Laying Down The Law (#4, Cowboy Way) (The Cowboy Way) by Becky McGraw Page B

thought you had better sense, not to mention better taste.”
    “And I told you I’m not going to put up with being threatened,” he fired back.  “He’s not your property Lucy and I’m not going to allow you to control me with him.”
    Lucy growled, notched her chin and glared at Brock.  Melanie reached into the slot in the dash to grab Brock’s cellphone, because she had a feeling fireworks were coming and she didn’t have time to get hers from her purse.
    “Make a decision, Brock.  It’s Brady or her—you tell me which right now.  I talked to my mother tonight who told me you were with this tramp at the school.  It’s embarrassing to me, them and Brady.  My parents fully support me if I want to sue you for full custody because of your neglect.  Oh but be warned, my attorney says that you’ll still have to pay support, even if I decide it’s not in his best interest to have you in his life anymore.”
    Melanie saw Brock’s knuckles go white on the steering wheel and his jaw work as he ground his teeth.  He glanced at her, then looked back at Lucy.  “You do what you feel froggy enough to do, Lucy, but I won’t be manipulated or blackmailed.”
    “Well, I guess you can call it what you will, sheriff,” she said with a sly smile.  “I call it doing what I need to do to protect my child…and myself.”
    “I’m sick of the games, Lucy.  You are trespassing here—you weren’t invited—so unless you want me to handcuff you and haul you to jail, I suggest you leave.”
    “You wouldn’t haul me to jail with your son in the van,” Lucy challenged, crossing her arms over her chest.  “You wouldn’t arrest me either, because you’re too much of a pussy to do that.  Everyone in town would—”
    In the overhead light, Melanie saw Brock’s face turn bright red and his throat blotched too, with what looked to be hives.  This woman gave her hives too.  His breaths came in short, uneven snatches as his head did a slow spin on his neck to meet Lucy’s eyes. 
    “The people of this town already think I’m a pussy for putting up with your crap for as long as I have.  Now, if you don’t haul your ass back to that van and take Brady home, I’m calling Rowdy.  I’m sure he will take great pleasure in arresting you.”
    Lucy stared at him a minute grinding her teeth, then turned and stomped back toward the van.  His shoulders finally relaxed when the brake lights on the van turned red, before Lucy did a three point turn and zoomed past them on the gravel driveway.
    Melanie clicked off the recorder, handed Brock his cell phone, then scooted over on the seat.  “Make sure you save that recording to your cloud.  If she sues you for custody, it’s proof she’s playing games.”
    Brock just sat there for a minute staring at his phone, before he turned his eyes to her.
    “Thanks, but I won’t be needing this because I know she’s blowing smoke.  They’re not going to help her exclude me from his life because I do too much for her and Brady.  It would be a waste of their time and money to try, and it would mean they’d have to do more.  I’ll apologize to her tomorrow and it’ll blow over.” He tossed the phone into the console, put his foot on the brake and grabbed the gear shift.  “I’ll just take you home.”
    “You’re going to let her win—just like that?” Melanie asked turning in the seat to face him as he put the truck into reverse.  “Maybe her summation is right then, but I’d add coward to that too and maybe quitter.  That’s why she continues to do this to you, Brock.”
    Brock’s foot hit the brake again hard, throwing Melanie toward the dash.  He slammed the truck into park, then opened the door.  “Take the fucking truck home. I’ll get Rowdy to pick me up in the morning to come and get it.” 
    With that he shut the door and stormed toward the house, leaving Melanie to watch.  He was almost to the stoop when his knees buckled and he fell in the