Page 35 of Stilettos and Outlaws

Mom added, “And that bull is getting neutered.”

“You can keep the damn cat.” Dad galloped past me, riding Max without a saddle or bridle. He pulled the Taser off his gun belt and zapped Scarecrow. The outlaw dropped like a rock.

My Dad was such a badass.

Using just his knees for control, Dad had Max turn Bodacious back toward the barn and block all his attempts to attack Scarecrow again.

Bodacious bellowed in fury as he was forced into the corral.

“A little help here,” Julie gasped. “He weighs a ton.”

I spun around. Julie was holding Beer Belly’s head above the water and Miss Kitty was gnawing on his ear. “Mean little thing, isn’t she?”

Julie grinned. “With a little training, she’ll put a K-9 to shame.”

“That she will.” I grunted as I tried to pull Beer Belly out. He had to weigh four hundred pounds.

Dad slid off Max and helped us pull the outlaw out of the water.

“Thanks, Dad. Got any cuffs?” Max snuffled my hair. “Okay. Okay. I’ll get you some oats in minute.”

Max tossed his head and snorted.

“Enough Max,” Dad said as he rolled our prisoner over, and zip tied his hands.

Max snuffled his hair.

Growling menacingly, Miss Kitty kept chewing Beer Belly’s ear.

“You’ll do, Miss Kitty.” Dad ruffled her fur. “You’ll do.”

Miss Kitty stared at Dad with love in her eyes. Meow.

“And another female bites the dust,” Julie muttered.

Dad smirked and put Miss Kitty on his shoulder.

A patrol car skidded to a stop by the side gate and Frank got out.

“Frank,” I shouted and pointed at Scarecrow who was crawling away. “Cuff him.”

He nodded.

Scarecrow struggled to his feet.

With one well-placed kick, Frank knocked him down and quickly cuffed him.

A tall, muscular man in his forties walked through the gate.

I scowled. If Agent Grimes was here, his tactical team wouldn’t be far behind.

Instead of a suit and tie, he was wearing a blue polo shirt with the FBI emblem on his left shoulder, I drew down on him. “That’s far enough Agent Grimes.”

He raised his hands. “Is this really necessary?”

“Where are your CIA buddies?” Julie snapped.

Grimes shrugged. “Around.” He rolled Scarecrow over with his foot. “I’ll be damned. Jethro Pattee. He’s wanted for armed robbery and cattle rustling.”

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