He didn’t count in the overall picture of the Mahone family, butIdidn’t discount him because, while I was fairly certain he had no clout, he definitely knew how to scrap.His stance and the restless look in his eyes alone told me that much.He might as well have been flexing his biceps and slamming his fist into his palm, like some moron from a mafia movie.
Before anything could come of his intimidation tactics, and after he’d flicked no less than half a pack of smokes at my bumper, Cody Mahone himself came fuming out of the small courthouse.A gaggle of lawyers followed behind him, arguing about an appeal, and an older woman lagged behind them all.She walked with grace, like a dancer might, but it felt forced.I wasn’t sure if that was to give her flowy skirt a chance to billow around her legs or if she thought someone important might be watching and she wanted to appear above the rest of us, but her eyes never left mine as she climbed into the Escalade.
When her door had fully shielded her from my view, she snapped, “Get in the truck, Justin.Now.”
Muscle man jumped into the passenger seat next to Cody behind the wheel, and they peeled out of there, their tires smoking on the pavement behind them.
One of the lawyers, whose gray, pinstriped suit didn’t seem to really fit his lank frame, yanked his tie loose and shook his head silently as he walked to his older-model sedan parked a few spots away, sneering at the disappearing Escalade.He might have been hired to represent Cody Mahone, but it was clear he didn’t like the son of a bitch.
When the lot was empty, AJ, her gran, and her mama rounded the side of the building, and as soon as she saw me, she smiled and ran to me, her pretty, blue dress flowing out behind her, and she launched herself into my arms.
“Things went well then?”I asked, holding her up while she wrapped her legs around my hips.
“Very well,” she said, and she kissed my cheek.
“Good.I’m glad it’s done.”I returned her smile, thinking I’d never seen anything more beautiful and hopeful than the woman in my arms.
But I had a sinking feeling it wasn’t over.
When was life ever that easy?
On the wayback to Wisper, Doc V from All Animals called to make sure I’d be there early tomorrow morning because they had a mastiff scheduled for a dental cleaning and would need help handling him.
Apparently, the guy who started the clinic, Dr.Prittchard, who I still remembered from my fleece farm days, had finally retired, so Doc V and Dr.Masterson had bought the business from him.He was the guy they usually relied on to handle difficult cases, but with him gone, I was their only hope.
Doc V also asked if I’d be interested in going with him sometimes because there were plenty of cattle and horse calls he could use some extra muscle on.I said yes and assured him I’d be there in the morning.It felt kind of nice to be relied on.It made me proud that the docs had faith in me.
AJ’s mama and Gran wanted to stay in Jackson for a little shopping, so she rode with Abey and me.We dropped her at her store, and as Abey drove around the block to park behind the sheriff’s station, my phone rang again.I recognized the number even though it wasn’t one I’d entered into my contacts yet.
In fact, it was the only number other than my mama’s old landline that I knew by heart.
“Bax, is everything okay?”
Abey shut off her truck and turned toward me.“What’s goin’ on?”
I shrugged.
“We have a situation,” Bax said.
“What’s that?”
“I, uh, well Bea and me, we need you to come out to the house.”
“Is Stu okay?”
“What happened?”Abey asked.“What’s wrong with Stuey?”
Bax must’ve heard the panic in our voices.“No, no, he’s fine.Everyone’s fine, but Merv went to Idaho Falls for the night with her friend.”
“Merv has a friend?”The statement felt like an oxymoron to me.
“Yeah.Clay, he’s her… boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”‘Merv has a boyfriend’ was the last thing I ever thought I’d hear.
“Yeah, he’s a dude and he’s her friend.Pretty sure he’s in love with her, but she says her ‘heart’s not up for grabs but ain’t nothin’ wrong with a woman enjoyin’ a man’s company now and again for dinner and a movie.’
“It’s old news,” Bax said.“Get over it.But Rye’s out of town for a couple days.Brand’s gotta be out with the herd since Rye’s gone ’cause we’ve got multiple heifers due or in labor, everybody else is workin’, and we need… We need a babysitter.I dunno.Shit.I told Bea this wasn’t a good idea, but she’s relentless.Anyway, are you busy?”
