by Carolina Mac
“I’m glad you’re not in the rodeo today,” I said. “I wouldn’t be able to stay and watch you win.”
“Next week, you can watch me win,” said Linda. “If Lightning Lizzie isn’t there.”
“You can beat her, Linda. I know you can.”
Bonnie Sue came down the stairs and sat down at the kitchen table. She looked tired and stressed. “Thanks for letting me stay here at the ranch, Logan, although I think I would have been safe enough at home.”
I shook my head. “Sheriff told Jacky to watch you, and the easiest way is right here. We can see if Swain or any of his bums are coming in the laneway and we can keep you safe.”
“Tuesday seems a long way off,” said Bonnie Sue. “I usually look forward to Memorial Day weekend and the county fair and rodeo n’all, but I’m not up for it this year. I’m a little shaky.”
Jack ran down the stairs fully dressed—a whole new ballgame for him. “Where’s my girl?” he grinned. “I was sleeping on the job.”
Bonnie Sue smiled. “I’m okay, Jack. Nothing is going to happen to me before Tuesday.”
“We don’t know that.” Jack was wearing his deputy face. “Clay might have thought the exact same thing last night before he went out to the truck to get his guitar.”
I nodded my head. “Jack’s right, Bonnie Sue. Swain doesn’t want either one of you testifying against his niece. He started with Jack, then moved onto Clay.”
Bonnie Sue nodded. “It’s logical I would be next.”
“Come on, y’all. I cooked a big breakfast,” said Linda. “Let’s cheer up a little and eat these pancakes.”
Preston Fairgrounds.
THE sun was burning down by the time we got to the Fairgrounds. “Gonna be hot, Linda. Have you got sunscreen on?”
“Uh huh. Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. I’m all set.”
She was dressed for the rodeo in a little red tank top and cutoff shorts that looked fantastic on her, her blonde hair hanging down half covered by the cowgirl hat she always wore.
I loved her so much, I was feeling a bit jealous of her showing so much skin. I found myself wishing she had more clothes on for parading around in front of all these cowboys.
“Let’s find Rip and Chuck and see if they’re ready,” I said. “I’m a bit nervous for them.”
Linda grinned. “You have to be nervous. You’re they’re coach, Logan. Everything they do and everything they achieve reflects on what you taught them.”
“Thanks for that, Linda. I feel a helluva lot better now.” I pushed her up against one of the corral fences and kissed her. “Your skin is so hot, baby. I know you’re going to get sunburned.”
“You are a worrier, Logan. Come on, let’s find your boys.”
We walked through the section of the field where the horse trailers were parked and found Rip and Chuck sitting together nervously fiddling with their ropes.
“You guys saddled up?”
“Just checking the ropes and having a smoke.”
“Let’s get the horses ready,” said Logan “I want to check your saddles and I want to check your boots. Y’all don’t want even the slightest thing slowing y’all down in the arena.”
They hopped up and led their horses out of the trailers.
“I’ve taught y’all everything I know. You have the skills and it’s up to y’all today. Give it your best shot and that’s all you can do.”
“Thanks, Logan. We didn’t know if you would be here. We heard about Clay getting stabbed at the Spur.”
“Yep, Clay is hurt bad and as soon as you guys compete, I’m going to the hospital. Clay will be sleeping anyway, all morning and maybe most of the day.”
“Sorry about your brother,” said Rip. “I’m kinda used to him watching us practice.”
TEXAS sun beat down mercilessly on us, but there was a little breeze blowing dust and dirt around. The grandstand was packed with hollering fans and tons of kids and Linda and I had to squeeze into our seats.
Chuck was up first, and I held my breath watching him and keeping an eye on the clock at the same time. The crowd roared and Chuck finished in seconds with a real good time. My heart was racing just watching him. I think it was worse for me watching them than competing myself.
I had to grin when the announcer said over the loud speaker, “Ladies, and gentlemen, that’s a personal best time for Chuck O’Brien.”
Next up was Rip and he shaved a couple of seconds off Chuck’s time. Both of them made it into the next round that would take place at the nighttime show.
“They both made the next round, Logan,” Linda smiled at him. “You must be proud of them.”
“I am.” All I could think about was Clay.
Preston Hospital.
WHEN I parked the truck at the hospital, I called Jack to make sure Bonnie Sue was okay.
“We’re good, Logy. I wanted to watch the boys compete. How did they do? Did they make the next round?”
“Yep, they’re both in it tonight.”
“Hope I get to watch them,” said Jack. “Don’t know if I should keep Bonnie Sue here at the ranch, Logy. She’s crying and she wants to sit with Clay.”
“Come now to the hospital. Linda and I are here, and Bonnie Sue should be safe enough. We’ll stop at the Spur on the way home.”
“Good plan. We’re coming now.”
Broken Spur.
JACK stopped for gas in Broken Spur. He left Bonnie Sue locked in his truck while he paid and was about to leave when he spotted Ronnie Palmer. The big mechanic stepped out of the garage and lit up a smoke.
“Hey, Ronnie, you heard anything about where Micky Swain might be hiding out?”
“This a paying gig, Jacky?”
“Yeah, I guess it could be if you get me the information I want. I need to find him bad and fast, Ronnie. See what you can do for me.”
“I’m on it, Jacky.” Ronnie smirked. He was filthy from head to toe with a streak of grease across his right cheek. “Heard you were the law now and you were busting heads from the first day on the job.”
“You heard right, Ronnie. Too much crime around here for a small town. I’m out for blood and justice.”
“I’ll keep my ears open for you, kid. I could use a few extra bucks.”
Preston Hospital.
LINDA opted to sit in the waiting area and watch for Jack and Bonnie Sue while I went in to see Clay. The ICU nurse showed me where he was, and I sat down beside him. His face was paper white, and he seemed to be hardly breathing.
My heart was breaking in half for him when he opened his eyes and looked at me. “Hi, Logy. Am I alive?”
“You’re alive and sewed back together, Clay. They had to give you blood on the table so don’t move around, okay?”
“My side hurts.”
“Uh huh. Try not to move. You have a lot of stitches.”
“They catch him yet?”
“Sheriff Tucker and Ivan are out there beating the bushes for Swain.”
“Sheriff was here.” Clay was whispering and I could hardly hear what he was saying.
“He took your statement?”
“First thing.”
“Do you feel like telling me what happened?” I asked.
“I didn’t hear him behind me, Logy. I reached into the back seat of my truck for my guitar and that was it. I felt a burning pain in my side and my legs gave out. That’s all I remember.”
“We came outside looking for you. Bonnie Sue thought you were taking too long.”
“Thanks, Logy. I might have bled out.”
“We’re glad you didn’t. It’s a damned shame this happened when you were almost healed from the shotgun.”
“I’m worried Bonnie Sue might be next,” whispered Clay.
“We’re got that covered. Sheriff Tucker assigned Jacky to watch over her until she goes to court on Tuesday. He’s bringing her here to see you. Should be here soon.”
“Good. I’m glad she’s not out there trying to find Swain herself. Th
at’s something she would do.”
“She definitely can’t look for him on her own. She’s barely healed.”
“I want to see her, Logy. I ruined our date and I didn’t get to sing.”
“It wasn’t you who ruined the date, Clay. It was ruined for you by Micky Swain.”
Clay nodded.
“Did you see it was him… for sure?”
“Yep, I heard him talking before I passed out. I saw her too.”
“A girl was with him?”
“Carson was on the back of his bike.”
“No way? Did you tell Sheriff Tucker?”
“Umm… I think so.”
Jack and Bonnie Sue came in with the nurse and I had to leave. “You sit with Clay,” said Jack to Bonnie Sue. “I’ll get a coffee with Logy and Linda. Don’t leave here until I come back to get you.”
“I won’t, Jack. Thanks.”
JACK checked the parking lot for signs of Micky Swain when we came out of the hospital and it was all clear. He came back to the lobby to get us and Bonnie Sue dug in.
“I want to stay here with Clay, Jack. Just leave me here. I’m not afraid of Micky Swain and I want to be with Clay.”
Jack shook his head. “Nope. That’s not how it’s gonna work, Bonnie Sue. Sheriff told me to stay with you and that’s what I’m doing. Clay has to sleep now, and we have to go to the ranch for chores. How be I bring you back after dinner?”
“What if Clay wakes up and wants to see me?”
“He knows we’re coming later. He’ll be fine.”
Bonnie Sue was a cop and a strong-willed cop at that. Jack’s biggest worry was she’d take off on her own to find Swain.
Broken Spur Roadhouse.
WE stopped off at the Spur for a pitcher on the way home for chores. Miss Jane had called me, and I promised to give her an update after we’d been to the hospital.
When we arrived, Miss Jane was in tears. She met us at the bar and hugged us. “I can’t believe Clay got hurt again, and here on my property? It’s terrible. What’s that lazy ass Tucker doing to catch Micky Swain?”
“He’s out there scouring the county looking for him,” said Jack, “while we’re watching over Bonnie Sue.”
Miss Jane pulled Bonnie Sue into a hug. “You must be so upset about Clay, dear. Let me get y’all a table.”
McKenna Ranch.
AFTER chores and a shower to get the smell of the barn and the heat of the day off, Linda and I headed back to Preston. I had to coach Rip and Chuck through the next round of competition—a place they’d never been before. I was proud of their effort and nervous for them at the same time.
We found them near their horses, and I gave them a little encouragement. “You guys did fantastic this afternoon. Get decent times tonight and you’ll both make it into the finals.”
“We never made it into the second round before, Logan. This is all thanks to you.”
“Nope. You guys put the work in. You achieved this yourselves. Go do it. We’ll be cheering for y’all.”
Both the boys did well and made it into the final round to take place on Sunday afternoon. Linda watched some of the barrel racing, then we left for the hospital.
Preston Hospital.
JACK parked his truck and cautioned Bonnie Sue not to get out until he looked around the parking lot.
“I appreciate you being cautious, Jack, but I’m a big girl, and I’m a cop. I can take care of myself.”
Jack ignored her while he checked to make sure all the parked vehicles were empty. He spotted a dark blue Ram parked in the back row under the trees. It was a long way away, but he could see a guy sitting behind the wheel. The guy had long hair and from where Jack stood, he looked a lot like Micky Swain.
Jack whipped out his cell and called Sheriff Tucker. “Jack here, Sheriff. I’m at the hospital in the parking lot and there’s a dark blue Ram here. I think Swain was waiting on Bonnie Sue to come visit Clay.”
“On my way, son. Get Bonnie Sue inside and stay in the hospital until I find y’all.”
“Copy that.” Jack opened the passenger door. “Sheriff wants us inside. He’ll tell us when it’s all clear out here.”
“Did you see Swain, Jack?”
“I see a truck that looks like his. I’m being careful.”
“You’re doing a good job, Jack. Don’t worry, I have my sidearm in my shoulder bag.”
“Good to know,” said Jack. “I’m going to drive up to the front entrance and stop to let you out. You’re going straight in and up to ICU. I’ll park and catch up. Okay?”
Bonnie Sue had her hand on the door handle. “Yep. I’m ready.”
Jack watched Bonnie Sue go through the front doors of the hospital before he moved on and went back to the parking area. He was locking his truck when Sheriff Tucker arrived in his Jimmy with the county logo on the front door. Lights flashing. No siren. Jack ran over and pointed the sheriff and Ivan in the direction of the Ram pickup.
“Yep, I see it. Get inside and stay with Bonnie Sue.”
“Copy that, Sheriff.”
Jack and Bonnie Sue had been sitting with Clay for about twenty minutes when Sheriff Tucker and Ivan came in. Clay’s nurse shooed them out of the ICU, and they talked in the waiting area.
“It wasn’t him,” said the sheriff. “Same make and model, but it was a different guy waiting for his wife. Wasn’t Swain.”
“Sorry,” said Jack.
“No need to be sorry. It was a good call, son. Good call.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sunday, May 24th.
McKenna Ranch.
I helped Jack and the two hired hands with chores in the morning then went back to the house to discover our two female guests had breakfast ready for us.
“I love waffles,” said Jack.
“You love syrup,” I said as I watched him flood his plate.
“I hope Clay is better today,” said Bonnie Sue. “His face was so white yesterday, I could barely look at him without crying.”
“He’ll be better today,” I said, hoping it was true.
I was on my second cup of coffee when Jack got a call from Sheriff Tucker.
“Yep, we’re all good here, Sheriff. Yep, I’m looking right at her, and she’s fine. Going to the hospital later to see Clay.”
“I’m fine,” said Bonnie Sue. “Is Wade checking on me?”
“He is. He’s a different man since Swain tried to strangle him,” said Jack. “It’s like he finally saw the light.”
“Hope he catches Swain before Tuesday. Once I testify, he won’t be after me anymore, will he?”
“No reason he would be,” I said. “Over and done with.”
“Except for all the other trials,” said Jack. “Swain might be antsy about people testifying against Carson.”
“Lots of people hate her,” I said, feeling heat creeping up my neck. “Me being one.”
“Why don’t you practice for a couple of hours,” said Linda, “while we clean up here. Then we’ll go to the hospital.”
“I can hardly concentrate on my comeback with all that’s going on,” I snapped at Linda without meaning to.
“That’s why you need to saddle Bowie and ride back to the field, Logan. I can tell when you’re coming undone. Go now.”
I let out a long breath wondering if Linda was right and I did need a ride and a practice round. “I’ll go saddle my horse.”
After I practiced full out for a couple of hours most of the tension was gone and I could think and function again. Linda was right. She knew me better than I knew myself.
I hugged her when I walked into the kitchen and kissed her gently. “I need a shower. It was hot out there.”
“As soon as you’re ready, we’ll go see Clay.”
Jack’s cell rang and through the screen door I heard him talking on the porch. “Thanks, Ronnie, that’s good info. I’ll make it right with you, bro.”
I stepped outside and asked him, “What’s good info?”
; “Ronnie has a line on Swain. I’m going to check it out. I’ll call Sheriff Tucker on the way.”
“Don’t you go getting hurt, Jacky. I couldn’t take it if two of my brothers were hurt at the same time.”
“Nope, Logy. I’m not taking any chances.”
“Let me go with you.” Bonnie Sue had been eavesdropping.
“No way in hell are you leaving this ranch, Deputy Dempster. It’s too important for you to testify on Tuesday.”
“I could help you, Jacky.”
“You can help me best by staying here with Logan and Linda. This is a scouting trip. Nothing more.”
“Make sure it is nothing more,” I said. “And call when you’re on your way to the hospital. We’ll meet you there.”
“Yep. That’s a plan.”
JACK went over the information Ronnie had given him as he drove south of Broken Spur. Ronnie had heard two guys talking about a most wanted guy hiding out at his friend’s ranch.
“Checking out a tip, Sheriff,” said Jack as he made the call. “Heard Swain might be hiding out at Bobby Paisley’s ranch.”
“I’ve got Paisley and Dean Morton in custody, Jacky boy. Nobody at the ranch but the momma, far as I know.”
“Just a tip from a friend, sir, and I’m checking it out. If I see Swain’s truck or Harley, I’ll call for backup.”
“You do that, Jack. I don’t want anybody else on my DL.”
“No sir. I won’t do anything crazy.”
Jack pulled into the driveway at the Paisley ranch and didn’t see any vehicles in the drive except Bobby Paisley’s ranch truck. He parked behind the truck, hopped out and took a look in the garage attached to the ranch house. Nothing. Empty.
Leaving no stone unturned, he took a quick run through the barn and got the same result. Nothing. There was no sign of Micky Swain anywhere on the premises.
He drove north to Broken Spur and called the sheriff. “Checked the whole place out, Sheriff and saw no sign of him. False alarm.”