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That dog had been through hell and back.  She would grieve when he passed. Never had she before grieved for any other animal.  He was surely her best friend.
                  The sound of the men arguing, broke the silence on the porch.  She turned to the sound of the screen door banging shut.  J.W stood staring down at her.  He lit a cigarette and took a seat in the swing.  His eyes wandered around until he found what he was looking for.  He watched as Heath and Josey, walked side by side, talking.  There words he could not hear, from the distance. 
    Hilary, moved the old dog off her lap and sat down in the swing beside him .  He moved his arm to rest behind her and kissed the top of her head when she leaned toward him.  It came natural to them.  They knew the way the other would move before they moved.  It had always been that way between them.  She matched him, move for mo ve.  Every day he loved her more .  He prayed, that Josey and Heath would find that kind of love in each other.  He loved Heath like a son, always had. He always hoped the two of them would be together someday.  Well, he had, after he got used to the fact that his little girl was all grown up.
                  The night was quiet except for the sound of the swing creaking as they rocked and the men in the house arguing over their game.  J.W rocked the swing back and forth and Hilary folded her legs up under her in the swing.  They watched Heath and Josey , take their walk around the ranch. 
                  The night light cast shadows around the ground.  The cattle mooed in the distance.  A horse neighed in the barn and the dog pricked her ears forward and lifted her head.  This was what life was all about.                 

Chapter Seven
     
                  Jared Lott showed up bright and early the next morning.  He was there before the rodeo events even had a chance to be under way.  “What can I do for you Sheriff?” J.W propped on a cane this morning.  The cool air had settled into his bones, making them ache.  He stared at the new sheriff in town, paying no mind to the deputy behind him.  The sheriff stepped around in front of the cruiser “I’m looking f or a Heath Jenkins.  I got word this morning that he jumped a man out here yesterday.  I have reason to believe he was wearing a set of brass knuckles.”
                  J.W. grunted, “Is that so, Sheriff?  Well I hate to tell you, but you’ve been misinformed about some of what you just said.  He jumped a man that parts true.  But I can promise you there weren’t any brass knuckles involved.” The sheriff nodded. “Well I still need to see him Mr. Chisholm.” J.W. opened the door and said.  “Suit yourself Sheriff he’s sitting down to breakfast.”  The sheriff and his deputy walked past J.W and waited inside the door for him to lead the way. 
                  “Heath Jenkins, you’re under arrest for the beating of Kyle Hutto, yesterday afternoon.”  The deputy read Heath his rights and put him in handcuffs.  Everyone watched in shock as they led Heath out of the house and put him into the backseat of the cruiser.  J.W, Sam and Josey immediately followed in the ranch pickup. 
                  “What are they going to do with him Dad? Josey asked.  “I don’t know sweetheart but we are going to find out.  I just hope that this Hutto man drops the charges.  That’s all we can hope for right now.”  J.W said.  Sam was shaking his head.  “I just don’t get it.  What’s the world coming to when a man can put his hands on a woman, then have someone arrested for protecting her?  This is crazy.  There were witnesses everywhere.”
                  J.W picked up his cell phone. “Who are you calling?” Josey asked.  “I’m calling an old friend of mine to see if I can find out what we’re dealing with.  James can tell