Page 63 of Gotta Dig Deep
“How many did you see, Mr. Pearson?” Glenna jumped in with a good question and Horse waited for the response.
“Saw the same thing,” another man answered. “Probably two dozen when I was out there a couple days ago.”
The first man nodded, then shrugged. “At least a couple dozen that I saw. Doubt they were all outside, though. There were bikes there. A lot of them.” He pointed at Horse, who was wearing his Freed Riders MC cut. “Different patch from you, and they don’t look reputable, if you know what I mean.” He cleared his throat. “No disrespect to a brotherhood, but not every club’s good to have around. Not like your men.”
“No disrespect taken. If they’re who I think they are, then they’re as different from my brothers as night is to day.” Horse reached out a hand and the man took it, shaking solemnly. “That’s what we were looking to know.” He grimaced. “Well, we were hoping for no news, but I’m glad to have things validated.”
“They gonna bring trouble to town?” This was the store owner again, and he looked angry and alert. Horse didn’t blame him. Lord knew there’d been ample publicized about club wars over the years.
“If myself and my brothers can stop it before it starts, it shouldn’t spill over. Now that you folks have confirmed things, I’ll get my folks rolling this way. This group isn’t one we want in our territory, because they’re known for having short fuses and very bad ideas. We’d rather they limit themselves to their own place, way back on the East Coast.” He gave Glenna’s fingers a squeeze. “Hand to God, I’ll do my level best to not let Belle take their shit.”
“This one is one of Blackie’s boys, so in my opinion, you can take it to the bank.” A thin, older man stood up off his overturned bucket and rubbed his hindquarters. “Ass is hurtin’. I’m headed to the diner. Not gonna waste any of my brain power worryin’ over somethin’ I know Blackie’s gonna take care of. He’s a good’un.”
“He is,” Horse agreed. “I’m proud he’s my brother.”
Four or five of the men shuffled to their feet and followed the old man out the door.
“Easy as that?” Horse asked, turning to the storeowner.
“Easy as it needs to be,” the man answered, jumping off the counter. “My name’s Bob, by the way. Glenna, did you need anything delivered? I got most of the order in the other day, was just waitin’ for the last items to come in to give you a call.”
Looking up at Horse, she shook her head, puzzlement in her face. “Order?”
“That’s mine,” Horse told the owner. “It can wait for everything. You got my cell, so you can let me know when things are ready.”
“No problem. Y’all take care now.”
Horse led Glenna and Shamu out of the store. Partway down the sidewalk, she pulled him to a stop and asked, “Order?”
“Yeah, some things I needed. He was the easiest way to order them. Since I used your ranch’s address, he must have gotten confused.” Pressing his lips to hers in an echo of the kiss she’d initiated earlier, he muttered, “Want to grab food while we’re in town? I might have promised fries to someone who’s been grumbly.”
At her nod, he took the leash for Shamu and made his way to the passenger door.
“Horse? Do you want to drive?” She was standing at the front of the truck, fingers twisting together nervously. “Instead of riding shotgun?”
“Nah, you’re a good driver. Don’t bother me none to ride on this side with you.” He shrugged and opened the door for Shamu to jump in. “I’ve got some calls to make too. Easier to do that if I’m not worried about chuckin’ us in the ditch.”
“You’re an interesting man, Graeme Nass.” Her smile was worth everything, especially over something as easy as not pitching a fuss about riding with her.
He grinned back.
***
Glenna
She stripped off her work gloves as she made her way up the couple of steps to the kitchen stoop, dusting them against her thighs before tucking them into her back pocket. Shamu was beside her, head down, just as tired as she was. It had been a busy day, caring for the cattle with a plan for not doing it again for a couple of days. Not that they were taking a vacation, but if things came to a head somehow, she didn’t want to be distracted by chores she could put off.
Horse was in the living room, one arm spread across the back of the couch, the other holding a phone to his ear. He gave her a distracted wave when she came in, clearly focused on whatever was happening on the call.
She shucked her boots at the door, then hung up her hat while Shamu pushed past her. Glenna threw a frozen casserole in the oven and set the timer, then went up the hall, already anticipating how good the shower would feel.
Having been halfway hopeful Horse would join her, she parked her disappointment in a back corner of her mind. They both had their roles, and his was ensuring backup that would be needed if the other club came in force.
After their visit to town, it sounded more and more like things would come down to physical violence, something Glenna wasn’t looking forward to. She knew Horse would do his best to keep her out of it, not because he believed she couldn’t cope, but because he cared. That was another thing she parked in that dark corner of her mind. If there was a war, Horse would be on the front lines, and if things heated up before his friends arrived, it would be just him and her, and they wouldn’t be able to protect each other.
Parking that, too. Gonna get real crowded back there. Might not have room for self-control.
She grinned weakly at the idea.
