Page 36 of Stilettos and Outlaws

“We believe he’s working for Eric Roberts,” Dad said, holstering his gun.

I lowered my weapon. “The dumbasses just attacked us. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“My men caught a few of them.” Grimes wiped at the sweat rolling down his face. “It’s hotter than hell out here. Why don’t we go inside your office, Alex, and discuss the situation.” Grimes said.

Dad’s left eyebrow rose when Grimes used his first name. “Sure, Hawke, but first, I’ve got two more prisoners hogtied in the orange grove.”

“Smith and Jones can handle them.” Agent Grimes let out a loud whistle and two men in tactical gear walked through the gate. He pointed to the hogtied prisoners. “Bring them.”

“Yes, sir.”

Patrol cars from almost every department in the area pulled into the parking lot.

Julie and I exchanged grins. For once, the cavalry had arrived in the nick of time. Grimes and his tactical team were outnumbered. I pulled on Beer Belly’s arm. “C’mon, get up.”

“I’m not going to jail!”

“Yeah, you are,” Julie stated firmly.

Beer Belly jumped to his feet and ran for the gate, dragging us with him.

Shit, the guy was strong. I kicked his feet out from under him.

Beer Belly staggered off-balance and fell, taking Julie with him.

“Get him off me. Get him off me,” Julie cried. Her face was pressed against his armpit.

Agent Grimes and Dad dragged Beer Belly away from her.

Julie scrambled to her feet. “Oh, my, God. You smell like a rotting corpse. When is the last time you took a bath?”

“Dunno.”

Dad leaned down and growled, “Get up now or I’ll let the bull have another go at you.”

Right on cue, Bodacious bellowed.

Beer Belly shot to his feet. “Don’t do that! Don’t do that!”

Dad took one arm, and Agent Grimes took the other and off they went.

Max trotted up and started herding me toward the barn.

“Okay. Okay. I’m going.” I patted his shoulder. “You are one pushy horse.”

Max whinnied, opened the gate with his nose and trotted to his stall.

“I’ll feed Max. Bodacious is all yours,” Julie said.

Bodacious kicked the corral gate.

“I’m coming. I’m coming.” I grabbed a bucket of oats and poured it in his trough.

Bodacious chowed down like he hadn’t eaten in a year.

Using a pitchfork, Julie dropped some hay next to the oats.

The bull snorted at her.

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