Definitely a plan.
Chapter Four
“Missy.” Sam stood at the gate, staring down the fiercest little woman in the history of the Earth who was pointing a rifle at him. “You ain’t gonna shoot us.” He hoped. Being shot would complicate his shit up a little.
Missy stared at him through eyes that were like holes burned into a blanket. “Sam. You and Beau need to go on.”
“Can we at least call AJ before you unload on us?”
“No.” She smiled, though, shaking her head, ponytail bobbing. “Y’all scoot.”
“Missy. We want to help him. We’re not here to hurt Jason.”
That had her eyebrows rising.
Beau dipped his chin, his quiet way not letting him take the lead, but letting him reassure. “I been out of touch, I know, but I know something is wrong, Missy. I’ll hound y’all ‘til I find out.”
“Call AJ, but I cain’t let you in. I promised Gramps.”
“Who’s gone AWOL, right? We would have called him if we could get a hold of him.”
“The Taggarts got him. He landed hard up north. They took him home.” Missy rubbed the back of her neck. “Guys, I’m tired. AJ isn’t due home for another week, three of the kids aresick, and I’ve got vicious morning sickness and would kill for McDonald’s, a backrub, or an uninterrupted bath. Go on. Get.”
“Now, Missy.” Sam held up his hands. “We can help. Kids love me.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and he knew he’d got her. That poor little gal needed help. “Call my husband. If he says yes, and you swear to help…”
“We do.”
Beau flipped open his phone and dialed AJ, leaving Sammy eye to eye with Missy, who looked as tired and worn as he’d ever seen her, least ways since Benj was a baby.
“Hey, Aje. We’re at your place. No, hell, no. Missy’s got a gun. Uh-huh. Well, tell her it’s okay. I don’t give no shit what Coke says.” Beau’s accent was getting worse and worse.
“Been a long few weeks, huh, Missy?”
She nodded, cheeks flushing. “Gramps was coming, but… You know. I’m tired.”
“It’s gonna be okay. I’ll send Beau for Big Macs.”
“Good. Okay, yeah. Hold on.” Beau came on over, handing the phone to Missy.
He glanced at Beau, who nodded, then Missy, who lowered the rifle and started unlocking the gate while AJ got an earful.
Beau put a hand on his back. “We’ll go see Jase, then I’ll go get supper like you said.”
“Yeah. I’ll corral the kids.” He had brothers, and his brothers had kids. “While you’re gone. You drive the truck in, huh?”
“Yeah.” Beau just went to get the truck. Beau needed something to do.
Missy was crying when she handed the phone back, so he took the rifle.
“We can stay ‘til Aje comes home, Missy.”
“Yeah?” She just slumped a little. “I would… That would be nice.”
Bless her heart. AJ needed to be shot, leaving her to deal with whatever this was alone.
“You got it, honey. Whatever you need.”
