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“You know it.”

Tina brought our round, and I never had a chance to take a sip of my beer before a fight broke out in the middle of the dance floor. Time for me to take action.

Almost too drunk to make it to the fight, I sobered up instantly when I took a fist to my right eye. That got my attention and from then on, I was all in.

Two guys were into it pretty good, and I didn’t recognize either one of them. One of Jack’s bouncers helped me out and we got the two rowdies separated before they did much damage to each other. I was the guy who would end up with the black eye.

The fight was over, the two guys were in the parking lot, and that was my cue to drag my drunken ass home to bed.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

The dogs were concentrating on gobbling up their kibble and I didn’t act surprised and alarm them when I heard a grizzly growling and prowling around out back. “We’re staying in here, doggies.”

I caught a few embers in the woodstove and added enough wood to keep the fire burning until morning.

“Feels like rain, boys. We might get wet tomorrow.”

I flopped on my bed, and I was out cold.

Chapter Seven

Monday, April 25th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

It took me a little longer than usual to get ready because I couldn’t wear my regular plaid shirt and jeans. I had a morning appointment with Julie Redmond, my accountant, and then I had to attend Randy Quade’s funeral in the afternoon.

Two occasions where I needed to be semi-presentable. Tough to do, hungover with a black eye.

For the trip to the accountant, I wore clean jeans, a dress shirt, and a leather jacket. I took my suit—still in the bag from the cleaners—with me and I’d change in my office at the station later.

I hadn’t talked to Julie for months—since I’d run back to Texas during a particularly damaging PTSD episode. She’d been calling and leaving messages and seemed relieved when I finally got in touch with her.

After a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee, I was on my way to start another hell day as temporary sheriff of Harrison County.

As I loaded the dogs into the back of the squad, I heard rumbling overhead. Ominous looking dark gray clouds were hovering to the west of my ranch. More rain on the way. Billy said there’d been too much rain already. My land was fairly flat with no nearby creeks or rivers, so I wasn’t in much danger of flooding, but other areas were more vulnerable.

Redmond Accounting. Cut Bank.

My appointment with Julie was at nine and I’d told Molly that I wouldn’t be at the station until later. I walked into the outer office and didn’t even get a chance to sit down, Julie was so anxious to get started.

“You can go right in, Sheriff,” said the receptionist. “Miss Redmond is waiting for you.”

I figured my finances were in a pretty big mess, but I had no idea how big.

Julie flashed me a smile. “Travis, great to see you again. Please have a seat. We have a lot to cover.”

“Sorry I took so long. I was in Texas and most of the time I was in the hospital. I didn’t even know I had financial worries.”

“So sorry you were ill, Travis. Have you completely recovered?”

Not wanting to talk about it, I nodded so I wouldn’t have to verbalize a lie.

Julie had a prioritized list and she started at number one. I sat in front of her desk for two hours, then said I had to go and come back to finish another day. I had Randy Quade’s murder to solve and his funeral to attend. Neither one could wait.

We made a second appointment for the following week, and I promised I’d set aside more time for the second coming.

I hurried out of there with my brain fried with numbers. Uncle Carson had stuck his finger in so many pies in and around Coyote Creek during his lifetime, I was now connected to more businesses than I cared to be.