Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

is.”
    “She is from Miami . It’s not like it’s really the South,” Dinky told Noodle, who readily agreed.
    “It’s when you catch a catfish with your bare hands. You find their hole and stick your hand into it, wiggle your finger so the fish bites it, and then you pull the catfish out.” If he had been a teenager, he would have added, ‘like duh’.
    Annie didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t. She just found herself looking back and forth between the two of them. They reminded her of golden retriever puppies, and she had the odd sense to pet and cuddle them.
    “Do you think that’s why I have trouble dating, Dink? Maybe I just need to let them chase me.”
    “It’s worth a shot.”
    “Thanks, Miss Hill. I’ll give it a try. If it worked on Cade, it’s good enough for us to try, huh Dinky?”
    “Sure ‘nuf.”
    “Have a good night, ma’am. Shoot, Miss Hill, don’t forget, March is the perfect month for a wedding. Just make sure it’s after the NCAA tournament. I think we’ll go far this year. Go Big Blue!”
    Annie waved good-bye as they got into their cruiser and took the Three Stooges off to jail. She needed a drink. What was Big Blue? She had been afraid to ask after stupidly asking what noodling was. All she knew was she wanted to get inside, get warm, and put an ice pack on her swollen cheek.

Chapter Fifteen
     
    Cade ran the film again for the players. They had been there for two hours and it was close to midnight. Coach Parks had gone outside and told all the parents that the team wanted to stay and work on preparing for the playoffs. Between upperclassmen and the coaches, all the kids without cars would be driven home.
    “Coach? Your phone is buzzing again.”
    “Thank you, Hall. Just ignore it.”
    “But, Coach, it’s the third time it’s gone off in under a minute. It’s probably important.”
    Cade snatched up the phone and looked at the caller ID. He didn’t know who was calling, but it was a local number. “Yes,” he snapped as he pressed the answer button.
    “Cade? Noodle.”
    “Kinda busy here. Can I call you back tomorrow?”
    “Oh, sure, sure. I didn’t really need to talk to you. I just thought I should let you know I just came from haulin’ three big fellers off Miss Hill’s property. She was fine, but there was one heck of a bruise forming on her face. Looks like something real nasty went down there although she’s only claiming trespassing. I figured it was best not to push.”
    Cade froze. Bruise, three men, this was serious. “Is she okay? Are you sure?”
    “No. That’s why I’ m calling you. Miss Hill is real nice, but I take it that she is a real independent type. She tried to feed us a line that three guys were just passed out drunk as she sat there with a swollen cheek, and the way she moved showed a tender midsection also. For all she wants to appear innocent, she beat the crap out of these guys and I’m beyond impressed. However, she is choosing to keep us in the dark. Since she’s your girlfriend, I’ll respect that. Just call us if you need us. But, if I were you, I would be heading over there right quick to check on her.”
    Cade’s heart had stopped beating as soon as Noodle had told him about Annie being injured. “Thanks, Noodle. I’ll go over there now.” Cade ended the c all and turned to his team. “I’m sorry I have kept you guys so late. It’s about time for you all to head home. Upperclassmen please give at least one of the lowerclassmen a ride home. I’ll see you for practice on Monday. Expect to stay late. We have a championship to win!”
    The boys cheered and headed out to the parking lot as Cade grabbed his things and sprinted to his car. If only he had been there. He should have been there. This was all his fault. He was nauseous at the thought of the fear she must have gone through with three men attacking her.
    He knew she was trained, but still, three men! How did she take down three men? It didn’t matter that she had . He should have been there. His phone rang, and he opened it immediately as he tore out of the high school parking lot.
    “Annie?”
    “No, it’s Daisy Mae. Where in all of Jupiter are you? Why aren’t you with Annie? How is she?”
    “I don’t know. I just got the call from Noodle. On my way there now. Call waiting , it may be her.”
    “Give her a hug for me.”
    “Annie?” He was desperate to hear her voice.
    “No, but speaking of Annie, why weren’t you there to help