Page 1 of Midnight Ride

Chapter One

Monday, September 2nd.

Labor Day.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

“Labor Day and we have the day off,” said Travis, “but Elk hunting is opening today and the campgrounds in our county are filled with hunters from out of state who are here, not only to hunt with their buddies, but to let loose on their vacation days and go a bit crazy. They’re gonna drink themselves stupid, do drugs and while they’re high, they are gonna try to impress each other by doing stupid illegal stuff. We have to be ready.”

“I’m ready,” said Virgil. “Travis has been teaching me some moves and I’m anxious for some asshole to take a swing at me.” He punched his fist into the air. “Bring it. I can’t fuckin wait.”

I smiled at my younger brother. He’d been living with us for a couple of months, and it was working out pretty well. Travis kept him close and worked with him, teaching him to be strong and able to defend himself. Kind of made me a bit jealous when they had long private talks about other stuff. But still, I loved Virge and was hoping he’d decide to stay and be a part of our family.

“In my experience,” said Billy, “opening weekend of hunting season—this weekend—is always the worst for shit going down. The hunters drink more, do more drugs and until they get the holiday thing out of their systems, it will be hell for us.”

Travis chuckled. “Thanks for cheering us up, Billy.”

Billy laughed too and gave Travis a thumbs up. “Just doing my job, boss.”

“So far, our weekend has been quiet,” said Tammy. “I’m cooking a big roast for dinner.”

“What about the pies?” Virgil asked. “I saw you making them pies that are so fuckin good. You know the ones I’m talking about, Harlan.”

“The butterscotch banana cream pies?”

Virgil grinned. “Yeah, those. I could eat one of those babies all by myself.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I have eaten half a one before and then wished I hadn’t been so fuckin greedy.”

“Don’t know about the rest of y’all,” said Travis, “but this is my day off and I’m saddling Outlaw and riding to the back of the ranch to hang out with the wild mustangs.”

“I’m for that,” said Tammy. “I’ll go with you, Daddy.”

“Want to ride double with me, Virge?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Nope. I’m good. I’ll stay with Billy and toss back a few on the porch.”

We headed to the barn to saddle up and Travis called to Billy over his shoulder, “Sheriff’s phone is on the kitchen table, Billy. Keep it in your pocket.”

“Yeah, I’ve got it. Hope to hell it doesn’t ring.”

Billy and Virge sat on the front porch and the weather in the north end of the state was holding. So far so good. The nights were getting a little cooler, but there had been no snowstorms blowing off the Rockies so far.

“Another month and the bears will be hiding out, Virge,” said Billy. “We won’t see many grizzlies until next spring.”

“I saw one right at the bottom of those steps, Billy.” Virgil pointed at the exact spot. “Man, she was one huge mother.”

Billy laughed. “Every one I’ve ever seen looked big to me. It’s their claws you’ve gotta look out for. One swipe and they can slice you in half like a watermelon.”

“That what happened to one of the dogs?”

“Yep. Mama bear swiped Max once and laid his side wide open.”

Virge made a face. “Glad I didn’t see that happen.” He pointed. “Phone’s ringing in your pocket.”

“Aw, shit. Don’t let that be true.”

Virge laughed. “You’d better answer it. Somebody is calling the fuckin sheriff.”

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