Page 88 of Brandt's Rule

“Always, my love.” He winked at Tempest and stepped outside, allowing the door to close behind himself before getting in his truck and driving away.

Tempest watched as he drove away, then turned to Bailey, still wearing a goofy smile on her face.

“You have got it so bad,” Bailey said, laughing while she shook her head.

“Got what?” Tempest asked.

“You’re head over heels about that man,” Bailey said.

Tempest laughed, though she didn’t deny it. “So, what movie are we going to watch?”

“I thought maybe we could start with some Chinese food and see what’s at the theater. If we don’t like anything, we could order on demand at my place or something. I’m just so thrilled to be able to spend the evening with you.”

“What’s on demand? And, they have Chinese food here? I had it once and really liked it.”

“Yes, we have Chinese food. And on demand is where you can order a movie you want to watch and they show it on your television.”

“How long until you can close up the shop?”

“Six. But it’s almost 5:15 P.M. already. So, it’s not that much longer.”

“Sit, and tell me all about you and Brandt. I still cannot believe how fast you two moved from antagonizing each other to totally in love.”

“It’s just, out of our hands, you know? It’s like a soul thing. We both hated it, and we both love it, and we both considered denying it, but when it comes down to it, I don’t want to be with anybody else, and neither does he. Besides, I like having him around.”

“He clearly likes having you around.”

Tempest smiled. “Yeah, he kind of does.”

~~~

Brandt had been home for several hours, and was relaxing on the sofa well after dark, flipping channels while waiting for Tempest to get home. He got up and went into the kitchen to get something to drink when the sound of a gunshot, followed by the sound of an animal in anguish had him rushing out onto his back porch. He stood perfectly still, his eyes closed, his senses attuned waiting for any additional sound to tell him exactly where the sound came from.

There was nothing.

You hear that? He sent to Barron in his head voice.

No. I’m at my mom and dad’s. What’s up? Barron answered.

Gunshot. Animal wounded.

Same place we keep finding the traps? Barron asked.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m going to check it out.

I’m right behind you.

Brandt hurried down the stairs, glanced toward the four-wheeler, then dismissed the idea of taking it. He didn’t want to alert anyone to the fact that he was approaching if whoever had fired that shot was still there. Instead, he ran. As quickly as he could toward the point at the far end of the river where hunters kept trespassing illegally. Ten minutes later he finally arrived. He stepped carefully, not sure who or what he was going to interrupt.

He lifted his face to the sky and used his nose to scent for anything unusual. Blood. He scented blood and it was heavy on the wind. Following the scent, he paused only twenty feet from two hunters who were actively cleaning their kill. A wild boar, or what was once a wild boar lay on the ground between them in different stages of preparation to be carried out of the woods and onto their boat, which presumably sat at the ready nearby. Problem was, these weren’t just any hunters. They weren’t human either.

I’m here. Barron sent to him. I got a skiff with a trolling motor on it at the edge of the river.

If they get past me, don’t let it leave, Brandt answered.

Brandt stepped out of the cover of the trees so he’d be easily seen.

There were two males kneeling over the carcass as they cleaned the animal.

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