Page 61 of Bullets and Dandelions

Anger flushed Doss’s cheeks. “I’m gonna arrest all of you for disturbing the peace.”

“Try it and see what happens,” a bald man challenged.

Doss eyed them warily and pulled the portable radio off his belt. “David-Forty I need backup at the rodeo. I have a dozen people disturbing the peace.”

“Copy David-Forty,” the dispatcher responded.

Jolene pulled a bulky, brick-like cellphone out of her purse. “You are not arresting anyone. I’m calling the sheriff, and having you fired.”

“The hell you are, bitch.” Doss jerked the phone out of her hand and tossed it in a trash can.

Buffalo Bill grabbed Doss’s left arm. “Don’t talk to my wife that way.”

Doss pulled back his right arm and punched him in the face.

Buffalo Bill’s head snapped back, and he fell across the bleachers. He wiped the blood off his busted lip and tried to stand up.

Doss pulled out his cuffs. “Now you’re under arrest for assault.”

“Assault? What assault,” I asked.

“You bastard, you punched him!” Jolene hit Doss on the head with her purse.

Doss dropped like a rock.

Everyone cheered and clapped.

I stared down at him. “What’s in your purse, Jolene?”

“My derringer. Is he dead?”

I knelt and took his pulse. “No, but it might be a good idea for everyone to leave before he wakes up.”

The people in the stands shook their heads stubbornly.

A woman shouted, “Not going anywhere. It’s about time Doss gets what’s coming to him.”

“Ain’t leaving either,” a teenage boy said.

A black man built like a tank snarled, “That bastard needs a good beat down.”

“I don’t run,” Buffalo Bill snarled. “But I am getting my buffalo gun.” He stormed off.

“Wait, honey!” Jolene sprinted after him.

Crap. I tried howling like a coyote.

A little boy looked up at me. “You okay, lady?”

“Yeah. I’m fine.” I howled again.

“You sure? You sound like a strangled dog.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “I’m trying to howl like a coyote.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you say so?” The kid threw his head back and howled.

Damn. He was spot on. “Where did you learn to do that?”

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