"Back in the Saddle" PART TWO
"What in the world is in this box?" Trent Malloy grunted harshly, his eyes scanning the box he struggled to hold on to as he stood next to Katheryn in the elevator lift.
"Oh, just a few books." Katheryn grinned and rearranged her own grip on the box she held.
"A few?" Trent scoffed. "More like a lot."
The lift's door slid open with a loud, authoritative thud and settled with an echo through the entire third floor. The two weary movers exited the narrow space side-by-side and turned left into the wide hall.
"This place remind me a lot of Carlos' place."
Katheryn thought through Trent's words. "You're right. It does."
Arriving at Katheryn's new apartment, Katheryn deposited her box at the foot of the door and unlocked the door…rather slowly in Trent's opinion as he tightened his grip on the cardboard monster in his arms.
Katheryn swung the door open and squatted downward, hoisting her own box back into her grasp and moving forward quickly into the apartment. She set it down as soon as she could on the small kitchen counter with a smiling sigh of relief.
"Where do want this?" Trent managed despite not being able to make full eye contact with his friend.
"Um…" Katheryn glanced around the living space but couldn't decide.
"Would you hurry up?" Trent tried to smile but couldn't.
"Here." Katheryn tapped the counter. "Just set it here. That'll be fine." She smiled.
Trent sighed brusquely before turning to Katheryn. "Is that the last one?"
Katheryn wanted to be sarcastic but chose not to. "I think so." She cringed and snapped her fingers in front of her with a disappointed sigh. "Darn. I think there's another. But it should be a little lighter if that helps." She smiled yet again to lighten the mood.
"You know I'm just kidding." Trent chuckled. "I'd bring twenty more boxes up here if you wanted me to. That's what friends are for."
"Yep. Sure is." A voice alerted them from the doorway.
"Carlos!" Katheryn beamed. "So you decided to come help after all, huh?"
"Yeah. You know I can't stay away for long."
Trent slapped his buddy on the back as he neared him. "But you so conveniently arrived just after all the heavy boxes had already been brought up."
"Did I?" Carlos grinned.
Katheryn tried not to smile. But Carlos' sense of humor was one of the things she loved about him the most. "There's still plenty to do, Carlos." She flipped open the box Trent had just sat down. "Like filling the small built-ins right over there." She pointed to a crevice of the living space far off.
"Ah, I see. A one-handed job." Carlos crossed the space and looked into the box. "Whoa! These are a lot of books."
"Tell me about it!" Trent sighed playfully.
Carlos reached his free hand inside and drew out a title. "Jane Austen." He drew out another. "L.M. Montgomery." He set that one aside also and looked Katheryn's way with a sly smile.
Katheryn stood watching in disbelief. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable with Carlos going through every book she owned. But she liked it at the same time.
"Ah!" Carlos drew out a title on karate. "Our friend here has quite the eclectic taste."
"That's the truth." Katheryn scoffed to herself playfully, knowing good and well just how much her eclectic tastes were. She gently set her hand on top of the box, blocking Carlos from getting another one out. "How about we put them on the shelf now. Okay?"
"Yes, ma'am." Carlos saluted lamely with his forefinger before lifting the three books under his free arm and crossing to the built-ins Katheryn had pointed to a moment ago.
Trent turned to leave. "I'll see you later, Kath. You take it is on Carlos." He smiled.
Katheryn returned his sentiment with a nod. "Sure thing." She lifted a hand as she waved goodbye.
"So," Carlos grunted as he stood back to his feet from stocking those three books. "Are you gonna have any house warming party or anything?"
Katheryn wrinkled her forehead and placed her hand on her hip in thought. "I don't know. I suppose I'll have to ask my roommate first. I mean…I'm not that big on parties. If I did do something, it would be simply inviting you all over for dinner. Just something simple like that."
"Gotcha." Carlos grinned and eased over to the box to get some more books. "I hear there's a special birthday coming up."
Katheryn panicked inwardly as she had she had not recalled telling Carlos when her birthday was but then relaxed as she remembered it was still a good four months away. "Whose?" She wrinkled her forehead intensely.
"Ranger Walker's." Carlos crossed the room again with four books this time.
"Ah!" Katheryn nodded. "I bet Alex and Trivette have planned a big party."
"I don't know." Carlos thought for a moment as he squatted down to place the books on the rather low shelf. "Only thing I've heard is Trivette telling me that C.D. told him he had a special present for him."
Katheryn finally moved from her place by the kitchen counter and began removing her belongings from the other box. "Sounds intriguing. Walker's a special man. Any present for him would have to be extra special." She spun on her heel and nearly ran into Carlos as she didn't hear him come up behind her. She grasped at her words as embarrassment flooded her being. The item she had held was now no longer there as it was sent crashing to the floor below. A rather loud gasp escaped her as the item sounded against the floor, shattering into its demise. Carlos tried to rush in and save it, but it was too late and had broken in two before either of them could collect themselves.
"I'm so sorry." Katheryn nervously turned back around to the box behind her as her eyes grew large from shock. Why was she so nervous about a little fumble?
"No, it was my fault." Carlos resolved as he stooped down to gather the broken dish.
Katheryn turned back around and quickly bent down. "No…Let me." Katheryn busied herself with gathering the broken fragments as Carlos simply looked towards her…a gentle smile playing at his lips that she never saw amid her busyness.
The little incident was soon over and the two rose and went back to their separate tasks… Katheryn's thoughts were gathered but confused as she attempted to reassure herself.
Carlos' thoughts were steady and sure as he returned to the bookshelf. He almost wished he had spoken up…or more…as he had looked into her eyes for that brief moment. He quickly dismissed the thought and tried to focus on the assignment before him. After all…There's more than one way to show someone that you think of them highly.
Katheryn took a deep breath as she steadied herself and turned to face Carlos. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
Carlos turned to face her with intrigue in his eyes. "What's up?"
"Last night," she began, ambling nearer to him, "while I was on my way home I passed through a police checkpoint."
"And?" Carlos wasn't quite getting her meaning.
"Well," Katheryn sighed. "I don't know. There was just something about it that didn't feel right. It looked legit. I—I don't know."
"Where was it at?"
"About two miles…maybe three miles from Trent's house."
"Hmm…" Carlos wrinkled his forehead. "Tell you what…I'll check with the office later and let you know." He smiled.
"Thanks." Katheryn returned his smile and slowly turned back to her unpacking.
"Am I interrupting anything?" A feminine voice sounded in the doorway.
"Not at all." Carlos stretched to see where the voice came from.
Molly beamed her approval as she entered slowly, carrying a rather organized box of items into the apartment. She set the box down and neared her roommate. "I hope you don't mind, but I decided to go ahead a come."
"No problem at all." Katheryn reassured her new friend.
Molly glanced towards Carlos. "And who is this?"
Katheryn quickly apologized, laying aside the item in her hand. "This is detective Carlos Sandoval. Carlos, this is Molly Mason."
"It's a pleasure." Carlos tipped his head courteously as he shook the young woman's hand. "Are you new to Dallas?"
"Not entirely." Molly sighed. "But it's the first time I've lived here."
"Well we are pleased to have you here." Carlos welcomed the newcomer cordially.
"Thank you." Molly nodded and glanced at the four boxes on the kitchen counter.
"I just got here." Katheryn confessed, guilt edging her voice.
Molly smiled. "Oh that's quite alright. Are these books?" She peered inside the first box.
"Yep." Carlos answered lamely.
"Kath!" Trent's voice sounded in the doorway as he hoisted yet another box inside. "Excuse me…" He grunted softly, moving past his friends and setting the item on the floor. He stood back up to his full height, turned, and was about to speak when Molly caught his eye. Her curly blonde hair pulled back half-way and her rather mature smile caused him to delay his words. In no time he had snapped out of it and had turned to Katheryn. "I was half way down the road when I remembered I still had a box of yours in my car."
Katheryn nodded her thanks. "Thanks, Trent." She crossed the room to where Trent was, taking one look at him and then one look at Molly and then shaking her head as she kneeled down to the box Trent had just brought in.
Trent clapped his hands once and cleared his throat. "Well…I'll be seeing you guys…later." He turned and left slowly before another word could be said.
Carlos wanted to laugh but didn't as he bowed his head with a hidden smile.
Molly frowned. "And who was that?"
Carlos leaned closer to Molly. "That was Trent Malloy. He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember."
A gentle smile slowly made its way to Molly's delicate features. "He seemed nice."
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far." Carlos scoffed.
Katheryn couldn't help but laugh under her breath.
"I heard that." Carlos glared her way although her back was turned to him as she sorted through the box on the floor.
Molly shook away the entire discourse with a breathy sigh and turned to do her own decorating. "Well, I guess there's much to be done." She glanced around the little place as she crossed the living area. "Much to be done indeed."
##
About a quarter of a mile separated two scraggly-faced, tobacco-chewing ingrates in their beat up 1971 Ford pickup from Ranger Walker's welcoming ranch house as their beady eyes glared towards the place of solace that lay just up the road.
The older of the two sat in the driver's seat, binoculars in hand, studying the outskirts of the property. "Thar it is." He gleefully smiled to himself as plans formed in his mind.
The other man's mouth opened wide with a guttural laugh. His eyes focused forward, picturing in his mind the man who had sent them to Huntsville six years ago.
"Shouldn't be very hard." The one in the driver's seat remarked with a satisfied smirk as he lowered his binoculars.
"Better not." The other scoffed. "I ain't going back to that hell hole. Ain't ever gonna find Deats Tarpin in that place ever again. Good thing we got out when we did. And ol' Walker ain't ever gonna know what hit him."
"Patience, brother. Patience."
"A man don't got no patience after being sent to prison! That Ranger Walker's gonna pay."
"He will, Deats. He will!" The other man barked at his passenger.
"Easy now…" Deats Tarpin chuckled ruefully. "You mighty touchy, Hank."
Hank Tarpin raised the binoculars back to eyes. "I should be…Took me almost fifteen years to get my chance. And now I got it. I'm gonna enjoy the feeling for as long as can. Don't be rushing it, brother."
Hank Tarpin glanced behind them toward the bed of the truck and eagerly smiled, rubbing his hands together in glee. "What do you say we set up a few surprises for the good Ranger?" His psychotic giggle reverberated through the truck.
Hank Tarpin held his focus, easing the binoculars away with a slow-coming smile rising to the surface of lips. "First good thing you said today, brother. First good thing you've said."
##
Jane Willis' short curly pigtails bobbed up and down and back and forth as the little girl skipped through the H.O.P.E. center with her cup of animal crackers gripped securely in her hand.
"Don't forget your coat, Jane." Katheryn called to the little one as she caught up with her.
The little girl handed off her snack to Katheryn and proceeded to slip into her coat. Her little six-year-old arms struggled a bit to find the opposite arm that sagged behind her. She spun in a circle once or twice, trying to chase it but stopped short soon after with a sigh. The little girl only stood there as her pigtails continued to move.
"Would you like some help, sweetheart?" Katheryn stifled a chuckle.
Jane put up her still free hand. "No, ma'am. I've got it."
"Okay." Katheryn relaxed, shifting her weight to her other foot as she held their snacks.
It took a moment or two of trial and error. But Jane eventually managed to get her coat on and beamed a smile as she accepted her snack back from Katheryn.
The two proceeded out of doors into the cool air and stooped down, being seated on the brick steps of the center. Several minutes passed as the young woman and the little girl, now fast friends, munched on their individual snacks together.
"I'm glad you came back like you said." Jane smiled up at Katheryn.
Katheryn looked her way with every ounce of love in her heart for the little girl. "I always keep my word."
"Good." The little one turned back to face the yard and shoved another cracker into her small mouth, filling it greatly. "Are you gonna marry that police man?" The little girl blurted out with her mouth still somewhat full.
After recovering from nearly choking on her potato chips, Katheryn couldn't help but smile. It seemed she always found herself laughing when in a nervous state. "What a question to ask."
"You like him don't you?"
Katheryn nodded. "Of course. Who wouldn't?"
The smart girl nibbled some more in silence, allowing Katheryn a desperate moment to gather her thoughts…what there was left of the scattered remains in her mind after being embarrassed like so. She finally found her mental footing and turned to Jane. "We're just friends. Good friends."
Jane sighed. "That's what they all say."
From the mouths of babes, Katheryn thought to herself but quickly tossed the thought away as the entrance to the H.O.P.E. center eased open and Miss Cahill emerged.
"Alright." Miss Cahill began. "It's all been settled."
"Oh?" Katheryn turned to face Alex.
Alex grinned. "We'll be heading out to Walker's ranch first thing Saturday morning and get an early start. I've called Trent and Carlos. They said that works best for them."
Katheryn smiled her approval. "Do I need to bring anything?"
Miss Cahill thought for a moment. "I'll take care of the essentials. Just dress appropriately and bring a contribution for the picnic."
"Gotcha."
"Oh…" Miss Cahill raised her finger as a thought seized her. "Walker's birthday party is tonight at C.D.'s. You think you'll be able to make it?"
"Wouldn't miss it!" Katheryn beamed.
"Wonderful." Miss Cahill's smile lit up the veranda. "Also…Detective Sandoval called and said for you to call him right back." She frowned in intense thought as she recalled the conversation. "Something about a police checkpoint."
Katheryn nodded eagerly and stood to her feet. "I'll call back right away."
"And…" Alex glanced at her wristwatch. "…I need to get over to C.D.'s now. I promised I'd help decorate for the party tonight. And C.D. wanted to show something to me and Jimmy before the party tonight. Something about a rare present he got for Walker." She chuckled softly.
"Alright…" Katheryn nodded and inwardly wished she could get to her phone call with Carlos.
Miss Cahill saw the eagerness in her eyes and nodded in agreement, stepping aside toward Jane Willis as Katheryn then hurried slowly and politely inside the center.
"Yep. She likes him." Jane uttered softly.
Miss Cahill only wrinkled her forehead in confusion as she heard the girl's words. She brushed it off with a smile before following Katheryn back into the center to prepare to leave.
Katheryn had since made her way to the telephone in the quiet corner of the center's kitchen just passed the food pantry and was dialing Carlos' office number into the wall phone as Miss Cahill eased passed her to get her belongings.
"Yes, this is Detective Sandoval," the voice answered from the other end.
Katheryn suppressed her smile and spoke. "It's Katheryn. You wanted to speak with me?"
Carlos grinned from the other end of the phone. "Of course." He steadied himself in his desk chair as he leaned forward, his elbows propped up on the desk as he held the device to his ear. "I spoke with several people here and checked the records. There's no sign of a checkpoint having been conducted within a five-mile radius of the Malloy home in over a month."
Katheryn's forehead wrinkled intensely. "Well I know I didn't imagine it."
"I know." Carlos nodded. "Did you happen to hear any conversation between the officers when you drove up?"
"No." Katheryn shook her head, bowing it softly in regret. "I was rather caught up in my thoughts to be honest."
Carlos exhaled sharply as he tried to figure this out. "It's strange to say the least."
"You're telling me." Katheryn sighed with raised eyebrows expressing her displeasure toward the occurrence. It made her shudder under the thought that she was being checked for some diabolical intention. She stifled her cringe as Carlos spoke again.
"I'll try to look in to it some more and let you know what I find out."
Katheryn managed a smile this time. "Okay."
"I'll see you at C.D.'s tonight." Carlos said without thinking but then retraced his words. "You will be there, right?"
"Of course." Katheryn beamed, wishing he could have seen her reassuring smile.
Carlos bid her goodbye and hung up the phone slowly but swiftly as he smiled broadly also, trying his best to return to his job as detective.
Miss Cahill crossed back through the kitchen just as the wall phone dinged softly upon Katheryn returning the hand-held device to its rightful place. "Everything okay?"
Katheryn nodded although her smile faded and her face was turned as she settled into deep thought.
Alex noticed her worrisome demeanor and neared the young woman. "Everything doesn't seem okay. Are you sure?"
Katheryn shook out of it and raised her head with a smile. "Oh, everything's alright." She nodded firmly. "Carlos was looking into something that happened to me the other night."
"What happened?" Alex grew concerned.
"After dinner with you all the other night, I was headed home to the Malloy's and stopped at a police checkpoint. It seemed legitimate. But I felt odd about it so I told Carlos…I mean Detective Sandoval." She sighed. "He said there has not been a checkpoint near that area in over a month."
Miss Cahill creased her forehead, looking towards Katheryn with deepened concern. "That is odd indeed."
"He said he'd continue to look into it. I just don't like the idea that…" Her words trailed off.
Miss Cahill relaxed and smiled, setting her hand on Katheryn's shoulder. "I'm sure everything will be alright. Carlos is a good cop. He'll figure it out."
"Somehow I wish I could help though." Katheryn relaxed with her hand on her hip.
Alex smiled. "I sort of know the feeling."
"You do?"
"Yep. Although I usually know better than to jump in. A man has his pride you know. But there are times you end up having to work as a team, and it all works out in the end. Walker and I seem to balance each other that way."
Katheryn accepted Miss Cahill's advice readily and gave the woman a smile of acceptance. "Thanks."
"Well," Alex announced. "I've got to get going. Are you alright?" She looked into Katheryn's eyes.
"I'm fine." Katheryn pleaded. "Go." She laughed softly.
"Oh, alright." Alex chuckled and took up her handbag, heading for the door and into the cool afternoon winter winds, leaving Katheryn to see to the center while she was gone.
Katheryn sighed rather intensely as she glanced around herself. No use worrying about what she couldn't control, she concluded, moving forward to stock the recent can good donations into the food pantry. There was much work to keep her mind occupied before the grand party tonight.
##
(Insert the events from the episode "Paradise Trail" here)
Ranger Walker had just arrived at C.D.'s and scared the sanctified daylights out of his close friends as they sat together at the bar, reminiscing of an excerpt of the life of Hayes Cooper and his quest to help the Mormon travelers as told from the special book C.D. planned to give to Walker for his birthday that night. Alex had a hard time stopping her incessant laugh as Trivette's heart rate attempted to return to normal.
"Jeez." Walker's broad smile sheltered his confused yet hearty laugh. His eyes innocently pleaded his case. "You all seemed far away from here."
"That we were, Cordell." C.D. glared at the Ranger with playful disgust. "About a hundred years to be exact."
"Oh?" Walker tried peaking over the group to the bar. "What's that?" He smiled.
Alex eased her delicate hand over the treasured item and scooted it behind her and out of view as she turned to face Walker with an innocent glint and sparkle in her eyes.
Walker sighed out of defeat.
"It's a surprise." Jimmy's eyes rolled towards his partner.
"A surprise, huh?"
Jimmy nodded facetiously.
"That is odd." A deep voice arose from the entrance, drawing the little group's attention as Trent and Carlos ambled into the festive canteen.
"I know."
"Well, hello you two." Alex greeted with her usual gaiety.
"Hi, Alex." Carlos returned the sentiment as he settled himself on a barstool near the group.
Trent took the one in between Carlos and Alex and turned to Ranger Walker. "So I hear someone has a birthday."
"Apparently." Walker smiled, overlooking the group.
"What'll it be, boys?" C.D. beamed, easing from his bar stool and making his way behind the bar.
"Just a longneck."
"Same here." Carlos chimed in.
"What's this here?" Trent's gaze fell upon the book the Alex had attempted to hide. She slowly turned around towards the bar as Walker took the barstool that C.D. had occupied moments ago.
"It's supposed to be a surprise." Trivette glared playfully at Trent, pointing to Walker with his head in some sort of secret communication.
Trent lifted his hands off of the bar in surrender.
Walker looked towards the twosome. "What were you talking about when you came in?"
Carlos nodded towards Walker as he looked Trent's way. "Seems Katheryn went through a checkpoint the other night after our dinner here…and it never existed according to our records."
"You mean officers conducted a checkpoint without the department's permission?" Trivette interjected.
Carlos nodded, a debased disgust easing over his demeanor as he took a drink.
"Hey, guys!" Katheryn's broad and catching smile went before her as she neared the group. "Am I late?"
Trent grinned. "Of course not."
C.D. scooted down the bar as the young lady claimed the barstool next to Carlos on the end. Carlos and Katheryn exchanged fond smiles as she did so.
"What'll it be?" C.D. tapped the bar firmly with a grin.
"Hmm…" Katheryn thought for a moment and fought a small dose of indecision. "Just a sweet tea for now."
C.D. nodded once and turned to fill her order. "You'd think you're from the south or something with all this sweet tea you drink." He turned back around and set the drink before her.
Katheryn laughed softly. "Well…actually I am. Missouri's my second home. Although I feel more at home here than I ever did in the south."
"Well that's good." C.D. was ever the more pleased with all his friends surrounding his bar at once as he turned to the birthday boy who began to speak.
"Katheryn," Walker began. "Carlos was just telling me about your experience the other night."
Katheryn sighed. "Yeah. I had a feeling about it. I still don't know what to make of it though."
Alex raised her hand with a determined smile. "All I know is that the bad guys will just have to wait a few hours while we celebrate a certain person's birthday." She looked to Walker. Love seemed to do her demeanor wonders.
Walker blushed away his smile.
"Cordell," C.D. picked up the book that they had hid from Walker all evening. He moved down the bar and reached his hand to give Ranger Walker the item. "I figured you'd like it. Lots of interesting stories in there including the one about when ol' Cooper got the Tarpin gang."
Walker cautiously took the book in hand and carefully looked it over. Thankfulness overcame him as he opened to the first few pages. "Thank you, C.D."
"Don't mention it." C.D. grinned it return. In fact, everyone at the bar couldn't help but smile as Walker expressed his gratitude.
"So…" Alex turned to the threesome on her right. "Are you all looking forward to Saturday?"
"Looking forward?" Carlos retorted with a sly grin. "I'm ecstatic."
"How come?" Trent stifled an oncoming chuckle as he bowed his head, looking to Carlos at the same time.
"Well…" Carlos shrugged. "I like horseback riding."
"Since when?" Trent couldn't help but laugh a bit this time. But he kept it under his breath.
Carlos shrugged again, looking away. "I just like it."
"Whatever." Trent took a sip of his drink with a smile.
Katheryn propped her elbows up on the bar with her fists gently tucked beneath her chin as she smiled towards Miss Cahill. "I'm rather looking forward to it myself."
"That's great." Alex was pleased and turned to see Walker's approving smile.
"Say…" Katheryn continued. "Would you mind if I brought my roommate along? That is…If she'd like to come."
Alex beamed. "Of course! That would be great." She slowly eased from her barstool. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go to the ladies' room."
"Sure." Katheryn settled back into her seat with a satisfied grin and glanced around her, observing the homey little place she had been in many times in the past months. Trent and Carlos was carrying on a light conversation while the Ranger engaged in a brief talk. C.D. had gone to check on something in the kitchen. And Miss Cahill was still gone.
Katheryn enjoyed the bit of alone time as she treasured simply sitting there and taking it all in. Perhaps it was all a dream. Then…maybe it wasn't.
She too then eased from her barstool, letting her feet hit the floor as she turned completely around to face the dining area while still sitting on the edge of the stool. With arms crossed, she wrinkled her forehead and deep thought, glancing to her left…and then her right…when her eyes stopped on a rather interesting specimen.
Carlos words eased to an immediate halt as he barely looked up and over Trent's shoulder to see Katheryn in such a pensive state. He tapped Trent on the shoulder and nodded towards the young woman. Trent turned around to see her also.
"Kath?" Carlos began. "You okay?" He wanted to chuckle but held it at bay.
Katheryn's gazed remained fixed upon the wall to the right. "Oh, I'm okay."
"Then what is it?" Trent smiled.
Katheryn was as serious as she could ever be as she spoke. "As much as I have come in here since the summer, I have yet to notice that dartboard staring me in the face."
"Wh—what are you saying?" Carlos shook his head.
"Carlos…" Katheryn impulsively stood to her feet with a direct slap of the bar with her hand as she turned around. "I'm challenging you to a game of darts."
Carlos couldn't help but laugh. "You're not serious."
"Oh, yes, I am."
"Really?" Carlos' smile faded as he realized she was serious.
Katheryn grinned from ear to ear, bringing her arms back to her as she crossed them against her chest.
Miss Cahill emerged from the ladies' room, noticing the silent looks and gestures that emanated a silent communication amongst the circle of friends. "Did I miss anything?"
Trivette cocked his head to one side, setting his drink down. "Katheryn just challenged Carlos to a riveting game of d—darts." He nearly could not control his laughter on that last note.
Alex slapped at his arm. "Well, if you think it's so funny, maybe we should play team against team. Huh?"
Trivette's smile faded but then returned as he stood to his feet and crossed over to where Trent and Carlos sat. He slapped them on the back, one with each of his hands at the same time. "What do you say, guys?"
Carlos looked up at Trivette. "Hold on now. Who's playing on whose team?"
"Trent and me against Carlos and Trivette." Katheryn spoke up before any of them had a chance. She turned around. "And Miss Cahill and Ranger Walker could be a team too."
Carlos chuckled aloud as he stood, stretching a bit as if he were preparing to compete in some sort of athletic event. "Bring it on." He glared at Trent.
"You got it." Trent pushed away from the bar and took his place with the others near the dart board. He turned to Katheryn and handed her the handful of darts. He gave her a wink as he stepped aside. "Ladies first."
She winked back, glancing and making eye contact with Carlos who sat against the opposite wall with his arms crossed ready to watch as Katheryn stepped up to play.
Half an hour later, Trent and Katheryn led the little competition by mere points while Trivette and Carlos trailed behind in third.
Carlos walked away from the game in surrender soon after. He sat down on the barstool nearest Katheryn as they all reclaimed a seat. He sighed, looking into her determined and victorious hazel eyes. "Next time…we're playing pool."