Chapter XII:

As they were heading back to the ranch Kayce said, "I'm so glad that you and Lexi hit it off."

Kody glanced at him as he growled, "That was some dirty shit."

Kayce chuckled as he said, "It was all Monica's idea y'know."

Kody smiled thinly as he said, "I shoulda fuckin' known."

Kayce gave a hearty laugh as they pulled into the ranch yard. They climbed out and while Kayce went to see Monica and Tate he and Carter unloaded the horses and gave them the same treatment they had given Felix's horses. Then while Kody unhooked the horse trailer, he sent Carter inside with his duster, spurs and chaps. When he finally got inside Beth hugged him tightly and whispered, "Thank you."

A bewildered Kody asked, "For what?"

Beth replied, "For taking Carter with you and teaching him how to as you and Rip call it cowboy."

Kody said, "It wasn't a problem sis; hell I like the kid. He listens really well and does just what you tell him. Tween me an Rip we'll have turned that kid into a hand."

Just then a baby cried. Kody asked, "What in the blue hell was that?"

Beth replied sarcastically, "That was a baby crying."

Kody smirked as he said, "I know what it is smartass but why do I hear a baby crying?"

The smirk fell from her face as she said, "Jamie's back with his kid."

Kody asked, "What do you mean he's back?"

Beth replied as she led him into the family room, "I mean he came back and he said he wants to talk to you."

Kody nodded briskly as they entered the family room. Jamie spotted them and walked over and asked, "Can we talk in private?"

Kody nodded as he followed Jamie out to the porch. He leaned against the porch railing as he lit a Parodi and shot Jamie a hard glare. It had always unnerved Jamie how Kody could relay so much emotion in a single look. Finally, after several minutes Jamie began to speak, "I'm really very sorry about how I reacted when you told me what you did for me. I realize now that you were only trying to protect me from my real father and Christina. And I should have thanked you not called you names like I did. And for that I apologize and hope that you can forgive me."

Kody had a strong suspicion that Jamie was playing him said, "Yea I forgive you."

As they hugged Kody vowed to figure out Jamie's angle and quite possibly put him under the sod. It was like he had told Rip in the hospital he would be the one to kill Jamie if and/or when it became necessary. He didn't want to God knew he didn't but if Jamie posed a threat to the family Kody would end him. When they stepped apart Kody said, "I'm glad you came back; Parker needs to be around family."

Jamie was not surprised whatsoever that Kody knew his son's name and voiced as much. A slow grin spread across Kody's face as he said, "I have my sources. Now let's go back in so I can get to know my nephew."

Jamie nodded as they walked back inside.

A few days later Summer Higgins walked into the bunkhouse and said, "I need to see John."

Kody asked as he was repairing a bridal, "Why?"

She replied as Rip and the rest of the hands entered, "They trying to charge me as a habitual offender and give me life in prison."

Kody looked up as he spat, "That's total bullshit. Come on Dad's in the house we'll get him and head for the court house."

She nodded as they ran to the ranch house filled John in and hightailed it to court house.

Once they were in the court house they headed to the chambers of Judge Mitch Davis. They entered without knocking prompting Judge Davis to snap, "Show some damned respect and knock next time. And you; livestock agent this building is nonsmoking."

Kody replied flippantly, "Oh um I don't care."

Judge Davis growled, "I could have you stripped of your badge and thrown in jail."

John having heard enough exploded, "No you will do nothing of the sort; what you will do is drop all of these charges against Summer Higgins because it's just plain fucking cruel and smacks of judicial misconduct. I mean charging her as a habitual offender; she'll be eligible for parole when she's in her late forties. Is that what you call justice taking a young woman's life away?"

Judge Davis retorted, "Come on John you're really going to stand there and defend an environmental terrorist that wantonly trespasses and destroys both public and private property and assaults law enforcement one of which was your son Kayce might I add. I'm tired of seeing the rule of law being eroded by these millennials and I plan to make an example of Miss Higgins."

When John and Kody left Jamie pulled out his cell phone and called Caroline Warner; when the woman picked up, she asked, "How did it go."

Jamie replied, "They welcomed me back with open arms; although I suspect Beth and Kody don't believe me."

Malcolm Beck asked, "Why do you think that?"

Jamie replied, "For a couple of reasons; first of all, Beth and Kody have never liked me and always suspect the worst of me and the second and most important reason is neither Beth or Kody are stupid and they're suspicious of everything. But that being said I think I convinced everyone that I'm sincere."

Malcolm Beck said icily, "I hope so Mr. Dutton... For your sake I really do."

Jamie felt a chill go down his spine as he pocketed his phone and walked into his son's room and picked him up and whispered, "Shhh; it's okay Parker. Soon we will have our vengeance."

He was about to say more when suddenly he heard voices in the main room. He carried Parker into the family room and saw Kayce, Monica and Tate. He grinned as he asked, "Monica would you and Tate like to watch Parker for a few hours?"

Monica eagerly agreed as Kayce asked, "Where are you going?"

Jamie glanced sidelong at his younger brother as he replied, "I was going to go ino the office for a few hours. You want to come with me?"

Kaye nodded as he said, "We could work out a strategy to take care of Market Equities."

Jamie said, "That's the plan."

Kayce smirked slightly as they left.

Judge Mitch Davis couldn't believe what he had just heard; he cast astonished eyes on John and Kody as he asked in an unbelieving voice, "After everything I told you you still want me to drop all of the charges?"

John replied, "That's exactly what I expect you to do; we both know you are only this for one of two reasons."

An outraged Judge Mitch Davis demanded, "And what exactly do you think my reasons are?"

Kody said before his father could reply, "Either because next year is an election year or you're in the pocket of Market Equities. Pick your poison but we all know it's one or the other."

Judge Mitch Davis's face was purple with rage as he went on a tirade. But just as he started to explode Kody's phone rang. He grabbed it from his belt and saw that it was Mo Brings Plenty. He growled, "What's up Mo?'

Mo Brings Plenty replied, "We have a location on Angela Blue Thunder's killers."

Kody asked in a detached voice, "Where?"

Mo Brings Plenty replied, "They holed up on the Cheyenne Reservation in Wyoming. They are staying with a couple Cheyenne hookers."

Kody said, "I know where they are. You want me to swing by and get you?"

Mo Brings Plenty replied, "I have no authority on the Cheyenne Res."

Kody said, "That's all well an good but you never answered the question."

Mo Brings Plenty chuckled as he said, "Yes I would like that very much,"

Kody nodded as he said, "I'm on my way."

Mo Brings Plenty replied, "I will be ready."

Hope y'all like how this is goin so far