had been caught red-handed. What he didn’t accept
was that the old man had then brought the law into it. Once arrested and
jailed, a train of events got started and didn’t stop until Carl was convicted
of breaking and entering, attempted robbery, then rape and attempted murder.
The more serious episode had happened two months earlier, but the connection wasn’t
made until Carl was in custody. He’d thought the man was dead when he’d turned
his attention to the woman, but not so. Carl was convicted on his testimony.
The girlfriend had been too traumatized to testify.
As far as sex was concerned, it wasn’t that force
was necessary; it was merely preferable. He wasn’t bad looking, could turn the
charm on and off at will, but he liked sex better when it was violent. When she
was scared like she should be and it showed. Jackie Lyn had found that out,
early on, and she’d be reminded again, real soon, when he got out of here.
Little Miss Priss had refused to give him an alibi when he needed it, and for
that she would pay.
And he was getting out of here. His ma was finally
doing what she was supposed to do—take care of her son. She’d hired a new
lawyer, one who specialized in paroles, and the dude had put together a pretty
good case. It was so positive, Carl didn’t even recognize himself.
He felt it in his bones. This time he was going to
do it. He was on his way out.
Chapter Eleven
The annual rodeo, scheduled for August, was not only
the talk of the town, the subject also dominated mealtime conversations at Lone
Tree. Randy and friends had decided they needed practice, Miles had allowed
them to cull livestock from the herd, and the men had put together a makeshift
arena at the fairgrounds.
At supper one evening, Reed nodded at Randy’s
suggestion that he drive out to watch the evening’s practice session, and as he
rose from his chair he glanced down at Lainie. “Come along?”
Doubting that he had romance in mind—what with all
the cattle and cowboys—she nodded. “Thanks.” It sounded interesting.
“Best be careful where you put your feet,” Miles
said mildly, and that got her into her boots faster than the threat of snakes
had.
During the drive, she asked Reed if he’d signed up
for any rodeo events.
“Nope.” His lips curved. “That’s not what I’m good
at.”
Watching his profile, she decided not to ask him
what he was good at. He’d probably tell her.
As she exited the truck, she saw Bobbie Ann and
another woman at the far end where the cowboys were gathered. That appeared to
be the business end of things, but Reed seemed content here, so Lainie stayed
put and exchanged waves with Bobbie.
The steers were bunched into narrow runways, driven
forward to a gate, prodded singly into the arena and cowboys took turns roping.
Flies hovered as the steers were herded near where Reed and Lainie stood, and
the smell became intense. Lainie backed a step just as the nearest animal
swished its tail. The stink grew suddenly stronger and she felt something warm
and wet on her stomach, just below her bra. She looked down at her pretty
black-and-white-checkered shirt with black braid trim.
“Shit!”
Reed’s head jerked around, eyes wide at her
language, then his gaze dropped to her shirt. “Yep. That’s what it is, all
right.” He looked away, expression strained. Lainie paid little attention.
The gross...stuff...was revolting. The stench alone
gagged her.
Carefully, nose and face wrinkled at the smell, she
pulled the garment free from her jeans, then unbuttoned it, cuffs first. By the
time she got to the second cuff, she had Reed’s attention. By the time she
reached the last button down the front, she had everybody’s attention.
The smelly brown mound was on the right side, and
she gingerly extricated that arm first, heedless of her audience. Then, holding
her left arm straight out from her body, she pulled the offending shirt free.
With great distaste, she wadded it up and plopped
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