by Tina Leonard
Declan laughed. “You dumbass. Cameron doesn’t know you’re already shopping for booties. She’s too busy training to become an officer of the law. When do you tell her why you’re being so diligent in the sack is to keep her from Steel’s team?”
“Competition is good for the soul, that’s what I always say,” Judy said, and Declan glanced at her. She beamed at him without any guile in her big eyes. “Isn’t that right, Harper?” she called, and Harper’s head popped back up over the high seat of the booth. “Isn’t competition good for the soul, Harper?”
The smile slipped from Harper’s face. She gave Judy a very mild glare. “Not everyone operates in the spirit of competition.”
“Uh-oh,” Saint said to Declan softly. “Think we have a little disagreement amongst the ladies brewing in Hell.”
“Which bodes well for none of us,” Trace said. “I’m going to have keep Ava very busy so she doesn’t get caught up in this.”
“Nonsense. We’re all very friendly in Hell.” Judy smiled at Stephen as he set two perfectly-plated dishes of mashed potatoes, beautifully-browned chicken breasts anointed with artichokes, and artisan salads topped with pear slices in front of Judy and Steel. “Thank you, Stephen. No one cooks like you do. No one. I swear you could be a chef in New York if you ever chose to. But don’t ever leave us. Please.” She gave the chief a delighted smile, even showing a dimple.
Declan, Trace, and Saint stared as Judy and Steel lovingly clinked their glasses of white wine and dug in. Declan could smell the white-wine sauté and the just-right crisp to the chicken coating. He glanced at Saint and Trace, they all looked at their toad patties, and then grinned at each other.
This was the way it had always been; this was why they’d come home. The familiarity of routine, and the joy of friends who sometimes squabbled, but who cared about you and always had your back.
But Declan wanted one thing more in his life, just one.
And she was seated in the neighboring booth with a big man whom everybody loved, and who looked like a new, somewhat rumpled version of Johnny Cash. And he clearly had forged a strong bond with little Michael, the only thing Harper really loved besides her team.
And what do I have to offer? A twin that’s a pain in the ass, and a couple more brothers I don’t really hang with, and parents I avoid seeing. There’s me and my yard ornaments, and Gypsy when she wants to share her smelly wet fur when she gets on my bed for a nice, long nap. And these knuckleheads.
That’s my family. That’s what I’ve got.
He could hear her laughing with her team, and Winter teasing Dr. Jack about something. The other girls laughed, and Cassidy put her hat on Michael’s small head, and this made everyone giggle, too.
Arrows felt like they launched into Declan’s heart—but then he caught Judy’s knowing gaze on him, so like a good sailor, he sucked it up and ate the toad patty like it was the best thing he’d ever put in his mouth.
But right then and there, Declan swore to himself that he wasn’t the slowest man in Hell. If competition was what this town thrived on, he could compete.
He wasn’t going to be the plus-one of Hell forever.
Chapter Six
Declan took Eli to get his tooth fixed the next afternoon, happy that the procedure didn’t seem to much bother the elderly vet. He’d been more disturbed that he had to leave the jail cell where he’d decided to snooze.
Declan returned him to his favorite cell, then went to check on Steel. The big sheriff lounged in his chair, pondering a sheet of papers that seemed to have his utmost attention.
“Sheriff,” Declan said, reclining in a chair across the desk.
“Slow and easy doesn’t always win the battle,” Steel said without looking up.
“Thanks for that.” Declan studied Steel in his most relaxed glory, the lamp on the desk Judy put there just for moments like this, and a small dish of potpourri to keep his office from smelling like the inside of a shoe. She came in every once in a while to tidy up, but Declan thought Judy did it because she liked to take care of her sheriff. “Slow and easy won your battle.”
“Yeah, but Judy and Harper aren’t the same kind of female, not at all.” Steel finally glanced up. “Why don’t you just ask her out?”
Declan blinked. “I haven’t really thought about it lately,” he fibbed.
“Of course not. It’s too obvious.”
“I wouldn’t say that, exactly.”
“I would.” Steel sighed. “I wish I had a video of your face every time Harper’s around. It’s like watching the daily misery show. Only thing less painful is watching grass grow.”
This was his week to be roasted by all in Hell. “Harper and I have agreed that we’re both happy with our friendship.”
“So you did ask her out. And got politely shot down with the friend card.”
“We’re friends, Steel.”
Steel went back to perusing the documents. “Those men I picked up yesterday for public intoxication were friends of Ivy’s. Now, why she hadn’t warned them to stay out of the center of town, I’m not sure. Not clear even why they came all the way into Hell, when what fun there is to be had is out across the dividing line.”
“What do you think?”
“I think they’re spies.”
Declan looked at Steel. “Ivy spies?”
“Mm. I just can’t figure out why.”
He waited for Steel to continue.
“What really agitates me is that I think they’re the reason Eli lost a tooth.”
That had Declan’s full attention. “Go on.”
“Eli won’t say anything. But I think they roughed him up to get information out of him.”
“What kind of information? And why do you think this?”
“I just have a hunch, and you know how I am about my hunches.”
Steel’s hunches were legend in Hell. It was almost as good as radar. If Declan had money on every time Steel’d had a hunch that played out, he figured he’d have a good-sized chunk of change. “Let’s go bother them about it. Give them the Hell welcome.”
“I let them go.” He shrugged. “Didn’t have anything to hold them on.”
“I’m sure you ran their plates, their everything. Fill me in.”
“Just a couple of squeaky clean student types from the big city of Houston. Supposedly attend college in Houston, and fancy themselves a bit urban cowboy.”
“New to Ivy? Or is there history?”
“There’s a relationship, I’m sure of it.” Steel looked at him. “I had Frick and Frack and Cameron tail them out of town.”
“Saint’s going to be pissed. Cameron’s not official law enforcement yet.” He wasn’t sure he’d feel very comfortable with Harper doing something like that.
“Yeah, but Saint’s going to have to suck it up. He can’t just keep her barefoot and pregnant.”
“That’s not his plan.” Declan laughed—then realized his buddy had said something about expecting to expect, and practicing with all his might. “At least I don’t think it is.”
“That’s the problem with you Outlaws. You want to be the badasses in town. But you hook up with these tough-minded females who are geared for more than just sitting around passing out cookies at church socials.”
“Harper never passed out cookies.” But there was an echo of truth in Steel’s words. He did want to shelter her—from everything. And Michael, too.
“Damn it, Steel. That’s not what’s going on with me and Harper.”
“So you’re going to take her out to ride some bulls.”
“I am not. And I’m not training her or her team to bullfight.” He stared at Steel. “Trace and Saint and I promised ourselves when we opened the Hell’s Outlaws Training Center that we weren’t training women, not like that. It’s a man’s world. It’s a place for men to come and work and train for anything, especially men who’ve served in the military. We don’t train women to bullfight!” He felt justified in reminding Steel about one mor
e thing. “And when Trace finally relented and trained Ava, and Saint finally trained Cameron, you saw what happened.”
“I did indeed. They got their women.”
He stared at the big sheriff. “You’re turning into Judy.”
Steel laughed. “A matchmaker?”
“A pain in my ass.”
This brought an even more pleased chuckle from Steel. “It’s been fun watching you hardasses fall.”
Declan got up. “Let me know if you need any help with this hunch of yours. In the meantime, if you need a tail on someone, I’d be happy to do it. You don’t need to send Cameron. Or Harper, for that matter.”
“You training for law enforcement?” Steel asked, his eyes piercing under his brows.
“Is that your way of saying I should butt out?”
“Read it how you like.” Steel leaned back in his chair. “But yes.”
* * *
“I don’t understand why you went out to Ivy’s on my behalf.” Harper stared at Judy as she paid her a visit at the barn. Again. Two days in a row, now. Today the mayor had on a long, fringed white skirt, and a delicate lace pink blouse, finished off by white boots with pink roses. She looked like her health had never been better. Harper hoped that was the case—though one never knew with Judy. She didn’t like to show all her cards.
“I told my cousin Ivy that we don’t want the new girls going out there.”
“Thank you.” Harper was startled by this show of support. “I appreciate that.”
“The only reason I’m trying to help you is that I know what you’re up against. Not because I think you’re handling the team better than I would.” Judy glared at her. “You just don’t understand what Ivy will do to make sure Hell stays wild. Her customer base isn’t husbands and church deacons, I assure you. The families I want to bring here are completely counter to Ivy’s business model.”
Declan poked his head from out his office. “Hey, ladies. Talking about me?”
“No,” Judy said. “Why would we be?”
“Because I’m a bachelor, and just about the last one standing in Hell.” Declan looked pleased about that. “Isn’t that what you do, try to fix up the eligible bachelors in Hell?”
“Not the eligible uglies.” Judy looked pleased with herself. “Go back in your office, Declan. I have things to discuss with my former student.”
Declan’s eyes lit with mischief. “It just so happens that I’d like to talk to her, too. You’ll have to wait your turn, Mayor. Harper?”
He opened the door wide so she could walk through.
“Both of you are up to something. I have to school my horse before daylight’s gone. Michael will be home soon, and I need to meet my team at Redfeather's. Another time. Maybe.”
She departed, telling herself she hadn’t for one minute wanted to go into Declan’s office and close the door, shutting out the world for just a moment.
Not even a minute.
* * *
“That was smooth,” Judy said. “Or was it?” she asked, with a healthy dose of obvious sarcasm.
Declan laughed. “It’s not going to happen, what you’re trying to do.”
“Which is what, in your estimable opinion?” Judy’s big eyes glowered at him.
“You’re trying to get your team back. But it’s not going to happen.”
Judy skewered him with the Judy-look. “Who says that’s what I want?”
“Isn’t it?” He nodded his head toward his office. “Come in and let’s discuss it.”
“She should be bullfighting. She’s my last best chance to put Hell on the map,” Judy complained, taking a chair at the desk. “And don’t tell me she doesn’t want to, because I know she does. There’s a rodeo this weekend in Colorado. You can get her up to Shorty’s.”
“Shorty trains bullfighters.”
“The best around.”
He’d also trained Ava. And Ava had taken a shot at the job. Shorty had said she had immense talent, was disappointed when she chose a family life with Trace. This was exactly what he’d like Harper to choose as well. “Harper hasn’t said that she wants that.”
“But you know and I know that she’s using my team as an excuse. Saving my team is her new mission.” Judy leaned forward. “If I take my team back, the old order is restored. And frankly, Harper can’t handle those young girls. Harper chose the toughest, wildest group of riders she could find. And I know why.” She settled back in the chair, her ruffly, high silver-white pile of hair shining softly under the hard fluorescent light.
Declan sighed. “Enlighten me. Bring me out of the darkness.”
“The happy darkness in which you hide,” Judy shot back. “Harper chose them because she thinks they’re tough enough to stick it out here in Hell.”
“Is that wrong?” The plan sounded like a winner at first glance.
“Tough and tough-minded are not the same thing.”
“I wouldn’t know the difference, I don’t think.” Declan wondered at the semantics. He had a die-hard and determined woman sitting in his office, and if asked, wasn’t sure he could decide between tough and tough-minded when describing Judy. “Look, we have to give the team time. Harper has a vision. We need to trust it.”
“The problem is, she thinks she can handle those girls. But Winter, Cassidy, and Micaela are not Ava, Cameron, and Harper. My team at least wanted to succeed. Harper’s team only wanted to get away from their families.”
“What are you saying, exactly?”
“The three of them weren’t entirely candid on their applications. They’ve all been sent to reform school.”
“That’s not entirely a reason to be concerned.”
Judy raised an elegant brow. “Then why are you frowning?”
“Because … I don’t know.” He pondered Judy’s words. “How do you know?”
“I pulled their applications—and then I checked into their backgrounds. I’m surprised Harper didn’t.”
“If they’re such bad girls, why do they ride like they were born into the saddle?” He’d never seen tricks like those three could pull off.
“Apparently, at one point they ran off to a reservation of sorts, where they lived for some time. They’re beyond the law there, as it operates under their own auspices. Somewhere in New Mexico, I believe. From there, they found their way to Brazil, and then Argentina, where they honed their skills. Believe it or not, they’ve had very good coaches. And with the trust funds those girls have got, they had the means to follow the dream.”
“I don’t believe that girls that young could get a passport and leave the States.”
“By then they were of age. And by then,” Judy said, “they’d determined that they were going in the Guiness Book of World Records for trick riding. That’s why they’re here. We’re just the next stop on their claim to fame.”
He leaned back, flabbergasted. “Harper knows none of this.”
“That’s right.”
The door opened. Harper peered in. “Harper knows none of what?”
“You’re supposed to be schooling Trixie.” Judy scowled. “Why are you eavesdropping?”
“Judy, there’s no ceiling on this office. Your voices carry over the top of the walls.” She shot the mayor an impatient look. “What don’t I know?”
Declan kept his eye on the beautiful blond, and she kept her gaze glued on him. Clearly he was about to be in the doghouse big time, if he wasn’t there already.
A frown creased her face as she waited, staring at him with those big expressive green eyes.
Damn. Already in the doghouse.
“Well?” Harper demanded.
“I’ll let Declan tell you,” Judy said airily. “Last we talked, I think we determined you don’t need my advice. Why are you back, anyway?”
“I came to get a crop. I was surprised to hear my name float over the top of the wall.”
Judy got up, rose to her full six feet-plus with boots. “You don’t use a riding crop. And by the way, if I sa
y the words team and tattoos together, would that be a sufficient hint? Not that I care to be a tattletale, nor be accused of giving advice where it’s not needed.”
The mayor swept from the office. Harper slowly took off her helmet.
“What was that all about?”
He sighed deeply. “I have no idea.”
“You’re already involved, so you might as well share.”
“I know,” Declan said, unhappy at the realization. “But there is no good result from being in the middle of two blondes, at least not the position I find myself in.”
“I have to get back, but I’ll be by your house later tonight.”
“With any other woman, I could take that as a promise.”
“I’m not any other woman.”
Didn’t he know it. Harper left, and he could hear her boots softly thumping against the concrete floor. Declan leaned back in his chair, stared at the top of the barn. He saw a pigeon nest in the wood eaves, and then realized another pigeon stared down at him curiously from its perch, clearly a worried mate.
“She’s right. This office needs a ceiling,” he muttered. “Some things need to be kept private around here.”
But it was too late now.
* * *
“Go ahead,” Harper said, setting down a sack of takeout from the Rolling Thunder on the big wooden table in the nook adjoining Declan’s kitchen. “Get everything off your chest. I know Judy’s been working you like a puppet. You looked as if someone had thoroughly jerked your strings when I interrupted your conversation today.”
If only he could fall back on the Judy-manipulated-me-and-I-blindly-stepped-in-it excuse. He hadn’t expected Harper to bring dinner, but he was glad she had—mainly because it meant she was staying longer than she had the last time she visited.
“Judy has her opinions, you know that. She was airing them.”
Harper emptied out the bag, set two places. “This time, I brought wine.”