Free Our Red Hot Romance Is Leaving Me Blue by Dixie Cash

Really? ’s and twitches of his thick black mustache. Throughout the discussion, Debbie Sue stole glances at Vic. He didn’t even say Hmm and Really? She felt he was holding something back.
    After the meal, she and Edwina began clearing the tableand carrying the dishes to the sink. Vic parked his massive hulk in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed over his barrel chest, shoulder braced against the doorjamb. “Anyone, living or dead, who would carry on this campaign of harassment against this Justin guy for months is either desperate or extremely pissed off.”
    “Oh, absolutely.” Debbie Sue looked at Edwina with a wink and mouthed campaign of harassment.
    “And experience has taught me that situation can cause someone to get hurt,” Vic added.
    Debbie Sue’s scalp tingled. Shit. She knew where Vic was headed and Buddy would jump right on that wagon with him before it even had time to leave tracks.
    As if acting on cue, Buddy closed the refrigerator door and said, “I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I want you two to back out of this one, Flash.”
    “Good idea,” Vic said.
    “But, Buddy, I’ve already made a commitment,” Debbie Sue pleaded. “Justin’s depending on us to help him. That’s what the Equalizers are all about—not causing pain by uncovering secrets, but helping people with real-life problems.”
    To Debbie Sue’s astonishment, Edwina said, “I agree with Buddy and Vic. I don’t like getting involved with ghosts.”
    Debbie Sue turned on her partner. “Ed! You traitor.”
    Buddy leaned against the cabinet and heaved a great sigh. “Flash, there’s nothing about this that could be defined as a ‘real-life’ problem. It’s weird to the point of being ridiculous. It could make you two a laughingstock all over Texas. Remember how pissed off you got when that sheriffin Haskell called y’all clowns? I refuse to allow you to get involved in it.”
    “Yeah,” Vic put in. “Can’t you girls find something else to do?”
    A laughingstock? Something else to do? Debbie Sue gasped. These were the three people she dearly loved and who were supposed to love and support her. She couldn’t believe that after all the cajoling and reasoning she had done with Edwina, the woman had sided against her. And after all the talking, negotiating, begging and downright knock-down, drag-out fighting she had done with Buddy over his “forbidding” her to do something, she was stunned that he was taking this obstinate position.
    Oh, well, she could easily twist Edwina’s arm and make her change her mind. It was Buddy’s attitude that stung the most and he didn’t respond very well to arm-twisting. Planting her right fist on her hip, she looked up at him with the squint-eye and spoke slowly. “Clowns? You think what Ed and I do is laughable?”
    “That’s not what—”
    “You know what, Buddy Overstreet?” In spite of herself, Debbie Sue’s voice elevated a decibel. “If I end up wearing face paint, a fuckin’ rubber ball on my nose and juggling horse turds, I wouldn’t back out of this now.” She turned to Edwina. “You know damn well my word is my bond. You’re my partner. You’re supposed to support me.”
    The room fell silent. Debbie Sue swung her gaze to Buddy, her eyes boring deep. Vic cleared his throat.
    “Well, it’s been lovely, kids,” Edwina said breezily. “Weshould do it again sometime.” She picked up her purse and started for the door. “Vic, you ready to go, sugar buns?”
    “You don’t have to leave,” Debbie Sue said, not veering her eyes from Buddy’s.
    “I’m tired,” Edwina said, “and Vic’s been on the road for a week. We’re going home. Y’all have a good time. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Backing away from the argument momentarily, Debbie Sue and Buddy walked their guests to the door.
    “Y’all drive careful going back into town,” Buddy called out as Edwina and Vic reached Vic’s pickup.
    “Drive careful,” Debbie Sue echoed. “Enjoyed