“Why would he want to do something like that? Kick a puppy?” Esme asked in shock.
“Sheriff Jim Faulkner said the people Vickers paid came forward and told him Vickers wanted a puppy to use as bait for a dog-fighting ring.”
“Shit,” everyone there said as one. They all agreed to keep their eyes and ears open for any information. They willingly said they would report it to the sheriff, but also let both Kent and Rita know so they could have a heads up.
Satisfied, they headed toward the bar, and Seth chuckled as he called out to Kent.
“What’s up?”
“Looks like we’ll have more backup.”
“For?”
“Vickers.”
“How do you figure?” Rita asked him with a scowl.
“You know RJ, right?”
“Yes, she’s Gunny’s daughter, and Jake Cogburn’s wife.”
“Correct. They live here on the property, in that house.” He turned and pointed toward the setting sun.
“I know that.”
“Okay, do you know Sparrow?”
“The deputy sheriff?”
“Yes, she’s married to Stone, who works with Jake.”
“What are you trying to say, Seth?” Kora asked her husband.
“That’s Stone’s truck. If he’s here, then you can bet Sparrow is here with him. She’s probably off duty, but I’m sure she’ll handle any situation with Vickers that crops up.”
“Oh, okay.” Rita didn’t know what else to say, so she left it at that. The group of them entered the bar. While the women looked for a table, the men asked what they wanted and headed to the bar. It turned out they were called over to meet with Sparrow and Stone. It took a few minutes, but they were able to put several tables together so they could all sit together. Rita ended up sitting next to Sparrow with a chair on either side ofthem empty for their men. It didn’t take long for the men to slowly return with the drinks.
“I have to ask,” Sparrow said at one point. “What brings you all here?”
Rita looked at her with a grin. “This is mine and Kent’s first date. We went to Mattie’s for dinner, then decided to come here for a drink.”
“I mentioned to the guys I would be here, and they were already in the parking lot when we arrived,” Kent continued the story. He leaned forward enough to look around Rita, and lowered his voice. “Did you see Vickers arrive?”
“What?” Sparrow asked in shock as she looked around wildly. Stone, her husband was the one to put his hand on her forearm to calm her.
“He’s at the end of the bar with Judd and Elroy.”
“Shit.” Sparrow sat back and shook her head. “And here I thought I could have a nice night off with my man.”
“You can,” Stone said as he leaned in and kissed the side of her head. “If anything happens, we’ll do the heavy lifting, and you can come in and slap the cuffs on him.”
“You’re lucky I always carry a set on me.”
“I know.” He grinned at her, and Rita turned away, feeling her face heat with the implied suggestion of handcuffs. Shaking her head she caught Kent’s look, and groaned harder as he wiggled his brows at her. She only shook her head again. To get her mind off what handcuffs could be used for, she turned back to Sparrow.
“What’s with all the people tonight?”
“Oh, there’s a band.”
