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I got us all a beer and sat down with Savanna while Harlan started taking the poison messages off Tory Masters’ phone.

Savanna wrote down a list of the names of the poisons that Josie mentioned in her texts. I’d have Molly send it to Doc Olson in the morning.

Chapter Eight

Monday, May 28th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

The house was silent and still and had an eerie feel to it without the girls and Billy. Strange because when I first moved to this ranch, I lived here alone with the dogs, and it didn’t bother me a bit.

With only Harlan and me for breakfast and chores, it made me wonder when Billy would be coming back from rehab. He hated sitting around and doing nothing and I couldn’t see him liking it there too much. I made up my mind to call him and see how he was doing.

A gorgeous spring day, and finally Montana was getting some decent sun and blue skies. A perfect day for Outlaw and Windrider to spend in the corral.

Harlan poured himself a coffee and sat down at the table. “I want to check the cameras, but we don’t have time to ride back there before work.”

“You think we’d have action after yesterday?”

Harlan shrugged. “Maybe not if the fuckers figure they’re gonna get shot.”

“I hope they spread that rumor around. Might keep them off our land.”

I made breakfast for the two of us and Harlan was thinking hard on something as he shoveled eggs and toast into him. He finally spit it out and I was surprised.

“You should ask Savanna to move in and make it permanent. She likes you a lot. I’ve been watching her—like the way she looks at you.”

“Not a good idea for her. I’m damaged goods and she deserves better.”

“You’ve got three hot babes waiting for you to put the moves on them, Travis. If it’s not gonna be Savanna—who’s getting my vote—then pick one.”

I laughed. “No moves are going to be made with Annie-girl coming up here in the next week.”

“You scared of your ex?”

“Yeah, for sure Annie scares me, but there’s noex, Harlan. This is the deal—when we’re together—we’re together.”

“Jeeze, I can’t wait until she gets here. Got a picture?”

“Didn’t I show you already?”

“Let me have another look.”

I scrolled to Annie’s picture and showed him.

“Yep, she looks like a goddamned celebrity. I can’t wait to see that babe step off the plane.” He chuckled.

“Until she hits the tarmac, we’re going to be busy. We’ve got rustlers, Masters’ murderer, and drug dealers. We have to find Clay Peterson. There’s no time left for me to mess around with other women.”

Harlan seemed to think that was hilarious.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

At the station, there was a lot to catch Molly up on. She had probably trigged into some of the new stuff when she gave the prisoners their breakfast and saw there were a lot more of them.

I should have called her from the ranch to tell her we had more guests for breakfast. An overflow crowd. Maryanne at the diner might have clued her in and saved her a trip across the road for more food.

After the prisoners finished their coffee, Harlan and I booked Josie Masters, Grant Andrews and the two new guys found at the drug trailer with them.