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“What did you say to the big lug?” Dan asked. “When I saw the look on his face I was sure he was about to lose it.”
“I told him I knew he was the scumbag who stole the horses, but I only did it because I knew I had a winning hand. I don’t gamble unless I’m relatively sure I’ll come out on top.”
“That’s great, but you’d better keep your eyes peeled, especially the ones in the back of your head,” Dan warned. “Big John will be lookin’ to get even, and he’ll make sure he has a deck of marked cards.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
As Rick drove from The Tavern, Bailey, Susan and Mandy talked about Big John and how terrible it was he’d walk away with no consequences.
Rick didn’t comment.
He was focused on their safety.
Constantly checking the rear view mirror, and keeping his eyes on the cars around him, he watched for anything suspicious. When he finally entered the show grounds and rolled through the gate, he was surprised how relieved he felt. He’d half-expected Big John to try something.
As Mandy and Susan cleaned out the horse van, added extra shavings and filled the feed bins with hay, Bailey and Rick wrapped the horses’ legs for the trip. Not wanting Miss Piggy to see Lizzy and Cocoa leave, Bailey hugged her friends goodbye in the barn, then took her for a walk. While she was gone, Rick helped Deedee bring in two other mares so Miss Piggy would have neighbors, and Bailey stayed while she met them. Waiting nearby, Rick was about to suggest they could leave when his phone rang, and Duke’s name appeared on the screen.
“Hey, Duke, what’s up?” Rick asked, quickly accepting the call.
“Hi, Rick. It just hit me. Mandy and Susan shouldn’t be driving back alone. What if Big John decides to cause trouble? He could be sitting outside the show grounds waiting to follow them.”
Rick caught his breath.
“Dammit, you’re right. They’re probably at the gate now. What are you thinkin’?”
“I’ll follow them and make sure they get back safely.”
“Duke, thanks! That would be great. I’ll let them know to wait for you. What will you be drivin’?”
“My Mercedes SUV. It’s all gassed up and ready to go.”
“If you run into any problems call me.”
“Sure will, but even if Big John does have any ideas, I don’t think he’ll act on them when he sees they have company.”
“I agree, and I’m callin’ Trevor. If he’s not busy he might be able to tag along for a bit.”
* * *
A short time later, Rick and Bailey started walking back to his motor home. Duke had called to say he’d met up with the van as it was leaving, and Trevor had shown up to escort them for the first fifteen minutes of the trip.
“I was looking forward to having them around for a day or two,” Bailey said with a heavy sigh. “But it’s for the best. They need to get Lizzy and Cocoa home.”
“Are you sorry you didn’t send Miss Piggy back with them?”
“Part of me is, but what would she do? I don’t let anyone else ride her. Keeping her here is the best thing for both of us. She loves performing as much as I do, just like you love riding bulls—you maniac,” she added with a sassy grin.
“Hey, who are you callin’ a maniac? I know a certain young lady who breaks down fences, jumps over them bareback, then gallops through a forest and up a hill.”
“Uhh…well… there is that,” she said with a giggle, then sighing again, she added, “Thinking about Lizzy and Cocoa finally being where they belong, and all that gut-wrenching heartache finally over—it’s just so great. It was worth all the hell I’ve been through the last couple of months. There were times I wanted to quit, but I just couldn’t.”
“You’re made of tough stuff. I’m not sure I approve of your methods, but—”
“But nothing,” she said firmly. “I won, that bastard lost, and we have a happy ending.”
Pausing his step, Rick pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
“How long before you have to meet up with Tammy?”
