Chapter Nineteen
CHAPTER NINETEEN
As Andy jogged to the front of the barn he saw Brody had arrived and was talking to Helen already waiting in the truck.
“Hey, Brody,” Andy called as he approached. “Thanks again! I have to hit the road or the place I’m goin’ to might close before I get there.”
“No problem. I’m headin’ over to the paddocks to visit with the horses.”
“Feel free to take Maverick or Luna for a ride in the ring if you want,” Andy continued, climbing in and settling behind the wheel.
“Thanks, I just might do that.”
As Brody waved them off and started walking away, Andy turned his truck around, rolled down the driveway and drove out onto the road.
“You did a good job with that makeup,” he remarked, glancing across at Helen. “How are you feelin’?”
“It still hurts a bit, but will you tell me where we’re going?”
“The animal shelter over in Fairview. But I have to make it quick. They close at five-thirty and it’s a twenty-minute drive.”
“The animal shelter? Oh, my gosh. Are you adopting a dog?”
“You suggested a tripwire with a clangin’ bell. A dog’s bark is a whole lot better.”
“That’s great, but isn’t it a bit sudden?”
“Not really. The thing is, I lost my buddy Wilbur a few months ago. It was just before you and your parents moved here.”
“Andy…I’m so sorry,” she said, lowering her voice and touching his arm. “I’ve wondered why you didn’t have a dog. It seemed…I don’t know…odd.”
“He was the best and I miss him like crazy. But I’m ready to bring another friend into the fold. And right now, with all this crap goin’ on, the ranch needs a dog around. He’ll sound the alarm and make people think twice.”
“Did Wilbur do that?”
“He sure did, but the only threat he posed was the possibility of lickin’ someone to death. He was a bit like Will Rogers. Never met a man he didn’t like.”
“What breed was he?”
“A black Lab, but I think he had some Doberman in him. He was more protective than the average Lab, but he never showed any aggression. Annie and I both had dogs growin’ up and we found them at this shelter. She had little ones with attitude and personality—just like her,” he added with a chuckle. “I think that’s why she’s so successful.”
“I’ve never had the experience of adopting from a shelter. How do you know which dog is the one? Isn’t it difficult?”
“Well, it can be. But one of them will have a look in their eye. I can’t explain it, I just know. But of course I want them all.”
“That must be the hard part. Having to leave the others behind.”
“It sure is. Fortunately it’s a no kill shelter and most of the folks around here get their pets from this place.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.”
“I take it you only have Daisy.”
“My mother has a huge, white fluffy cat. I don’t know the breed but he’s gorgeous. He looks like a walking fur rug. His name is Sampson. She’s a cat person so having a dog around was never in the cards. But I’d love to have one.”
“You have your own cottage. What’s stoppin’ you?”
“Andy, that’s a very good question. I’ve always wanted a lap dog. Something soft and cuddly. In fact…hold on,” she said, lifting her phone from her bag.
“Who are you callin’?”
“My mother. You’re right. I have my own place so there’s no reason I shouldn’t, but I wouldn’t feel right about bringing in a dog before checking it out.”
“You’re really thinkin’ you might get one now?”
“Yes, I am. Why put it off?”
“No reason,” he replied with a grin, but before she could place the call her phone chimed.
“Oh, my gosh, it’s her. Hey, mom, I was just about to call you,” she exclaimed.
“Sweetheart, are you all right? Your father and I are—well—a bit speechless. Sheriff Cooper is here with a detective from Dallas. They told us a biker assaulted you this afternoon and he’s coerced you into doing some sort of drug trade at our event tomorrow night. We don’t know what to make of it all.”
“I’m so sorry, I should have called, but things have been crazy. And I should have been there when they told you. Why didn’t they call me?”
“They tried but your phone kept going to voicemail. They’re explaining all the details to us now.”
“Oh, that’s right. I turned my phone off because I didn’t feel like talking to anyone after what happened.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m with Andy Baker driving up to Fairview. He’s going to adopt a dog.”
“When will you be home?”
“Not for a while yet.”
“Well, regardless, I’m very relieved to hear from you.”
“Mom, I’m fine, honestly, and I’ll tell you everything when I get back, but would you mind if I got myself a little dog?”
“Mind? Not at all. You should have a pet—besides Daisy, I mean. But please get back as soon as you can. The detective needs to talk to all of us together. He’ll be here for at least a couple of hours. He’s setting up all manner of equipment.”
“Okay, tell him I’ll be there in a little while. Bye, mom.”
“Goodbye, dear.”
“What’s going on?” Andy asked as she ended the call.
“The sheriff is there with the detective from Dallas.”
“Ah, I see.”
“What do I say about knowing Kenny?”
“The truth, that it was through Erin. Just make it clear you didn’t know Kenny was a drug dealin’ thug,” Andy declared as he pulled into a parking space.
“But, uh, I actually ran into Kenny before I met Erin. He was at a bar and I was there with some friends. Erin came into the conversation because I said I had a horse.”
“Oh, I see. Well, regardless, stick to the facts. Any lies will come back to bite you in the butt,” he remarked as he turned into the animal shelter.
“I feel so guilty about all this. The last thing I expected was to have the police at the house wiring it up to record me doing a drug deal. Good grief!”
“Just do as they say. They know what they’re doin’. We’ll talk about how to handle your guilt later.”
“The way you handled it last time?” she exclaimed, turning to face him.
“Maybe. We’ll see.”
“But I’m wounded. My cheek is still red and sore.”
“Not as red and sore as your other cheeks will be, but there’ll be more to it than that. Now let’s save a dog or two.”