Page 42 of Stilettos and Outlaws

My brother opened the corral gate and stood behind it. “Good luck.”

I walked into the pasture and hollered, “Bodacious! Oats!”

He skidded to a stop.

I held up the bucket. “Looky! Yummy oats.”

The bull trotted over to me and butted my chest.

I scratched his ears. “You’re such a good boy.” Backing toward the corral, I poured a line of oats on the ground. Bodacious happily followed me.

Once we were inside the corral, Nate quickly shut the gate and headed for Dodson who was sprawled on the ground, gasping for air.

I poured the rest of the oats into Bodacious’s trough and patted his shoulder. “You’ve been a busy boy today.”

Frank walked over to the corral. “When are you coming back to work?”

“Sunday.”

“Thank God, they have Evans working your district and he is a lazy sonovabitch. I needed a backup for a drunk driver, and he refused to break from a burglary report he was taking,” Frank groused.

“That’s not good. Have you talked to the sarge about it?”

“No, he’s got a lot on his plate right now.” He frowned. “Shit Dodson is fighting with Nate.” Frank started to climb over the fence.

I stopped him. “Don’t bother. My Grandfather is right behind him.”

“Wow,” Frank exclaimed. “For an old guy, your grandfather has some moves.”

I nodded. “That he does.”

The dinner bell rang. “Food is ready,” Mom yelled.

Frank rushed off.

That man had a hollow leg.

“Get me the enchilada plate,” Julie instructed.

“Will do.” I headed for the food trucks.

Chapter Ten

Grinning like a loon, I hurried toward my car. It had taken almost four hours to get rid of the FBI and theirtacticalteam. Now, I finally got to see for myself how Dante was doing. Butterflies danced in my stomach at the thought of kissing him. That man had a magic tongue.

Dad stepped out of the shadows.

My nerves more than a little frayed, I instinctively drew down on him. “Dammit Dad, I could have shot you.” I holstered my Glock.

“Grimes has agents patrolling the hospital and the chances of you visiting with Dante aren’t good.” Dad eyed my weapons belt. “And no guns are allowed in the hospital.”

“Not a problem.” I pulled out my cellphone and called Hank, my favorite security guard. “Hank, it’s Gemma Stone and I have a favor to ask.” I smiled. “Yes, I want to see Dante and Dad says the hospital is locked down. Uh, huh. Really? That bad? Wow, that sucks. Can you get me in? You can? Great. I owe you. Okay, I’ll meet you in the west parking lot in an hour.”

“If you get arrested, I’m not bailing you out,” Dad warned.

I rolled my eyes. “I love you too, Dad.”

“Lose the weapons belt.” He vanished into the darkness.

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