon for both of us.

While we were at the barn feeding the horses, he got a bunch of texts from the girls and according to him, most of the time they were texting a whole lot of nothing.

Made me smile because I figured they were texting personal stuff to him, and he didn’t want to tell me. Marilyn would call me immediately if there was a problem with either one of the girls.

“They doing okay?”

“Yep. They’re looking forward to the weekend. They want to come home and tell us all about the training.”

“Okay, good. Marilyn hired on a lot of young cowboys for the summer season over at her ranch, and I have to worry a little.”

Harlan raised an eyebrow. “But those hired hands would get fired if they touched the girls. Right?”

“Why do you sound so worried all of a sudden?”

“Because Lucy and Tammy are both tens, and I need to worry. That’s why.”

“Jeeze, now you’re scaring me, Harlan. Ask them if the cowboys are coming on to them.”

“Should I ask them that?”

“You’re the one who’s crazy worried.”

“Yeah, I’ll do it.”

“Marilyn will call me if anything…bad happens. We’ve got the courthouse this morning. Let’s get the fuckin chores done and get to the station.”

Driving south to the station, Harlan was still antsy.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing. I swear, Travis. I’m worrying for nothing about the cowboys hitting on the girls.”

“Marilyn won’t allow anything like that. When I get to the shop, I’m going to call and ask her. Her cowboys would get fired for that kind of behavior.”

“Think so?”