Page 58 of Bullets and Dandelions

“A pleasure to meet you, Tess.” Hector shook my hand. “I see Alexander hasn’t been taking good care of you.”

“It’s not his fault. A lot of people want me dead.”

“I cannot believe that.” Hector escorted me over to a red van and opened the passenger door. “A beautiful woman is to be protected and cherished.”

Cherished? Sadness rolled over me. My own father hated me and the chances of someone cherishing me weren’t good. “I’m a soldier, Hector, who has made some dangerous enemies. I fight or I die.”

“You are not alone anymore, Tess,” Stone stated firmly.

I turned to face him. Stone was every inch a warrior and I knew he would fight to the death for me. He was also too damn good looking, and his sex appeal was off the charts. I wanted, no I needed him in my life. Oh, my God! I was in love with the bastard. How had that happened?

A knowing smile curved Stone’s mouth. “Get in the car, Tess. It’s time for some R&R.”

“We are the Alpha Dogs,” Tex shouted as he put our gear in the back of the van.

Johnson hollered, “Hoorah!”

“We are swift. We are silent. We are deadly,” I interjected, climbing into the car.

Rodriquez bellowed, “Hoorah!”

“Dios Mios, have you been drinking?” Hector threw a worried glance over his shoulder and started the engine.

“A beer or two,” Stone answered.

Hector frowned. “Franklin Doss is working the rodeo. Do not start a fight with him.”

“Can’t promise that.”

Curiosity got the better of me. “Who is Frankin Doss?”

“He’s a Yuma County Sheriff’s deputy, who thinks wearing a badge gives him the right to do whatever he wants,” Stone replied.

I grimaced. “I’ve met a few of those.”

“Stay away from him Tess, he has a thing for pint-sized blondes,” Stone instructed.

“Yes, sir.” As we drove down the street everything seemed foreign. There were no cold-eyed men in turbans, and I didn’t have to worry about incoming enemy fire. People moved freely and none of them were armed to the teeth. God, I had been in the Middle East too long.

The streets were clogged with cars heading toward the rodeo arena. Sidewalk vendors had set up tents and were selling everything from hats, to boots, to food. I eyed the tents wistfully. It has been so long since I had gone shopping.

Hector parked the van. “I signed up for bronc riding. My slot is at two.”

I stared at him in alarm. Wasn’t he kinda old to be doing shit like that?

“Does Rosa know?” Stone asked.

Hector scowled. “No, and you’re not going to tell her.”

Stone rubbed his jaw. “You know she’s gonna find out.”

“And she gets mean when she’s angry,” Johnson pointed out.

Rodriquez added, “We’ll be lucky if all she does is serve us burnt chicken for the next two weeks.”

“I might be old, but I’m still a man.” Hector got out of the car.

Tex watched him stalk off. “Who’s he riding?”

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