Dude, Wyoming is the Wild West. Who lives there, anyway?
Exactly. Mostly a bunch of cowboys. Theres not much more to do out here than ranching or work for the pipeline.
Whats wrong with that? Youre in the most beautiful part of the country. Take in some fishing in your time off. If you get to know Wyoming, you might not hate it as much.
I dont exactly hate it. He didnt. In fact, the area was beautiful. If he wasnt in the military, and maybe when he retired, he might consider living there. The rugged mountains were majestic and appeared serene. I just want to get back to the real war.
And some unhealthy fixation on retribution against the Taliban. Do you think you could do more good for the US in a foreign country than here at home?
There are other people who defend the home front.
Clearly there arent enough people with your skills in Wyoming. Gunny sighed. Look, Im not going to change your mind about the need for you to be where you are now. Lets change the subject.
T-Rex relaxed some of the tension from his shoulders. Good.
Good, Gunny agreed. What have they got you doing now?
T-Rex hadnt realized hed slowed nearly to a stop on the main road until a honk reminded him he was in a truck and he should be driving to where he was supposed to go. He pressed his foot to the accelerator and the truck leaped forward. Im on my way to the County Records office to look up who owns property along an existing gas pipeline.
Okay, now youre talking boring. I practically fell asleep as you talked about it. Gunny laughed. Just kidding. Sounds like youre having to do a little sleuthing. That could be interesting.
T-Rex had to admit, after all theyd been through in the few weeks hed been in Grizzly Pass, the need to resolve the open issues had crawled beneath his skin and stuck with him. Its all part of figuring out whos behind the problems theyve had lately in this little backwater town.
I thought you caught the guy.
We caught some of the guys we think were involved. But not the one who had enough money to purchase a couple crates full of AR-15 rifles for distribution. Nor have we found those missing rifles.
You think you have something bigger going on? Wow. You are in up to your eyeballs.
Maybe. Or maybe were marking time. If someone is truly out there planning a takeover of a government facility, they might be lying low until the Department of Homeland Security releases us military augmentees. Then theyll do their damage.
T-Rex turned onto the street that would lead him to the Grizzly Pass Community Center and the County Records office. As he pulled into the parking lot, he noted a truck, with a mashed front fender, parked at an odd angle, taking up more than its share of the available parking spaces. But that wasnt all. A man was dragging a woman by the hair toward the truck. By the expression on her face, she wasnt at all happy about it.
Gunny, I gotta go. Without waiting to hear his friends response, he dropped the cell phone into the cup holder, slammed the shift into Park and slid out of the truck, his hands balling into fists. Nothing made him madder than witnessing a man abusing a woman.
* * *
SIERRA STRAINED HER NECK, trying to get Clay to release his hold on her hair. Let go of me. I have a job to do. I have children to take care of.
You have a husband to take care of, and youre not doing it here.
We. Arent. Married, she said through gritted teeth. The pain of having her hair pulled so hard brought tears to her eyes.
A loud crack sounded behind Sierra.
Clay grunted and dropped to the ground, taking her with him.
Sierra fell to her backside. Clays hand loosened its hold on her hair. She rolled to the side, bunched her legs and shot to her feet, putting several feet between her and Clay before she looked back and came to a complete stop.
Clay lay on the ground, his hand clamped over his cheek.
A big man with massive shoulders and an iron jaw loomed over Clay.
Who the hell do you think you are? Clay demanded.
The big guy growled. Literally growled. Your worst nightmare if you lay another finger on that woman.
Sierra watched in wonder. The children gathered around her legs, clinging to her, shaking in their fright.
Ill do whatever the hell I want, Clay said. That womans my wife.
Ex-wife, Sierra reminded him.
I dont care if shes your great-aunt Sue. The man poked a finger at Clay. If you ever lay another hand on her, youll have to reckon with me. Do. You. Understand?
I dont have to take this. Clay rolled to his feet and came up swinging.
The big guy ducked and, in one smooth uppercut, popped Clay in the chin, knocking him to the ground again. This time, Clay lay for a moment, blinking. Ill kill you for that.
Big talk for a man who can only seem to push women around.
Clay rubbed his bruised chin. You gonna let me get up?
You gonna apologize to the lady? He tipped his head toward Sierra.
Her ex-husbands lip curled into a snarl. Aint got nothin to apologize for. Shes the one who walked out on me.
The big guy shot a glance at Sierra. Seems to me she had reason.
Thats a load of bull. Clay started to rise.
Big Guy pushed his foot into Clays chest. Not until you apologize.
Clays cheeks burned a ruddy red and a muscle ticked in his jaw.
Sierra held her breath. Shed never seen Clay apologize for anything.
Im sorry, Clay said, his voice tight and angry, not apologetic in the least.
Say it like you mean it, Big Guy warned, his fist clenching.
The color deepened in Clays cheeks and his lips formed a thin line. Fine. Im sorry, he said, his tone measured, softer this time, but just as tight, the anger simmering between the surface.
Big Guy stepped back.
Clay rolled over, pushed to his hands and knees and staggered to an upright position, glaring at the man. Who the hell are you anyway? And dont give me that crap about being my worst nightmare. What makes you think you can get in between me and my wife?
Ex-wife, Sierra repeated. The divorce has been final for months. I have the signed copy to prove it.
Not in my mind. Clay turned toward Sierra, his gaze boring into hers, his hands tightening into fists. I never would have signed that paper if the judge hadnt threatened to throw me in jail.
Sierra planted her fists on her hips. Yeah, well, its done, legal and final. Im not going back to you. I have a life now. And it doesnt include you.
Clay shot a look at Big Guy. But it includes him? What? Is he your new boyfriend?
Sierra lifted her chin. If he was, its none of your business.
Clays eyes narrowed and he studied Big Guy. So, you ditched me to hop in bed with him?
If she did, it has nothing to do with you. Big Guy crossed his arms over his massive chest and stood with his feet braced slightly apart, like a conquering warrior. What she does is her own business.
Sierras heart fluttered. By all appearances, Big Guy was a mans man. He didnt need to push a woman around to make himself feel big. He was larger than life and, at that moment, a hero in her eyes.