I nod and say, “In Red River Canyon?You don’t know the half of it.”
Chapter Thirty-two
West
Sheriff Paulson takesdown my statement as his partner leads a handcuffed Buck to the back seat of the cruiser.
“Am I being arrested?For wanting to hold the baby?”Buck shouts.
“We’re just gonna have a seat while these nice people tell us what happened.”
“Winchester’s ain’t nice people, my daddy said.West hurt my arm.I didn’t hurt no one.And Daisy-Mae ain’t a Winchester anyway.Talk to her, she’ll tell you I did nothin’ wro—” his shouts are cut off by the car door closing.
Sheriff shakes his head.“That boy’s always been sharp as a marble.”
“It isn’t his fault,” I flex my wrist, which is a little sore after strong handing Buck.He’s a tough fucker, and quick too.“Old Man Thornton should have gotten the whole family help after their mama shot herself in front of him.”
“Yeah, it was tragedy what happened to those kids.Doesn’t stop ’em from ending up in lockup every now and then.All tarred with the same brush, I’m afraid.”
“What are you gonna do with him?”
“That depends on if Miss Daisy-Mae wants to press charges.You know where she is?”
“Inside, I think.I was a little busy keeping him from attacking her.”He’s lucky he’s still drawing breath.When I drove up and saw him pinning Dais against the wall, I saw fucking red.No one makes my woman feel unsafe, and no one is ever gonna hurt her or Waylon and live to tell about it.As long as there’s breath in my lungs, I’ll use it to ensure she never feels that way again.
“Alright, let’s go talk to her.”Sheriff Paulson leads the way.Once inside, Bonnie calls to us that she’s in exam room five.
Sheriff raps on the door.“Daisy-Mae, it’s Sheriff Paulson.Can we come in?”
The door opens and a brunette with a familiar face stands on the other side, scrutinizing us.Somehow, I feel neither I nor the Sheriff measure up.
“Lacey, what the hell are you doing here?”I say, maybe a little too sharply.
“Lainey,” she deadpans.
“Right, sorry.”
