Texas Strong

by Jean Brashear

  Every day in his work, he witnessed how easily a loved one could be lost. One moment a person was riding in a car or walking down the street or simply sitting in a chair and—bam. Life, so rich and potent, snuffed out. Or bodies shattered in such a manner that they’d never be the same.

  No. Not his Laura. She couldn’t be stolen from him so effortlessly. He’d fight the devil himself for her—

  He grabbed the phone, heedless of the hour. Dialed her cell. This was stupid. He’d missed an anniversary—okay, an important one. The important one. But they could talk. Work things out.

  Assuming he could find her.

  The phone kicked to voicemail. “Leave me a message,” said the beautiful half-husky tone that even now had the power to reach down inside him.

  “Laura, where the hell are you? This isn’t funny. I don’t know what you’re trying to prove—” Great, just great. That’ll bring her back. One steadying breath, then, “Come home. I’m—” The beep signaled the end of the message right in the middle of “—worried.”

  He stared at the receiver in his hand. Stifled the urge to throw it out the window. Debated another attempt. Not that it would help. He had to see her. Be with her. Hold her and everything would work out.

  Where was she?

  Jake tossed the phone onto the mattress. By the second bounce, he was already starting the shower.

  No more sleep tonight.

  Might as well work.

  Laura jolted when the phone chirped with the salsa tune she’d chosen as her ring tone. She clasped it to her belly and skittered across Chrissy’s living room before the sound could awaken anyone else.

  Once inside the kitchen, she glanced at the display.

  Jake’s cell number as a missed call.

  She hesitated. She needed to have her act together when they spoke. That first contact was all-important, would set the tone for whatever happened next.

  She wasn’t ready.

  She wished she hadn’t left the phone on; doing so actually made little sense when she didn’t dare speak to Jake, but she’d had some notion of remaining available to her children, however unlikely it was that they’d contact her. Zack did so infrequently. Carla and Gabe were barely back from spring break and had both been more than ready to return to school and their friends.

  Anyway, they’d try home, not her cell at this time of night.

  Panic struck. What if he was phoning because something had happened to one of them? She prepared to hit Call Back, then the voicemail icon brightened her screen. With haste she selected it.

  Laura, where the hell are you? This isn’t funny.

  She sank back against the wall. Blinked at the room gone wavery behind the moisture stinging her eyes. He didn’t sound sad or lonely or any of the emotions Chrissy had attributed to him.

  He was mad, pure and simple. Aggravated. Demanding.

  She let her head fall against a cabinet door. Maybe there was no hope for them. The first sound of his voice in nearly three days, and there was no love in it, not even lukewarm fondness.

  Now she was really frightened. What if they were one of those couples who simply grew apart? Had nothing in common after the children left? He’d made a sharp left turn in his career and caught her by surprise—who was to say he wasn’t itching for a change in his personal life, as well?

  Profoundly unsettled, she huddled in her sister’s kitchen, pondering whether the marriage that had once been nearly perfect—crazy, chaotic but perfect in its own way—was over.

  Or had been a figment all along.

  Her heart was as cold as the grave at the mere notion. She couldn’t think what to do. If she’d been at home, she’d have flipped on all the lights and begun cooking or something.

  But she was in her sister’s home, and Chrissy worked so hard. She had this one day to sleep in.

  The click of claws approaching sent a shudder through her. Puddin’ whimpered.

  “Hey, boy.” She drew him near, wrapped her arms around him as if he were the only thing solid in her world.

  He released one of his old-dog groans and licked her hand.

  Laura let Jake’s dog comfort her and wondered if Jake himself would ever do so again.

  Chapter Nine

  They loaded up Laura’s car with the food she’d spent the morning preparing, letting the children help cook and learn while they did. She probably could have done it all much faster without them, but that was who Laura was: a nurturer. She’d done it for her own kids, and now Chrissy’s were reaping the benefits.

  “You’re so good with them,” she said to her sister as they brought out the last load.

  “They’re great kids. I love them.”

  “You were born to be a mom. Your kids had the best.”

  Laura’s eyes were suspiciously bright. “I loved every minute—okay, when I wasn’t ripping out my hair. But what do I do now? The house is empty. And Jake is never there.”

  It was so hard to see her so shaken, this sister who had the perfect life—or so Chrissy had always thought. “You can’t just enjoy having less to do?”

  “The house echoes. It’s too big, and everywhere I look there are reminders. I was so happy in that life, and I thought that by now, Jake and I could be traveling together or…” She shrugged. “I don’t know. It wouldn’t matter to me what we did. It’s the together part that’s gone missing, and I don’t think we’ll ever get it back.”

  “Laura, he loves you. Anyone can see it. He’s crazy about you.”

  “Maybe. When he thinks of it. But mostly I’m an afterthought now.” She shook her head. “Oh, I hate when I’m having a pity party. That’s not me. I guess I just have to pick a direction I want to go on my own and…go there. He’s already found where he wants to be.” Her sister bit her lip and looked out the windshield, driving toward the Square.

  Chrissy felt completely at sea. She wished she could talk to Jake and demand to know what was going on. Make him fix this.

  But in some ways, Laura was right. She had to find her own place, not rely on him to create it.

  Like she knew anything about a healthy relationship.

  You can belong here. But I can’t, not really.

  Tank believed he was right. She didn’t. But who was she to try to tell him how to live his life? Why didn’t she just leave him be?

  Because, said something inside her. He’s so alone. And you do see him, in a way no one but maybe his sister does.

  He’d helped her, been good to her children…this didn’t have to be a romance for her to be his friend, and God knew he needed one.

  She sighed.

  “You okay?” Laura asked.

  She had to smile then. “Men are a lot of trouble, aren’t they?”

  “Yes,” her sister replied. “But there’s no better game in town.”

  Then they were pulling up and parking, unloading the car, and she was too busy trying to restrain Thad, who was sure Tank was just waiting for him to be his helper.

  “He had to work late last night, sweetie. I don’t even know if he’ll come. He might be catching up on his sleep.”

  Thad’s disappointment was crushing—until he spied the twins, Emilio and Antonio. Then the second she released him, he was off to join them. Lorie and Quinn waved and nodded that they were watching, but she still went to them to have a word and make arrangements to help keep an eye on them.

  Then she went to see what Ruby might need, bringing along her sister to perform introductions.

  Trying not to scan the crowd too obviously in search of the man who was far too often on her mind.

  “Those turnovers are gorgeous,” said the tattooed pastry chef Spike.

  “Thank you. They’re nothing like those cupcakes you brought,” Laura responded. Each one was decorated with either a bluebonnet or an Indian paintbrush blossom. “I’d kill for a deft hand like that.”

  “It’s all in the wrist,” Spike said.

  Laura chuckled. “You say that like anyone can d
o it.”

  “Well, I am impressed with that potato casserole and the tiny quiches. Florentine?”

  Laura nodded. “Does anyone around here eat quiche?”

  “If they’ll eat rattlesnake, they’ll eat quiche,” Jeanette said as she strolled up. “Do you cater?”

  “A little. Never as a business, mostly just for clubs I belong to or friends having a party.”

  She saw the looks traded between Jeanette and Spike.

  “What?”

  “How are you on a grill?”

  “I let my husband do the barbecuing.”

  “No, a grill like the diner has.”

  “Oh. I’ve never tried one.”

  Another set of looks traded.

  “What?”

  Jeanette turned to her. “We have a situation, but I’m sure you won’t be around long enough.”

  “For what? I don’t have any plans at the moment.”

  “It’s a crazy idea anyway, if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking,” said Spike.

  “What’s crazy?”

  “Has Chrissy explained the situation here? About Scarlett and what happened to her?”

  “Yes. It must have been terrifying.”

  “More than. But here’s the thing: Ruby is seventy-two, and she thinks she’s immortal, but even if she were, she has been cutting back since Scarlett came. She was long overdue. She ran this place by herself for so many years, but it’s hard work, and the diner is busier than ever. She can’t take all of it back on her shoulders, and though Scarlett is very invested here, her doctors won’t let her come back to work yet.”

  “Laura would be crazy to say yes.”

  “Probably.” Jeanette nodded. “But I’m going to ask.”

  “Ask what?”

  “Any chance you’d come up to the cafe during a quiet time and let Henry show you the grill, give you a few pointers?”

  “Why?”

  Spike spoke up. “Henry works hard, and he does okay, but there’s no backup. That’s not a smart business plan. What if Henry gets hurt? Accidents happen in the kitchen all the time.”

  “You said you’d be the backup,” Jeanette pointed out to Spike.

  “Yeah, but I only like desserts, and also I’m plenty busy over at Geek Central.”

  Laura frowned. “Geek Central?”

  “Jackson’s video game headquarters across the Square. We supply a cantina for his employees, who keep completely weird hours. And anyhow, the diner patrons have gotten used to Scarlett’s flair. Girlfriend here has flair,” she said, pointing to Laura. “Henry doesn’t.”

  Laura started to protest that she wasn’t in the market for a job, that she wouldn’t be around long. But hadn’t she just been telling Chrissy she had no idea what to do with herself? “So you want me to understudy Henry?”

  “I have a feeling you’ll soon be the star, not the understudy.”

  “Henry has busted his butt to get this chance. He’s rock-solid reliable. We can’t take this away from him,” Jeanette objected.

  Spike nodded. “She’s right. You don’t have to take over. Just be available. Henry works hard, but he might like a little time off, too, and we don’t know when Scarlett will be back.”

  “Wouldn’t Ruby and Scarlett have to approve this?”

  “They don’t need to know just yet. You might hate it, or you might not be any good at cooking under pressure,” Jeanette pointed out. “I just think we need to be prepared. Scarlett thinks she’s coming back right away, but Ian isn’t onboard, nor is Bridger.”

  Laura thought of how she’d seen Scarlett gaze at her child, and she wondered. “It’s not easy leaving your new baby, even under less dramatic circumstances.”

  Spike’s look crowed triumph. “Exactly. And Ruby will say she’s just fine, but we’ve all seen that she needs to be working less.”

  “This place is Ruby’s baby,” Jeanette objected.

  “I’m not saying Laura walks in and takes over.”

  “I couldn’t anyway.”

  Spike’s gaze was ruthless. “But you could learn and be ready…just in case.”

  “I hadn’t planned to stay long.” But she already liked the notion. She always did better when she had too much to do. She looked at each of them. “I might want my own restaurant one day. Heaven knows people are always urging me to do so, but I always thought—” I’d be playing with Jake. Which might never happen. “I like learning new things. But I’m not doing anything if Henry or Ruby or Scarlett don’t want it.”

  “They don’t know what they want,” Spike said. “Their lives have been high drama for two weeks now.”

  “You just don’t want to man the grill,” Jeanette said.

  “I have, and I will, but you know even better than I do that we’re spread too thin around here.” At Jeanette’s nod of agreement, Spike went on. “We’ll talk to Henry and ask if he’d be willing to teach Laura as a favor, that’s all. Then we’ll see how things go. Maybe you won’t ever be needed, but if you were…Ruby deserves the peace of mind, and it might help Scarlett take things slower. You heard Ian. He’s worried sick that she’ll jump back in too quickly.”

  “Yeah. And she would,” Jeanette agreed.

  Spike smiled. “So…how soon do you want to start? Tomorrow good for you?”

  Laura chuckled. “Why not? As long as I’m home when school gets out. I promised Chrissy.”

  “We’ll make it happen.” Spike smiled. “Thanks.” She glanced at Jeanette. “Problem solved.”

  Jeanette grimaced. “Maybe.”

  “Look, if you think it’s a bad idea,” Laura began.

  Jeanette shook her head quickly. “No. It’s a great idea, just—”

  Spike grinned. “She’s the one Ruby will skin.”

  “But you agreed,” Jeanette retorted. “And I will squeal like a little pig.”

  “Such auspicious circumstances for a new venture,” Laura said. “I’m so reassured.”

  Spike chuckled. “What have you got to lose?”

  Laura winced inwardly. Spike had no idea how true that was.

  But she was excited, nonetheless.

  Halfway through the afternoon, Chrissy was more and more certain that Tank was avoiding them. Thad had been a little whiny with his disappointment, but fortunately, there were enough kids around that he was easily drawn into play. Becky was in her element with the Gallagher twin girls and her best friend Samantha, and the quilters had taken her under their wing, as well.

  Laura stayed busy with the food, and Chrissy tried to bury her upset in scrubbing and cleaning up after the construction workers, then assisting with stocking the supplies on the shelves. But by the time the meal was over and she’d seen Tank several times, always as far away as he could manage, she’d had enough.

  They got the kids home when everything was done, and Laura was a tremendous help with bathing the kids and settling them down enough to go to bed.

  As the quiet settled over the house, however, the furor inside Chrissy continued to build. He could disappoint her, fine and dandy. He’d been clear that he wasn’t comfortable with her pushing, and that was his right.

  If he just didn’t want her around, that was one thing. But he was not going to get away with letting down her kids.

  “Would you be okay staying with them for a little bit?” she asked Laura.

  “Sure. Going somewhere?”

  “Yeah. To find that man who disappointed my kids today and give him a piece of my mind.”

  “You said he’s leery. Maybe he’s right that he’s not good for you.”

  “He may be, but that doesn’t change the fact that he created an expectation in my children. They’ve been let down often enough by their dad.” She fumed. “I wouldn’t kiss him again to save my life, but he’s got to answer for dodging the kids all day.”

  “Do you know where he lives?”

  “Kind of. I’ll find it.”

  “Driving while angry isn’t smart.”

 
“Oh, I’m not angry…I’m furious. But I can still drive.”

  “I don’t suppose I can talk you out of this?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then just be careful. And call me when you get there, or text me, okay? Give me Jeanette’s phone number, so I can call out the mounties if I need to.”

  Chrissy was honestly shocked. “Tank wouldn’t hurt me.”

  “Even if you yell at him?”

  She thought a minute. “No. He looks at me like I’m the last sliver of sunlight in the world.”

  “Ah.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “He’s running scared. You can be a little intense, Cee Cee.”

  “Me?”

  Laura snorted. “Yeah, you. Dynamite in a small package, didn’t Dad call you that more than once?”

  She sighed. “He did.” She glanced back from the doorway. “Do you think I’m foolish to keep trying?”

  “From what you’ve told me, he’s never going to make the first move.”

  “I’m only talking about him and the kids.”

  “Mm-hmm,” her sister responded. “Whatever you want to believe.” Then her smile softened. “You have a big heart, and it’s hurting for him. Underneath your mad, you’re worried about him.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “He’s a lot of work.”

  “The best ones are.”

  Chrissy tilted one brow. “That mean you’re not giving up on Jake either?”

  “Jake.” Laura’s tone was mingled affection and dismay. “I’m going to learn how to run a grill, and I’m going to let Dr. Cameron stew in his own juices for a while. Maybe he’ll miss me and wake up, and maybe he won’t.” The sorrow on her sister’s face was heartbreaking. “But either way, I’ll know how to run a grill. Maybe I’ll get my own restaurant and stay too busy for him. Sauce for the gander.”

  “I can stay here with you if you’re upset. I don’t have to go pester Tank.”

  “No, get out of here. One woman sighing over a man with his head up his butt is one thing, but two, well, that’s just pathetic. But text me when you get there and when you leave, so I’ll know you’re all right.”

  “Okay. Love you, Big.”

  “Right back at you.”