"Well… That was interesting," Paul said after opening the office door and he walked in the room. After his arrest, he spent hours talking with FBI agents about what happened at the prison and there were moments when she thought he was going to end up in prison himself.
"What happened?" Sibeal asked. He had returned to the office after he and Maggie had parted at the airport and she assured him she would be alright.
"Where do you want me to start?" Paul asked, walking to the desk then he sat down.
"You could start with th'prison. You an' yer squad ran off after we arrived."
"That was because I had to find out from the warden where he had put the Saints and turn off the security cameras and the alarms."
"You also wanted t'find out if that asshole who was sent t'kill my nephews was there as well."
"Right."
"Was he there?"
"Yeah."
"Had he been put in the same cellblock as my nephews?"
"Yeah."
"Was he dealt with?"
"Yeah."
"Then what happened?"
"We went to free the Saints, but they weren't there."
"They weren't where th'warden said they were or they weren't actually in th'prison t'begin with?"
"Oh… He swears they were in the prison. They were just gone."
"Does he know what happened t'them?"
"Nope. Which means they somehow escaped."
"Which is highly unlikely."
"Right."
"What happened next?"
"I was about to leave when the FBI showed up."
"Th'FBI showed up?!"
"Yep. Turns out Bloom ratted me out. She had me arrested and said I killed the Saints."
"She really said that?!"
"Yeah. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I had nice chat with the agents in charge of the investigation and I was able to convince them to let me go."
"Still doesn't explain how my nephews were able to escape or where they are."
"Or who helped them escape."
He looked at Sibeal when Smecker sat back in the chair and he arched his eyebrows up.
"Are you thinkin' I had somethin' t'do with their escape?" Sibeal asked.
"Did you?" Paul asked.
"No," Sibeal said.
Smecker nodded his head, but something set off alarm bells in his head and he crossed his arms over his chest. Looking at the door, he tried to figure out where Connor and Murphy were and he made a deep sigh.
Three days later. Houston, Texas – The Golden Cactus Ranch
Sunlight brightened the room as country music started playing on the clock radio and the bedding moved. A hand slid from under the bedding then the hand moved toward the clock radio and the hand tapped the off button. The bedding moved back as Diego Walker went to sit on the edge of the bed and he yawned. He wiped his face with his hands then moved his fingers through his dark hair and he shook his head. He was wearing a pair of white cotton briefs and the tight muscles of his arms, stomach and chest flexed as he stretched his arms over his head.
"Hmmmm," he grumbled. Getting up, he leaned down to pat the head of the gray wolf lying on the floor then he headed for the bathroom. Turning back to the bed, he looked back at his fiancé and he smiled. She was curled up on her left side with some of her long dark hair covering her face and she reached back for the bedding. He watched her cover herself with the bedding as he turned and he went into the bathroom.
A short time later, his fiancé heard the sound of the shower running when she opened her blue eyes, blinked, got out of bed and her gray nightshirt rose slightly up her thighs. She moved the nightshirt down when she headed for the bathroom, opened the door and she went inside the bathroom.
The Yellow Rose Motel
Murphy slept on his left side as he sighed and he moved slightly under the bedding. He barely shook his head as he frowned and he flexed the fingers of his left hand over the pillow.
He opened his eyes when he blinked then he sat up on the bed.
He didn't recognize the bedroom.
He pulled his legs up when he placed his wrists on his knees and he scanned the room with his eyes.
He could see the bathroom from the open door and he noticed his black Navy pea coat was hanging on a peg on the back of the bedroom door.
Moving the bedding back, he sat on the edge of the bed and he slid his feet into the bunny slippers. He walked to the bathroom when he turned the light on and he noticed the bathroom had a sink, a mirror over the sink, a toilet, a shower with a glass door and panels, a blue bathmat, and a white metal cabinet with towels, wash cloths, toilet paper, and cleaning products on the shelves.
"What th'hell?" he whispered. He walked to the sink when he opened the medicine cabinet and he saw his favorite shampoo, toothpaste and shaving cream, nail scissors and a razor sitting on the shelves. A blue toothbrush was in the blue plastic cup on the sink and he closed the medicine cabinet. He looked at his reflection when he expected to see Connor standing behind him, but only his face was in the mirror.
"Connor?!" he called out. He walked out of the bathroom when he headed for the bedroom door and he opened the door. He headed out into the hallway as he took in his surroundings and he headed down the hallway. "Connor!"
He noticed the framed photographs on the walls and the children's toys in the bathroom to his left and he leaned on the doorframe. The soft mewing sound made him turn when he saw the black cat and he knelt down. He carefully held his right hand out as the black cat sniffed his fingers then the black cat walked away.
"Same t'you," he said, standing up. He headed for the stairs when he went downstairs and he surveyed his surroundings. He headed for the kitchen as he frowned and he saw the coffee maker on the counter. He saw the coffee mugs behind the glass of the cabinet doors when he opened the cabinet door to his right and he looked at the red coffee mug. He was about to reach for the coffee mug when he felt someone pulling on the fingers of his left hand and he frowned.
Before he could look down, he snorted awake and he sat up. He shook his head as he placed his wrists on his knees and he looked over Connor sleeping on the bed to his left.
Connor was lying on his stomach with his forearms under the pillow to support his head and his head faced Murphy's bed. He made a small snort as his legs moved under the bedding, but he didn't wake.
Normally when he had a dream, Murphy was with him or he was in Murphy's dreams.
This time? He was alone.
He was walking by some buildings while he looked around, but he had no idea where he was.
"Looks like a farm or a ranch," Connor grumbled.
He noticed he was wearing snake skin cowboy boots, jeans, a white, sleeves shirt, blue lens sunglasses and a white straw cowboy hat was on his head. He arched the white straw cowboy hat back as he headed for a high, white cement wall and he could just hear something snorting behind the wall. He cautiously walked to the gate when the gate opened and he headed by the gate.
"Guess I gotta go in here," he grumbled and the gate closed behind him. He spun around to see the gate was closed and he tried to get the gate open.
"Murphy!" he called out, but the gate stayed shut. The sudden snorting sound caused him to turn back around and his eyes widened when he saw a black hide bull was standing behind him.
"Fuck," he whispered. He watched the bull heading for him when he snorted awake and he leaned up on his forearms.
"You alright?" Murphy asked and he looked at Murphy kneeling next to his bed.
"Aye. Why?" Connor asked.
"I've been callin' yer name fer th'last few minutes."
"Sorry," Connor said as he lowered his head and he sighed. "Must have been havin' a bad dream."
"You sure?"
Connor nodded his head.
"I had a bad dream, too," Murphy said as he stood then Murphy walked to the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed as he placed his hands on his knees and Connor turned to sit up.
"Murphy?" he asked with concern in his voice. Murphy looked toward the windows as the sunlight flickered behind the curtains and he frowned.
"We better get goin'," Murphy said as he headed for the bathroom and Connor watched the door close. Connor sat against the headboard as he heard the sound of the shower and he frowned.
The Golden Cactus Ranch
Diego and the gray wolf walked down the stairs as he headed for the kitchen and he heard the sound of country music playing on the radio sitting on the kitchen island counter. He headed inside the kitchen when a black cat raced pass him and Diego softly laughed.
"Morning," he said, walking to the kitchen island.
"Morning," Lisa Baker said with a small grin. She had her black hair pulled back into a pony tail and she slid the banana into the paper bag.
"Morning," made him look over at the stove at the woman with long blonde hair and she was placing some scrambled eggs onto a plate. "Boys!? Breakfast!"
Diego heard the sound of running footsteps as three boys ran into the kitchen and they headed for the kitchen table.
"Who's turn is it to feed Devil?" Diego asked.
"I think it's Chandler's turn," Lisa said, looking at her oldest son.
Chandler Baker was eleven and he had blue eyes and light brown hair. He looked at his mother when he headed for the pantry and he got out a can of dogfood. He walked to the dog bowl while Devil followed him and the gray wolf sat near the dog bowl. Chandler placed the dogfood in the dog bowl as Devil wagged its tail and he smiled at the gray wolf.
"There you go," Chandler said. He went to place the can of dogfood in the recycle bin after he washed the can out then he went to wash his hands. He went to sit next to his brother, Peter, and Peter was reading one of his comic books. Peter was nine and had light brown hair and blue eyes. He looked at his older brother when he slid over one of his comic books and Chandler nodded.
Diego went to sit down when his fiancé walked in the room and she headed for him. She slid her arms around his shoulders as she hugged him and Diego smiled.
"Morning," she said, sitting on the chair to his left.
"Morning." Lisa said. Lisa started serving breakfast as Darcy Turner sat next to her two children and Diego nodded after Lisa poured some coffee in his coffee mug. Darcy's son, Mark, was seven and had dark hair and blue eyes. Her daughter, Nichole, was four and she had blonde hair and blue eyes. She was holding onto a plush teddy bear in her arms and she had her left thumb in her mouth.
"Having any luck finding those new ranch hands?" Diego asked.
"Nope. It's like everyone the job place sent are either assholes or idiots," Darcy said, cutting the pancakes into little bites on Nichole's plate.
"The last guy was afraid of Ebony," Peter said as he looked at the black cat sitting on the chair next to him.
"Some people are afraid of cats, Honey," Lisa said, sitting down at the table.
"He was screamin' and wavin' is arms around like a baby," Chandler said with a grin and Peter snorted a laugh.
"Boys," Lisa warned and they nodded.
"I'm sure we'll find someone soon," Darcy said.
"I hope so," Lisa said and they started eating breakfast.
Daisy's Diner
The white truck moved into the park lot as Connor steered the white truck into the parking spot and he turned off the engine. They had traded in Maggie's car for a white pickup truck and had spent a few nights at some local motels. He lightly nudged Murphy as Murphy snorted awake and they got out of the white truck.
"You sure this is a good idea?' Murphy asked.
"Aye," Connor said as he looked up at the neon sign with Daisy's Diner on it.
"Still think this is a mistake."
"Come on."
They headed for the door as the sound of country music played over the outdoor speakers and Murphy scanned the area with his eyes.
The door opened while Connor and Murphy entered the diner and they headed for the counter. They sat on the diner stools and Connor noticed the people in the diner were staring at them.
"We need t'leave," Murphy whispered.
"Jus' keep calm an' let me do th'talkin'," Connor whispered.
The owner, Daisy Lynn Madison, walked to them as she scanned them with her eyes and Connor smiled, leaning his forearms on the counter.
"Hey," he said with a surfer accent.
"Hey. Haven't seen you two around here," Daisy said.
"We just got into town."
"What can I get you?"
"Some coffee to start."
"Same with you, Honey?" she asked, looking at Murphy. Murphy nodded. She walked away as Murphy looked in the mirror which showed some of the diner and he felt a growing sense of uneasiness moving through him.
"Easy," Connor whispered and Murphy nodded.
A short time later, Daisy placed the mugs of coffee and the menus in front of them as Connor smiled and she headed off toward three men sitting at the end of the counter. Murphy looked at the menu while Connor noticed her talking to the men at the end of the counter and the men glared at him.
"I think we've been made," Connor whispered and Murphy looked over at the men.
"Then let's go," Murphy whispered.
"No. Not yet," Connor whispered.
They watched the men as Daisy walked to Connor and he looked at her.
"Have you decided what you wanted to order?" Daisy asked.
"Yeah. Two Morning Slam Breakfasts, please," Connor said with a grin and she wrote the order on the notepad.
"Two Mornings!" she shouted toward the kitchen.
"Right!" the cook said from the kitchen.
Daisy walked off while Murphy sipped on the coffee and Connor looked at the three men walking to stand next to him.
"Hey," Connor said as he looked at the men.
"Ain't seen you 'round here before," Hank Mills said, glaring at him.
"Just got into town."
"Where are you from?" Jeff Lincoln asked.
"Out west."
"Out west where?" Kenny Lake asked when the door opened and Diego and Devil entered the diner. He knew Hank, Jeff and Kenny went into town for breakfast, but something about what they were doing sent out warning signs.
"You boys ain't causin' any trouble, right?" Diego asked when he stopped near Hank and Connor noticed the fear in their eyes.
"Shit," Jeff said.
"No. We're just talkin'," Hank said, moving back.
"Then get in your truck and haul ass. You got work to do," Diego said. He heard the soft growling coming from Devil when Diego made a soft whistle and the gray wolf sat.
"Is that a wolf?" Murphy whispered and Connor shrugged his shoulders.
Diego watched the men head for the door then leave when he walked to the counter and he looked at Connor and Murphy.
"Howdy," Diego said.
"Hey," Connor said while the grey wolf sniffed Connor's snakeskin boots and Connor looked at the gray wolf. "Nice dog."
"He's a wolf."
Murphy gave Connor a "I told you." look and Connor smiled. Daisy placed the plates of scrambled eggs, sausage links, two pancakes and some toast in front of Connor and Murphy then Murphy lightly licked his lips. She glanced at Diego then she walked away and Connor and Murphy started eating.
"Just passing through?" Diego asked.
"Nope. We're looking for work," Connor said, biting into a piece of toast.
"Ain't no work around here."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"Uh… Mind telling us why you're so interested in why we're here or what we're doing? Are you the local sheriff?"
"Nope. Just someone who thinks it would be better for you if you got back in your truck and leave town."
"Ah," Connor said with a nod.
Diego whistled as the grey wolf stood and they headed for the door. Connor looked in the mirror as he watched Diego leave then Connor took a long sip of coffee.
"Asshole," Murphy whispered.
Nodding, Connor started eating as he watched the rest of the people in the diner and he placed a piece of sausage in his mouth.
"Want another cup?" Daisy asked, holding the coffee pot in her right hand.
"No thanks," Connor said. She placed the bill for their order on the counter as he slid the piece of paper to him and she walked away. He looked at the piece of paper when he saw Meal's on me. If you're looking for work, go check out the Golden Cactus Ranch written on the back of the piece of paper.
"Check this out," he whispered, showing Murphy the note.
"Think it's a trap?" Murphy whispered as he looked at Daisy.
"No."
"How do we get there?"
Connor noticed there were directions written under the note as he frowned then he placed the piece of paper in the pocket of his denim shirt.
"Let's go," Connor whispered. They got up as he smiled at Daisy and he and Murphy headed for the door. After going outside, they headed for the white truck and they opened the doors then got in the white truck. Connor handed Murphy the piece of paper then he started the engine and he put the white truck in gear. Murphy looked out the window as Connor steered the white truck toward the exit and the white truck headed down the road.
The Golden Cactus Ranch
"Damn," Darcy sighed after she placed the receiver back on the phone cradle and she rolled her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Lisa asked.
"Just got a call from Daisy."
"What did she want?"
"She said two strangers just came into her diner."
"Were they hot?!" Lisa teased and Darcy laughed.
"She didn't say. She did tell me they were looking for work."
"And she sent them here."
"Yeah."
"Great."
"What's great?" Annie, Diego's fiancé, asked as she walked in the kitchen. She was wearing jeans, snakeskin cowgirl boots and a white denim shirt.
"Daisy called. Some guys were at the diner and they were looking for work," Lisa explained.
"Let me guess. She sent them here."
"Yep."
Annie pressed her lips into a thin line as she shook her head and she leaned against the counter.
A short time later, the white truck pulled up to the driveway and Murphy looked at the landscape He felt on edge as he sighed and Connor glanced at him. He knew when his brother was troubled and what he was sensing wasn't good.
"What's wrong?" Connor asked.
"Not sure. Just feel… Just feel off," Murphy said.
"You're not sick, are you?"
"I would tell you if I was."
"Aye. You would. Look. If this is a trap? We'll bolt. Ok?"
Nodding, Murphy watched the scenery going by when they arrived at the farmhouse and he noticed the wraparound porch and the neatly trimmed bushes along the bottom of the porch.
"Looks like summat outta an old western," Connor said as he parked the white truck and turned off the engine.
"Aye," Murphy said with a nod. He noticed the screen door opening while Darcy and Lisa walked outside and they stood at the top of the stairs.
"All that's missin' is a shotgun," Connor said.
"They could be th'owner's daughters."
"Let's find out."
On the porch, Darcy and Lisa watched as the doors opened and Murphy and Connor got out of the white truck.
"Damn," Lisa said, looking Connor over. He was wearing jeans, a black leather belt, his snakeskin boots and a white denim shirt and a white straw cowboy hat was on his head. He had on a pair of blue lens sunglasses and he placed his hands on his hips.
"Yeah," Darcy said, looking Murphy over. He was wearing jeans, a black leather belt, brown work boots and a black linen shirt. He wore dark sunglasses and he folded his arms over his chest.
"Hey," Connor said as he used the surfer accent while he walked to the bottom of the stairs and he looked at them. "Is your dad around?"
"No," Lisa said.
"Then who's in charge?"
"We are."
"It's our ranch," Darcy explained, looking at Murphy. There was something about him which made her feel curious. He titled his head to one side as he gave her a puzzled look and she looked away.
"Are you the guys that Daisy told us about?" Lisa asked.
"Who?" Connor asked.
"The owner of Daisy's Diner."
"Oh. The waitress. Yeah. We are."
"Have you ever worked on a ranch before?"
"We spent eight years raising sheep."
"Sheep?"
Connor nodded. Darcy and Lisa looked at each other when Lisa walked down the stairs and she stood in front of him. He had taken off the sunglasses as she noticed the light shining in his eyes and she felt a warm shiver move through her.
"What's your name?" Lisa asked.
"Connor," he said then he looked at Murphy. "This is my brother. Murphy."
Murphy felt Darcy's eyes on him as he looked down at his feet and she walked down the stairs. He heard her walking closer when he saw her feet and he lightly sucked on his bottom lip.
"Are you alright?" Darcy asked and he nodded, but didn't raise his head.
"Where are you guys from?" Lisa asked when Diego and the gray wolf walked closer when he stopped next to her.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" Diego asked and Connor turned to look at him.
"Told you we were looking for work," Connor explained.
"Daisy sent them," Lisa said and Diego frowned.
The gray wolf sniffed Connor's snakeskin cowboy boots then the gray wolf walked to Murphy and sniffed his work boots. Devil looked up at Murphy when Murphy reached out the fingers of his left hand and Devil sniffed his fingers. The gray wolf rubbed its head against his fingers as Murphy scratched Devi's right ear and the gray wolf wagged its tail.
"Well… That's a good sign," Darcy said with a small grin. "Devil isn't usually friendly around strangers."
Murphy shyly smiled and Devil sat next to him.
"Do you talk?"
Murphy just looked at her and she sighed.
"Are you going to hire them?" Diego asked.
"We are thinking about it," Lisa said.
"Do they have any experience working on a ranch?" he asked while looking at Connor and Murphy.
"We did work for eight years on a farm," Connor said.
"Doing what?"
"Raising sheep."
"Raising cows is a hell of a lot harder than raising sheep."
"I bet."
"Do you even know how to ride a horse?"
"Yep."
"What about him?" Diego asked, looking at Murphy.
"Yeah. He does."
Diego glanced from Connor to Murphy as something felt wrong and he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I don't think this is a good idea," Diego said while glancing at Lisa.
"It's not your decision," Darcy said.
"Yeah. It's ours," Lisa said.
"Have you asked Annie?" Diego asked.
"No. We haven't."
"Who's Annie?" Connor asked.
"She is our friend and the third owner of this ranch."
"Then let's go talk to her."
Lisa was starting to like his grin as she nodded and they headed for the stairs. Diego noticed Devil walking next to Murphy as Diego frowned then his face changed as the screen door opened.
"Oh crap," Connor whispered while Annie walked outside and Murphy nodded. She stopped at the top of the stairs and they both saw the anger in her eyes.
"What the hell are you two doing here!?" she asked, walking down the stairs and she stood in front of Connor and Murphy.