“Yeah, and the bitch of all of this?”
“What’s that?”
“We broke up over eighteen months ago.”
“Damn,” the three women said with a shake of their heads, and Staci looked at her face intently.
“I’m not going to poke or prod, I can see that you’re healing nicely. You’ll probably take a few more days before they all fade.”
“Thank god for small favors.” She shook her head and stepped back. She took the cup of coffee handed to her, closed her eyes as she sipped and looked at the three of them.
“What now?”
“Now we head over to Erin’s Way, it takes about twenty minutes to arrive there. You can ride with me,” Faith said.
“I’ll ride with Laurie, then come back with Tony,” Staci said as they all made their way out of the cabin, and Myrna made sure she took the coffee mug with her, making a mental note to return itafter the meeting. Now that she was clean, and had something in her stomach, even though it was only liquid, she realized it had been days since she’d eaten.
On the way past all the buildings, Faith told her which one was for which set of horses, the equipment shed, the community pantry, and the main house. They continued down the drive, then out onto the highway. Faith explained about all the ranches again, and that they couldn’t access any of them from New Double.
“Why is that?”
“No clue.” Faith looked at her with a grin. “I’ve only been here for a little over two weeks, and I’ve told you what I know from what Tony and Staci have told me.” They continued on in a comfortable silence until they slowed down to pull beneath the sign that said they had arrived at Erin’s Way.
“Holy Moly,” Myrna whispered when they came slowly into the parking area and she caught sight of the barns ahead of them.
Faith looked at her with a grin. “Yeah, this is Erin’s Way, the current Erin’s many times removed Grandmother Erin, started this when her husband left her and their son back in the eighteen thirties.”
“Wow, that’s some family history to have.”
“Yeah.” They exited the truck, and as they stood there, a man slowly approached them.
“Faith?”
“Yes, oh crap, I know you, but I can’t remember your name.”
“That’s fine, I’m Duane.”
“That’s right, you’re dating Laurie, and you’re head of security.”
“Correct,” he answered with a smile. He turned to Myrna and held out his hand. “Duane Manchester, like Faith just said, I’m head of security. I know you’ll be telling your story to everyone, but could I have some information so I can start the background check on you?”
“What do you need?”
“Name, date of birth, social security number.” He pulled a small notebook from his pocket along with a pen, and held it poised above the pad. Faith backed away quietly to give them privacy, and went over to wait for them to finish. Duane walked away with a word that he would get things started, but for the ladies to head over to the meeting barn.
“Where is that exactly?” Faith asked. They paused when several pick-up trucks arrived one after another. Duane didn’t seem fazed, so Myrna tried not to freak out. When someone walked up behind her, she jerked, spun around, then let out a gigantic sigh.
“Pedro.” She hadn’t realized that she had been looking for him until he appeared behind her. For some reason, and she would reflect on it later, being in his presence was calming to her.
“How are you holding up?”
“I was fine until all these people started showing up.”
“They work for Erin,” Shay said as he stood beside Faith. He frowned and stepped closer to her when several more trucks pulled in. “I have no clue who these people are.”
“They’re friendly,” Erin said as she came toward them from the back of the house. “The one opening the back door of his truck is Jake Cogburn.”
“From Brotherhood Protectors?” Shay asked in shock.
