SWAT Ed: Fox & Bull (Nothing Special 8)

Bull was off his horse so fast Fox didn’t have a chance to move before he was in his face. “You can’t shoot a goddamn black bear on a wildlife refuge. Jesus Christ. We have to use tranq guns. I’ll be fined up the ass for this.” Bull took his hat off and slapped it against his thigh, then ran his hand through his damp hair.

“How the hell am I supposed to know that?” Fox argued.

“It’s the law. You’re a cop.”

“Does it say fuckin’ gaming and wildlife commission on my badge? Damn, Bull. I didn’t know, all right.”

“No, it’s not all right. There’s children—”

“So? I shot my damn gun in the air. What the hell kind of nightmares do you think these children—and adults—would’ve had if Rid had been mauled right in front of them? What would that kind of accident do to your ranch?”

“You’re not getting it.” Bull shook his head and turned back to his horse.

“Oh no. I get it.” Fox’s throat was hurting as he fought not to scream his frustration, since they already had an audience. “I get that being out here ain’t no different from the disrespect I have to put up with in the city.”

Bull knew he’d fucked up the moment that last sentence left Fox’s mouth. He’d treated him the same way the media had and maybe some of his superiors, by taking his extraordinary deed and twisting it into something reckless because he didn’t do it perfectly. Now, Bull had done the exact same thing. Shit. He’d judged Fox’s actions more harshly than his job probably did.

“Fuck me.” Bull didn’t know all the details behind Fox’s leave of absence from work, but he knew Fox was here to do more than just protect his ranch. He was searching for something. And if Bull didn’t pull his head out of his ass, he’d end up chasing Fox away before he had a chance to find it.

Bull shoved his hat back on his head, noticing several of his employees giving him a displeased eye before they turned away. He leaned into Mercy’s side, trying to gather his bearings. He didn’t like the uncomfortable tightness forming in his chest as he watched Fox walk away.

Garvin rode up next to him, his sheepdogs following close on his quarter horse’s tail. His gaze bounced from him to Fox’s back before he started in his gruff voice, “You were wrong, Bull. Pete and Eddie both missed… twice. But if Fox hadn’t shot at the ground—damn perfect shooting if I’ve ever seen it—she would’ve caught Rid before Dale did.”

“She.” Bull frowned.

“Yep. And she’s had cubs, very recently, which means they’re somewhere near one of the trails.”

“Damn. That would explain that kind of aggression from a black bear. We gotta call—”

“Shannon already notified wildlife rescue to come get her and the cubs before she kills one of our riders. Anyone could’ve been on that trail,” Garvin informed him. “But, we got this. You better go straighten out that mess you just made.”

“He’s mad. I’m gonna let him cool off first while I check on Rid.”

“Dale took him up to his cabin and closed everyone else out. He’s lookin’ after Rid just fine.” Garvin inched his horse closer to keep their conversation private. “Listen to this old head who was happily married for twenty-six years before my Emma went on home to glory. Don’t wait to apologize when you fuck up. You owe him that humility right now.”

Bull ducked his head, not wanting Garvin to see his shame, the sorrow in his eyes. He’d immediately felt bad at how he’d treated Fox, when he’d been nothing but selfless since he’d been there.

“He’s a damn decent guy, Bull. Seems to like ya. Not afraid to help out and get his hands dirty around here.” Garvin scratched his temple. “I’ve never seen a land surveyor packing that kind of heat before, but hey, I’m glad he does. I wasn’t in the mood for no funeral this weekend.”

Bull winced. He wasn’t either.

“Go find him. Be honest. Apologize, and don’t make any stupid fucking excuses for what you did. Emma used to say that’s what attracted her to me. She appreciated that I held myself accountable for my own shit. That woman was way out of my league… but she was mine until her last breath.”

Bull heard the pain and the memories in Garvin’s voice. It was insane, but he wanted that for himself. He wanted a lifetime.

“Go be a damn, man, Bull,” he said and trotted back to the wranglers protecting the bear until rescue came.

Bull entered his house through the mud porch, and his father met him at the back door to the kitchen. “Son, we saw what happened. Are you all right?” His father looked him up and down.

“Fox was so quick to react. I know Rid can’t wait to thank him,” Amelia added. She put her hand on her hip. “But he came in and ran up the stairs without a word. He looked so disappointed. Is he upset he had to shoot at an animal?”