Page 10 of For Cowgirls and Kings

She purses her lips at that, like I’m telling her not to breathe, and she’s trying to figure out how to survive otherwise. “We have to do something.”

“We will,” I grind out. This is becoming another one of those conversations that makes my temples throb and the bottom of a tequila bottle look like a good date for the night.

“Now, Mateo.” Her eyes glitter with irritation, and I stand up, going around my desk to stand right in front of her.

“Okay, V, I’ll look into it, I promise.” I reach out a hand, but she steps out of reach, her nose scrunched up in disgust.

“You’re the weakest man I know.” I nod, there’s no arguingwith her. No making her see reason—no point trying either. “Father would be so disappointed.”

She always did know how to deliver a killing blow with perfect lipstick and a smile.

FOUR

ADALENE

July 21st, 2024

“Dale,listen to me. The barn is on fire, I’m still out in the far field, but I’m trying to get there.” Gus’s voice wavers on the line, true emotion bleeding through, sending a wave of panic to crash over me. His words alone are terrifying, but the emotion he’s tryingand failingto contain?

Ice cold fingers of terror wrap like a fist around my erratic heart, the blood in my veins feeling more like shards of chipped ice with each labored beat.

They have to be okay.

I drop the half full cup of tea in my hand, the glass shattering as it collides with the counter top, but I barely register the noise. A roaring builds in my ears, and I’m racing for the front door, my heart pounding so loudly I can barely hear as Gus continues, “Dale, you need to get the fire department here, and then yourself. Stetson. She’s back at the house, and I think…”. He pauses, as if unsure of how much to tell me.

I fold myself into the driver's seat, peeking over my shoulder as a moment of clarity slices through my panic, and I check the front door to make sure it’s closed. I’d be even more devastated if Tut got out during all of this.

Seeing it closed, I slam the car door shut, and huff loudly, “Gus for the love of god, what?” I’m a torrent of panic and frustration, filled with the sensation of watching a tragedy happen from behind a glass window that I simply cannot break.

Helpless and weak.

His silence is weighted. What could be so bad that the man I know would likely kill for my best friend can’t speak it out loud?

“I found a body. Her dad’s body in the far pasture. I think…just get here and—” His words tumble out, each one urging my foot to lay heavier and heavier on the gas pedal. My scrambled brain silences, calm settling over me. Or shock, if I’m being super honest with myself.

But I have to get there. I have to help. These aremyfriends,mypeople,my family.In a world where I’ve chosen very little for myself, I refuse to lose those who’ve become the most important to me.

“I’m coming, Gus. Get her safe and I’ll back you up however you need me to.” I pause, trying to piece together the puzzle in my head. If Gibson is dead, buried in the field—clearly someone’s secret—the possibilities are limited. Especially because the person I expected to ultimately take him out is on the other end of the line, fighting off panic of his own. “It could be Craig.”

I say the words, but we both know they’re just that—words spoken in order to ignore the truth a little longer.

“It wasn’t.” His voice is nearly silent, but I hear what he’s unwilling to say all the same: Stetson killed her father.

Good for her.

Gibson was the most evil kind of human, and he deserved a thousand deaths, each one more painful than the last. He deserves to be dead and gone, not even a headstone to mark his miserable existence on this earth.

When all this is over, I’ll hug Stetson and tell her just how proud I am of her. The master of her own fate.

The line clicks off; Gus hanging up without another word, and I push on the gas, the small engine in my car roaring in protest. Everything’s happening so fast—a body, a fire, and a secret all fighting for the number one stressor in my mind. They chase each other, swirling into a muddy, bloody mess in my brain.

Everything will be fine.

Everyone will be fine.

I think about all of the horrible things I know Stetson went through at the hands of that vicious man. And all of the vile things I undoubtedly don’t know about. A sob breaks from my throat, tears sitting precariously on my lashes, but I hold them back. She’s so strong despite everything she’s endured.

I can be strong for her now. She deserves that much.