Like a Fox on the Run, стр. 118

Tiger repressed a chuckle and gazed up at Lulah. She still looked pissed, and as always, beautiful. He was going to have to deal with that. In due time, he told himself. He looked back at Britt. Putting his mouth to her ear, he whispered back. “And I like your mommy! Very, very much!” With that, he overcame his fear and enveloped her back into his arms, this time hugging her to him with meaning. Releasing her, he tousled her curly hair playfully. “Now, be a good girl, and get on to bed like she asked.”

“Ok! C’mon, Amber,” she cheerfully turned and beckoned. Amber stopped long enough to give Tiger a hug of her own. She hung on him just a touch too long, shooting a quick glance at Lulah. She immediately went into seethe mode. She couldn’t tell if it was jealousy or a challenge she saw in the vixen’s eyes. Did she view Lulah as a threat? Was she staking her claim on the man Lulah loved? Bitch, this is my house! Her face grew red as she fought to keep down the anger that now boiled like a bubbling cauldron inside her.

Tiger waited until both were out of earshot before he turned back to Lulah. “Ok. Have at it.”

“Not here.” She stepped to the backdoor and opened it. “Outside.”

“After you,” he sighed. Yeah, this is gonna be bad! He followed her out onto her back deck.

From the living room, Tex watched them exit the house. He shook his head and muttered to himself, “I believe I’d rather have a rattler in my sleeping bag than take a dose of the medicine awaitin’ on him.”

A slight motion to the left of him caught his eye. He knew instantly what it was. “Come on outta there, son. I ain’t gonna eat ya.”

Blake stepped out of the darkened hallway. Curiosity had finally gotten the best of him.

“What can I do for ya, pardner?” Tex asked as the boy cautiously stepped a little closer.

“Are you really a cowboy?” he asked.

Tex grinned. He was glad that the boy was overcoming his skittishness. “I used to be.”

“Is that a real gun?” Blake was emboldened, but still hesitant to get to close.

“It is.” Tex held the rifle up. The boy reminded him of his own son at that age. Bright-eyed. Eager. Inquisitive.

The boy could no longer resist. There it was, in all its gleaming glory. “Can I hold it?” he asked, his wide eyes wide in awe.

“Hmmmm. I dunno if your ma would think much of that.” Tex rubbed his whiskers. “I think there’s enough people around here on her bad side right now. I believe I’d like to stay this side of that fence.”

“Can I just touch it?” The youngster was willing to negotiate.

“Well …” the old Ranger pondered the ramifications. “I can’t see where that would be too much of a problem.” He powered the firing action down and then held it out for the boy to admire.

“Wowwww!” Blake reached out to rub a hand down the barrel, to caress the smooth walnut stock. “Majestic!”

“That it is, son. That it is.” Tex laid the rifle back across his lap.

Emboldened now, Blake could no longer hold back. “Can I ask you something else, mister?”

“Why sure, son. Go ahead.”

Blake had been wanting to ask one burning question since this strange man and his big, fancy gun had sauntered into his house. Now, the time had come. With all the mischievous energy of a boy his age, he grinned devilishly and got right to the point.

“You ever killed anybody?”

***

“Say what you gotta say and get it over with, Lulah.” Tiger stood a few steps behind her on the back porch. “You know the silent treatment is killing me.”

He’d half-expected her to turn slowly and give him a dramatic stare before beginning a stern lecture. Instead, she spun and erupted in his face like a rogue volcano.

“You bastard!” she spat the words out with venom. “Where would you like me to start, Tiger? I worried myself sick … sick to my stomach … wondering if you were alive or dead tonight. Only to find out that this whole thing is all about a fucking animal with big tits!”

“I’m sorry, Lu. Excuse me for the fact people were trying to kill me earlier tonight! I’m sorry for the inconvenience that caused you. I’m sorry I stood you up! I know Jocko definitely is!”

“You sonofabitch! That’s low! You know that’s not what I meant”

He did not shy away, but stood firm, ready to take what he had coming. “I wasn’t trying to cause you any grief. We just needed somewhere safe to lie low … and I just needed to see you. I guess that was just another in a long list of mistakes I’ve made here lately.”

“Seeing me is one thing. Bringing your little friend along for the ride?” She was incredulous. “Damn, you got some nerve! How do you think that makes me feel, Tiger?”

“I really didn’t have a choice. I lost everything I have back at the inn. We barely got out with our lives! I couldn’t call anyone for fear they might be tracking my calls. I had to think on the fly.”

“And this was the plan you came up with?” She threw up her hands in dismay. “To come to my house and put my children in danger? All because you got mixed up with … with …” she sputtered in frustration, trying to come up with a derogatory name. “With her!” was all Lulah could finally get out.

“Is that really what this is all about?” He shook his head. “You’re jealous of Amber?”

“No, that’s not it at all!” In reality, she was having a hard time believing that herself. She had to at least make