Page 56 of Bullets and Dandelions

My neck stopped itching. “He’s gone.”

“Your father won’t get far,” Stone stated.

“Wanna bet?”

Sure enough, the manhunt for my father was a complete bust. The CIA hunters were furious and wanted to take me into custody. General Masters put a stop to that. The hunters left in a huff and took Petrov’s body with them.

“They’re going to claim they killed Petrov,” Tex groused.

I shrugged. Like I cared.

“You don’t want the million-dollar bounty on Petrov?” Johnson asked.

Flying for the movie production company paid well and I wasn’t hurting for money. “Nope. They’re welcome to it.”

“Petrov has a very large family,” Stone pointed out. “The hunters will soon become the hunted.”

Jeb guided his airboat up onto the shoreline. “Your jet is ready to go.”

“Thanks.” Stone hugged me tightly. “C’mon, I’m taking you home.”

Home. That single word filled me with such longing.

Chapter Thirteen

Stone shook me awake. “We’re landing in Yuma in an hour, and you need to get dressed.”

“Dressed? What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? I don’t think your cows are going to mind.”

“We’re going to the Silver Spur Rodeo,” Tex said. “You can’t wear your blood-stained camo there. You’ll freak people out.”

My eyes widened when I realized my entire squad were dressed like cowboys right down to the boots and hats. Where in the hell had the cowboy gear come from? I sat up. “Why are we going to a rodeo?”

“Hector signed us up for bull riding,” Rodriquez exclaimed happily.

Like they didn’t have enough excitement in their lives. “I don’t have anything to wear, but my blood-stained uniform.”

Johnson handed me a bag. “We had Jeb buy you a dress and some sandals before we left.”

“A dress?” I stared at the bag in horror. “I don’t wear dresses.”

“You do now,” Stone interjected. “Go put it on and use some of that makeup too.”

“But…”

Stone used his command voice, “Now, soldier.”

“Okay, fine.” I picked up the bag and grabbed my backpack. They had lost their tiny little minds. I stomped into the bathroom, slammed the door and stripped off my uniform. Instead of riding bulls, they should be concentrating on fortifying the ranch. The CIA hunters still hadn’t found Roberts or Pops yet.

I took a cautious look in the bag. Oh, how pretty. I lifted out a turquoise sundress dotted with tiny daffodils. This I wouldn’t mind wearing. I hadn’t felt like a girl in forever. I put it on and stared at myself in the mirror. Except for my cuts and bruises, I looked good.

“Don’t forget to shave your legs. There’s a razor in the bag too,” Stone bellowed.

My temper flared to life. I yanked open the door and gave him the one-finger salute. “I’ve been too busy trying to stay alive to worry about my appearance. I know how to be a girl, but it’s obvious you weren’t taught any manners.”

“I apologize.” Stone’s gaze roved over me. “Even with hairy legs, you’re a beautiful woman.”

Tex groaned. “Is that the best you’ve got Sarge?”

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