“While you’re here, I want you to meet Chey. She’s coming on as our newest bartender and server. She put in an application at just the right time, especially since we decided last night after all the commotion that it would be better for you to take some time off.”
Chey stepped closer and hugged each girl, including Kip. She smiled at Ruby. “Hey there, Ruby. Handing out the annual gift baskets, I see. Hank said he usually got one. That’s half the reason I took this job.” She grinned at Hank, who blushed like a schoolboy. Interesting.
“Merry Christmas, Chey,” Ruby said. “I hope seeing you here means you aren’t tending bar at The Hideaway anymore. I don’t like the crowd that hangs out there.”
Chey nodded. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I’m glad the timing worked out so I could work here, too.” She turned to Kip. “I know you are having a hard time, Kip. I’m looking forward to the timecoming soon when we can work together. I’ve been friends with your Daddy and his brothers a long time. We grew up together, though they were younger than me.”
Before Kip could reply, Hank said, “Speaking of those boys, I know they’re worried about y’all. Best be gettin’ on home. You girls be careful.”
Ruby answered for them, soft and steady. “We always are, sugar.”
When they stepped back outside, the cold hit hard. Snow had started again, thick flakes drifting between the buildings. Ruby was two steps ahead, keys already in her hand, scanning the street out of habit now.
Kip studied the clouds. “It’s not supposed to snow harder today, is it?” She hated it, but she still feared being in the truck if the snow was coming down hard.
Ruby smiled. “Not that I know of, sweet girl. But we’ll head home now, just in case.”
They nearly reached the truck when Joy stopped dead on the sidewalk. “Oh my god! Look at Trace’s truck!”
Kip peeked around Joy, and her heart froze. All four tires on Trace’s truck were shredded, with rubber hanging in ragged strips. But that wasn’t the worst part. Deep gouges now scarred the truck all the way down the passenger side. Someone had carved letters into the side with vicious strokes:
M U R D E R ER
A stockyard knifelay in the snow next to the front wheel, blade open and speckled with paint the same color as Trace’s truck. Ruby’s sharp inhale was the only sound for a heartbeat. Then shemoved—fast, but gentle—herding them all back toward the saloon door.
Inside, loves,” she murmured, her voice calm even though her hands trembled as she guided Tildi with her palm between her shoulder blades. “Come on, back inside where it’s warm.”
Hank met them at the door. “I thought you ladies were on your way home.”
From behind Kip, Ruby cleared her throat. Whatever message Ruby sent to Hank, she did it without words. Kip couldn’t afford to worry about that. What if whoever damaged her Daddy’s truck was still out there? What if they tried to get into the saloon?
If anything happened to Ruby or the girls, she’d never forgive herself. How many times did fate have to tell her to leave? She needed to put on her big girl panties and stop being so selfish. She might as well because everyone who saw the truck would know she was a murderer. Might as well save them the trouble of asking her to leave/
She paced across the room, feeling helpless to protect anyone. If Rios’s henchmen barged in, she couldn't stop them. Then she remembered the shotgun Hank kept behind the bar, so she headed that way.
“Woah there, darlin’. Where do you think you’re goin’?” Hank hustled to catch up with him.
Was he crazy? He hadn’t seen Trace’s truck, or he wouldn’t ask silly questions. “We have to protect ourselves, and we can’t do that if the gun is under the counter.”
Ruby met her at the bar and pulled her into a hug. “It’s all right, baby. Breathe. Let’s try calling your Daddy.”
Kip’s hands trembled too much to dial at first. Ruby grabbed the phone, pressed Trace’s name herself, and put it on speaker.
He answered on the first ring. “Kip? Is everything okay?”
“It’s Ruby, honey.” Ruby’s voice stayed soft, but a steel edge ranbeneath it. “Someone did a nasty number on your truck while we were handing out baskets. None of the girls were hurt, but someone slashed all your tires and carved up the side with a knife. We’re all safe inside the Bridle with Hank. You come when you can.”
“But the girls are unharmed?”
“Yes, honey. We’re all fine.”
“Damn it! I knew you should have stayed home. Can Kip hear me?”
Ruby nodded at the phone. “Yes. You’re on speaker.”
“Good. Listen to me, Foxy. Daddy is coming, do you hear me? I’ll be there soon, and you’d better be in the Bridle when I get there. What’s by our door, little fox?”
His voice shook, but she couldn’t tell if it was from fear or rage. Probably both. “I know, Daddy, but?—”
