Page 31 of Wyoming Bodyguard
“Damn it, Walter. You stacked the deck you old sonofabitch!”
Lily glanced over her shoulder with wide eyes.
Madden chuckled. “Sounds like Larry was dealt a rough hand. He’s always been a poor loser. Don’t let them scare you.”
“I’m more excited to play than ever now,” she said, grinning.
Good. At least the rambunctious old men had brought the light back into her eyes. “You have no idea what you’re walking into.” He followed her down the hall into the spacious kitchen.
A round poker table sat in the middle of the room. For years, he and Dax would help their father move the kitchen table out of the way and roll out the green felt table his father insisted on using. Recently, moving the furniture had become more trouble than it was worth. His dad ate his meals on a TV tray while watching a ball game, choosing a tablecloth to drape over his poker equipment when guests came, which wasn’t often.
Four men sat with cards in their hands and beers in front of them. Two scowled, one laughed, and his dad grinned with a mischievous gleam in his gray eyes.
He had a good hand.
Madden never understood how his dad’s old pals couldn’t see that look. They’d played poker together every week for over a decade.
Walter glanced up and his grin spread. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Hey, Pops. How’s it going?” He skirted around the edge of the table, slapping a hand on the old men’s shoulders as he made his way to his dad and placed a kiss on his wrinkled forehead. “You taking these suckers for everything they’re worth yet?”
“He’s trying,” Larry Blackstock growled. “He’s a cheat. Always has been.”
Deputy Sanders sat beside his dad. He dipped his chin in greeting then aimed his attention at Lily. “Hey, Lily. How’s your dad doing?”
The crowd grew quiet, all eyes turned to Lily.
Walter and Kevin Tremont might have a beef between them, but every man sitting at the table knew Kevin and his daughter. Their town was small, their community tight. And no one liked seeing one of their own hurt.
Lily offered a small smile. “He’s hanging in there. I didn’t get a chance to see him today, but I spoke with the doctor. We’re holding out hope he wakes soon.”
“That’s good to hear,” Larry said, setting his cards facedown on the table. He shook his head and his disheveled silver hair flopped with the movement. Wrinkles cascaded down his face as if gravity insisted on winning the fight. “Still can’t believe how everything played out. A damn shame, that’s for sure.”
Marvin Williamson, his dad’s oldest friend who was more like family to Madden, clicked his tongue. His familiar cowboy hat with the burnt red material wrapped around the base of the hat still sat on his head. “This world’s goin’ to hell and taking us all along for the ride. Things aren’t the way they used to be. No reason a man should fear being gunned down in the street. Sheriff better figure this mess out quick. People want answers, and they want them now.”
“While that might be true, right now I think Lily just needs a chair, don’t ya?” Walter wagged a finger at Madden. “Come on now boy. You know better than to let a lady just stand around waitin’ on you. Grab her a seat.”
“Yes, sir.” Two folding chairs leaned against the wall, probably brought out by Dax after he’d informed his dad he and Lily would be stopping by. He opened one and placed it at the table then repeated the process with the second one.
Pulling a seat out a little for Lily, he waited for her to sit then took the chair beside her.
“You gonna sit before offering our guest a drink?” Walter barked.
Madden shook his head and stared at Lily with raised brows, trying to rein in his patience. “Would you like anything? Food? Water? A time machine to travel back to when you decided to come here?”
She struggled against a laugh. “I’m fine. And thank you, all of you. I know my dad would be touched by your concern.”
Marvin, who sat on the other side of Lily, patted her hand. “We’re here for you both. For anything you need.”
Mumbles of agreement echoed around the table.
Taking that as a perfect opening, Madden cleared his throat. “Have any of you heard of drug problems in town?”
The mumblings stopped. Marvin and Larry fiddled with their cards. Deputy Sanders worked his jaw back and forth. Walter sighed.
“What am I missing?” Madden asked, bouncing his gaze from man to man while Lily stiffened beside him.
Deputy Sanders flicked his attention to Walter before focusing on Madden with a pronounced frown. “The town has had an influx of drug issues recently. With the new resort, dealers have come into town to tap a new market. Nothing too serious has happened, just busted some deals and a few incidents with petty crime.”
