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Dinner was ready and I was starving. Tammy made meatloaf and mashed potatoes, carrots, and a salad. Since she’d been at the ranch with Annie, there had been a huge improvement in her cooking skills.

“So good,” said Harlan. “I was starving.”

I glanced at the big bandage on his forearm. “You rest like I told you?”

Harlan nodded. “Even slept for a bit after the whiskey.”

“Good. You’re excused from chores tonight. I’ll help the girls.”

“I can feed my own horse,” said Harlan. “I want to.”

“Okay. If your arm isn’t hurting too much. After we’re done, we’ll get cleaned up and meet Ted for a pitcher at the roadhouse. Time to celebrate closing this case.”

“Yahoo,” hollered Billy. “We’re going out for a pitcher. I’m up for it.”

“You sure?” I asked. “You were walking around on your crutches a lot today.”

“Did me good,” said Billy. “I need to move around a lot more.”

I wasn’t convinced Billy should be moving at all.

Dry Run Roadhouse.

We got to the roadhouse about nine and the country music was blaring from the speakers. Harlan picked out a booth for us, and I sucked in a breath. I was now toting three minors with me and hoping Jack didn’t get too pissed at me.

When he had time, Jack came over to our booth and had a beer with me and Billy and Ted. Eager to hear what went down at Hannah Hargrove’s ranch, Jack listened to Billy’s version of the story.

“And you got stabbed, Harlan?” asked Jack. “First wound on the job. I’d give you a free beer for that if I could. How about hot wings instead? They might ease your pain.”

That made Harlan grin.

“After we get the bookings and reports done tomorrow,” I said to Jack, “I’ll give Wyatt Thompson a call and have him come to the station to get the story.”

“Mrs. Quade will be happy too,” said Jack. “Those creeps killed her husband.”

Chapter Sixteen

Wednesday, May 4th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

At breakfast, the girls talked about nothing but the beginning of Marilyn Pellegrino’s training course. Tammy seemed more nervous about starting and that was understandable. She was a new rider and far less experienced than Lucy.

Lucy had been coached by Rowdy Butler. Not that he was a barrel racer, but he knew a lot about riding, and quarter horses and the rodeo, him being the reigning champion of the world.

“We’re starting on Monday,” said Lucy. “I might go screaming nuts waiting that long.”

“Go for a long ride every day to keep the horses in shape,” I said. “You don’t want to start with a horse that’s been standing in a stall for a week.”

“Good idea, Travis,” said Lucy. “We have to get the horses ready as well as us.”

Tammy nodded. Lucy was the forceful one and Tammy usually went along with what Lucy suggested.

“How long is the training?” asked Harlan.

“All summer,” said Lucy. “Beginners from May to July and then advanced from mid-July to the end of August.”

“Huh. Lots of training,” said Harlan. “If you survive the training, are you ready for the rodeo?”