Page 267 of Property of Whiskey

Amos looks like he wants to kill me.

Twila turns back toward him. “I’m still trying to figure out why.”

Sheriff Dix studies her for a long time before his eyes come back to me.

“You hurt her, I’ll kill you.”

Twila sighs. “Everybody keeps saying that.”

I nod. “County motto.”

She almost laughs.

Amos doesn’t.

His gaze drops to our hands one last time, then returns to Twila.

“I’m not done.”

“I know.”

“You call me.”

“I will.”

“Tonight.”

“Daddy.”

“Twila.”

She closes her eyes. “Fine.”

Some of the tension finally leaves his shoulders. He turns and walks away.

Twila stays where she is until he disappears around the corner, then breathes out like she’s been holding it for two days.

I look at her. “You okay?”

“No.”

“Want me to kill Cal?”

Her head turns. “What does Cal have to do with this?”

“Nothing. Just offering options.”

She laughs.

Exactly what I wanted.

Then she leans into my shoulder. Barely enough pressure to count. I don’t move.

Don’t turn it into something bigger than she can handle.

After a moment, she says, “You did good.”

“Where?”