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Judy—over all of them.
    They needed a plan more than a wand, because apparently the plan that Judy had wasn’t working worth a damn.
    * * *
    â€œThat was some major bullshit,” Buck said to his business partners. “Carter just can’t walk in here and steal our customers.”
    â€œThey weren’t paying customers, but they were bringing in calls from folks who saw them riding in the ring, who were interested in riding lessons for their brats,” Jake added.
    Fallon shook his head. “Those guys really get under my skin, including my good brother Declan. What the hell do we do now?”
    Rebel tossed a pitchfork into the corner, startling some horses in nearby boxes. “I don’t know, but those Outlaws aren’t the princes of Hell, the way everybody treats them like. They came back from serving with their heads big, and some decorations, and folks around here practically genuflect when they walk down the street.”
    â€œI kind of had my eye on that little Ava,” Fallon said, “and that’s what really chaps my ass.”
    â€œYeah, well, I managed to sweet-talk that redheaded friend of hers into a night on the town,” Jake said, and they high-fived him.
    â€œHow’d you get that past Judy the Judgmental?” Rebel demanded.
    â€œI just played my cards right. Sweet talk will get you far,” Jake said. “I acted like Trace, all stick-up-my-butt honorable.”
    â€œHonorable?” Buck snorted. “Judy’ll tell her you’re a snake. She’ll say you’re Jake the snake because that’s what she always says, and that’ll happen before you ever get to taste those lips of Cameron’s.”
    â€œBut he has got a good idea,” Fallon said. “Maybe we can’t fight the Outlaws on the business side, but maybe we get at them from the feminine angle.”
    Buck looked interested.
    They all were interested.
    â€œAnything to fuck up the Outlaws,” Jake said.
    â€œAll’s fair in love and war,” Fallon agreed.
    â€œA little payback for stealing our business,” Buck said.
    â€œThey’re not the princes of Hell,” Rebel said, “and it’s time someone let them know.”
    They shook on it.

Chapter Five
    The Rolling Thunder Café was across the street from Redfeathers, but it served a far different clientele. Run by wise and sweet-natured Hattie Hanover, the place served up good food and gossip in abundance.
    Ava sat down next to Judy in the bright yellow booth, and Harper and Cameron took the other side. The Rolling Thunder was a bright, sunshiny café, and if you liked grits, black-eyed peas, and green chili corn bread, you were in luck.
    Hopefully Hattie had a recipe for Mayor Judy. Ava ordered a glass of tea with lemon, as did Harper and Cameron, then they settled in to wait for Hattie to make her way over from the busy lunch counter.
    Five minutes later, Hattie pulled a chair up to the booth, wearing a big smile as she hugged Judy before she sat down. Ava thought she looked like Dorothy Dandridge: dark-complected with a beautiful, calm smile. Ava felt herself relaxing just looking at Hattie’s friendly expression.
    â€œThese ladies are my Hell Belles, Hattie,” Judy said, and Hattie nodded to all of them in turn as they introduced themselves. “I need some advice about getting my team off the ground.”
    â€œSo I hear.” Hattie smiled. “And, I hear that Trace and Company won’t help you with training.”
    â€œNot with bullfighting.” Judy shook her head. “We can train with the Horsemen, but that’s got Trace and the other men in a twist. Trace is a little sweet on Ava,” Judy explained.
    â€œTrace isn’t sweet on me!” Ava shook her head. “And I’m certainly not sweet on him.”
    Judy and Hattie looked at her, their gazes understanding.
    â€œYou know, Trace hasn’t gone out with anyone