Page 29 of Tack’s Bounty

“I agree because nobody is seeing your luscious body but me,” Tack growled. He wasn’t sharing her beauty with anyone.

“What happened to our escorts? Do they need food?” Sophia asked.

Tack shook his head—this woman. “Cue brought food for them and a deck of cards. They’re most likely playing poker in the van, but that was sweet of you to think of them. How about we get to know each other better? I realized when I was ordering the drinks that I don’t even know your favorite drink,” Tack mused.

“I like iced tea or water. I’ll have a beer, glass of wine, or soda depending on the meal. What about you?” she questioned.

“The same as you. Favorite snack?” he asked.

“Chex mix or potato chips. You?”

“Popcorn, preferably white cheddar or caramel.”

Sophia moved closer, leaning back on her elbow. “Let’s go a little harder. Favorite movie?”

“That’s a hard one. I love both Top Gun movies, but I also love all the action movies. What’s yours, babe?” he asked, sliding his hand down her arm to hold her hand.

“Favorite Christmas movies, It’s A Wonderful Life and Die Hard, the original. Favorite movies when I want to escape would be Top Gun: Maverick, Twisters or F1,” she stated.

Tack relaxed, listening to the sounds of the park coming alive as the sky darkened. He grabbed a couple of the toss pillows Cue had brought for them to sit on if they wanted. He scooted down and wedged it behind his head, holding his arm out.

“Wanna snuggle, babe?” he asked.

Sophia didn’t answer, but she laid down, scooting closer until her head was on his chest. Having her in his arms felt right.

“Where would your ideal vacation be?” she whispered.

“As long as you’re with me—anywhere,” he declared.

She rubbed her hand along his cut, then slipped under to rub her hand against his shirt and chest. “Me too,” she admitted.

Tack closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Sophia against him made everything right in the world.

“Hey, I hate to break this up, but Pit called. We need to head back. First off, all the animals seem fine, but there was a fire in the barn,” Stinger informed them.

Sophia jumped up. “Where and how?” she fired at Stinger.

Stinger held up his hands. “You know what I know. Pit said to hurry back but keep an eye out.”

Chapter Seventeen

Sophia checked over Pudding. He and his lady were the last animals for her to examine. The fire had been started on the back side of the barn that butted up to the tree line—one of the few places that she hadn’t requested cameras. The fire department was still here checking for how it started, though even she could smell the accelerant that had been used to start it.

She was angry that her animals had been threatened, and she was freaking furious that her date with Tack had been cut short. She still wasn’t sure if this was Rufus and Jolene or someone else, but when she figured it out—someone was going to pay.

Stinger had left for a little bit and returned with one of those carports with the metal roof and some of the orange temporary fencing with the poles that could be pushed into the ground to make a temporary pen.

He was constructing it under the large tree to the side of the house, positioned with a line of sight from two of the cameras on her house. Sophia worried about Pudding because he’d left all the men alone when he’d been brought out. He was staying right beside the female donkey she’d rescued.

Tack was in the barn with the fire department, chatting with his club brother Retread, who Tack had introduced as his club’s Road Captain and a fire investigator in his day job.

Once she confirmed Pudding was okay, Sophia had entirely too much time to think and get angry. No one had the right to hurt her defenseless animals. If Tack hadn’t left a couple of the club’s Prospects to patrol the property, the fire wouldn’t have been seen until it reached the side or front of the barn. By then, the animals could have been dead from smoke inhalation or burned in their stalls.

Maybe it was time to take the offensive and figure out if it was Jolene and Rufus. She looked around the yard to make sure Tack was still in the barn and headed inside. She’d stood up to Jolene and Rufus, and it was time to take it a step further. Ruthy was in the kitchen, sitting at the table, sipping a drink. Sophia paused, staring at Ruthy. Should she involve Tack’s mom in what she planned?

“You look like you’re ready for some retribution. Do you need an accomplice? I’m always up for some excitement,” Ruthy revealed, standing up.

Sophia stared at the diminutive woman who was Tack’s mother. If Sophia hadn’t seen her with a gun, she’d dismiss her as a non-threat.