Wanted By The Cowboy Tiger (Heroes of Shifter Creek 3) by Clara Moore Page B

land.”
    “As long as the bats are there,” Millet countered. He shrugged his sloping shoulders. “If they decide they want to nest somewhere else, then Roger will be able to build.” His nod was emphatic. “That would mean jobs for all of us. Good jobs.”
    “If you mess with them bats, Millet, your ass is going to wind up in jail.” Danny’s best friend, Jorge, had recently retired from the Sherriff’s department. He knew Millet very well. “And it won’t be a weekend in the drunk tank. The feds take this environmental protection thing seriously. Are you really willing to spend five years inside on Roger’s say so?”
    Before Millet could answer, a red Mazda 626 pulled up in front of the town hall. Every head turned to watch the door open. Janelle Washington had been sent by the Fish and Wildlife Service to represent the government’s side in the forthcoming debate. No one in Loma Rita had met her before, but more than a few sets of eyes widened appreciably at the sight of her lush, curvy form.
    “Gentlemen,” Janelle said with a smile. “I assume you’re all here relevant to the Wilson appeal?” A few cowboys nodded, but no one said anything. Janelle flipped her long braids back over her shoulder, and adjusted her grip on her briefcase. “Well, then, let’s go in and get started.”
    She stood back, allowing the assembled cowboys to lead the way. Danny Russell hung back as well, taking the moment to introduce himself. “I’m afraid Roger Wilson isn’t here yet,” he said, “so we may have some waiting to do.”
    “Perhaps he realized it’s a lost cause,” Janelle said. “and decided to bail on us.”
    “If that’s the case, you’ve driven a long way for nothing,” Danny said. He took a long moment to enjoy looking at Janelle. She was nearly as tall as him, with quick brown eyes and caramel colored skin. Her blue blouse and business slacks weren’t designed to be sexy, but they clung to her curves in all the right places. The three inch heels she was wearing didn’t hurt matters, and he noticed there was no wedding ring on her hand.
    She noticed his interest and smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t stay for nothing,” she replied. “Meeting you has been a pleasure. Tell me about yourself. You work on one of the local ranches?”
    Danny nodded. “I’m with the Lost King, just on the other side of town here.” He was about to tell Janelle about the outfit when Roger Wilson came squealing into the parking lot, sending gravel flying every which way with his arrival.
    Janelle winced, moving to avoid the flying stones.  Roger stopped his truck less than a foot from her, and flung his door open. “So you’re who the government sent down to tell me I have no rights to my own land?” he sneered at her. He turned toward Danny. “I assume you’ve told the lady we’ve got more important things to worry about than where some stupid-ass bats decide to bed down at night.”
    Danny sighed. “We haven’t discussed anything yet, Roger, because we were waiting for you.” He squared his shoulders. “There’s a proper way to handle things like this, and that’s how we’re going to do them.” He turned toward Janelle and extended his arm, ushering her into the town hall. “After you, Ma’am.”
    “Oh, great,” Roger said, in a loud, mocking tone. “I can see how this is going to go already.” His voice dropped, but not so low Janelle couldn’t hear it. “Calling a porch monkey Ma’am, Danny? You got a hankering for dark meat or what?”
    Janelle’s shoulders stiffened, but she didn’t turn around. She just kept walking forward into the hall. Danny, however, did stop. He turned on one heel to face Roger. “If you can’t stop yourself from being an asshole, we don’t need to have this meeting at all.”
    “I know my rights!” Roger protested. “We’ve still got freedom of speech in America.” His eyebrows came close together and his face grew red. “For now, at least.”
    “I’m