“Okay, I’m ready to go, Daddy.”
“All right, then, let’s go.” I touched my face. I had a little stubble, but nothing major. It’s the way I liked it. I’d trimmed up my edges, so I looked respectable. I knew I didn’t fit in with cookie-cutter society, and that was okay with me. I wore a plain white T-shirt, jeans, and my tan cowboy boots.
As we rode over to Bella’s school, she hummed all the way. I was still mesmerized by the little girl. She and Amber were the reasons I’d vowed to stay out of trouble. I pulled into a parking spot right out front. Little people were everywhere, getting dropped off. I saw the moms kissing their daughters, and I wondered how it made Bella feel.
“You okay?”
“Yes. Just sometimes, I’m sad when I think that Mommy doesn’t bring me to school.” She dropped her head, and I felt the pain hit my chest.
“It’s okay to be sad, sweety. But don’t stay sad. Mommy wouldn’t want that. She’s here with you, watching over you. Over us both. Give Daddy a hug.”
Her delicate arms reached my neck, and she slapped a wet kiss on the side of my face. “I have to go now! My friend Carly is there.”
I laughed at her resilience. Just as quickly as she was sad, she was happy again.
“Grandma is going to pick you up, okay? Daddy has some business. You’re going to stay with Grandpa and Grandma.”
“All right. I stay there a lot. We have fun. I beat Grandpa in puzzles. He gets mad.”
“That’s Grandpa for you.”
Bella opened the door and bounced into the school doors, skipping in with her friend, Carly. I felt a little heavy in my heart. Bella had built a whole life without me in prison. Where did I fit now?
I rode back home and worked alongside Hector in the Merced heat. I had my own demons to work through. I wanted the time to pass quickly. My wish was answered as dusk set over Merced.
“Hector, let’s pack up for the day. It’s showtime.”
“You sure I can’t come? I mean, you’re only going to watch, right?”
“I am, but I’m going to be close enough.”
Hector jumped in. “I’m coming with you. This whole transaction is about me.”
“You got your car? Follow my lead. Come on, we have to load up just in case.”
We went to the barn, and I turned on the light. It seemed like the little pigeons had hatched as I could hear the squawking. I put my hand out as we entered the entryway of the barn.
“Wait here,” I commanded.
I climbed the ladder and uncovered my arms supplies. I grabbed the long-range rifle and the case of bullets. I also grabbed the two semi-automatics.
I climbed down, and Hector was taken aback.
“Cowboy, you’re packing heat like that?”
I gave one nod of my head. “You better believe it. I’m an Outlaw. When we go to war, we go in armed. Here, take the semi. You know how to use it?”
“Yes, I do. I’ve had a few shots at the gun range. I’m not a bad shot.”
I eyed him warily. “It’s different when you’re faced with the situation, and you have to fire in real life.”
“Have you?” He cocked his head to look at me as we stood with our weapons and the horses looking at us.
“Yes. Once. I shot a dude in the leg for non-payment. I regret that. Again, in my younger years. I’m too old to be doing that, and I have a daughter to think about.”
“I understand. What’s that long rifle you got?”
“It’s a long-range sniper. We’re going to be sitting high up. We got walkies. So if anything pops off and I can get a clear shot off, I will take it.”
