Page 39 of Long Pig
“They’re doing the two step which is easy. We’ll finish the beers and I’ll teach you.”
Sofia kept talking, and Willow didn’t need to say much as she drank the beer.
“Introduce me to your friend,” a man said a moment later.
Sofia rolled her eyes. “This is one of my brother’s I warned you against. He’s a smooth talker and plays the women.”She cast him a hard stare. “Find her again when you’re ready to find a wife.”
He only laughed and placed his hand over his heart. “You wound me sister mine. If you’re not nice, I’ll hide your bras again.”
“See, what did I tell you, Willow. A complete rascal and a pain in my ass.” She turned back to her brother. “Here, take these. I’m teaching Willow the two step.” She didn’t introduce them, and Willow was chuckling as she was pulled into the dance area. No one cared that a young woman was teaching another young woman to dance. Willow relaxed and laughed as she learned the two step.
The brother, cups gone, cut in and took over. “I’m Antony. Don’t listen to my sister. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
It was obvious the two were siblings. Antony’s face wasn’t as round, but the family resemblance was there. He had a great smile and was exceedingly polite. His studded red cowboy shirt was accented with tight jeans and cowboy boots.
“I’m stealing her back,” Sofia said, a few minutes later. “I saw Consuela over there.” She pointed behind them.
“Thank you for the dance, Willow. I’ll see you around.”
He left quickly, and Sofia laughed. “He’s had a crush on that girl for years. He won’t trouble you more tonight. Let’s grab another beer.”
Willow had a wonderful time. She was introduced to so many people; there was no way she would remember names. Four beers in, Sofia asked for her cell number.
“We’ll get together sometime and take a trip to Show Low. There’s a great place there with a live band every Saturday night. I usually rent a hotel room so I can drink. You would have fun, and now that you can two step, it will be even more fun.”
“I’m not very good,” Willow said.
“Practice with Deputy Berger. He’s a great dancer. He and my aunt are out there now.”
Willow turned and saw Dale. She had no idea he could dance. When the song ended, he walked over. By now Willow was a little unbalanced.
“Are you ready to call it a night?” he asked.
“I’ve had four beers, and it sounds like a good idea,” she said and turned to Sofia. “Thank you for everything. I’d love to go to Show Low with you when you go again.”
Sofia gave her a hug and then hugged Dale.
Overall, it was a perfect night, and she was so glad she’d agreed to go.
“It feels strange to be so happy,” she told Dale.
“Beer does that to you,” he said. “I’m glad you had fun.”
So was Willow.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Plastic Seat Covers
Butch
It took a year to set up his property the way he needed it. The garage and apartment above were handled by the recommended construction outfit in Show Low. A firm from Phoenix built the underground shelter. By hiring outsiders for the special project, the locals wouldn’t learn about it.
He used a travel trailer while the work was in full swing so he could keep an eye on the construction in between runs. The garage would fit his semi and the old pickup truck he purchased to drive around town for supplies. He drove around the ranch and learned the layout. He also hiked his property and the area surrounding it, going onto BLM land. He’d chosen the perfect place and he would make it even better.
During the construction, he lay awake at night picturing his victims. His itch to kill grew, and the anticipation was almost too much. He had ample opportunity, but he resisted. A repeat of what happened with Cindy wasn’t wise.
A butcher shop in Kansas went out of business, and Butch purchased the equipment. It wasn’t as nice as his father’s, and it needed to be cleaned and repaired, but it made it easier to keep his secrets hidden. He went overboard with solar energy to run the large freezer he required. Propane would still be utilized, but solar was the future.