He couldn’t wait until winter came so that he could take time off with his family. There would still be lots of work to do on the ranch, but it wasn’t as busy when the cattle had more time to roam.
“It doesn’t look like you’ve slept at all since he’s been out on bail.” The long wait for the trial would test Gage’s strength, but he refused to take it easy when it came to his family. He waited a lifetime to find someone who made life worth living, and he’d do anything to keep her.
“I haven’t gotten much sleep, but you forget I’m a new dad,” Gage added.
Dax scoffed and shook his head. “Bullshit. This is all about Cummings. If I didn’t think you needed to know that he was out on bail, I would have kept it from you in the first place. I love my wife too, so I understand what you’re going through, but you’ll be useless to them if you don’t get some rest.”
Gage nodded, knowing that it was easier said than done. “I’ve got to get back home.” He stood and extended his hand out to Dax. They shook, but Dax wasn’t anxious for his friend to leave just yet.
“She’s safe, but I understand why you have to hurry. Are you going to come to the poker game tomorrow night?” From the look in Gage’s eyes, Dax knew he’d be short one guy.
“I’m not sure.” Since Gage had returned to ranching, hang outs with his law enforcement buddies had been few and far between.
“I can send an extra guard to sleep on the front porch,” Dax teased. He lifted up his coffee mug and then took a drink.
“No, I don’t want any strangers on my land or near my wife,” Gage growled out like the possessive animal that he’d been when he met Hope.
Setting his mug back down, Dax let out a loud, barking laugh, exposing the lines around his eyes. “Ah, there’s the jealous husband I thought disappeared.”
“I’m not jealous. I’m possessive. She’s mine, and there isn’t a soul I’d let come between us.”
Dax stood and walked around his desk to escort his friend out. “Good man.” He clapped Gage’s back with a chuckle. “Take it easy.”
“Always.” They shook hands, and Gage left the station. The second he stepped into the fresh spring breeze, a violent frenzy came over him. Standing not three feet in front of him was Baxter Cummings.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he roared, closing the distance within seconds.
“Whoa, stay back there, cowboy, or I’ll have you arrested,” Cummings’s lawyer, Dallas Sparks, said, dashing between the two men and shoving at Gage’s chest.
Cummings leaned around his lawyer to goad Gage. “What’s the matter, Gibson? By law, I’m not allowed to leave the state. It just so happens Texas is a big fucking state.”
He winked at Gage, nearly sending him over the edge. Dax Chambers rushed out just in time and grabbed his friend’s shoulders. “Calm your ass down. He’s not worth it.”
“He’s not worth the air he breathes.” Gage’s voice dripped with venom. He’d gladly choke the life out of Cummings in broad daylight if he could get away with it.
Other officers came running out of the building to keep it safe. “We all know that, but it’s not good to be arrested and give this fucker a reason to have the case dismissed. I’m sure that’s what he’s looking for.”
Brushing past Dax, Cummings turned toward Gage; smiling, he continued his antagonizing. “On your way back to the ranch? While you’re at it, say hello to my daughter and grandson. I’d love to meet the boy.” Gage lurched forward only to be stopped by Dax and two other officers and they could barely hold him back.
Cummings laughed, loving the fact that he could get to Gage so easily. He stood at the top of the stairs just outside the door and added, “You better control your temper. I see a domestic violence charge in your future. Poor Hope. Mixing herself up with a violent man.” He winked at Gage and then walked inside the sheriff’s office.
“Damn it, Gage. You need to cool it,” Dax ground out through his teeth as he held his buddy back. Their little spat caught the attention of a reporter who lurked outside of the office, hoping for a scoop. Dax whispered, “There’s a reporter in a car just across the street. Get your ass together.”
Through clenched teeth, he grunted, “You heard that fucker. He’s going to come after them.” Gage had never been so full of rage that he actually considered murder in public, even if it was broadcast around the world.
“I heard, but he didn’t actually make a threat, so there’s nothing we can do.” He knew Dax had a point, no matter how much he wanted to smash Baxter Cummings’s head in. As soon as he left, Gage would hit the gun range.