Page 57 of Outlawed

“Open her up so we can get things moving,” the marshal orders.

I look at Jen. “I take it manners are optional when it comes to law enforcement?”

“Wouldn’t be surprised if this guy turned out to be just like our buddy Derek.”

“And they wonder why people dislike cops,” I grumble, walking up to the house. I drag my fingers along the doorframe, sending reassuring vibes before the door swings wide.

“You don’t lock your doors around here?”

“We don’t live in the city, Marshal. And besides, I’ve found if someone truly means you harm, a locked door won’t do shit to keep them out.”

He grunts at me before looking at the porch swing. “Wait there. I’ll have an officer stay with you.”

“I’d prefer to wait out back. I have some ornery horses who spook easily around strangers. Your agent can still keep me company.”

I can see he wants to protest, but one look from Jen and he capitulates. I guess he realizes he’s already pushing his luck. He must really think he’s gonna find something to justify this heap of shit he’s stepped in.

“Fine. But don’t go wandering off.”

“Now, where would I go? This is my home after all. Try to remember that before you destroy the place.”

“Oh, they won’t be destroying anything but their careers,” Jen threatens. This seems to fuel the marshal’s anger, but he keeps his mouth shut as he stomps upstairs.

I sigh and walk through the house with the babysitting agent right behind me.

“I’m going to keep an eye on these people. I don’t have a whole lot of faith in law enforcement right now,” Jen complains.

“No worries. Come find me when their shitshow is over.” I head outside and over to the stables, where I grab some carrots and feed them to the horses I pass. I grab an apple for Willow, hoping to sweeten her up a little because I can tell she’s pissed-off, too. I don’t know if she’s feeding off me, or the land—perhaps both—but it would be just my luck that she’d take a chunk out of someone’s ass and they’d try to put her down. Over my dead body.

“Hey, sweet girl. You want to come for a walkabout and stretch those legs of yours?”

She throws her head back and neighs, making me grin. I let her out, warning the agent hovering behind me to stand back.

“She’s pretty.”

“She is, and she knows it.”

In response, Willow flips her hair, giving main character energy. I grin, right up until the agent reaches for her. “If you want to keep your fingers, I wouldn’t. She’s feisty.”

He yanks his hand back, thankfully taking my warning seriously.

“Come on then,” I say to Willow.

The agent looks at me. “Aren’t you going to throw a rope around her neck or something to stop her running away?”

Willow and I give him matching looks of disdain. “Willow is perfectly capable of walking next to me, provided people leave her alone.”

“Right. Go ahead.”

I roll my eyes and continue walking. Willow keeps close to me as I take her to the pen where Belle is working with Cracker, one of our rescue horses.

“He looks good.”

She turns when she sees me and smiles. “He does, doesn’t he? He’s still skittish, but that’s to be expected with how he was treated before. How come you’re back, anyway? I wasn’t expecting you for a few more…” Her voice drifts off when she notices the agent behind me. “What’s going on?”

“US marshals and friends have decided to raid the place, thanks to activities that may or may not have taken place here while I was incarcerated.”

“Wait. If you weren’t here, then how is it your problem?”