Running From the Law

by Albright, Jami

  She took it with two fingers like it was diseased. The tight-lipped grin she gave him cut him as deep as her statement earlier. The hopefulness he’d experienced in the hospital at her sweetness sifted through his fingers. He was losing her, and he had no idea how to get her back.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  With a notepad and pencil, Charlie wandered the building where The Emporium would be located. She and Scarlett were making notes before she talked to the contractor. The space was so perfect that the only things she’d have to add were some built-in shelves.

  Scarlett moved around the store opening the blinds. “What are you doing Sunday afternoon, Charlie?” Light streamed in and illuminated the dust floating and dancing on the air.

  Charlie measured a space next to the counter. “Nothing, why?”

  “We’re having a party for Jack and Luanne to celebrate their marriage.” She must’ve made a face because Scarlett hurried to say, “Just a few couples and some friends will be there. It’ll be fun. Please say you’ll come.”

  This was part of being in a community and having friends. Remember those? “I’d love to come. What can I bring?”

  “Only yourself. We’re throwing this party on a rock star budget. Of course, you’re probably used to that.”

  She shrugged noncommittally. Her partying life in Hollywood had been pretty much nonexistent due to the death grip her management team and Carousel always had on her. “I think a sink would be good right here, don’t you?”

  “A sink?” Scarlett asked.

  “Yes, I’d love to have a place where people can try some of the exfoliating soaps.” She gnawed her lower lip. “Do you think it’ll be very expensive to add the plumbing?”

  Scarlett shrugged. “I don’t know. You should get Marty the plumber over here to give you a bid. I would think if it was situated close to the bathroom, then it shouldn’t be too bad.”

  “Good idea. What’s Marty’s last name?”

  Her friend opened her mouth then closed it. “You know, I have no idea. Everyone’s just called him Marty the plumber for as long as I’ve known him.”

  Charlie laughed. “You’ve got to love a small town.” She scribbled Marty’s name on her pad. “Okay, Marty the plumber it is.”

  “Speaking of small towns, someone said they saw you and Hank at the hospital the other night.”

  Oh, for the love…

  She wouldn’t meet Scarlett’s curious stare. “Yes, Lottie had an accident.”

  “I heard. How is she?” Then sincerity in Scarlett’s voice made her less irritated about the Hank thing.

  “She’s got a pretty bad headache, and she can’t go to school for a week, but she should be fine.”

  Scarlett smoothed her maternity shirt over her baby bump. “That’s a relief. Honey and I are taking dinner to Hailey tomorrow night.”

  Charlie rubbed her lower back. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

  “Now, let’s talk about you and Hank.” Scarlett flashed her an innocent smile.

  Charlie walked behind the counter just to put some distance between her and the question. “Not much to tell. We aren’t a couple.” She looked up from her list sheepishly. “But he is Pod’s father.”

  “Shut up!” Scarlett squealed.

  A snort escaped Charlie’s throat. “It’s true.”

  “How? I know Hank, and there’s no way he’d cheat on Karen.”

  Charlie knew that too and had forgiven him for the bad timing. “They were on a break.” She made quotes with her fingers.

  “So it happened before they got back together?”

  She gave up any pretense of working on her list. “Yes. Just before. Like the night before.”

  Scarlett’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh, no.”

  “Yep.” The mechanical pencil in her hand became very interesting. She twisted the end back and forth. “I saw a text from Karen the next morning stating she was in the lobby waiting for him.”

  “That must’ve been such a shock, Charlie. I have no idea what I would’ve done. Then you found out you were pregnant…”

  Charlie glanced up to see Scarlett just staring at her. “What?”

  The redheaded beauty shook her head. “You’re just so brave.”

  She laughed. “What? You’ve got it all wrong, Scarlett. I’m scared all the time. Can I live this life? Can I raise a child? How will I support myself? I’m panicked almost every minute of every day.”

  “You sure don’t show it. From where I’m sitting you’re handling your life just right.” Scarlett sweet smile lit up the room. “So, what about Hank?”

  The knotted muscles in her neck bunched tighter at the question. “Hank will be a great dad.”

  Her new friend’s hands went to her hips. You could tell she was used to not taking any crap. That probably came from living with a rock star. “Let me be more specific. What about you and Hank?”

  Her anguish over Hank’s behavior tugged on her heart. She quickly fortified the wall that would protect that traitorous organ. She couldn’t afford to feel sorry for him, or she would let him in, and then she’d never want him to leave. But what if he left her? What if he broke her? How would she parent this child with only half a heart? Besides, if there were no Pod, then he wouldn’t be pursuing her at all.

  Another brick, a little more protection.

  “There isn’t going to be any me and Hank. I couldn’t live through him hurting me again.” She played with the bracelets on her wrist. “Maybe that makes me weak, but I don’t care.”

  Scarlett’s forehead crinkled. “But who says he’d hurt you again? He’s free now. There’d be no reason for him to leave you.”

  Before she could think too much about it, there was a knock on the door. A good-looking teenager with a Houston Rockets t-shirt stood holding a suspiciously familiar gift bag. Scarlett turned to answer the door. Charlie grabbed her wrist. “Don’t answer it.”

  “Why not? That’s Brody, he lives at Dad and Honey’s house with his mom, Joyce.” She examined the death grip Charlie had on her. “He’s harmless. I promise.”

  “No, it’s just… I know what he has, and I don’t want it. It’s from Hank,” she hissed.

  The traitor’s eyes got big as saucers. “Ooooh, a present from Hank.” She shook Charlie off and headed for the door. “Hi, Brody, come in.”

  “Hey, Scarlett.” The boy wasn’t exactly a boy, but not quite a man either. He was tall with broad shoulders, and black wavy hair with soulful eyes the color of her grandmother’s sweet tea. “Um, Charlie?”

  “Yeah, that’s me.” When he flinched at her tone, she changed it. “I’m sorry. It’s not you. It’s the thing in the bag.” She jerked her chin at his offering.

  “Oh, well…” Unsure eyes turned to Scarlett then back to Charlie. “I was at the Sheriff’s office delivering BBQ from Piggy’s, and Sheriff Odom asked if I’d bring this to you.” He held it out like it might explode, no doubt because of her reaction to it.

  “Give the kid a break, Charlie.” Scarlett threw her arm around Brody’s waist. “He’s just doing what he was asked to do.” Out of the corner of her mouth, she said to Brody, “Don’t mind her, she’s actually very nice.”

  His nervous laugh made it clear that he didn’t know if she was nice or not, but that she was definitely crazy. “Well, I better be going. I need to get back to Piggy’s before the lunch rush hits. Y’all have a great day.” The sound of his boots clipping on the hardwood floors followed him out the door.

  “Charlie, you scared him to death.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to him. It’s just…” She motioned at the bag.

  “You might as well open it and get it over with.” Scarlett was practically vibrating with anticipation.

  The trembling in her fingers was ridiculous. She knew that, but it turned out that damn wall she’d built around her heart wasn’t as strong as she’d hoped. It shuddered and swayed when she pulled out a skeleton key w
ith a red bow wrapped around it.

  “An old key?” The confusion in her meddling friend’s tone made her chuckle.

  The silk ribbon slipped through her fingers as she played with it. “I told him the door to a relationship between us was locked. He took me out and gave me a key the other night.”

  “And now he’s given you another one. That’s so romantic,” Scarlett said with a sigh.

  A smile snuck onto Charlie’s face, unbidden. She quickly wiped it away, but she couldn’t do anything about the part of her that agreed with Scarlett, except deny it. “He’s only doing it because I’m pregnant.” It wasn’t romantic. It was manipulative. He was trying to wear her down to clear his conscience. But she wasn’t anyone’s absolution. And she wouldn’t be with a man who only wanted her for what he could get from her.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he didn’t want one thing to do with me until he found out I was pregnant.”

  “Are you—”

  “Let’s finish.” She dropped the key back in the bag and picked up her pad and pencil. “We both have places to be.” Scarlett needed to get back to her family, and she needed to go someplace and fall apart.

  Stupid keys.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  The sweat coating Hank’s palms made his hand slip from the top of the steering wheel. He tried to wipe them on his pants leg discreetly, but he noticed Charlie watching him. She, on the other hand, appeared cool as a cucumber. Of course, she’d had longer to get used to the whole baby thing than him.

  Once again, it’d been a silent ride from Zachsville to Charlie’s doctor in Austin. Sadness and a little desperation hung around his neck. The woman next to him wasn’t that lovestruck girl he’d been able to charm and coerce into doing pretty much anything he’d wanted her to do. This fiery lady stood up for herself, had given up everything to live the life she wanted for her child. She didn’t need him. And it appeared she didn’t want him either.

  Maybe he should leave her alone, and just concentrate on his relationship with the baby. But he didn’t think that was possible. He’d tried to for six weeks and just couldn’t. “So you like your doctor?”

  He adored that small, secret smile she used when she really loved something. “Yes. She’s fantastic and discreet. I’m so lucky Scarlett told me about her.”

  He pulled into a parking spot in front of the building that was by the hospital. That made him feel better. “Good. I just want you to be comfortable.”

  The genuine smile turned into something not so authentic. She nodded and exited the truck before he could get out of the vehicle.

  Damn it, what had he said now? It seemed like everything he did was wrong with her. It didn’t used to be that way. He missed their easy rapport. Of course, that had been years ago. She may be right. They might not be compatible anymore. Flashes of her willing body crashed into his mind, and he knew that wasn’t the case. That night had filled the missing part of his life. The moments before Karen had shown up had been the happiest he’d had since Charlie left town.

  “This is it.” She pointed to a door that looked like it was the back door of the office. It was unmarked and blended into the wall. She knocked, and it opened, revealing a pretty middle-aged woman with happy eyes.

  “Charlie. Good to see you.” She caught sight of Hank, and her smile grew wider. She looked him up and down. “You brought the law?”

  “I tried to run, but he insisted on coming along. Hank Odom. This is Beth. She’s Dr. Shelton’s nurse. Beth, Hank’s Pod’s father.” It was all said with zero inflection. She really could care less that he was here.

  “Nice to meet you, Hank.” If Beth noticed Charlie’s apathy, she didn’t let on. The nurse pushed a button on a scale. “You know the drill, Charlie.”

  “Unfortunately, I do.” She started to step onto the scale then turned to him. “Do you mind turning around?”

  “Oh, sure.” He stuck his hands in his pocket and rotated his body away from her. It was stupid to be irritated at her request. What woman wanted to broadcast her weight, but it felt like one more way she was keeping him out of her life.

  “You can step off now. Have a seat and I’ll get your blood pressure.” She led them to an examination room. “Here we go. Dr. Shelton will be here in a few minutes,” she said as she shut the door, leaving them alone.

  He glanced around the room, and the bottom dropped out of his stomach when he saw a cross-section illustration of a pregnant woman with a baby in her womb. The infant looked full term, and its head was fully engaged in the mother’s pelvis. All of a sudden shit got real. His hand traced over the picture, and he stared in awe.

  “It’s crazy isn’t it?” Charlie sat on an exam table with her ankles crossed.

  He glanced over his shoulder and couldn’t contain his grin. “Yeah. Can you believe you’re going to get this big?”

  “Ha! You really know how to sweet talk a girl. You might want to take some lessons from Jack on that.”

  “Oh, wow, sorry. You’re right, that wasn’t very comforting, but still…” He pointed back to the photo on the wall.

  He was saved from the scathing retort that he could see was on her lips when Dr. Shelton came into the room. The woman was breathtaking. If he didn’t belong to Charlie, body and soul, then she would’ve definitely turned his head.

  “How is everyone?” Dr. Shelton asked.

  Charlie’s hand went to her belly. “We’re just fine.”

  “Excellent. And who do we have here?” She extended her hand. “Bree Shelton. I’m the doctor.”

  “Hank Odom. I’m the father.”

  White teeth flashed in her ebony face and her eyes crinkled in the corners. She glanced at Charlie and hitched her finger at Hank. “I love it when they play along.”

  The sullen woman he’d just spent the last hour with laughed like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.

  “Okay, let’s take a look at things. She picked up the tablet she’d brought in with her. “Mmmmm.”

  “What? Is something wrong with her?” He couldn’t control the panic in his voice.

  Dr. Shelton grinned up at him. “Everything is fine.” She turned her attention to Charlie. “Except I would like to see you gain a little more weight. Don’t go crazy, but you need more calories.”

  “I knew you were going to say that. I just haven’t had much of an appetite. I tend to not eat when I’m stressed.”

  “You’ve been stressed?” Dr. Shelton asked.

  Charlie glanced nervously at him. “Um…well, a little.”

  Well, shit, now he was causing her not to eat. The last thing he wanted was to be another source of anxiety in her life.

  “I suggest lots of foot rubs and warm baths.” The doctor made a note on the tablet then swiped her finger. “Blood pressure looks great.”

  “That’s good, right?” He couldn’t stop the question from shooting out of his mouth.

  Charlie cut him a look, and he held up his hands. “Sorry, carry on.”

  Dr. Shelton laughed and took Charlie by the hand. “Alright, lay back, Mama, and let’s take a look at this baby.”

  “What does that mean?” That didn’t seem right to his nervous brain.

  “I’m going to do a sonogram.”

  “Oh, yeah. Okay.”

  She smeared some stuff on Charlie’s belly. He was in awe because he’d never seen the place where his child lived. The doctor took a plastic thing and rubbed it over Charlie’s stomach. All he could make out was a bunch of static. Slowly things came into focus, and he nearly hit the floor. “Is that it?”

  The wand moved around and around, and she clicked some buttons on the machine. “It sure is. Say hello to your daughter, Mr. Odom.”

  And then he hit the floor.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Charlie loved performing. She no longer wanted to do it for a living, but the excitement of the crowd, the freedom of movement in the rhythm of the songs, it all spoke to her. And to
night was no exception. The couples at Boon’s danced, and with each step fed her more and more energy. The band was spot on, and she hit every note exactly right. Pod had even gotten into the act, flipping and turning at every up-tempo song.

  The night couldn’t be better, except for the lawman sitting off to her right. She tried to ignore him, but the intensity of his stare attached to her like a laser beam. Why was he here? Didn’t he have a job to do?

  Don’t lie to yourself, Charlie. You like that he’s here.

  It was true. Especially after his adorable reaction to finding out he was going to be the father of a girl. A girl. A thrill helped her hit a particularly high note. She couldn’t wait to hold her little girl and teach her that she was enough just as she was. The picture of Hank loving on a daughter made her voice crack. It was such a perfect image. Damn it, she just wished she could trust that he wanted her and only her, and that his pursuit had nothing to do with this little girl they’d made.

  “Thank you, guys. You’ve been awesome! The band and I are going to take a break, and we’ll be back in thirty minutes.” Steve, the drummer, helped her down the steps of the stage. “Thanks.”

  “No problem, Charlie. You’re killin’ it tonight.”

  His goofy grin was one she’d seen before. She had no desire to lead him on or hurt his feelings, so she played it as neutral as possible. “Thanks, Steve. You guys are awesome too. I see someone I need to talk to. Excuse me.”

  She made her way to Thomas Chang.

  He motioned to the empty chair at his table. “Sit, Miss Charlie. Can I get your autograph?”

  With a snort, she took her seat. “Yeah, you’ll be getting my autograph plenty on all the checks I’ll be writing you and Raul.”

  He raised his beer in a toast. “And we appreciate it.” He tipped the beer toward the stage. “You sounded good up there. Why in the world are you going into the soaps and lotions business?”