Page 47 of Cowboy Heat

Sheriff Rolland never shows.Deputy McLennan does, but he doesn’t say a word to Kissy. Deputy Myers and Detective Ally Wayland do all of the talking. She’s the only one with any kind of authority who shows Kissy some true concern during her questions and wrap-up of the crime scene. When she comes to me for a statement, it’s by the book.

I tell her about Damien coming to the ranch. Then leaving Kissy’s when I’m done.

Detective Wayland isn’t a member of Damien’s fan club, it seems. When she tells Kissy bye, she gives her parting thought on his brother. “That man makes trouble even when he’s not around.”

She leaves after that, and the rest follow.

The house doesn’t stay empty a second.

Doc Lawson and Wyatt show up on the tail of deputies leaving. Seems they were told to give us space. The doc is fuming that she couldn’t come in sooner.

She says the EMT who showed did a good enough job but pulls Kissy into the kitchen to inspect her more closely. Wyatt stays in the living room with me. Once the ladies are out of earshot, he does something I’m not too practiced in with father figures.

He pulls me into a hug.

“Kissy said on the phone that you’re the only reason she— Well, that she didn’t get it worse,” he says when the embrace ends. “Thank you, son.”

The word son sits heavy on me. It takes a heartbeat to recover from it.

“It was no problem,” I tell him truthfully.

He shakes his head. “Easiest thing in the world to do is sit still. You took charge with nothing but a bat. You did so good.”

Doc Lawson brings on another wave of thank-yous and an embrace that feels like it could break most people.

She doesn’t hover like Wyatt though. She’s talking a mile a minute to Kissy. “I’m going to make you a bag. You’re with us tonight,” she says. “You fuss, I’m going deaf for it. There’s no way you’re staying here alone. I have a shotgun at my place, and I’m sure Wyatt isn’t too bad at wielding my surgical equipment if needed.”

Kissy smiles small. It’s apologetic. “Actually, I was going to go with Beau. To the ranch. To talk for a bit.”

Each point gets a reaction from the doc.

I’m not sure what any of them are.

“Kissy, surely that can wait until tomorrow,” she says.

“Mimi, I might be fine now, but I can tell you with confidence that I’m not ready to sleep.” She nods to me. “Beau here has gone over and beyond for me tonight. I’d love to repay that by at least filling in some Robin’s Tree blanks for him.”

Normally, I’d decline this sort of thing. But therearesome things we need to talk about that can’t wait.

“I’ll give her some food and then drive her to your house myself when we’re done,” I offer up.

Doc Lawson looks ready to shoot it right on down.

Wyatt speaks instead. “We’d much appreciate that, Beau. Thank you.”

The doc gives him eyes but then relents after a second.

Both women go upstairs, and Wyatt and I go around the bottom floor to make sure the windows and doors are all locked up tight.

“You got through the back door,” he confirms by me again.

“Not a hard lock to pick, to be honest. I think that’s how Big Guy got in too.”

Wyatt runs a hand over his chin. “Looks like I’ll be upgrading Kissy’s house tomorrow.”

I tell him it’s not a bad idea, and then the ladies reappear. Doc Lawson and Wyatt don’t leave until we drive off.

It’s nice to see they care so much.