Chapter Eight
CHAPTER EIGHT
While Billy helped Katy find a blanket for Mindy, Doug set a steak on the grill for dinner, and found himself wishing she’d be sitting across the table from him. When he heard Billy’s truck roll to a stop by the house, he stepped outside and saw Katy climbing out and moving towards him.
“Is there a problem?” he asked, thinking how pretty she looked in the warm glow of the porch light.
“Not really. I just wanted to let you know Annie texted me to let me know her band and backup singers arrived and their cars are blocking my trailer. They’ll be leaving around noon tomorrow so I’ll probably be here around one o’clock. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine. Thanks for letting me know. Have a nice night and I’ll see you then.”
But as she turned to move away he suddenly didn’t want her to leave.
“Wait!” he called, wondering what the hell he was doing but not able to stop himself. “Do you like steak?”
“Very much. Why?”
“I’m searin’ one up but it’s huge. Would you like to—”
“Yes, I’d love to share it with you,” she exclaimed, interrupting him and breaking into a wide smile.
Hearing the short conversation, Billy leaned out his window.
“Hey, Doug, why don’t I ever get an offer like that?” he yelled.
“You’re not pretty enough.”
As Billy laughed out loud and slowly pulled away, Katy trotted up the porch steps.
“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” she asked sweetly.
“Nope, it means I’m givin’ you a second chance. Come on in.”
* * *
The moment she stepped inside she smelled a delicious aroma and saw Butch staring up at the grill.
“Don’t worry, I’ll sneak you some under the table,” she promised. As if understanding he barked and ran over to her. “Yes, you heard me right,” she continued, bending down to pet him. “Just don’t tell that grumpy cowboy.”
“Hey, who are you callin’ grumpy?” Doug demanded.
“Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh. There’s some red wine in that tall cupboard over there. Could you grab it?”
“Sure.”
“After dinner I’ll be checkin’ on the horses. You can join me before I drive you back to the campground if you want.”
“I was just going to ask about that. Is it okay for you to leave?” she asked as she found the bottle and carried it to the table.
“It’s only five minutes down the road, and I have a video feed inside and outside the barn on my phone.”
“Really? Can I see it?”
“Sure, I just need to flip this steak.”
“Where’s the corkscrew?”
“Top drawer by the sink.”
She could sense he was relaxing, and she let out a quiet, relieved sigh. Things were getting back on an even keel. But as she opened the wine and set it on the table, she glanced up and saw him staring at his phone with a dark frown.
“Doug, is something the matter?”
“I don’t know what I’m lookin’ at, but it’s not good. There’s an animal in the small kitchen in the barn but—what do you make of this?” he asked urgently, striding over to her and showing her the video.
“Oh my God!” she gasped, grabbing his arm. “I’m sure that’s what I saw today!”
“You’re kiddin’! Damn. It’s leavin’. Stay here.” Doug exclaimed, racing to grab his shotgun from the top of the bookshelf.
“No! Please don’t go! Call Sheriff Cooper!”
“Dammit,” Doug grunted, abruptly stopping and staring back at his phone.“It’s gone already, and it’s too dark to see the field between the barn and the trees. Maybe I should grab a flashlight and go after it.”
“You’ll never find it in the dark, but we should watch it again,” she suggested. “Maybe we can figure out what it is.”
Quickly returning the gun to its spot, he hurriedly returned to the table and sat down. As Katy shifted her chair next to his, he replayed the short video.
“I’m willin’ to bet that’s where those cookies went,” he muttered, “I wish I could see its face. Strange how the horses don’t seem bothered.”
“You’re right. That’s weird…and scary. I hope I don’t run into him.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” he said with a grin. “But I’m shootin’ this over to Sheriff Cooper. Maybe he can shed some light on this. There! Done!” he exclaimed, dropping the phone on the table. “Damn, the meat’s burnin’!”
As he jumped to his feet and hurried to the stovetop, Katy stared down at his phone.
“Doug, I just had a thought. What kind of animal would steal a packet of cookies?”
“A smart one.”
“Well, yeah, I guess…but you know what I mean.”
“Yep, I know what you mean,” he repeated as he laid the steak on the plates and placed them on the table.
“You should check with your neighbors. Maybe they’ve seen it as well. By the way, this steak is perfect,” she exclaimed as she took a bite. “Thanks for asking me to stay.”
“I’m glad you did,” he replied, softening his voice. “But, Katy, no more games. Is the clear?“
“Yes, and I’m sorry. I won’t do anything like that again. I promise.”
“Damn, who’s textin’ me?” he muttered as his phone chimed. “It’s Sheriff Cooper.”
“What does he want?” she asked as he picked it up.
“He’s askin’ if he can stop by in about fifteen minutes. He says he wants to discuss the video in person,” Doug replied as he sent a text in response. “Maybe he has some information.”
“I sure hope so. I can’t believe that thing was brazen enough to go into the barn. I hope it doesn’t come into the house while you’re sleeping.”
“Butch will alert me if it does, and that shotgun will be next to me all night.”