Hell Yeah! Box Set With Bonus Cookbook

by Hunter, Sable

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  Libby was fascinated by the pool hall. She hadn’t dressed up; she didn’t have anything to dress up in. But, she

  was definitely having a good time. The music was loud and very country. Several cowboys had asked her to dance, and she had taken two up on it. Both times, either Isaac or Jacob had cut in when they felt that the man was taking liberties. She hadn’t felt threatened at any time, but she appreciated the McCoy brothers’ concern. It wasn’t like they were cramping her style, Libby wasn’t there to find a man – she had one. At least, she was claiming him. Not that they were dating or anything, he had never said anything about taking her anywhere. Still, she would rather be with him – anywhere - than anyone else in the world. Still and all, like her mom used to say, this place was far better than she had expected. She was here for the experience, and so far, she wasn’t disappointed. Aron could have brought her, but she knew that he would have positioned her at his side and under his arm all night and she wouldn’t have gotten a taste for the true atmosphere of the place. With the other two McCoy’s along, Libby could go out on a limb and not fear falling off. The billiards game was a blast. Isaac taught her how to hold a cue stick and how to rack up the balls. He had even held her close while she learned the proper way to make a shot. There had been no flirting; all the brothers treated her with great care and the utmost respect. They knew who she belonged to – at least, for now. Aron had put his foot down about the tequila shots, so Libby had opted for wine coolers, instead. They were really, really, really good. This was her first venture into the world of adult beverages. Every time Jacob and Isaac walked off, Libby ordered another. She hoped they brought enough money to pay her bar tab. She should have felt bad, but right now – actually – she was feeling pretty good. There were about a dozen men in the place that couldn’t keep their eyes off of her. They watched her sway and twirl, right by herself. She had no idea how sexy she was, or that Isaac and Jacob had walked around and informed all of the drooling men that she was off limits. They made it clear that she was Tebow property - belonging to the big man himself, Aron McCoy. No, Libby didn’t have a clue. She was in her own little world. Dancing right by herself, minding her own business. With her wine coolers. Isaac who was on Libby-patrol, had to take a bathroom break. And while he was gone a group of new men came it. When Jacob noticed, there were several wranglers circling her like Mako sharks. He swooped in and gathered her close, “How many of those drinks have you had, cookie?” “Eight.” Libby answered with an absolutely straight face. “Eight!” Jacob exclaimed. “Shorty, why in the hell did you let her have eight wine coolers?” He shouted across the bar. Shorty grinned, but yelled back. “There’s not much alcohol in a wine cooler.” “There is when you’ve had eight of ‘em,” he grumbled under his breath. Hell! Aron was going to kill them all. “Hello, lover.” A sultry voice purred next to Jacob’s ear. “Care to introduce me to your tipsy little friend?” Venom dripped off every word. Jacob’s stomach turned over as he recognized Aron’s ex-wife’s voice – Sabrina. If he hated anybody in the world, it was this woman. “I was never your lover, bitch.” Jacob bit the words out at her. He hadn’t forgiven her, nor would he - ever. His attitude sobered Libby to a degree. “Jacob?” she called his name in confusion. “It’s okay, baby. This is nobody that you need to be concerned with.” He held her protectively to his side, as if Sabrina was a disease that would rub off on her. “She’d best be concerned.” Sabrina draped a skinny arm around Jacob’s neck. She was over-made up, under dressed, and her perfume had been applied with a heavy hand. “I didn’t have my fill of you. She just might have reason to be jealous.” Sabrina’s tongue might be dripping sugar, but her eyes were like poisonous darts. These McCoy men owed her – big time. She had been cheated out of a fortune. “I’m not with Jacob,” Libby informed her. “I’m with Aron.” Jacob was surprised that Libby would publicly claim Aron – pleasantly surprised. “Interesting!” the woman exclaimed. “Jacob does she know who I am?” “Who are you?” Libby asked, just drunk enough to care. “I’m Sabrina McCoy, Aron’s wife.” The smooth answer made Libby’s skin crawl. Libby’s eyes narrowed. “No, you’re not. You’re divorced. You weren’t a good wife.” Libby repeated things well. “Aron wasn’t much of a husband. And being his wife wasn’t much of a life.” Her flip answer made Libby’s blood boil. “Anyone lucky enough to be married to Aron McCoy should get down on their hands and knees and thank the Lord for their blessings.” This was a long speech for an inebriated woman. “The only blessing about living at Tebow was the smorgasbord of gorgeous McCoy men to sample. Jacob here, was one tasty morsel.” She leered at Jacob. About that time Isaac walked up. “And here’s the tastiest one of them all.” Isaac looked grim, and his mouth was twisted as if he had bit into something bitter. “You didn’t sleep with Aron’s brothers.” Libby was furious. “I didn’t?” Sabrina teased Libby. “And how would you know?” “I know them. And they wouldn’t betray their brother that way.” She was emphatic in her support of the McCoy brothers. “Where is your lover, if that is what he is? And why are you here with Jacob and Isaac if you belong to Aron? Are you following in my footsteps, sweetie?” The woman was beautiful. Libby could see why Aron would have been attracted to her. And she was dressed to kill. Libby felt plain and out of place next to her. “That’s none of your business,” Libby flared. “But I can promise you that Aron’s brothers treat me with the greatest respect.” “How about the younger one? Nathan, was it? Is he still as much of a stupid retard as he used to be? Wasn’t he born that way? Was it a birth complication or something?” Sabrina stood there looking smug while she lambasted every member of the family that Libby loved so well. “He has dyslexia, you baboon. I’ve heard enough from you! That’s it.” Libby handed her wine cooler to Isaac. “You’re going down, you loud-mouthed Jezebel!” Without warning, Libby propelled herself right on top of Sabrina Jones – ex-McCoy. Before Sabrina could get her bearings, Libby had knocked her into a table that had been filled with glasses and beer. Then, into another table. Crashes of glass and gasps of amusement echoed through the bar. And it wasn’t over. “Catfight!” Libby would not give up. Every time Sabrina would try and get away, Libby would get right in her face again. Isaac held Jacob back - they were fascinated at the little thing’s determination. When she picked up a chair to bash over Sabrina’s head, Jacob’s common sense finally won out and he intervened. Shorty was not happy. He was on the phone and naming names. Jacob held Libby off the ground while she kicked and wiggled to get down and back into the fight. “If I ever see you anywhere near a member of the McCoy family again, I’ll take you apart with my bare hands. I’ll rip your hair to smithereens. I’ll break both your knee caps and stomp your toes . . . . .” The threats trailed off as Libby was carted out of the bar to ensure the safety of the clientele. Isaac and Jacob followed at a safe distance. Isaac was troubled to see that Sabrina had landed a blow or two. There were bruises and scrapes on Libby’s arms and a dark, fist-shaped mark was starting to show on her left jaw. “You have got to come and get them Deputy; I’m tired of these McCoy’s tearing up my place.” Shorty called on his cell phone. “Shit, Jacob. We’re about to get arrested,” Isaac whispered. He couldn’t afford to spend any more time in jail. “Actually, I think Libby is the one that’s in trouble,” Jacob observed - which was worse, much worse. “With the law. That’s nothing. We’re the ones up shit creek without a paddle. We have to face Aron.” Isaac was right – and that was a scary proposition. Libby had never seen the inside of a jail. It was as fascinating as the bar had been. This was a new experience that she hadn’t counted on. She had question after question and soon the deputies all had pained looks on their faces. Jacob and Isaac sat to one side, their hats in their hands and waited for one large Texas tornado to blow in. �
�Isaac, I thought I told you that if you got into another bar fight that I’d take the cost of the damages out of your hide.” Aron stormed into the sheriff’s office, growling like an angry bear. “It wasn’t Isaac, Mr. McCoy.” A friendly little Barney Fife type had met Aron with a clip board in his hand. “Jacob? Well, hell this is his first offense; you ought to let him off.” “The problem wasn’t just the damage, Mr. McCoy. It was the terrorist-type threats,” the deputy cheerfully explained. “Jacob was making terrorist threats? Against who?” Aron couldn’t believe this. He was probably defending Libby’s honor. If anybody had touched his baby, they wouldn’t live to see another day. “It wasn’t Jacob making the terrorist threats, Mr. McCoy; or Isaac.” “Well, then you have the wrong people in custody. There were no other members of my family there to cause trouble.” Aron roared. “It was Libby.” Isaac muttered low enough that he thought maybe Aron wouldn’t hear. He heard. “What did you say?” Aron was pole-axed. “Libby was the one in the fight. She was the one making threats.” Isaac lowered his head and winced as if anticipating a blow. “My Libby isn’t capable of doing those things.” Aron had no doubt about the truth of that statement. “It’s true, Mr. McCoy.” About that time Sheriff Foster joined them. “Who in the hell did she fight with or threaten?” Aron still didn’t believe a word they were saying. And just where in the hell was she? He looked around. She wasn’t anywhere in sight. “She attacked and made threats against one, Sabrina McCoy.” The Sheriff looked perplexed, as if he had just made the connection. “Does that name ring a bell with you, Sir?” “Shit. Yes.” It was all beginning to make sense now. “Where is Libby?” he looked around at all the people who had failed him. “She’s back in the holding cell.” “THE HOLDING CELL? YOU PUT THAT SWEET LIITLE GIRL IN A CELL?” The walls of the jail began to vibrate. When he bellowed, Libby heard him. “Aron! Aron! Sweetie, I’m back here! Come meet these nice criminals.”

  Recipe Provied by Jackie 21

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  Recipe Provided by Cinzia M 23

  Recipe Provide by Martha Benes K. 24

  Recipe Provided by Deidre W. 25

  Recipe Provdied by Deidre W. 26

  Recipe Provided by Kathy L Recipe Cont’d on Next page 27

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  Although the trip had been a necessary one, Aron was glad it was almost over. Never had the road seemed so long from Austin to Kerrville. Never had he been so tempted to floor it. When he got to the last leg of the journey, the dirt road that led from the blacktop to the Tebow ranch gate had never looked so welcoming. He noticed the wildflowers that grew along the way. Had they always been so bright and colorful? Everything seemed better somehow – the air was sweeter, the food tasted better, hell, he even liked his worthless brothers more.

  Mostly, he couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms again. Last night’s loving had only left him hungry for more. That was the way it always was – he just couldn’t get enough of Libby Fontaine. Lately, he had been rethinking his future. He had made a decision. A huge decision. He wanted Libby in his life; there was no way that he could face a lifetime without her. Marriage wasn’t the word he would use just yet, but he was definitely thinking long-term. The only problem was convincing her of that. Something was holding her back. He knew she cared about him. There was no doubt about that, she showed him every day in more ways than he could count. Why was she so adamant that their time together was short? Yeah, he knew it had been his idea to start with. Hell, he was ready to admit he was wrong. Yet, every time he put limits on the relationship, she had been only too happy to agree. Aron didn’t like that she agreed so damn readily. He wanted her to fight for him. So, when he got home – the mission had changed. Win Libby Fontaine, that was his new goal.

  When he started up the drive, he knew instantly something was wrong. It was only three o’clock and all of the brother’s trucks were there. They were pulled haphazardly around the front, as if they had all been in a hurry to get out and get into the house. His heart clutched in his chest. He didn’t want anything to happen to any of his brothers, but all he could think about was – Oh God - don’t let anything have happened to his precious Libby.

  He drove faster as he got closer and ended up skidding his King Ranch dangerously close to the wide front verandah steps. Leaping from the cab, he took the steps three at a time. Charging through the front door, he yelled. “What the hell is wrong? Libby! Libby, answer me sweetheart, right now!”

  “We need to call Doc Mulligan.” This was Jacob’s voice. A doctor? Who was Mulligan? By, God he’d find out. He followed the voices.

  “Shit, Aron’s here.” That was Isaac.

  “Like he’s not going to find us.” Joseph stage whispered. “We’re in the den, Aron!”

  Aron barreled into the ‘man-cave’ as Nathan called it and saw four of his brothers kneeling in front of the leather sofa. And behind them was – aw hell, it was his Libby.

  In a few short moves, he had displaced brothers both left and right. Kneeling at her side, he whispered, “Libby? Sweetheart?” She was so small and pale and her eyes were closed.

  “What the hell happened?” he looked directly at Jacob.

  “Aron, O Aron.” Libby opened her eyes, held out her arms, and as he took her, she began scooting over into his lap. “I am so glad you’re here, Aron. So glad. I missed you, so.”

  As Aron cuddled her close, he demanded again. “What happened to her?”

  “She fell off of Molly.” Jacob’s voice was level and quiet.

  Aron’s hands at once began moving over her body.

  Isaac snorted. “It’s her head, Aron.” Laughing, “I thought I’d tell you before you felt her up in front of us.”

  “Hush up, Isaac. There‘s nothing funny about this.” Aron’s voice was direct and succinct. He held her with one arm, while he began parting her hair, looking for a wound.

  “She hit her head on the fence when Molly threw her.” Jacob sounded as guilty as he felt.

  At Aron’s indrawn breath, Libby feared for Molly and Jacob’s safety. “It wasn’t Jacob’s fault, I begged him to teach me. And it wasn’t Molly’s fault – it was that humongous, horrible deadly snake that scared us!” Aron fought with everything he had not to smile; this was too serious.

  “It was a chicken snake.” Jacob said dryly.

  “A huge, ugly, vicious chicken snake!” Libby was very anti-serpent.

  “Why aren’t you in the hospital?” He looked at Libby, then at the brothers.

  “No, no, no, no.” She clung to his neck. “No hospital! Some of the worst days of my life have been spent in hospitals.” Aron cuddled her close.

  Jacob knelt by her and took her hand. Aron’s eyes widened. “Libby, see the doctor, please.” Jacob’s voice was low, but he spoke from his heart.

  “I’m fine, Jacob. I don’t need to see him.” Her eyes pled with him to let it drop. Knowing that Aron would take up Jacob’s mantra, Libby changed her tactic. “Aron, please take me to our room. I want to lie down and I need you to hold me.”

  That’s all it took, Aron rose and started off with her. Before he left the room, he turned and faced his brothers. “If I ever come home again and find her with so much as a paper cut, there will be hell to pay. I go off and leave the most precious thing I have in the world in your care and you let a horse throw her,” he paused and a small smile escaped his lips, “and a Godzilla-sized snake nearly swallowed her whole. It will not happen again!” With that he stalked off, his baby held close to his heart.

  “Yeah, this is a temporary thing. You can tell. He don’t care a thing in the world about her.” Isaac observed

  dryly.

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  Jacob was dead tired. He had met with Kane and the vet. The vet had confirmed that Sultan had been

  poisoned with feed that had been laced with ground up oleander leaves. Oleanders were deadly to man and beast. Jacob wondered what kind of a messed up jerk went around hurting innocent

  creatures? Now, all he wanted to do was see Jessie. He looked at the time. Jessie wouldn’t be asleep. She would be waiting up for him.

  “Jessie! Jessie, honey! I’m home!” He stood still for a second,

  expecting to hear her little steps running to meet him. Walking to his room, he opened the door with his foot, hoping to find her taking a nap or soaking in the tub. The room was disturbingly empty. Throwing his hat and jacket on the bed, he went out to find her.

  “Jessie?” Hell! He could hear yelling. Something was definitely wrong. Heading to Aron’s office, where the confusion seemed to be coming from, he walked in on a meeting already in progress. As soon as they noticed him, all talking stopped – dead silent – mid-sentence. Every eye turned on him. He looked at Aron, Noah and Roscoe. They all stared at him. “What? Did somebody die or something?” Aron picked up a good sized book and flung it across the room. Jacob was stunned. In all of the years since the death of their parents, he had never seen Aron react like that. “Jacob, you’d better sit down. We’ve got something serious to tell you.” A blast of cold air rammed into Jacob’s heart. “What’s wrong? Is it Jessie? Is it the baby?” God, what would he do if something had happened to them? When no one answered, Jacob literally bellowed. “For God’s sake, tell me. Please!” Noah bent over, putting his head in his hands. “Tell your brother what you’ve done, Noah.” Aron’s voice was as cold as steel. “We’re a family and, by God, we’re going to be honest with one another if nothing else.” Jacob went as still as death. “What did you do?” Walking to his brother, he knelt down in front of him. “Tell me, Noah. I can make it right, if you’ll just tell me. Did you say something to Jessie? Did you make her cry? Where is she?” Aron’s heart hurt for his brother. He had never seen Jacob like this. Jacob loved Jessie, it was as plain as the nose on his face. “Jacob, we’ll help you find her.” “She’s gone?!?” Jacob jumped up. Noah still hadn’t said a word. “Where did she go? Did you take her somewhere?” “Noah, man up! Have the balls to tell your brother the truth.” Aron would do anything to save his family, even whup their butt if need be. “I had her sign a paper absolving you of all responsibility toward the child,” he finally said. Jacob tossed his beloved black Stetson across the room. “That’s easy fixed. The law said a paper wasn’t necessary anyway.” He didn’t understand what was going on. “So, I just won’t sign it or file it. Besides, Jessie has been willing to do that all along, anyway.” He was grasping at straws, frantic to make this better than it was. “I told her it was your idea,” Noah raised his face and looked at Jacob. “I told her you wouldn’t give the baby your name.” “Shit!” Jacob slammed his fist down on Aron’s desk. “I’m going to go look for her,” Jacob started out of the room. Jessie belonged to him. It was his right. “Wait, Jacob.” Aron’s voice was stern. “There’s more.” Something in his voice made Jacob sick at his stomach. “You need to see these photos of Jessie.” Aron handed him an envelope. He slowly took them out, not understanding how photos could be so serious. But, when he saw her - naked and vulnerable, he wanted to kill somebody. “Where did you get these? Who’s seen them?” The idea that they had all looked at his Jessie made rage boil up in him like a volcano. “Noah got them out of the mail. Keith McCay’s wife sent them. She said that Jessie had given consent for them to be taken.” Jacob bowed his head, trying to calm down. “Noah confronted her with them. She denied it, of course. But, they’re already on the Internet.” Jacob ripped the pictures in half and then in half again. “It was McCay, the bastard.” There wasn’t a doubt in Jacob’s mind. “Couldn’t you tell by her face? She didn’t know she was being photographed.” “You’re right. I found the concealed cameras,“ Roscoe spoke up. Noah decided to put the last few nails in his coffin. “I told her that you wanted her off the property.” Jacob gritted his teeth. “Where did you take her?” Noah looked up at him in anguish. “I didn’t take her anywhere. She left on foot.” Unbelieving, Jacob asked in anguish, “You made her walk back to town, Noah? She’s pregnant for God’s sake!” “That’s not all, Roscoe and Vance have put two and two together and we think McCay has been here for days. We think he’s the one that’s been killing the animals. He’s trying to distract us. We think he came for Jessie.” Jerking Noah off the couch, Jacob came very near to hitting his brother. “How could you do this to me, Noah? I would never, ever do anything to hurt you!” Releasing him, abruptly, Jacob left the room before he did something he might later regret.