Page 69 of The Wilder Widows

“And I ran with the bulls.” Marge came out from the woods and settled down beside me.

Axel’s wide eyes glowed across the fire. “The bulls in Spain? You ran with the bulls?”

Marge grinned wide. “Damn straight we did.”

“Wait? All of you?” Axel’s mouth fell open while he looked across our little group of widows. “Even you?”

Doris gave him a quick nod. “It was exhilarating! I almost got gored, but a different bull saved me! Well, the bull and Jesus, of course.”

“Yeah, and then I had to buy the damn thing because Doris couldn’t stand to see it slaughtered. Now I’ve got to find someplace to keep a freaking bull.”

Axel lifted a hand and closed his eyes. “Are you trying to tell me you own one of the famous Spanish fighting bulls?”

Alice gave him a dismissive shrug. “I do. And I have no idea what to do with the damn thing, but I couldn’t watch Doris cry.”

“El Diablo saved my life.” Doris furrowed her brow. “He didn’t deserve to die.”

“I didn’t even know you could buy those. They are supposed to be very special bulls bred just for the yearly fights. I’ve heard they’re treated like kings up until the day of their big fight.”

“It took all my God-given charms to convince them to sell him, and even with those, he still cost a fortune.”

“But you saved him. For me.” Doris smiled. “Thank you, Alice.”

“You’re welcome, Doris. Now we need to hurry up and figure out what we’re doing with your damn bull. It’s not like we can bring him home to live in the backyard.” Alice lit up and turned to Axel. “Hey! You’ve got cattle. You want a fighting bull?”

Axel spit out the sip of beer he was taking. “What? Are you serious?”

Alice lifted a shoulder. “I need to find someplace to keep it. I promised Doris I would send him out for retirement somewhere. I could have him shipped here if you want him.”

Dimples deepened on his face while his lips stretched into a wide grin. “A real live Spanish fighting bull? Here? On my ranch?”

“He’s yours if you want him.”

“Oh, Axel!” Doris exclaimed. “He would be so happy here! All this beautiful countryside? El Diablo would be in bull heaven.”

Axel turned to Doris and brushed a piece of hair from her eyes. “Well, any bull with the brains to save this beauty has earned himself retirement on my ranch. I’d be happy to take him and give him the life he deserves for saving this little lady.”

“Really? You’ll take El Diablo?” Doris blinked fast.

“If that’s what you want.”

Reaching out, she squeezed his hand. “It would be a miracle.”

“Then make the arrangements and send him here. I’m not sure if he’ll fit in with the herd since those bulls are notoriously territorial, but I’ve got one cow who’s a real pill, a nasty thing, and I think she may get along with him just fine. I can have a little family of fighting bulls someday.”

“El Diablo is getting a girlfriend!” Doris squealed. “Saved from death’s door and delivered to paradise. A true miracle.” She made the sign of the cross, pressing her hands together in a silent prayer.

“Anything to see you smile like that.” Axel brushed a finger across her cheek, and the sparkles in her eyes exploded like a light show. “I’m going to check on Madeline and see if they made it up here with supplies yet. I’ll leave you ladies to relax.”

We sat by the fire and chatted while Madeline and Axel cooked up dinner. When they called us over to grab our plates, I was delighted to see a traditional camping spread cooking on the fire they’d made by the supply tent. Hamburgers, boiled potatoes, and baked beans were set out for us to self-serve.

“Beans?” Alice crinkled her nose, whispering over my shoulder. “Don’t give any to Marge.”

“Beans!” Marge said as she stepped into line behind us. “I love me some good baked beans. Just gotta warn you ladies, though. I wouldn’t want to be in the tent with me tonight.”

“You’re an animal,” Alice grumbled and stepped in front of me, placing extra space between herself and the grinning Marge.

“Just giving you a heads up.” Marge tossed an oversized scoop of beans on her tin plate.