His immediate response was hell no. He wasn’t sure if Callie knew that Marissa’s dad had also gotten fired. He’d heard all about it, even in Austin. His mother had called to gloat about how she’d had to fire the Llewellyns. Almost as if she was teaching some riffraff their place. That phone call had helped solidify his decision to stay in Austin and away from the Carlisles of Oak Hollow.
Callie didn’t realize how many lives she’d touched with one simple, selfish act. Whether it was an accident or not, back then it had to have been devastating to Marissa’s family. And it couldn’t be undone. “It’s been over fifteen years. No point in bringing it up now.”
She nodded. “What do I do about Mother?”
Jax sighed. “The way I see it, you have two choices. You let Mother have her way, which she almost always gets—and you’ll be miserable. Or you stand your ground, have the wedding the way you want—and you’ll be happy, but then you’ll have to deal with her wrath as it comes. And it will come. But it will be harder for her to micromanage you the next time around.”
“Is that how you did it?”
“Did what?”
“Got out from under Mother’s thumb. You did exactly what you wanted to.”
Jax shrugged. Having Neil Whitcomb for a father, someone he could turn to, and vent to, had been a lifesaver. The man never openly badmouthed his ex-wife, no, he’d simply helped Jax see where his mother was coming from and why. Her family had had ridiculous expectations for her. When she’d fallen in love with Neil in high school, she’d gone against her parents’ wishes and married him. Life had been hard without her family money to fall back on. Eventually the strain had been too much for the young couple with a small child. She’d divorced Neil and moved back into the family fold. When Casper came along, he met the expectations and was willing to jump through the family hoops.
“I just lived my life.”
“And she let you?”
“She’s not telling me what to do.” He chuckled. “That’s not true. But when I don’t listen she’s not surprised anymore.”
“Maybe I’ll get there some day.” She sighed and narrowed her eyes at him. “Where were you tonight?” Callie tugged on his shirt. “You off duty?”
“I was, got called in for a little while.”
“Before that?” She leaned forward. “You smell like cigarette smoke, and…” She sniffed again. “Flowers.” She leaned back and scrunched up her faced.
“I was at the Blue Spur.” He squirmed under his sister’s scrutiny.
She didn’t let up, though, as she asked, “Did you fall into one of the flower pots outside?”
When he didn’t answer she pushed away from him. “You were with a girl?”
Jax stood. “A girl. What am I, twelve?”
“Sor-ry. A woman. Who is she? Do I know her?”
Of course, you know her, he wanted to say. You were just bemoaning the fact that you cost her a job. “It’s no one. Nothing.” He’d like it to be something, but it was early on in the getting-to-know-you phase. Definitely nothing he wanted to share with his baby sister.
“I can tell when you’re holding out. But I won’t press you. Right now.” She stood and wiped her hands over her face. “I love you.” She tugged him into a hug. “Thanks for letting me vent.” Her muffled voice sounded stronger as she gave him one last squeeze. She backed away and eyed the dog in the corner.
Solider picked up his head from his paws. Jax gave him a staying command with one hand and the dog didn’t so much as flinch—stayed rigid and on guard. “Anytime you need me. And try not to let Mother get to you,” he said as he opened the front door.
At her car door, she paused. “Will I see you for brunch tomorrow at the club?”
Jax ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
Once he’d walked her to her car and watched her drive off—big brother and chief of police were far too ingrained not to—he finally went in search of that elusive beer. With it in hand, he hunkered down on the sofa, propped up his feet and started rooting through channels on his ancient TV. He patted the sofa beside him and Soldier jumped up and settled beside him with his head in Jax’s lap.
Jax’s contentment lasted all of five minutes. He was too keyed up to relax, much less sleep. He started a pot of coffee, picked up the files Macey had retrieved for him from the records office going over crime in Oak Hollow for the past three years and set himself up at his kitchen table. He could have looked everything up on the computer in his office, but the hard copies, with notes and comments by the investigating officers, often times were more telling.
By his third cup of coffee, a pattern emerged in the old files. Every spring, there was a rash of break-ins at local businesses. Nothing had been tied together from one year to the next because of turnovers in locations, as was the case with Marissa’s shop. Both businesses prior to hers had reported thefts—both in April. Other businesses had simply closed shop and the building itself remained empty. One small company, a pet grooming service, had a theft three years earlier—which by all accounts may have been the first. The owners had pulled up stakes and moved to the far side of Fort Worth.
Another company, a pawnshop, had been hit a couple of times, two years ago. When they were hit again in the spring of last year, they too had closed up shop and left an empty building.
“Why didn’t anyone tie these together?” Jax rubbed the back of his neck. In a town the size of Oak Hollow, most people knew each other. It was, however, just big enough you could go unnoticed if you tried hard enough. But to miss such a connection?
Jax wracked his brain trying to think what might have gone on that would have kept the crimes off anyone’s radar. Then he remembered Chief Kendal’s heart attack. The chief had suffered a minor attack sometime the previous spring, prompting his retirement. Jax wrote a note to himself to double-check the dates, see if some of the break-ins corresponded with the chief’s brief medical leave, and stuck it to the top folder. He shoved everything to the corner of the table to take back into work with him.
Despite the coffee, he yawned. Sleep might finally seep into his overactive mind. At least that’s what he hoped until Marissa popped into his head again. The woman could distract him in every way that made a man all but beg for more.
He’d about combusted when she’d told him he could kiss her. Then when he had… He’d gone from zero to hard with one kiss. One kiss that would not be enough. And like a damned fool he’d left her standing there.
Jax ran a hand over his face. He wasn’t going to get any sleep anytime soon. He stood, stretched out his back and legs. Since he was wide-awake he might as well make himself useful. He snatched up his keys from the table by the door. He’d go drive around the commerce district, check on the shops.
Soldier stood, stretched himself out too, then walked to the door, where he stood with his tail thumping.
“Not tonight, old man.” Jax rubbed the dog between his ears.
As if the dog understood, he walked back over to his bed and settled back in.
The streets through town were quiet. Oak Hollow was small enough that people pretty much turned in at night. There wasn’t much traffic. And those who were out were usually coming or going to one of the larger neighboring towns. He drove past Joan’s store. All was as quiet as he’d left it hours before.
He turned up the next street toward Marissa’s. He was driving past the front of her shop when movement caught his eye. And it wasn’t a women. It was the kid who’d broken into her place. The one Marissa was now protecting for whatever reason. All the good feelings from the Blue Spur evaporated in an instant.
He pulled his truck up to the front of the building, walked up to front door, then tugged on the handle. The boy at least had enough sense to lock himself in.
Jax used his keys and rapped heavily against the glass. After a beat, he did it again. The teen peeked his head out from the back of the shop.
If he wasn’t mistaken,
the boy tensed when he saw Jax, but he came to the door. He flipped the lock, then opened the door wide enough to talk, but not enough for someone to pass through, though Jax could easily power it open if he needed to. He had a good forty pounds on the teen even though they stood eye-to-eye.
“Is there something I can help you with, Chief?” The boy’s deep voice belied his baby face.
“Hill, right?” When Hill nodded, Jax asked, “What are you doing here so late?”
Hill regarded Jax for a long moment before he finally said, “I believe that’s between me and my boss. She’ll be here in the morning if you want to take it up with her.”
Before Jax could say anything else, Hill pulled the door shut, then flipped the lock back into place. He didn’t turn back for even the barest glimpse as he walked past the cupcake case to the back of the shop.
Jax shook his head and walked back to his cruiser. The drowsiness that had eluded him earlier set in as he climbed into the SUV. Marissa wouldn’t tell him anything. He’d already tried that avenue and she’d closed up on him. Even after their brief interlude out behind the Blue Spur, he didn’t think she’d let him in on what was going on. All the more reason to keep things professional despite the fact that he ached to touch her again.
Luckily, it wasn’t something he had to figure out at midnight. He did one more circuit of downtown Oak Hollow then headed back to his house. After he let Soldier do his business outside, Jax fell facedown onto his bed fully dressed as fatigue finally set in.
The next thing he knew, the phone on the nightstand jangled rudely.
“‘Lo?”
“Hey, big brother. Did I wake you? When was the last time you slept past eight?” Callie laughed. “Will you please come to brunch at the club? It would mean so much to me.”
Jax rolled onto his back and scrubbed his hand over his face. “Morning already?” He’d just laid down, hadn’t he? If it weren’t for the sun streaming through his window, he might think his sister was lying to him.
“Pretty please.”
“Fine.” Jax sighed, then glanced at his clock. “I can be there in an hour. How’s that?’
“Perfect, thank you.” His sister squealed. He could almost hear Callie jumping up and down. “See you then.”
Jax rolled out of bed and got right in the shower. As he was toweling off, he called in to the station to check on any overnight emergencies—of which there were thankfully none. A little less than an hour after his sister woke him, he strolled into the Oak Hollow Country Club to have brunch with his family.
Once again, Callie squealed like she’d done when she was little. She jumped up from her seat and ran over and hugged Jax around the neck. “Thank you for coming.”
He shifted his gaze to his mother and stepfather. The pair fidgeted uncomfortably at his sister’s open display of emotion. It wasn’t something his family was comfortable sharing in private much less in a room full of their contemporaries. And for the first time in his life, Jax didn’t care what his mother thought. He gave Callie a quick hug in return and released her. He walked around the linen-topped table to his mother’s side and bent to give her a barely perceptible kiss on the cheek. “Morning, Mother.” His mother tensed slightly and a hint of red tinted her pale cheeks.
Jax shook hands with Casper. “Sir.” The older man gave him a quick nod but didn’t bother to lift his girth up from the table.
As Jax eased into a chair, he noticed for the first time the Carlisles weren’t the only ones at their table. Wes Johnson, his soon to be brother-in-law, was across from him, his ever-present cell phone pressed to his ear. He acknowledged Jax with a jerk of his head as he continued his conversation. Next to him sat Marlie, typing away feverishly on her cell.
His mind shifted to her twin. How stupid had he been to kiss Marissa then just leave her standing there? It was hard to feel too bad, though, over something that had fulfilled many a recent fantasy.
When Marlie glanced up and caught him watching her, she turned a rosy shade of pink and dropped her hands to her lap.
“Jax, er, Chief.” Her mouth wavered in a polite smile that didn’t quite fully form.
Before he could so much as say boo, she excused herself from the table.
“What did you say to her?” Callie smacked him slightly on the shoulder.
Jax shook his head. “Not a single word.” He leaned closer to his sister. “How have you handled Mother this morning?”
Callie winced. “I’ve avoided handling her for the most part. I invited Marlie so we could go over a few last minute details. Mother has been too preoccupied with…” she mumbled the rest as she sank into the cushioned chair.
“Beg your pardon.”
Callie sighed and sat straighter. “I told Mother that you were coming to brunch so she’s been waiting for you to show up.”
Jax chuckled. “I’m glad I could help out.”
The waitress brought over his mother’s customary mimosa and a Bloody Mary for Casper. She turned to Callie and handed her a cup of tea, then turned her attention to Jax. “What can I get you, sir?”
“I’ll have coffee.” He ordered a meal from a menu he knew by heart. Some things never changed. “Thanks.”
Marlie came back to the table and Callie moved to sit by her. The two women bent their heads together and talked low enough no one else around could hear what they were saying. And his mother was trying, if the look of strain and impatience on her face was any clue. She caught his eye and held it for a long moment.
“I suppose you’re pleased with yourself.” A polite and totally fake smile turned up the corners of her mouth.
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“In a matter of weeks, you’ve managed to become the talk of the town.”
“I thought you wanted the Carlisle name to be on the tips of all the wagging tongues.”
“You will do whatever you can to spite me.”
“Believe it or not, Mother, I don’t really think about what a few gossips have to say.”
“A few? It’s half the club.” She smiled and gave a little beauty-pageant wave as one of the long-time club members passed the table.
Jax crossed his arms over his chest. “I haven’t done anything that warrants any extra attention, so I don’t know what the big deal is.”
Something was happening behind him. He heard Marissa’s voice and twisted in his chair to look over his shoulder. She was near the entrance, arguing with the hostess. He couldn’t hear exactly what was being said, but Marissa waved her arms wildly and pointed to the dining area as she spoke. On one particular wave, she turned and looked around the room until her gaze landed on Jax.
With a sputtering hostess tagging along after her, Marissa weaved through the crowded floor until she reached the Carlisle table. A deep flush colored her cheeks and her eyes narrowed. “You!”
He was too stunned to do much more than sit and stare at her. Unfortunately, he leaned back a smidge too far and the chair fell backward under his weight. He tried to stop his fall by grabbing the table, but all he managed to get was the tablecloth. He went down hard, dragging the cloth—and all the drinks atop it—down on top of him. A hushed silence fell over the room.
He couldn’t see anything other than the underside of the table and Marissa, who was standing over him with her hands on her hips. “Don’t you ever come to my shop and harass my employees again. Do you understand me, Chief?”
Chapter Nine
Marissa bit her lips together and covered her mouth with her hand as laughter threatened to erupt. She didn’t want to laugh. She was still too pissed. She’d come in to work that morning to find Hill sitting in the back by the worktable. He’d had his bag packed—the few measly items he owned. She’d figured he’d given up on their arrangement, but then he’d told her about Jax’s late-night visit and that he’d assumed she would want him to go.
And her blood had instantly boiled.
Then her sister had called from the club tryin
g to talk her into coming out for brunch so she could sit in on the plans for the upcoming wedding. She’d mentioned that Jax would be there.
Marissa had marched out to her car. One mantra had run through her mind…get my hands on Jax. The no-good jerk. Her ire steamed as she drove the few miles over to the club. She’d barely registered her less-than-calm argument with the hostess, whom she recognized as a patron of her shop. She was pretty sure—but not wholly certain—she’d first bribed the hostess with cupcakes, then threatened to ban the young woman from her shop.
Then she’d spotted her target across the room.
The next thing she knew, the focus of her rage was lying at her feet covered in—she sniffed—orange juice and tomato juice. Both probably spiked. Her first instinct was to apologize and help him up. That was the polite thing to do. Her second instinct was to run like hell for causing a scene, but before her brain could even engage to do either, Bunny Carlisle jumped to her feet.
“What is wrong with you, Marissa Llewellyn?” Bunny hissed through clenched teeth.
Jax struggled to right himself. Callie’s fiancé hurried over to help Jax to his feet. Across the table, Callie stood with her eyes wide and mouth gaping. Marlie held her clipboard up to shield her face, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Casper, call security.” Bunny stomped her foot.
Marissa’s shoulders stiffened. When she and her father had both been fired, they’d been escorted from the premises by the club’s security. It had been utterly humiliating.
“Actually, Jax, you can come in handy for once. I want you to arrest her.” Bunny pointed a long bony finger at Marissa.
“On what grounds, Mother? Because I’m a klutz?” He got to his feet and started wiping at the stains on his khaki pants and pale blue shirt with a napkin someone had shoved into his hand. He leaned in closer. “If that was the case, you’d be responsible.”
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