Texas Fierce (The Tylers of Texas 4)

ll, do what you have to. If Krishna and Steve show up, give them a couple days off and send them home. I know I can count on you to look after the place while I’m gone.”

“My chickens!” Rose burst into the kitchen, fully dressed, with her few belongings stuffed into a pillowcase. “I can’t leave without my chickens!”

“We can’t take your damned chickens!” Bull’s nerves were frayed to the snapping point.

“I’ll take care of your chickens, Rose.” Jasper had found a cardboard box and was filling it with snacks and sodas from the kitchen. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep them happy.”

“But when will I be coming back?” She looked stricken.

“Not till it’s safe for you,” Bull said. “That could be a long time.”

“But—”

“You shot a powerful man, Rose. Whether he lives or dies, you’ll be in a lot of trouble—and a lot of danger. Now come on. Let’s go.”

Jasper followed them out the front door to Bull’s truck. The shotgun was lying on the porch where Rose had left it. Bull picked it up, wrapped it in a blanket, and laid it in under the camper cover, which was already on the truck bed. Rose’s things and the box of snacks went in beside it.

Bull climbed into the truck next to Rose. Jasper stood by the open door to see them off. “Be safe,” he said.

“You never saw us and you don’t know where we went. I’ll deal with things when I get back.” Bull closed the door and started the truck. The engine roared as he headed up the lane toward the southbound highway.

* * *

By the time Bull picked up Highway 277 out of San Angelo, the sun was a blazing ball in the cloudless sky. Rose had slept fitfully through the darker, cooler hours, curled on the seat in a blanket. Now she was awake and restless, gazing out the open side window. Loose tendrils of hair fluttered over her face.

She was probably hungry for a real breakfast. But Bull was hesitant to leave the truck outside a restaurant, where it could be spotted by some cruising lawman who might have been given the license number. Maybe in one of the smaller towns they could find a drive-thru. He could use some coffee himself.

“Are you ready to tell me where we’re going?” Her tone was laced with annoyance. Bull couldn’t entirely blame her. She’d been yanked out of her familiar world, even forced to leave her beloved chickens. She was sweaty and hungry and tired, and probably needed a bathroom. And, Bull suspected, she was just beginning to grasp the enormity of what she’d done.

“Did you hear me?” she demanded.

“I did. We’re going to Mexico. I have some friends in a little town there—a nice family. I’m hoping they’ll let you stay with them.”

“Mexico! No way! I don’t even speak Spanish!”

“You’ll be fine. The father speaks good English. And you’ll pick up the language in no time.” He gave her a stern look. “You’ll be safe there, Rose—from the law and also from Ferg Prescott.”

“What if I don’t like it? What if I decide to leave?”

“Then I can’t stop you—or protect you.”

She was silent for a long moment, staring out the window. “I really need to pee,” she said.

“Fine. There’s a truck stop just ahead. I’ll fill the gas tank and get us something to eat. What would you like to drink?”

“Chocolate milk. A whole carton.”

The truck stop had an inside restroom. Bull half expected the girl to do a disappearing act, but she emerged a few minutes later, her face washed and her hair smoothed. She accepted the chocolate milk and the half cheese sandwich Bull offered her, then climbed back into the truck.

“What if those people don’t want me?” she asked as they drove back onto the highway.

Bull gave her a reassuring glance. Earlier he’d thought she was being a brat. Now he realized she was just scared. The poor kid had been through hell in the past few hours. And if she hadn’t shot Ham, she could be going through a lot worse. Rose deserved more credit for courage than he’d given her.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll deal with that if it happens.”

Twilight was creeping over the Texas plain when they drove over the bridge at Del Rio and passed through the Mexican border station into Ciudad Acuña. By the time they reached Rio Seco, the stars were out. The little plaza was lit by strings of small light bulbs, stretched between the trees. Couples and families strolled the cobblestone pathways. Music was blaring from the open cantina. Parked out front, in all its polished glory, was Carlos’s beloved old Buick. The sight gladdened Bull’s heart. Joaquin and Raul must have made it safely home.

Bull parked behind the Buick. “Stay put while I find my friends,” he told Rose. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine here.”