Page 29 of Rancher's Heart

“All the witnesses said it was Parker who initiated the fight.” He flipped through papers on his desk, and if I’d reached over and grabbed them I would bet the ranch that none of them, had anything to do with the topic at hand.

Side-eyeing Parker, tears brimmed his eyes again, and, rage unlike anything I’d ever known before, flowed through my veins. “You have security cameras in the outside area, correct?”

“Yes, we do,” he replied smugly.

“Pull it up.”

“Oh, that will take orders from the school board, and then the security company would have to search. It will take days.” He leaned back in his tall chair and smirked. The fucker smirked at me. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my cell phone.

“Everything okay?” Ryder asked.

“No, can you hack the security footage from the school?” I stared at the principal and watched his face blanch.

“Yeah, hang on, I just need to head to the house.” I listened to Ryder’s heavy footsteps across the gravel and then up the porch steps, and the door to the office slammed. “It’ll just take me a minute.”

“He’s working on it.” I signed and said as I turned to look at Parker.

“That little shit,” Ryder grumbled over the phone. I couldn’t help but smile. He had hacked the cameras and was watching what happened. My email chimed at the same time the principal’s computer dinged with an incoming email.

“Thanks, man, I owe ya.”

“You don’t, anything for Parker. Good luck.” The line went dead.

Hanging up I tucked my phone back in my pocket. “I think the footage you’re looking for will be in your inbox.” I didn’t need to look at the footage to know what was on it.

“Well, that is an interesting turn of events.” The frown on Mr. Gully’s face made me wonder if he was hoping to pin this on Parker.

“I believe an apology is in order.” My voice was flat.

“I’m sorry for pulling you down here, Griff,” He said, standing holding his hand out.

“Not to me, you fucking dumb ass, to Parker.”

He nodded and looked over at Parker. “I’m, sorry Parker,” he stumbled over his words. Words that should be simple appeared very difficult for this man.

“Sign it. He can’t hear you without his implant in.” My teeth were gritted, and I was ready to smack this ass hole around.

He fumbled through an apology, and I signed for Parker to stand. “He’s leaving for the remainder of the day, and it won’t be reflected in his attendance.”

“I can’t let him leave with you.”

“He’s leaving with me. I’ll have my name added to his approved list since I’m now his other guardian. Bobby Warner will be appropriately dealt with, I trust?” I stared the man down and he nodded. “Next time you haul any kid to this office, make sure you have all the facts. And if I have to come back here, you better pray I don’t bring the other four with me.” We had a reputation that we’d earned, and while we didn’t like people to think of us in that manner anymore, I wasn’t opposed to tossing it out when one of our family was involved.

I opened the door and let Parker walk out ahead of me. He raised his hands to sign, and I shook my head.Wait until we get outside.I signed to him.

Parker got in the truck, and slamming our doors at the same time.What am I going to do about this?He signed and pointed at his broken implant.

We have to go to see your mom.

No, she’s going to freak out. She won’t have the money for a new one.

She might not, but I do, and I will buy you a hundred of them if that’s what you need.I signed, and I watched the boy relax as he grabbed his seat belt.

Griff, thanks.

Like I said, anything for you. Maybe we should pick your mom up a latte and doughnut to smooth things over?

Could we wait until she gets off work?

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