Page 83 of Cowboy's Last Stand
Wade released him with a hard shove.“You’re a menace.And a moron.”
Jason stumbled backward into the side of the Ford.The collar of his shirt had ripped, and Natalie would notice.She didn’t like fistfights or male aggression.She’d already scolded him about it once today.She wouldn’t approve of him needling Wade with intimate details and getting chippy in her garage.It wasn’t gentlemanly behavior.Nor was it necessary.In the battle for her affection, Jason had already won.
“I apologize,” Wade said stiffly.
Jason straightened and tried to smooth his torn shirt.The skin at his neck felt chafed, his chest rising and falling in agitation.“I provoked you.”
“It doesn’t matter.I shouldn’t have used force.”
Jason resented Wade’s ability to summon a calmer, more reasonable demeanor.It made Jason feel hotheaded and immature in comparison.Maybe Natalie should date a solid, dependable guy like Wade.
As Jason studied his rival, a hard knot formed in the pit of his stomach.The deputy’s expression revealed a combination of defeat and self-disgust.Unlike his father, Wade seemed to care about his conduct as a law officer.After answering a domestic abuse call, he’d probably been spoiling for a fight too.Wade couldn’t beat up everyone who deserved it.He couldn’t even squash his own brother.
“You’re picking her up after work?”Wade asked.
“Yes.”
“Is she planning to install a door camera?”
“I’ll make sure it gets done.”
Wade nodded.“I’ll look into… whatever I need to look into.”
Jason hoped that meant he would take Billy’s intimidation attempts seriously.“Can you tail him?”
Wade didn’t make any promises, but he took a card out of his wallet.“Call me if you see anything suspicious.Don’t follow his truck or attempt to engage him.I won’t pretend he’s not dangerous.He thinks he’s above the law.”
Jason accepted the card, and they walked out of the garage together.
Wade studied the heap of old carpet that had been removed from the upstairs apartment.“What’s she paying you?”
“Room and board.”
“I know you’re not sleeping with her,” Wade said.“You’re staying outside.”
Jason scowled at this, refusing to confirm it.
“You’ll leave eventually, but I won’t.I’ll be here after you move on.”
He didn’t bother to respond, because what could he say?If the truth came out, Natalie would tell Jason to leave.Wade was going to stay.Wade was a fixture in this town.Steady, solid Wade was willing to wait for Natalie to come to him, heartbroken.
It was almost a given that she would.
Chapter Seventeen
Wade headed towardhis usual table at Luna’s restaurant.
After the scuffle with Jason, he’d checked in on Natalie.She’d treated him like a friend, not a former lover, and he knew he’d lost her forever.He’d gone home to wash away the remains of a shitty day.His anger had faded, but the bitter taste in his mouth had lingered.He couldn’t ignore Jason’s suspicions about Billy, as a brother or a law enforcement officer.Billy wouldn’t admit to any wrongdoing, so Wade went straight to Gabe.
He preferred the back of the restaurant, where he could keep an eye out for trouble and make a quick exit if necessary.In a small town like Last Chance, residents expected him to be on duty around the clock.They approached him to chat about their problems, whether he was in uniform or not.Wade didn’t want to talk about shoplifting or missing cats tonight.So he hunkered down at a quiet table next to a Diego Rivera reprint.Wade had always disliked the painting, which depicted a humble Mexican man struggling to rise from beneath an oversized basket of flowers.The stoicism of the image made him resent his own burdens.
Halfway across the room, Gabe Luna was serving loaded plates to a group of well-dressed women.He wore slim-fitting black trousers with a black shirt with red embroidery.He was a good-looking kid, tall and dark-haired, with an easy smile.Mike had been charming, especially with women.Gabe appeared to have the same gift.
“This looks wonderful,” one of the women exclaimed.
“No onions,” Gabe said, winking at a pretty redhead.“Let me know if you’d like another margarita, birthday girl.”
The young woman giggled and nodded.Tucking the empty tray under one arm, he left their table and approached Wade’s.His half smile and friendly attitude disappeared at once.“Deputy Hendricks,” he said in a formal tone, though they’d been on a first-name basis for years.“What can I get you?”
