Page 49 of Gotta Dig Deep
“Sure.” She moved around him, pulled up short when he recaptured her hand, threading their fingers together.
“Cooter, this is Graeme.” Glenna caught Shamu’s collar as he leaned against her leg. She was sandwiched between the dog and man, and the idea of that had her smiling. “You come by to check on us?”
“Something like that.” His easy drawl had sharp edges to it, and he stalked closer, one hand outstretched. “You look a far sight better than the last time I was around, Graeme.”
“I’m feelin’ a lot better.” Their hands lifted and dropped twice, then Horse disconnected and moved back a step, which had the effect of moving Glenna away from Cooter, since they were still connected by joined hands. “Appreciate your part in makin’ sure I’m good. And thanks for movin’ the bike here. I’d hate to lose her.”
“Glenna,” Cooter ignored Horse’s gratitude, “did Jackson come see you?”
Horse’s fingers tightened around hers. He responded to Cooter before she could speak. “We haven’t seen anyone all day. Why would you ask?”
Glenna found herself staring up at him, puzzled at the lie.
Cooter ignored him again. “Jackson’s been making the rounds, Glenna. Half a dozen ranchers in town said he’d made them deals it’d be hard to turn down. I wondered if he’d hit you up yet.”
Horse’s grip pulsed twice, and Glenna turned to look at Cooter. “Want to come in for a cup of coffee?” Maybe if she ignored both of them, they’d start actually talking. She stepped back like Horse had done earlier and he came with her easily. “Let’s all go inside and have a civilized conversation.”
Chapter Thirteen
Horse
From the moment he’d looked through the kitchen window, listening as Shamu’s sounds of distress became louder and louder until now, walking back through the door hand-in-hand with Glenna, Horse had been through the gamut of emotions. Anger and exhilaration tied for highest on the list.
He’d recognized the men exiting the vehicles for what they were, primarily muscle for the leader, but the unfortunately named Moorcock wouldn’t have been afraid of performing his own dirty work. Horse recognized the type.
Hell, I am the type.
Standing up to them hadn’t taken more than starch and bluster, but it had helped when Glenna had gone along with his ruse. Hell, it not only had helped with the ruse, but had raised a need in him he hadn’t felt—ever.
Shamu hadn’t even argued when Horse had insisted on the leash. He didn’t want the dog getting shot for being protective, and the vibes he’d felt from the men had been enough to raise his hackles, never mind the dog’s.
Headed back into the house now, Cooter being escorted by Shamu who hadn’t stopped growling yet, Horse waited for Glenna’s response, wondering which direction she’d take things.
“Yes, Jackson was by here today.” Glenna turned to face them both, dropping his hand as she did so. “Shamu, come here and be quiet.”
The dog sank to his haunches as he stayed halfway between Cooter and Glenna, and when he shot Horse a dark glance he had to laugh.
“Why does your dog hate your best friend more than he hates me, a relative stranger?” Cooter made a sound at Horse’s question, shuffling his feet. Angling his head, Horse stared at Cooter consideringly. “Yeah, Jackson came and made some threats. But why does it matter to you?”
“Because we’ve known each other basically all our lives.” Glenna pulled a chair out and flopped into it, resting her head in her hands. Dark ribbons of hair covered her face. “Jackson said some ugly things, Cooter. Graeme and I were just talking about it.”
“Horse.” The correction came without thinking and he settled into a chair next to her. His hand found her thigh and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “From you.” Glancing at Cooter, he added, “Graeme to you.”
“Well, Graeme, I don’t know why you thought you needed to answer for Glenna earlier, or why you decided to lie, but I’m really only interested in what Jackson wanted.” Cooter yanked a chair out on the other side of the table, the movement caused Shamu to increase the volume of the growl that hadn’t stopped. “He’s a canker sore, and I’m looking for ways to get him out of our lives.”
“I agree on the canker sore aspect. Some of the shit he brought with him today fit that description too.” He leaned to the side and settled the bag on the floor. He ignored the metallic clunk and turned to face Cooter who was staring at him with head cocked to one side. “That’s my equalizer.”
“Oh.” Cooter shook his head. “Never mind that. Glenna, what do you want to do?”
“Do?” She sounded genuinely confused.
“Yeah, about his threats. When his daddy was alive, he kept his boy in check, but now that he’s on his own, I don’t trust him.” Cooter’s hands spread on the top of the table, and Horse was surprised to see they were trembling. “I don’t know what we can do, but I want to do something.”
“You can press your contacts and find out what kinda deal Moorcock dealt with Snyder. That’ll tell us if his partner is liable to put a hold on the asshole, like his daddy did, keepin’ him under control. I’ll do the same, and seein’ as how we run in very different circles, we’ll pull a better picture together.” Squeezing Glenna’s leg until she swung her head to face him, he smiled at the confusion on her face. “Between you and me, we’ll keep the homestead covered.” Cocking his head at Cooter, he let his pride in Glenna show through. “She’s a force, man. Didn’t really need my help facin’ them down, but I was glad to put myself at her back.”
“She’s always been fierce. Her husband used to say he had to trot double time just to stay in step with her.” Cooter’s face softened and Horse realized the man held feelings for the woman at his side. Heart pounding in his ears, he clenched his jaw as he stared at the man. His fingers tightened again, then relaxed as her hand settled on top of his, fingers wrapping around.
She doesn’t return those feelings.He didn’t know where the certainty came from, but it made his racing heartbeat return to near normal.Not for Cooter, anyway.
