Deadly Desperados

by Lily Harper Hart

  Mandy smirked. “It scared the crap out of me. I’ve been sitting on that counter for hours.” She moved closer to Jake, peering at the armadillo. “Do they bite?”

  Ben snorted. “They eat insects and pests. From the way you hate bugs, he should be your best friend. This guy has been hanging around for two years,” he said, taking the armadillo from Jake. “How did he get in the cabin?”

  “I might have left the front screen open when I came in to get the camera,” Mandy admitted. “It was only for a second.”

  “There are a lot of critters out here, Miss Mandy,” Ben chided. “Always latch the screen. Come on. Dinner is waiting and we need to get Floyd outside. I think he’s had enough excitement for one day, haven’t you Floyd?”

  James linked his fingers with Mandy’s, grinning down at his wife now that his terror had abated. “Suddenly the rats in Detroit don’t look so bad, do they?”

  “Give me a murderous great white shark any day of the week,” Mandy countered, instinctively snuggling closer to James. “This has not been my day.”

  “Don’t worry, baby. I promise to make your night better.”

  ALLY couldn’t stop laughing as Jake related Mandy and James’ saga over the dinner table a half hour later.

  “A bug? You thought it was a bug?” Ally was beside herself. “Oh, that is priceless. After all the crap you two have been through, you get tripped up by an armadillo? I can’t wait to tell Grady.”

  “You’re going to keep your mouth shut,” James warned, pointing his fork at Ally from across the table before he speared a huge hunk of roast. “Mandy was stuck on that counter for hours.”

  “Mandy once got knocked into a Louisiana bayou that was full of alligators and you were going to jump in and save her,” Ally countered. “This time you both hid on a counter to get away from an armadillo. Don’t tell me that’s not funny … because it’s hilarious.”

  “You got knocked in with alligators?” Mary asked, horrified. “Honey, I don’t understand how you can still leave the house with all the terrible things that have happened to you.”

  Mandy shrugged. “I felt something brush against me under the water that night, too,” she said. “I honestly thought Floyd was a big bug and I was about to reenact a scene from Alien.”

  “You know what? Both of you watch too much television,” Jake said. “Between Little House on the Prairie, Jaws, Star Trek, America’s Next Top Model, and now Alien, it’s like I’m living in a pop culture nightmare half the time.”

  “Jaws?” Ben leaned forward. “What’s the deal with Jaws? That’s a great movie.”

  “It’s the best movie ever,” Mandy agreed.

  “Mandy is obsessed with sharks,” Jake explained. “James even took her on a shark tour during their honeymoon.”

  “And Ally is a closet Trekkie,” James offered, smirking when Ally started shaking her head. “She loves it and even has a little outfit she wears.”

  “I’m definitely telling Grady the armadillo story,” Ally snapped.

  “And what about America’s Next Top Model?” Mary asked.

  “Ally thinks she could win the show,” Jake answered, earning a kick under the bench from an annoyed Ally. “Ow! I didn’t realize that was a secret. I’m sorry. I told you that you could win the show every year if you tried out for it.”

  James snorted. “And I’m going to tell Grady about that,” he said.

  Ally made a face. “Thanks a lot, Jake.”

  “I didn’t realize they didn’t know,” Jake said, swallowing his laugh. Ally’s relationship with her brothers was always a source of amusement.

  “That was a private thing between you and me,” Ally hissed. “Private!”

  “Not for long, Ally-gator,” James said, using the nickname he used to pull out to annoy his younger sister when they lived under the same roof. “As soon as Grady and Finn hear about this, you’re toast.”

  “Yes, but the armadillo story is going to trump my story,” Ally countered. “I especially love the part where you considered leaving Mandy on the counter and running outside when you saw Floyd.”

  “How do you even know about that?” James asked. “I mean … that didn’t happen.” He glanced at Mandy, guilty. “I wouldn’t have left you there.”

  “I saw it on your face the moment you considered it,” Mandy said, patting his knee under the table. “I don’t blame you. The bug was terrifying.”

  “I would never have left you there,” James argued. “I … fine. I considered running. It was a horrible instinct. You have to know that I would’ve come right back for you.”

  “You were going to jump into alligator-infested waters to save me,” Mandy reminded him. “I know you wouldn’t have left me for the armadillo to eat.”

  “It really did look like an alien,” James lamented. “It freaked me out.”

  Jake laughed. He couldn’t help himself. “I find it interesting that you’ve put yourself in any number of dangerous situations where people have knives and guns on you or Mandy and you never thought twice about any of it,” he said. “One harmless little armadillo, though, and you guys look scarred for life.”

  James glanced at Mandy, his eyes cloudy. “I should’ve taken you someplace tropical for winter break,” he said. “If we were naked on a private beach, we wouldn’t have to put up with these jokesters.”

  “Live and learn,” Mandy replied, nonplussed. “I’m just glad I know that Floyd isn’t really a bug. Hopefully I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

  “You’ll be able to sleep, baby,” James promised. “I’ll make sure of that.”

  “Like you did last night?” Ally challenged. “Giddy up!”

  Mandy’s face colored as Ben and Mary exchanged amused glances.

  “I forgot what it was like to have boisterous youngsters around,” Ben said.

  “Never a dull moment,” Mary agreed. “I … .” She didn’t get a chance to finish her statement because a large flash of lightning pulsed through the nearby window, followed almost immediately be a deafening roar of thunder. The lights flickered once … twice … and then went out completely.

  “James … .”

  “I’m here, baby,” James said, grabbing Mandy’s hand. “It’s a storm.”

  “It looks like it’s going to be a big one, too,” Jake said, leaning back so he could look out the window. “The generator should kick on in a second. I … holy crap!”

  “What?” Ben asked, instantly on alert when Jake pushed himself to his feet. “The barn is on fire. We have to get out there now.”

  Eleven

  “What should we do?” Ally asked, her heart racing as Jake grabbed her hand and offered her a reassuring squeeze before releasing it. “Will the animals burn?”

  “You and Mandy need to stay here,” Jake ordered, moving away from Ally and toward James. “Any workers still around will automatically head toward the barn. We’ll go outside and help.”

  James grimly nodded. “Baby, stay here and I’ll come back for you.”

  Mandy immediately started shaking her head. “I’m going with you.”

  “No, you’re not,” James argued. “The barn is on fire and a storm is about to hit … big time. You’re staying here!”

  “You can’t tell me what to do,” Mandy said, jerking away from him. “We’re wasting time.”

  James reached for her, attempting to grab her arm and drag her back, but he missed when she sidestepped him.

  “Come on, Ally.”

  Ally didn’t need to be told twice. She pulled away from Jake, wordlessly following Mandy out the front door and into the storm. Once outside, the two women broke into a run, neither bothering to look over their shoulders. They knew James and Jake were behind them. They also knew they were ticked off.

  “Mandy, you get your ass back in that house,” James ordered, increasing his speed until he matched her pace. “It’s too dangerous out here.”

  “James, there are animals in that barn,” Mandy argued, pulli
ng up short as they arrived at their destination. The roof was clearly on fire, although it didn’t look like it was raging. The fire licked the walls on one side of the barn roof while the other remained untouched.

  “If that rain hits now, it would be a godsend,” Ben said.

  “Ally, you and Mandy need to stay here,” Jake ordered. “The building isn’t fully engulfed yet. There are horses in there … and I think there are only a few of them.”

  “Just two,” Ben said. “That’s where we keep most of the feed. I have one in there who threw a shoe and then I have a nursing mare who just gave birth two days ago.”

  “There’s a baby in there?” Ally was horrified.

  “You stay here,” Jake yelled, grabbing Ally’s arm and yanking her back. “You promise me! We’re getting the horses and bringing them out to you. Do you understand?”

  Ally bit her lip and nodded. Jake grabbed her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her lips before moving toward the barn.

  “You stay here, too,” James warned, glaring at Mandy. “I … you and I are going to fight like you wouldn’t believe when this is over with, wife.”

  “What else is new?” Mandy was morose.

  James knew better than letting his anger be in command of his brain, so he leaned over and gave Mandy a kiss. “I love you. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Don’t die on me, James.” Mandy’s voice trembled.

  “Never,” James said. “It’s you and me forever, baby.”

  THE barn was hazy when the men entered, the air breathable but harsh on their lungs.

  “Let’s make this quick,” Ben said, his eyes already watering.

  “Is there anything else in here that needs to be saved besides the animals?” James asked, moving with Jake toward one of the stalls where a nervous horse paced next to a small foal.

  “It’s all insured,” Ben replied. “I only care about the animals.”

  “You get the horse over there,” Jake said, gesturing across the way. “We’ll get these two. Hurry up. I don’t want to leave the women outside in the storm for too long. I don’t understand why they have to be such pains in the … .”

  “They didn’t want you guys being heroes,” Ben said, unhooking the latch and stroking the horse’s snout to calm him. “They’re afraid. Can’t you see that?”

  “We’re afraid, too,” James shot back. “That’s why we want them safe in the house.” He watched Jake move into the stall and try to coax the mare out. “I … have no idea what to do with a horse.”

  Jake clenched his jaw as he slipped a bridle over the mare’s head. “Grab the foal.”

  James eyed the small animal. It wasn’t nearly as big as the ones Jake and Ben were grappling with – which James was thankful for – and yet the tiny horse didn’t seem thrilled with his attention. “I … can I pick it up?”

  “Yes,” Jake said, tugging on his limited patience. “Stop pussyfooting around,” he ordered. “Pick up the baby. We have to get out of here. It’s not an armadillo and you can’t hide on the counter this time.”

  James scowled as he leaned over and hoisted the foal into his arms. “That was a legitimate thing to be scared about,” he complained as he followed Jake out of the stall. “If you had never seen something like that before and then found it just … running around … while your terrified wife curled herself into a ball you would’ve taken a moment to think out the situation, too.”

  “Is that what we’re calling it?” Jake argued, urging the reluctant mare forward. She wanted to keep a constant eye on her foal as the smoke thickened. “It seems to me you were going to cede the cabin to the armadillo and live on the counter for the rest of your days.”

  “I hadn’t ruled it out,” James admitted, readjusting so he didn’t drop the foal. “I … .” He broke off, tilting his head to the side as he sniffed the air. “Do you smell that?”

  “What?” Ben asked, moving up beside the bickering men. “Do you guys smell something you want to argue about now?”

  “It’s gasoline,” James said, glancing around. “I … we need to get out of here right now!”

  “The back is quicker,” Ben ordered, the flames growing in intensity, ratcheting up the heat factor as the orange monster crawled along the walls and moved toward the hay bales. “Hurry!”

  James and Jake followed Ben wordlessly, their argument forgotten as the fire intensified. They were almost at the back opening when the unthinkable happened … and the barn exploded.

  “I’M sick of James telling me what to do,” Mandy grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest as the rain ruthlessly pelted her.

  Mary, Ally, and Mandy stood away from the barn, all shifting uncomfortably as the storm hit full tilt and the fire continued to grow.

  “You’re just agitated because he’s inside,” Ally countered. “They’ll be out any second. I … they’ll be out any second.”

  Mandy didn’t know which one of them Ally was trying to convince. “I don’t like this,” she said, taking a step toward the barn. “How long does it take to grab three horses? There’s nothing else in there, right?”

  Mary bit her lip and shook her head. She was worried, too. She didn’t want to give Mandy and Ally any reason to panic, though. They were barely hanging on as it was. “I’m sure they’ll be out any second. I … .” Mary didn’t get a chance to finish the sentence because something hissed in the night – like a fuse being lit – and before she could grasp what was happening the roof blew off the barn, raining chunks of wood in every direction.

  The women ducked, covering their faces as small flying objects whipped past them and dotted the sky. Mandy was the first back on her feet, her heart flopping painfully as she took in the shattered remnants of the barn.

  “James!”

  “OH, HOLY crap,” James moaned, rolling to his side and running a hand over the side of his face. “The barn just blew up.”

  “I noticed,” Jake replied dryly, struggling to a sitting position. He glanced around, frowning when he realized all three horses were gone. “Where … ?”

  “They took off,” Ben said, his face grave under the flickering lightning. “They’re out in the fields. Don’t worry, the baby went with his mama. I saw them together. We’ll have to go and collect them in the morning, but they should be okay for the night. There are trees out there, and if they’re really desperate they can wander into the auxiliary barn out back.”

  “So much for all of our security measures this afternoon,” Jake lamented, rubbing his lower back. “Man, that hurts! I think I landed on something when I was thrown away from the barn.”

  “You did,” James replied, shoving a rake toward Jake. “You landed on that.”

  “Yup. That’s about how I feel.”

  “Let me see,” James ordered, staggering to his feet.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re not fine if you have an open wound!”

  “Will you two stop with the bickering?” Ben ordered. “You sound like little, old ladies fighting over who gets the extra sugar lump for their tea.”

  “It’s kind of funny that you put it that way,” Jake said. “I feel like a little, old lady right now. Ow! Will you be careful?”

  James ignored Jake’s complaint as he lifted his friend’s shirt and studied his back. “You don’t have anything bleeding or anything. You should be fine … unless you think you have internal injuries.”

  “The only thing truly injured is my pride,” Jake said. “I can’t believe we didn’t realize that the place was doused in gasoline before we walked into the raging fire.”

  “Yeah, well, we weren’t thinking thanks to worrying about the girls,” James said. “I … .” James and Jake exchanged a frightened look. “The girls.”

  They started moving around the remnants of the building, fear for Mandy and Ally’s safety plaguing them. That’s when James heard it. Mandy was screaming his name. He broke into a run, rounding the corner to find Mandy moving toward the burning building
even as the downpour worked overtime to put it out.

  “Don’t you even think about it,” James said, snagging her around the waist and taking her by surprise. She hadn’t heard his approach. “Everyone is out.”

  Mandy’s face slackened when she saw him, and before he had a chance to say anything else, she burst into tears and threw herself into his arms. James caught her, pressing her close as he held her.

  “I love you, James,” Mandy sobbed. “I … should’ve told you that before you went into the fire. I thought … I thought … .” She couldn’t finish. It was too horrible to even utter.

  “Baby, it’s okay,” James said, stroking her back. “I’m okay. Jake got tossed around a little bit … and the horses took off … but I’m okay. I … baby, don’t cry. I can’t take it when you cry.”

  “Don’t ever leave me.” Mandy couldn’t stop. Her body was shaking and James didn’t know what else to do but hold her. “I can’t … don’t do that again!”

  James chuckled hoarsely as he rocked her. “I didn’t plan on doing it to you this time. I’m sorry. I … I know you love me. I love you. I won’t leave you. I promise. It’s okay. Shh.” He whispered as he rocked her, hoping her sobs would soon abate.

  Ally was a ball of energy as she launched herself at Jake. “I’m really mad at you,” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks as he hugged her. “I thought you blew up.”

  “I would never blow up and leave you alone, Angel,” Jake said, rubbing the back of Ally’s head. “I’m sorry you were scared. I was a little scared myself. I thought you guys might have been hurt by the blast.”

  “Why did it blow up?”

  Jake and James exchanged a look.

  “We’re going to figure that out,” Jake said. “I … we don’t know right now. We think we smelled gasoline inside of the barn before we got out. That’s why we headed toward the other door. It was closer.”

  “It’s a good thing, too,” Ben said, accepting Mary’s hug. She wasn’t quite the emotional mess the other two women were. “If we’d gone the longer route, we might not have made it out.”

  Ben’s words did nothing but make Mandy cry harder.