Page 57 of Falcon

“That ain’t something I’m unfamiliar with, Sheriff,” Thief sneered and then put his weapon out of sight and began sauntering off. “Tell the gimp we’ll be seeing him.”

My finger tightened on my trigger, but Cates pushed my gun arm down. “He ain’t worth the time you’ll do.”

“I disagree,” I responded. But I put my gun away. Moments later, Cates was grinning as we all pulled out our permit-to-carry licences.

Cates began chuckling. “Ladies, I issued them, so I think I know you own them!”

“Just making sure it’s done by the book,” I stated, and Cates winced.

“You ever gonna let me live that down?”

“Not for a while. But damage can be reversed. Depends on how you handle shit in the future,” I said.

“What are you going to do, Sheriff Cates?” Jess demanded, storming up. “Why haven’t you slapped cuffs on them?”

“What for?” Cates inquired.

“They brandished firearms in public. They’ve brought dangerous people into our community!” Jess exclaimed.

“All of them are thugs!” Skye Golding agreed, hurrying up.

“Why is that, Skye?” Cates inquired mildly.

“They drew guns in the street. This is not the O.K Corral!” Skye shrieked.

“They were defending their town from those people,” Cates stated.

“Who wouldn’t be here if not for them. They’re equally as bad as those who rode off,” Jess yelled.

“Jess is butt sore because we just dropped another fifteen k on Natalie,” I explained to the old ladies, who began laughing.

“That’s gotta hurt your business,” Penny taunted, turning to Skye. “And you are on suspension, aren’t you? For how you spoke to Falcon?”

Skye blanched.

“Don’t flinch away, bitch. You’re quick enough being a judgmental cunt. You can dish it out but not take it?” I added.

“Arrest them,” Skye snapped at Cates.

Cates stepped forward, and they both moved backward. “You know what I saw? The sheriff of this town confronted ten hostile men. Nobody came to help apart from those standing here. When those fuckers pulled a gun, they had my back. Where were you two? Did you call nine-one-one? Come and take a stand with me?”

“We’re civilians!” Jess scoffed.

“So are they! I know for a fact you’ve got a weapon under your counter. Step away, Jess, because you are a judgmental coward,” Cates bellowed.

“Jessica Smithern. Skye Golding. You both should be ashamed of yourselves,” Mrs Maple said sharply.

I grinned. Nobody messed with this old biddy.

“Mrs Maple…”

“Don’t argue with me, young lady.” Mrs Maple poked a finger at Jess. “Mid-twenties and more bitter than a ninety-year-old virgin. The issue you have is that you set your cap at some of those men, and they aren’t interested. Plus, everyone knows you’re the town bike, that you’ve been ridden a lot and put away wet.”

Jessica gasped and blushed as Skye also reddened. “No decent man wants a woman that his best friend has tasted, even worse, one that his brother has!” Mrs Maple continued.

I barely refrained from laughing. Good Lord. Mrs Maple wasn’t holding her tongue. “You used to be a sweet, happy girl, and then you became popular and turned into the biggest bitch going. Both of you are completely vile. Now scurry away to the holes you came from and stay there before the Book Club acts!”

Jess and Skye did as Mrs Maple ordered, and I struggled not to laugh.