Warning Shot

She reached for her wallet, zipped in her blazer.

“You carry that much?”

She nodded, opening the billfold.

“Should have asked for six,” he said.

“I’ll give you seven.” And she did.

Stanley accepted the cash.

“Has this happened before?”

“Trespassers? Sure. Just today, for instance.” He gave her a pointed look and she flushed as he continued on. “But drones. That’s a new one for me.”

A voice came from behind the pickup.

“Pop?”

“Back here.”

Edward Coopersmith appeared, red-faced and unable to make eye contact with her. Behind him came Sheriff Trace. He had no trouble making eye contact and the result was an instant acceleration of her heartbeat. The physical reaction to this man was getting bothersome. She scowled at the pair as they continued toward them.

“Axel, what a surprise.” Stanley offered his hand to Trace and cast a scowl at his son.

“I wouldn’t have brung him, but this here is his gal and he’s worried.”

Stanley looked from Axel, whose jaw was locked tight, to Rylee, whose mouth swung open.

“Interesting news, seeing she’s only been here a day and a half.”

Edward glared at Axel, who shrugged.

Stanley Coopersmith spoke again. “We aren’t detaining her, Axel. Fact, she’s leaving anytime. You want to give her a lift?”

“I’ll need my weapons,” said Rylee.

“’Fraid our policy is to confiscate the firearms of trespassers.”

“And my vehicle?”

“Also confiscated.”

“It was on a county road.”

“The road belongs to the county. The land is ours. You left the government land when you left the road.”

“Taking a federal vehicle might be a problem for you,” said Rylee.

Coopersmith did not blink. She looked to the damaged drone, itching to get it to her people. A glance at Trace told her he was worried. He motioned with his head toward the exit.

Rylee looked to Coopersmith. “What do you want for them?”

“Money is good.”

“What about shotgun shells? I have ten boxes in my trunk.”

“You don’t anymore.”

Here, Axel stepped in, looping an arm around her waist and cinching her tight. Her side pressed against his and even though their skin never touched, her body tingled with awareness and she temporarily lost the ability to speak. His scent enveloped her. He smelled of pine soap and leather.

“I appreciate you looking out for my girl, Mr. Coopersmith. And for all you did for me when I was a boy. I’d appreciate you allowing us safe passage through your land.”

“Very fact she’s up here shows I’m right. It’s coming. I feel it in my bones.”

Rylee glanced to Trace to see what it might be. His hand rested familiarly on her hip and she found it harder to think as her body pressed to his.

“What about two cases of MREs for your trouble?” he offered, referring to the military Meals Ready to Eat. The food staple stored for years and he thought might just appeal to a man ready to hide in a bunker.

“I’ll take six for the drone and safe passage off our lands.”

“And her vehicle, weapons and anything else you took from her car.”

“Done.”