Page 102 of Badges
Max Simmons.
Where the hell is he?
He has to be laying low if Ford is looking for him too.
I guess it’s time to start with the judge. But expecting a mother to turn in their son is like betting on a three legged horse in the Kentucky Derby.
A Hail Mary.
The voices from inside the barn grow louder, studded with the heavy sound of hooves.
Sun kisses over a black and white paint mare being led by Char with Dad and Cynthia close behind.
Dixon wanders loosely along, stopping near Ford and Elena.
I better go keep her company. Dix can be a force if someone isn’t used to him.
Her eyes widen with relief when I slide my palm around the small of her back. “Good news I hope?”
I nod, glancing at Ford. “Judge Simmons signed the transfer. Nothing solid on Max, but at least now I can start knocking on her door.”
Pete is gonna hate me.
Dixon grunts. “I can understand why Max would hate me. Char even. Why would he target Libby’s place?”
Elena looks from him to me. “Isn’t it obvious?” Her hands spread. “Look how many of you there are. The dairy was empty for portions of the day.”
“Ah, yea.” Ford tilts his hat back. “Now that we don’t have any moles, I can see how it’d be hard to sneak around here.”
“Makes me want to bring in extra eyes,” Dixon growls. “If that fucker comes anywhere close to—”
I hold up my arm. “I know.” I want to nip the conversation in the bud.
Dixon’s lips purse. “He probably heard how Libby ran Matt off with a pistol.”
That makes me snicker. “Yea, Matt ranted about that for a while that night I picked him up.”
“She’s a badass,” Elena whispers. “I’ve looked down the barrel of that gun. It’s no joke.”
Her cheeks pale when everyone freezes to stare at her.
I tug her close, then kiss her temple. “We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of for people we love. You’re no different.” I don’t know how she’d handle knowing I took care of Quincy to keep her and her mom safe.
It was a lifetime ago.
But feeling the heat of her body pressing against mine makes it worth it.
And it gave me Cynthia.
I don’t regret a second of it.
“So how are you gonna find him?” Ford’s hard stare tells me he’s more than mildly curious.
“I will, don’t worry about it. You have a baby coming soon. No need to go looking for trouble.” I don’t want him to fuck up the best thing that’s ever happened to him following an old path of revenge.
His jaw tics making the gray hairs creeping below his ears highlight the sun. “You don’t have the right to make that decision for me, Wade,” he growls.
“As your friend, I do.” I scowl and turn Elena towards the corral where Char is working the mare in circles.
