Page 29 of A Triple C Ranch Christmas Wedding
“Got it,” Jack said. “Thanks. I’ll get on that road and call Hank right away, then he’ll get the helicopter heading that direction.”
“Sounds good,” George said.
They hung up, and then Jack called Hank and gave him the route Buck had suggested they’d take. Both men agreed it sounded like what the thieves would do.
The thieves were avoiding the highway, likely so they wouldn’t have to weigh in or have their paperwork checked. Depending upon how organized they were, this route might be one they’d taken many times before, and maybe they’d/he’d paid off anyone on the route to look the other way.
Jack hoped they could catch the thieves, before they got across the border where it would be harder to stop them.
“Got a helicopter standing by, and the team can be in the air within the hour,” Hank said.
“Great,” Jack said. “Who all is in this time?”
“Swede, Barrett, Timbers, and me,” Hank said.
“Great,” Jack said. “Good hunting.”
“You, too,” Hank said. “Stay in touch.”
“This phone is the only thing I’ve got,” Jack said. “That and my handgun,” He hadn’t brought any special equipment as he’d planned to do nothing but wedding stuff all day. He thought of all the good gear he had at home, where it wouldn’t help him a bit.
“Noted,” Hank said. “You won’t need it. You won’t engage, only follow.”
“Check,” Jack said.
Lucy will be happy about that. No Clint Eastwood shootouts with the bad guys today.
Much as it went against his nature, he couldn’t go charging in on this one.
After making the call to Hank, Jack called his brother.
It went straight to voice mail, so he left Ted a message. “Hey, Ted. Your plane hasn’t taken off yet, so why am I getting your voice mail already? Dodging girlfriends?” He laughed. “Call me back. Change of plans at the airport. I can’t pick you up. Chasing horse thieves at the moment.”
That would get a return call.
* * *
Ted Barr wantedto talk to his new girlfriend, Marcie Hayes, before his plane took off and then things got busy. His twin brother Jack was picking him up at the airport, and there wouldn’t be much quiet time this weekend to be in touch with her. It had been a long time since he’d seen his brother, and it pleased him that Jack had asked him to be best man and his wedding.
He’d considered asking Marcie along, but they had just started dating this month, and that was a bit too soon to start introducing her to family. Plus, she was working, housesitting and dog sitting, and couldn’t have left town, anyway.
He rang her number. “Hey, babe,” he said when she answered. “Just boarded the plane.”
“Have a safe trip and have fun,” Marcie said.
“Thanks. I will,” he said. “How does dinner at that Italian place you like, when I get back sound?”
“Sounds perfect. I can’t wait to see you again,” she said. “Talk to you later.”
“Ditto,” Ted said.
Marcie texted him a happy face and a thumbs up.
He smiled and sent her a happy face, and then he leaned back in his seat, turned his phone to airplane mode and waited for the plane to take off.
Dozing most of the way, he only woke when the captain’s voice came over the speaker. Soon, the plane was rolling to the gate.
Ted turned his phone back on and listened to a message from his brother, while he waited for them to open the doors so the passengers could get off.
