Heck of a kiss

Chapter Twenty Two

Gratefully I slid my sticky sweaty shirt off and threw in onto my discarded vest and chaps. My tank top underneath was dark with sweat and I could feel little beads sliding down the back of my neck, tickling as they soaked into my collar. The junior rodeo had been a lot of fun, but spending four hours outside in direct sunlight had left me feeling sweaty and tired. 

Outside the trailer, I can hear lots of young voices, giddy and excited, still coming down from the high of competing. Calls from parents rang out as the adults tried to wrangle their kids into cars and trucks. Dogs, barked and horses clopped by. Tied to the trailer, Dancer's tail swished as he fended off flies.

Loosening my hair from it's frizzy braid, I shook it out trying to dry it out some. Changing quickly from my dirty jeans and tank top, I pull on some cut off shorts and a light blue t-shirt and pull my hair up in a ponytail before packing my gear back into the duffle bag and exiting the trailer.

Absently I rub Dancer's soft muzzle as I take in my surroundings. Most of the families have gone, a long line of cars leading out of the parking lot toward the road. I see Jabe walking toward me, his jeans streaked with grime and his shirt dark with dust. Checking quickly to see that Dancer is still secured to the trailer I move to meet him.

"Hey."

He nods at me tiredly and leans against the truck bed. 

"How's your head?"

Shooting me an exasperated look he shook his head. "I'm fine."

"No dizzy spells?"

"I'm fine Amy."

Holding up my hands placatingly I shrug. "I'm only checking, how is your arm?"

Pulling up his sleeve, he revealed a bruise running over his bicep and up toward his shoulder. Around the edges the skin was a sickly yellow color while toward the middle it darkened to a spotty purple. Carefully I ran my hand over the discolored flesh which was hot under my touch and slightly swollen.

I glanced up from my inspection to see Jabe smiling at me. "Finished doc?"

Narrowing my eyes at him I ask. "Whose the expert? I do this for a living Jabe, I just wanted to make sure it's healing okay. How high can you lift your arm without it hurting."

Jabe raised his arm up to shoulder height before wincing and letting it drop. Before I could continue my examination Josh came over to us. We exchanged greetings and the guys began talking about the rodeo sharing stories. Distractedly I half listened to their conversation but my attention was caught by Tucker leaning against the corner of the chutes. 

I could only see part of his shoulder, but I recognized his beat up brown hat. As I watched, a pair of teenagers walked over to him. They exchanged words and I saw money change hands. One of the kids pocketed something and warily looked around the area before the boys hurried off. 

I didn't realize how focused I was until I heard Jabe curse quietly. Startled out of my staring I looked over to see him watching the exchange as well. 

"So I'm not imagining things? That was sketchy?"

The dread on their faces matched the sickness I was feeling. 

"How long have you known?" Josh's face was hard, something he did when he was trying to remain calm.

"Ever since New Mexico."

"And you didn't think to tell us?"

Shrugging I crossed my arms over my chest. "Tell you what? That I think Tucker was selling drugs but the only evidence I had was something that might have been illegal that happened when Jabe was hurt? I wasn't thinking clearly. I was trying to convince myself that I was imagining it. Besides I don't think he knows."