Page 26 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“I’ll file a report for the property damage,” Wade said.“Normally, I’d have to make a report for the physical altercation as well.Because I wasn’t called out for that, I can only move forward if you want to press charges.”
Natalie glanced at Jason, contemplative.“Will it make a difference?”
“Just between us, my dad will probably bury it.Or Billy will lie and say he was acting in self-defense.”
“The physical altercation was minor,” Jason said.“The real problem was his intent.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think Billy’s target was Natalie, not me.I was in her neighborhood.”
“Maybe they followed you.”
“No.They left before me.”
“Has he threatened you?”Wade asked Natalie.
She shrugged, uncomfortable with the idea.
“Billy said they were going to show her a good time as soon as they got done with me,” Jason said.
To his credit, Wade appeared furious at his brother’s actions.His eyes narrowed, but his voice stayed calm.“I can definitely file a report for that,” he said.“I can help you petition for a restraining order too.”
Natalie paused to consider this option.Her mouth made a thin line, and she shook her head, sighing.“I’d rather not waste my time.”
Wade didn’t argue.This was the real world, where the son of a sheriff could get away with a number of crimes, and a woman like Natalie could lose her job or face additional harassment for reporting one.
“I’ll talk to him,” Wade said.“If he bothers you again, call me.Anytime, day or night.I’ll come out and give him the business end of my baton.”
“All right,” Natalie said.
“Can we speak privately?”Wade asked her.
Jason bristled at the request.
Natalie nodded as if she’d expected this reaction from Wade and turned to Jason.“Would you sit with Marcus for a bit?”
“Sure,” he muttered and went inside.He figured that Wade was going to ask her what the hell she was doing with a male stranger in her house—even though he should be worrying about his creep brother instead.
Marcus was in the living room playing video games.He set the controller aside and looked up at Jason.“Is Wade going to catch the bad guys?”
I doubt it, Jason thought.“He’s working on it,” Jason said generously.
“What’s Mom doing?”
“Talking.”
“I have an idea.”
“Tell me.”
“I’ll get some firecrackers and hide under the porch.If the bad guys come again, I’ll light the firecrackers and scare them away.”
Jason smiled.“I have an idea too.”
“What?”
“Let’s do the dishes for your mother.”
