Liberated by Dez Burke

for her to give back to the local people who supported her and keep their pets healthier as well.
    “I’m so glad it helped out,” Kendra replied. “How’s her dog doing now?”
    “Feisty and mean as ever,” Myrtle replied with a smile. “Those Lhasas can be that way, you know. Spoiled little stinker that he is. Tries to bite my foot every time I go over there to visit.” She leaned back against the kitchen counter and looked Kendra over good. “Well, I’m thrilled Flint has finally found someone decent to hang around with.”
    When Myrtle noticed Kendra’s surprised expression, she immediately started backpedalling. “I didn’t mean he had brought around girls before that weren’t decent,” she explained. “I just meant I was glad he finally found a good woman.” She leaned in closer and whispered conspiratorially. “Don’t tell him we told you, but this is the first time Flint has ever brought any gal to one of our get-togethers.”
    “Really?” Kendra asked, both surprised and pleased.
    “It’s not for a lack of female admirers,” Sarah added with an impish grin. She was in her late thirties with curly strawberry blonde hair. A tattoo of a dragon ran down the length of her right arm. “Those damn Sweet Butts throw themselves all over Flint and Jesse. They’re picky about their women though. In fact, I don’t recall seeing Flint with a woman since he’s been back in town.”
    Kendra’s ears perked up at that tidbit of information. In their conversations, Flint had been vague about how long he’d been gone from Bardsville and when exactly he’d returned.
    “Now, Flint’s brother, Sam, is another story,” Sarah continued. “He loves the girls and Lord have mercy, they sure do love him. He’s quite a little devil, that one is. I just hope to God he carries lots of protection and uses it.”
    Myrtle rolled her eyes. “Ain’t that the damn truth!” Both ladies burst out laughing.
    Flint walked back into the kitchen and frowned. “Oh no! What are you two ladies up to now?” He gave Myrtle a quick peck on the cheek and then did the same for Sarah. “What kind of no-good lies are you filling Kendra’s head with? I hope you haven’t told her too many bad things about me.”
    The two women giggled. “Nothing that’s not true,” Myrtle kidded. It was obvious from the fond way the women looked at Flint that they thought the world of him.
    “That’s exactly what I was afraid of,” Flint replied. “Don’t believe anything these ladies say,” Flint warned Kendra. “Come on, darling,” he said, taking Kendra’s hand. “Sam’s here and I can’t wait for you to meet him.” He tugged her toward the doorway.
    “Hey Flint!” Sarah called out as they walked away. “Don’t let this one get away. She’s a keeper if you ask me.”
    Flint grinned back at them. “Yes, ma’am. Don’t I know it!”
    “What nice women!” Kendra said as they walked hand-in-hand through the living room. “I have a feeling they’re protective of you and were checking me out. To make sure I was worthy. It’s obvious they care a great deal about you.”
    Flint chuckled. “I’m sure you passed with flying colors. After all, who wouldn’t like you? Myrtle and Sarah are a couple of the club’s old ladies. They’ve been around for years. They’re like mother hens, trying to boss us guys around all the time. It usually works too because we’re all so scared of them.”
    He pointed to a handsome young man in his early twenties with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes standing in the middle of a group of girls across the room. “There’s Sam. Doing what he does best. Flirting with the ladies.”
    “Dang!” Kendra replied. “He’s quite a looker, too. All of you brothers are. Your parents must have had very good genes.”
    “Do I need to be jealous?” Flint said, suddenly serious.
    Kendra gave him a curious look and laughed. “No! Of course not. Where did that come from?”
    “That’s good,”