Page 5 of River Ride

“All individual poachers or do you think there’s a ring of them and they’re organized?”

“Never thought of them being organized, Travis, but I guess it’s worth consideration. I’ll take some pictures and take the feed sack with me for evidence. I’ll keep you up to date on whatever I find out.”

“I’d appreciate it,” said Travis.

“Thanks for the call,” said Kody. “Alerts me to the areas where I should be patrolling. Helps a lot.”

“No problem. If there’s a gang of poachers at work, then it’s mostly a gaming problem until somebody gets dead—like today. Then it’s my problem too.”

Kody smiled.

Fort Stockton. Texas.

Mick pulled into a service center for gas and for a bathroom break and food for the kids. They’d been pretty quiet on the drive so far, but with four of them in the back seat, they were crowded and needed to stretch their legs.

“Bathroom for everybody, then water the horses and we’ll grab snacks while Mick gasses up the truck,” said Annie.

“My leg is asleep,” said Lucy. “I’m going to limp to the ladies’ room.” She giggled. “Come on, Tammy. Pee break.”

Annie sat down at one of the picnic tables and texted Rowdy.

“We’re gassing up in Fort Stockton.”

“I have rooms booked at the Hampton Inn in Las Cruces. Zeke and I are waiting for you there.”

“Can’t wait to see you.”

“Same. Been looking forward to this trip, babe.”

“Me too. We need some time together.”

Hampton Inn. Las Cruses. New Mexico.

Rowdy knew Annie, Mick and the kids were close to the hotel and waited for them in the parking lot. Davey was especially excited to see Rowdy again. During the two previous summers, the boys had formed strong attachments to him while he taught them riding and roping skills and coached them on the junior rodeo circuit.

Mick pulled into the hotel parking lot and took one of the spaces designated for RVs and big rigs. The red Coulter-Ross horse trailer qualified as one of the biggest.

Rowdy jumped out of the cab of his truck with his dog, Bullet, and wrapped his arms around Annie. “So happy for this time together, girl. Love you without end.”

“Same,” said Annie. “You’re looking good, as always.” She pushed his shaggy dark hair away from his big brown eyes. “We’ll have private time later.”

Rowdy grinned.

Annie turned to the kids, “You boys feed the horses and bed them down for the night while I check us in and get our room keys.”

“Can we watch a movie in our room?” asked Jacks.

“Sure, if you don’t stay up too late. Rowdy will want to get an early start in the morning. We have a long way to go tomorrow.”

“Do we have to sleep in the same room as the boys, Mommy?” Lucy made a face.

Annie laughed. “No. You and Tammy are on your own. The boys can share a room with Mick. I’ll bunk in with Rowdy and Bullet.”

It was late and time to sleep when they were all settled in their rooms. Tammy had been almost silent the entire trip so far andher personality was so different after she’d been in the hospital, she made Lucy nervous.

“Which bed do you want, Tam?” asked Lucy.

“Doesn’t matter. I can’t sleep in any bed without Eldon. That feeling will never go away.”

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