Page 4 of Red's Revenge

When my actions confirm her suspicion, she sighs.

“RICK! Get down here and tell your son I am not bailing him out of jail tonight.” I hear my Pa move around above my head, and then his boots hit the stairs.

“Which son, Bunny?” I shake my head as I grab my hat, ready to get on the trail.

“Red, now whatever it is, keep a level head,” Pa stops mid-sentence when he sees my face.

“What’s happened?” He crosses his arms over his barrel chest.

He may be retired, but he’s still built just like me. Ma always said watching me grow up was like a window back in time. I’d hoped she was wrong about the hair. Pa’s been bald for years, just like me. He blames us kids for that. I don’t have that luxury.

Much to Ma’s chagrin. Whichever of us makes her a grandma first will forever be deemed the favorite. It’s one competition I will gladly lose to my siblings.

“The Danders have somehow managed to get the county to approve a highway right through our lands without a council vote or town meeting.” Ma stops stirring the pot, and Pa curses.

“Never mind. Go beat his ass. I’ll meet you at the police station.” Ma pushes me out the door.

“Where ya heading, son?” Pa says from the porch as I head for the stables.

“The Courthouse.”

Chapter Two

CAMILA

“Can you believe I’m stuck in this podunk town for another five days?” I turn away from the guy glaring at me as I talk to Evelyn on my phone.

“Cami, where are you? I can barely hear what you’re saying.” The country music blares, and I sigh, knowing she’s right.

“HANG ON!” I grab my drink and walk to the hallway with a sign that says “Chicks and Dicks” with an arrow, hoping it’s the bathrooms and not the entrance to some secret sex club.

“Is that better?” I ask as I force the door closed behind me and check out my surroundings.

Well, the bar floor may be littered with peanut shells but the restrooms are clean.

“At the only place serving food in this town. Some bar called The Courthouse.” I pin the phone to my shoulder and lean my ass on the sink so I can taste my Long Island Iced Tea.

“Texas sounds very interesting.” I cough when the drink hits my throat.

“Christ! I don’t think the bartender put soda in this. It’s all alcohol.” Evelyn laughs as I stir and try again.

Nope. Not any better at all.

“You’re a long way from home, Cami. Might want to try some of the native stuff.” I roll my eyes and turn to make sure my makeup is ok.

“I just called to tell you I’m stuck here a few extra days. Who would have thought this Cowboy would be so busy he couldn’t see me until Friday?” The door opens, and loud cheering makes me cringe.

“Evelyn, I’ll call you tomorrow.” I don’t hear what she says, but I hang up and exit the restroom to see what the fuck is going on.

A huge man in a flannel shirt, cowboy hat, and the tightest jeans I’ve ever seen has another guy pinned to the wall. The guy dangling a foot off the ground struggles to breathe as the whole bar watches. I watch as he pulls at a baseball bat that’s being pushed into his windpipe.

“Let him down! Christ, you’ll kill him.” A new bartender yells across the room.

I take one long look at the guy’s ass and bite my lip.

Chris Evans would weep.

“Can I see a menu?” I ask the guy yelling at the dude with the bat.

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