Page 20 of Pigeon

“Tabby, I’m guessing,” Pigeon says with a laugh.

“Yeah, Tabby. I hope she didn’t wake you.”

“I’m good. Was just getting into bed when the phone went off. By the way, you made a small, dirty little boy very happy today. Nice of you to do that.”

“I’m happy to have him hang out with me. He’s really good with the animals, and he listens great,” I answer, honestly.

“He’s so excited that he made the rounds to everyone’s houses tonight to let them know. Pooh and Pippa’s only concern is that he’s going to try to bring home another pet,” Pigeon says with a quiet laugh.

“The way he loves Bart, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries,” I answer on a yawn.

“You sound tired, Ivy. I’ll let you go so you can get to bed,” Pigeon says.

“Okay, and thank you for calling,” I reply, feeling disappointed that our conversation is ending.

“Sweet dreams,” Pigeon says softly before disconnecting.

“Sweet dreams, Pigeon,” I say to dead air.

Chapter 7

Pigeon

Sitting in my office, I grin at the screen on the wall. Turning up the sound, I laugh out loud. Ivy’s in the aisle that runs the length of the barn she’s in, singing Blake Shelton’s version of “Footloose,” off-key and loudly while shaking her booty. She turns and dances down the aisle, followed by several large white ducks. When she shakes her booty, so do the ducks. When she trots back down the barn, they follow in formation, waddling awkwardly, quacking the entire time. I zoom in a little to see several goat faces peeking over their stall watching the show. When they add their voices to the mix, I have to turn the volume down a little. I’m still watching the antics of woman, ducks, and goats when Rex walks in.

Rex looks at the screen, grins, and takes a seat in front of my desk. Propping an ankle on the opposite knee, he continues watching the rescue sing-along. After another moment, I mute the monitor.

“I watched a few minutes of the rescue the other night. Ivy was doing goat yoga, and all went well with the little ones. When a large goat decided to join in, Ivy was flattened,” Rex says with a grin. “When’s Craig going there? That’s a shift I want to see.”

“He said he’s going on Saturday because Ivy’s working a day shift. Guess she’s filling in for someone, and Craig can stay the whole shift that way,” I answer.

“Did some digging around. Ivy and her brother were raised, for the most part, by their grandparents. Both are dead now, but Ivy lives on her grandparents’ ranch with her brother. From what I can find, he’s got to be the one hurting her. He’s several years older than her and likes his beer. As in a lot,” Rex says in a quiet but angry voice.

“What the fuck, Rex?” I respond in disgust.

“Yeah, I know. I haven’t had a lot of time to look into this yet, but I will. I’ve been busy with gathering intel for our incoming guests, but I’ll dig further on Ivy’s brother as soon as I can. Also, I need you to do something, but it has to stay between us,” Rex warns.

“It will. What do you need done?”

Rex sets a tiny box on my desk that I hadn’t even seen in his hand.

“I need you to place that on Chubs’ bike.”

My eyebrows shoot upward when I pick the box up and realize it’s a tracking device. Looking at Rex, I order, “Explain.”

“Livi’s getting pressured to talk to the Feds about Chubs again. You knew that, but she’s worried they’re going to scoop him up regardless of his refusal to talk to them. Try to force his hand or something. He’s not talking to any of us, so we’re still not sure what’s going on. This is just a precaution in case we need to find him. It’s not a foolproof plan, but it’s a start,” Rex explains.

“I’ll get it done tonight. I’d feel better if I could stick it on him instead, though,” I answer. My good mood suddenly soured.

“Heard. Maybe we should insert it in a piece of pie,” Rex says without any real humor in his voice. “Let me know when it’s in place.”

“Yep.”

Rex walks out, and my head turns back to the monitors. Not even Ivy’s antics can help my mood out now. Closing down my office, I head to the clubhouse.

Mission accomplished, I text Rex, then enter the clubhouse. Toes is behind the bar and slides a beer bottle toward me as soon as I take a seat. Chubs and Lucy are sitting at a table, chatting quietly, while Chubs eats a hoagie. Axel is sitting in the middle of the floor with Alexia and a huge pail of Legos. Craig strolls in through the kitchen, Bart’s backpack on his back, being trailed by Luke and Cain, one of Loki’s pups. Both boys give me the hello sign before joining Axel and Alexia.

Pooh and Pippa take the stools next to me a few minutes later. Turning to Pippa, I speak.

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