Page 32 of Hanging Horseshoes

“What?”

“What is it?”

“Who did it?”

I don't even know who rattles off all the questions but we are all on alert when Halle continues.

“You did perfect! They are absolutely beautiful. You are so getting the biggest fucking tip of your life.” She exclaims to the technician staring wide eyed back at her. She squeals with delight then races around to show us all what she’s so excited about and I’ve got to say the lady did a fabulous job, if youre into that sort of thing and when I say that sort of thing I mean blood and gore and stuff. Well maybe not gore but still.

All her nails are black with the tips being blood red and it looks like they are dripping in blood. On her forth finger its clear with just a black french tip but there is a bloody knife decorating it as well. I look up at Halle who is looking at all of us expectedly. We realize she’s waiting for our reaction and I must come to this conclusion the same time the others do because as one we start speaking.

“Oh my gosh. Look at those.” Sunny says.

“Wow… just wow.” Jade says.

“Oh umm… they are wonderfully drawn.” I tell her.

“Yeah, very realistic.” Piper cuts in.

“I can’t really see them with my horrible eyesight.” Izzy mentions and when we look up Halle is glaring our way.

“You all have no tastes for fashion. Rae, Paisley, you both love them don't you?” Halle turns to them and asks.

“Oh I love them.” Paisley says as Rae pipes up replying, “On point mom. On point.”

Halle turns to us with a smirk, gloating and we all just chuckle at her antics. After that, it isn’t long before we are all headed out.

“I’ll see you all later at the compound. I need to stop by the house first and pick up some of Mable’s clothes that are getting a little tight. I figured Zara might be able to fit into them before long.

‘sounds good girl! Don't be too long we are doing Margaritas and watching Practical Magic on the big screen in the common room.” Sunny says.

“And no Halle we are not taking umbrellas to the room and trying to fly. We are not witches and this is not a movie.” Piper voices as Halle crosses her arms and pouts.

“How do you know we aren't witches? And of course I wouldn't try it from the clubhouse roof first. I would start with the storage building out back. Might only get a sprained ankle from that fall and it would give me practice to get it right for higher buildings.” She smiles evilly and honestly, I can't tell if she is joking or not.

I wave and say my goodbyes as I make my way to the car. Just as I'm about to open Mable door I spot a small boutique down the block. I’ve been meaning to get Mable some Cowgirl boots for the Ranch. I know both Trip and Rodeo would love them. I see a pink cowgirl hat with a cow print vest in the front window. Knowing they probably have exactly what I’m looking for I take a detour.

“Want to look for some new shoes baby girl?” I ask Mable and she rewards me with a smile.

I step through the threshold, the bell signaling my arrival just as a boom sounds from behind me and the ground shakes under my feet.

Turning to look around not know what just happened I take in the scene outside.

There, right in front of the nail salon, is my car. Or at least what used to be my car, now is just a blazing fire of metal.

Someone just blew up my car. I look all around starting to panic but movement catches my eyes. The panic really starts to kick in when I realize who is standing across the street. Leroy, or Lee as he liked to be called is standing there. The boy who may have been four years younger than me but still managed to torture the ever loving heck out of me when I was little. He nearly got me killed “accidentally” over a dozen times. And there he is now standing with something black in his hand, smiling evilly at my car.

He’s the one that blew up my car and the worst part… I know he thought me and Mable would be in it. He’s trying to kill us. I have to get out of here. I knew it was a bad idea to stay here for long. I brought trouble right to them.

Now… now I need to run.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Trip

Sitting around shooting the shit with a bunch of hard ass biker guys, yeah that’s not where I thought I would be. Yet, here I am laughing and Grease and Beau as they wrestle each other into a headlock and I couldn’t be fucking happier.

“I’m telling you, there is no greater feeling then shoving a knife straight into the meat of the thigh of the fucker who dares cross you. That, my man is nirvana. That or being in Halle’s Pu…”

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