Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

time being. Thrilled to be free, she threw her good arm around Colt’s neck and hugged him tight. “Thank you, so much for driving all the way down there. I needed proof before I could confront Tackett.”

He pulled her in tight to his chest, their heart beats joining in tempo. “I’m just relieved to know you’re innocent,” he murmured into her hair.

His words slapped her like a cold drink tossed in her face. Caitlyn pushed back and narrowed her eyes. She raised her right brow. “It would’ve been nice if you believed in me without the evidence.” Colt’s cheeks grew ruddy as she withdrew her arm and turned away from him.

When Colt spoke again, excitement no longer buoyed his voice and the light in his eyes had dimmed. “I saw something curious on my way back into town,” he lifted the lid on the copy machine. Pressing a few buttons, he copied the lab documents. He handed one set to Caitlyn’s attorney and left a second stack on the sheriff’s desk. “Jim Hague was in Eleanor Smooter’s front yard, yelling at a pregnant woman I’ve never seen before.”

“That must be Maribel. She’s the woman I met with Eleanor at the Mercantile—Eleanor’s houseguest.” Caitlyn gathered her things. “What was he yelling at her about?”

“I don’t know, but it was kind of funny.” Caitlyn and her attorney waited for Colt to continue. “The lady—Maribel—apparently didn’t like him screaming at her and responded to his verbal abuse by walloping him in the shoulder with her purse.”

“Serves him right,” Caitlyn chuffed.

“I agree, but then Hague cried out in pain and fell to the ground holding his arm.” He raised his brows. “What do you make of that? I mean, he’s a pretty big guy to get hurt so easily.”

“Are they still there?” Caitlyn ran to the door.

The attorney slid the lab document and his notepad into his briefcase. “I’ll let you two settle the local domestic dispute. I’m heading over to my B&B. I’d like to meet with you again to discuss your case before I head back to Denver, Caitlyn. How about tomorrow morning at nine o’clock?”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you at the cafe.” Caitlyn hollered over her shoulder as she ran toward Colt’s Jeep. “Come on Deputy, let’s go see a man about a painful arm.”

As Caitlyn and Colt ran to his Jeep, someone called out to Caitlyn from down the street.

“Caitlyn! Caitlyn, wait a minute.”

She stopped in her tracks and turned toward the voice calling her name. Dr. Moore walked up the street in their direction with Renegade next to him on a leash. The vet waved and smiled as he rushed toward them.

“Running into you is a lucky coincidence. I have good news. I’m giving Renegade the all clear. There’s no more bleeding in his brain.”

Caitlyn fell to her knees and threw her good arm around her dog. “Oh buddy, I’m so glad to hear you’re okay.” Tears of joy moistened her cheeks and Renegade licked them away, slathering her face with his tongue. His tail swept back and forth excitedly.

“When I retested this morning, everything looked fine. Even the swelling has gone. I thought I’d take him on a walk and get him a little fresh air.” The doctor quirked his lips. “The truth is, Renegade has been whining for you all day. I kept him sedated yesterday, and through the night. But I can’t justify continuing the medication when he’s doing so well.”

Caitlyn peered up at the doctor. “Can I take him home, then?”

“You sure may. Most of the glass splinters were superficial. He has one gash on the side of his left front paw that I had to stitch up, but as you can see his pads aren’t causing him pain. He shouldn’t have any trouble walking.” Dr. Moore patted Renegade’s shoulder. “He probably has a headache, and I’ve prescribed some pain relievers for that and for the incisions. He’s also on an antibiotic to prevent any infection, but he’ll be happier and far more comfortable at home than he would be at the clinic.”

Caitlyn rose to her feet and hugged the doctor. “Thank you so much, Dr. Moore. He couldn’t have been in better hands.”

“I’m glad it all turned out as well as it did. Renegade is a wonderful dog, and he obviously loves you.”

“He sure is, and the feeling is mutual.” Caitlyn stroked Renegade’s face once more before she opened the back door to the Jeep for him. She sat in the front. “Come on, Colt. Let’s go find Jim.”

By the time they drove to Eleanor’s, Jim and Maribel were sitting next to each other on the front porch steps. Jim pushed himself up to his feet when he saw Colt pull up to the curb.

“I drove by a little while ago and saw you two arguing,” Colt said as he stepped out of his car. “I wanted to check and make sure everything was okay. What was the problem?”

Hague puffed himself up and took a threatening step toward Colt. “There’s nothing going on here, Deputy. Nothing that’s any of your business, anyway.” The big man glowered down at Colt, his large hands curling into fists.

Caitlyn opened the back door and let Renegade out on his lead. Jim’s eyes darted toward the dog, and he stepped back. Renegade barked at the man’s sudden movement, and Caitlyn held her fist out in a silent command for her dog to sit.

Colt offered his hand to the pregnant woman. “Hi ma’am. I’m Deputy Branson, and you must be Maribel Martin?”

Cautiously, Maribel shook his hand and answered, “Yes, that’s me.”

“I want to make sure you’re all right.” Colt turned to Jim. “She must have hit you pretty hard. The pain brought you to your knees.”

“You’re mistaken, Deputy. I wasn’t in any pain.” Jim glared at Colt.

Renegade’s chest rumbled with an ominous growl as he stretched to the end of his leash. The skin underneath Jim’s tattooed neck flushed, but the color drained from his angry face.

“Stuj.” Caitlyn commanded Renegade