Wrenching by Deirdre O'Dare

Author:Deirdre O'Dare [O'Dare, Deirdre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay & Lesbian
ISBN: 9781611245738
Publisher: Amber Quill Press, LLC

Chapter 6

The rest of the day passed in a blur. For most of it, Mal kept out of the way. He knew Dan was tied up with the vet and caring for the injured horse. He heard from the talk going around that Brujo had a couple of ribs that were probably cracked where the bull had hit him and a bunch of abrasions and obvious bruising. Still, Dr. Blankenship assured them all the gelding would be capable of doing his gig as a working cowpony within a few weeks, none the worse for the accident. Mal could tell everyone was relieved. He was too. Even if he didn't know much about horses, this one had to be special to earn the loyalty and concern of the whole crew.

Just before supper, Dan returned to the house and looked Mal up, finding him in the garage putting some finishing touches on the building project.

He looked tired and rumpled, but also relieved. "Although it kinda went by me this morning, I know you said something about Darrel. I didn't mean to blow you off. I just had to deal with the horse first."

"I understand. My news wasn't exactly an emergency." Mal stopped and looked at the ground a minute. He felt embarrassed and ashamed about falling asleep as deeply as he had, failing to catch Darrel at his theft.

"Knowing you were gone, I tried to stay awake and alert all night. I must've dozed off at some point, though. Guess I slept pretty hard. I woke to the sound of a car starting, and I got into the garage just in time to see Darrel take off. Prob'ly about five-thirty."

He shook his head. "You oughta kick my ass. I fell down on the job. Anyway, first thing I saw was the gas cap off the Silverado, lying on the floor. I could smell gas pretty strong, too. That's when I figured he'd siphoned some to put in the Mustang. He must've realized I woke up 'cause he took out like a scalded skunk. It seemed pretty early for him to be up, too. Not sure what that was all about."

Dan shrugged. "Don't worry. You can check the truck over first thing in the morning, just to be sure nothing else was tampered with." He fell silent, looking thoughtful for a few breaths. "Hell, he could've gotten gas out of the bulk storage tank by the bunkhouse. Nearly everybody has a key to the lock on the spigot. I'm sure he's used it before." He shook his head. "Can't figure why he didn't, but the damn kid is probably permanently brain damaged now with drugs. I know he uses MJ and there's no telling what else. Meth? Crack? Have no idea, but it worries me."

He clapped a hand onto Mal's shoulder. "I'm not going to fire you yet, bud. I expect you've prevented more mischief just by being here the past few days. I know he was pissed as hell after I chewed his ass Wednesday night, but he's laid low.

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