Dodge the Bullet by Christy Hayes

Woodward. That’s the last thing you or I need right now.”
    Dodge tightened his grip on the wheel. “Why
would you assume I’m interested? Because I used her first name?
She’s a widow, for God’s sake.”
    “She’s also a woman. Look, I don’t care if
you’re interested or not, I just need you to leave her alone. I can
probably get her up and running myself.”
    Dodge could feel anger boiling away in his
gut that only moments before had been pleasantly full. He didn’t
have any intention of walking away from her just because Burwick
demanded. If helping Sarah out made him mad, well, that was just an
added bonus. “You don’t know any more about the business than she
does. You can tell Benji to mind his own damn business. I’ve
already made promises to Mrs. Woodward that I don’t intend
to break just because he’s got his hackles up.”
    “Damn it Dodge. You’re putting me in a bad
spot.”
    “I’m sorry you’re in the middle, Tommy, but
you’re the one who asked me to help her in the first place. I won’t
go back on my word.”
    “You’re asking for a shit-load of trouble,
you know that, don’t you?”
    “What the hell else is new? I’m not talking
about forever here. Once she gets her fences up and I can find a
good man to run the day to day, she won’t need me at all.”
     
     

Chapter 7
    Sarah
sat on the couch reviewing the photos of her property Dodge had
divided into pastures. It made sense. Rotating the cows through
pastures, letting each section recover before turning them lose to
graze again. Unfortunately, the more she thought about all the
things Dodge had said, the more she realized she didn’t have a clue
what to do next. She reached for the phone.
    “Paula, hi, it’s Sarah Woodward.” Sarah felt
relieved to reach the agent who’d helped her and Todd close the
deal on their ranch five years ago.
    “Sarah, I’d heard through the grapevine
you’d moved to Hailey. How’s it going?” Paula Hamilton spoke with
the same Midwestern lilt that had patiently guided her and Todd
years ago. Her knowledge of the area and pragmatic advice had been
an invaluable asset to the Woodward’s when they’d started looking
for property in the valley.
    “It’s coming along, but I have to admit my
inattention over the last few years has caught up with the place.
The ranch is almost as run down as when we bought it.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. You know I think
that property of yours is a diamond in the rough. I’m sure with a
little TLC you’ll have it up and running in no time.” Sarah could
hear the fax machine buzzing in the background and visualized Paula
in her cramped office working on a dozen things at once.
    “That’s sort of why I’m calling. I’ve gotten
someone to help me with the initial plans, but I need to find
someone who’ll be willing to work for me and teach me the business
of ranching. Dodge seems to think that’s impossible, but I thought
if there was someone around here to fit that bill, you’d be the one
who’d know.”
    “Dodge? You mean A.J. Dodge?”
    “Yes, that’s right.”
    “How did you hook up with Dodge?”
    The hesitation she heard in Paula’s voice
sent a chill up her spine. “Well, I don’t really understand it
much, myself. Apparently his friend Tommy Thornton asked him to
check up on me at the request of Senator Burwick. Todd had met the
senator a few times and he’s inquired about buying the land. I’m
not sure why he’d ask anyone to help.”
    When Paula didn’t respond, Sarah asked, “Is
there something I should know about Dodge? I have to say he’s been
extremely kind, although he’s a little rough around the edges.”
    “I…I don’t like to pass along rumors, but…”
She hesitated.
    Sarah felt goose bumps rise along her limbs
and suddenly wished she’d made the call earlier. “Paula, if you
think there’s something I need to know, please don’t hold back. The
kids are coming on Saturday and I don’t want them