“They’re fine. Where are you?”
“I’ve got to disappear for a while. They’re going to be looking for me. I don’t think my mom’s coming back anytime soon, so take care of the kids.”
She thought she heard a sob before the click. She swallowed hard as the reality of Jordan’s words washed over her. Someone had set her up to come out to the trailer. Someone who had a dead officer’s wallet in his bedroom. The chill that shook her had nothing to do with the temperature outside.
And everything to do with the fact that she thought she might be a target.
A target who might end up just like Steven Starke.
THREE
Twenty minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of Wrangler’s General.
Sabrina got out of the car and opened the back door to find Maria had fallen asleep. She eased the child out of the car seat. Maria stirred and settled her head on Sabrina’s shoulder. Even though the little girl desperately needed a bath, Sabrina ignored that and snuggled her closer. Her heart tightened. Would she ever have a family of her own?
Now wasn’t the time for those thoughts. She carried her into the hospital while Clay took charge of Tony, who’d gone silent and sullen.
Yet kept a tight grip on the stuffed animal.
Sabrina flashed her credentials to the triage staff. Lily Anderson, a nurse Sabrina had worked with who had become her best friend over the past year, stood when she saw her. “Sabrina, who do you have here?” She moved so she could get a look. “Ah. What a cutie.”
“This is Maria Zellis. Her brother Tony is over there. It looks like I’m going to take them to a foster home tonight. We can’t locate their parents or the grandparents.”
Lily turned in the direction Sabrina pointed and winced, grabbing her lower back.
“Are you all right?”
Lily nodded and blew out a slow breath. “Yes, it’s just from that car accident I had about three years ago. Every once in a while, my back reminds me I’m not exactly the same.”
“Is there anything you can do about it?”
“Not really. I do my physical therapy and just take it one day at a time.” Lily’s gaze moved behind Sabrina and she caught her breath again, this time in surprise.
“What is it?” Sabrina asked.
Lily nodded. “Well, well. Clay Starke. Dad said something about the town’s bad boy coming home. Your mother isn’t the only person to send the gossips around here into a feeding frenzy.”
Sabrina flinched but didn’t take offense. She focused on the duo. Clay and Tony were now headed straight for her. She looked at Lily. “Yes, I know Clay’s reputation, but I’m not judging him because of it.” She prayed he’d return the favor and wouldn’t hold her mother’s actions against her, either.
Lily grimaced. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. It’s just he and my brother graduated together. I remember Hank talking about Clay’s escapades. They were the highlight of the week.”
“You mean they took precedence over my mother’s escapades?”
Lily flushed. “In my house they did.” She sighed. “He may be a cop now, but most people in town will never let him live down the fact that he burned down Bryce England’s house, leaving the boy scarred for life.”
* * *
Clay saw the two women speaking in low voices, and he caught the occasional glance the pretty redhead threw at him.
Lily Anderson, Ned and Daisy Ann’s daughter. She was friends with his sister and had been out to the ranch a few times to ride with Amber. She caught him watching and gave a smile. He couldn’t tell if it was fake or the real thing. Tony’s fascination with the hand-sanitizer dispenser had delayed their journey to the triage area. Now the child stayed snugged up to his side as Clay led him over to the two women. “Everything all right?”
Sabrina lifted a brow. “Of course.”
Clay nodded to Lily. “Nice to see you again.”
“Sorry to hear about your brother.”
Pain shafted through him. He smiled anyway. “Appreciate that.”
The door to the pediatric wing opened, and a nurse with a clipboard stood there. She caught Sabrina’s eye and gave a small nod. “Come on, let’s get them back there,” Sabrina said.
Tony’s small fingers spasmed and Clay could feel the tension running through the child. He knelt in front of the little boy. “Are you scared?” he whispered.
Tony stuck out his jaw and he started to shake his head no, then changed midshake and nodded. “Yeah,” he whispered back.
Clay rose and held out his arms. “Want me to carry you?”
“Uh-huh.” Tony practically leaped into Clay’s arms. He clutched the little boy and swallowed against the sudden lump growing in his throat.
He turned and found Sabrina watching him with a tender expression. Clay sucked in a deep breath and frowned. “Come on. Let’s get this done. We’ve got things to talk about.”
He knew his words sounded gruff, but Sabrina didn’t look as if she took it to heart. She simply offered him a sad smile full of understanding. And something else. A new emotion in her eyes. But what? He didn’t have time to figure it out. He cleared his throat and followed her through the double doors.
With the kids in good hands and Sabrina watching over them like a mother hen, Clay rubbed his weary eyes as he stepped away from the examination room. He pressed his phone to his ear and spoke to his boss. “I thought I’d be bored stiff being a cop in a small town. What’d y’all do to this place while I was gone?”
Ned gave a low chuckle. “When it’s slow, it’s slow, but the action does seem to come in waves.”
“Well, right now we’ve got a tsunami.” He sighed. “Have you found Prescott or Jordan Zellis yet?”
“No. We’re still looking. I sent Lance out to Jordan’s home, and it’s dark as a tomb.” Lance Goode was one of the other deputies in Wrangler’s Corner. “We pinged his cell phone and found it in the bushes behind Prescott’s trailer.”
“So Jordan was pretty close by when he called.”
“Yes. He probably saw Prescott coming his way and took off. May have dropped his phone while running.”
“Or Prescott caught up with him,” Clay said softly.
“Yes. Or that. I’m hoping he didn’t.”
“Maybe Lance will find something.” Clay and Lance had gotten in minor trouble together as teens. He found it ironic they were now cops for the same town they used to want to escape from. “Keep me updated. I want to know why Jordan was in Prescott’s trailer with Steven’s wallet.”
“Trust me, we all want to know that.” Papers shuffled. “I did get one piece of information. Jordan is good friends with a fellow named Trey Wilde.”
“I don’t know him.”
“Stay around here long enough, and you will. His family moved here shortly after you left.” He paused. “He reminds me of you in some ways at that age. Tough as nails, out to conquer the world, but with a wild streak a mile long. It’s like he’s trying to live up to his last name.”
Clay couldn’t help the small grimace at Ned’s words. “Well, I’ll keep that in mind when I run into him.”
“Only thing about Trey is he’s got money. And lots of it.”
“So he’s getting in trouble because...?”
“Who knows? I’ve talked with him a few times, but he doesn’t seem to hear it. His daddy bails him out of trouble every time and Trey goes on his way to find more trouble.” Ned sighed. “Anyway, I’ll send someone to bring him in and see if he’ll give us anything on Jordan. Be careful.”
“Yeah.” They hung up, and Clay turned to find Sabrina behind him looking at her phone. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m just answering my boss.” She finished the text and looked up with a shiver. “I’ve never had a day li
ke today, but I think I’m okay. I’m definitely grateful no one’s hurt, but I’m worried about Jordan.”
Clay had the overwhelming urge to pull her into a hug and reassure her. He resisted and curled his fingers into fists. “All right, then. I’ve got a report to write. Do you need anything else?”
“No. Not tonight. Once we’re finished here, I’ll be taking the children to your parents’ house.”
Clay froze. “What?”
Sabrina lifted an eyebrow. “They’re going to your parents’.”
“Why would you take them there?”
She blinked. “Because they’re the only foster family that has room for two kids right now.”
Clay was stunned. He finally found his tongue. “I’ve been home four weeks, and my parents haven’t said a word about being a foster home. When did they decide to do this?”
“They were cleared to foster just before Steven was killed. Maria and Tony Zellis will be their first kids.”
Before he could respond, Dr. Gina Myers stepped from the room, leaving the door cracked so she could keep an eye on the children while she talked to Sabrina. “We’re just waiting on some results from the tests, but I don’t expect any surprises. I’m going to go ahead and release them so you can get them into a bed somewhere.” She peeked through the crack. “Maria’s sound asleep. I raised the rail on the bed so she won’t fall if she rolls. Tony’s lying next to her but is still awake.” She handed Sabrina the discharge papers and shrugged. “Overall, other than needing three good meals a day, they’re pretty healthy kids. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
Sabrina nodded. “Good. I’ll take care of them from here.”
Clay rubbed his eyes. “Okay. I talked to Ned.”
Hope flared in her expression. “Have they found Jordan?”
“No. Not yet. They will. And no sign of Stan Prescott either, but Ned’s got someone watching his trailer and will nab him when he shows his face. But he did get the name of one of Jordan’s friends.”
“Who?”
“A guy by the name of Trey Wilde.”
Sabrina frowned.
Clay raised a brow. “I take it you know him?”
“Yes. And while I never think a kid is beyond hope, I would say he’s pretty borderline.”
“What about Jordan?”
“There’s hope for Jordan. He’s got a good heart—as evidenced by the fact that he thought his siblings were in trouble and tried to lead that person away from them.” She sighed. “He just needs direction, a man in his life who would take an interest and teach him.”
Clay nodded. “Well, since you’re heading my way, you want some help getting the kids in the car?”
“That would be great.”
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, the kids were buckled in. Maria never opened her eyes. Tony leaned his head against the window, and Sabrina figured he’d be asleep by the time they arrived at the Starke ranch.
Sabrina pulled behind Clay and let him lead the way. As she drove, she prayed, thanking God for sparing all of them from Stan’s craziness. Getting shot at, then having a gun held on her had been terrifying. Not just for herself but for the children. She thought it amazing that no one had been hurt and easily gave God the credit for that.
Sabrina pushed her Bluetooth device into her ear and dialed her grandmother’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Granny May.”
“Sabrina, where are you, my girl?”
“I’m taking two children out to a foster home. It might be a while before I get home, but I didn’t want you to worry.”
Granny May had just turned seventy-two but had more energy than anyone Sabrina had ever met. She ran her bed-and-breakfast with a tender heart and a shrewd business mind. “I always worry about you when you’re off on one of your assignments.”
Sabrina didn’t bother telling her grandmother she’d had every cause to worry on this one. “Don’t worry. Just pray.”
“All the time.” A pause. “What am I praying for?”
“The children, Granny May.” Sabrina thought about it. “And a prayer that Steven’s murderer will be found.” And that I’m just overreacting in thinking that I could possibly be a target.
“What are you mixed up in, Sabrina?” Granny May’s sharp ears hadn’t missed the new note in Sabrina’s voice. She frowned.
“I’m mixed up in these kids’ lives—you know that. I’ll tell you about it soon, but extra prayers wouldn’t hurt.”
“’Course they wouldn’t. I’ll get right to it.”
“See you in an hour or so.” It got dark early these days. Not even five-thirty and already the sun rode low on the horizon. She hung up and followed Clay when he turned onto a gravel drive. They drove for about a half a mile before he pulled to a stop in front of a large two-story brick home with white columns and a front porch full of rocking chairs. Multicolored lights twinkled around the perimeter of the roof of the porch. They wrapped around the columns barbershop-style. Electric candles burned in the windows, and a large Christmas tree lit up the front window.
This was where Clay had grown up. How had he ever left? She’d heard about the farm, of course, and knew where he lived but had never set foot on the property. She’d never had a reason to. And had had every reason to avoid it.
She stepped out of the car and the front door opened. A woman in her mid-fifties was followed by a man about the same age. Both looked excited and nervous at the same time. Maria and Tony would be their first experience with fostering. Sabrina sent up a quick prayer that it would be a good one.
“Clay, honey,” Julianna said, “are y’all hungry?”
He must have called his mother on the way. “I am,” Clay answered. “The kids are asleep, but if they wake up, they’ll probably want something.”
Sabrina stepped forward. “Thank you so much for being available to take in Maria and Tony,” she said. She’d never had an extended conversation with Ross or Julianna Starke, but when in town, they exchanged polite nods.
Clay’s father nodded, his eyes on the car. “You need some help carrying them in?”
“I got it, Dad, thanks.” Clay opened the back door, unfastened Tony’s seat belt and gently removed him from the car.
The boy stirred. “Where are we?”
“We’re at your foster home, son.”
“Don’t want no foster home. Wanna go home with Jordan,” he mumbled.
“Jordan can’t take care of you right now, I’m afraid, but you’ll like it here, I promise.”
Tony woke further. “Where’s Maria?”
“She’s right here,” Sabrina assured him. She had the little girl in her arms. Maria rubbed her face and laid her head on Sabrina’s shoulder. To Clay’s mother she said, “They both need baths and food and then I think they’ll be ready for bed. They’ve had a very stressful day.”
“Of course, of course. Bring them on in.”
“They don’t have any clothes.” Sabrina stepped inside and the smell of fried chicken made her stomach growl. She ignored it. “If you can make do for tonight, I’ll see what I can find at the community church first thing tomorrow.” Wrangler’s Corner Community Church had a food and clothing pantry. Sabrina had used it more than once to dress her charges.
“We’ll be fine. When we decided to take in foster children, I asked for donations from friends and my church. We got a closetful in under two hours. I’m sure something will fit these little darlings. Now, come on into the kitchen and we’ll get to know each other over dinner.”
Sabrina hesitated. “I don’t want to intrude.” But she didn’t want to just drop the kids and leave, either. Maria had already gotten attached to her. She wondered if Clay’s parents realized who she was.
They had to, and yet they were t
reating her with a kindness she hadn’t expected. She’d been friends with Steven, of course, but had gone out of her way to avoid the rest of his family. Shame gripped her.
“Wouldn’t be intruding,” Clay said. “I’m going to run up and wash my hands. You want to come with me, Tony?”
The little boy looked at his grubby hands. “I probably need to.”
A smile played on Clay’s lips. “Then come on.”
Tony paused and looked at his sister. “You, too, Maria. You’re just as dirty as I am.”
Maria stirred. She looked at Clay’s mother. “You got ice cream?”
Mrs. Starke smiled. “I sure do. What kind do you like?”
“Neo-poppin’.”
Confusion filled the woman’s face. Sabrina translated, “I think she means Neapolitan.”
“Ah, well, that clears it up. And it just happens we do have it.”
Maria grinned.
The front door banged shut, and Sabrina jumped, her arms tightening around the little girl, who wiggled to get down. She set her on the floor, and Maria walked over to take her brother’s hand. Sabrina forced herself to relax. Her nerves were shot, and she needed to decompress.
Heavy boots clomped toward the kitchen. A man who could have been Ross Starke’s twin appeared in the doorway. He held a rifle in his left hand and a bag of apples in his right. He set the apples on the floor and leaned the rifle against the wall. “Saw a couple of deer over this way and thought I’d bag me one. Went back and got my rifle and now I can’t find the deer.” He looked around. “Hey, Clay, saw you drive up. What’s going on?”
Sabrina tensed, her stomach twisting into a knot. Abe Starke. A man she’d spent her life avoiding now stood three feet from her.
“Uncle Abe. My parents have decided to take in foster kids. This is Tony and that’s Maria.”
Abe gave a smart bow and held out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you two.”
Maria giggled and ducked her head. Tony’s lips curved slightly as he shook Abe’s large hand.
Abe looked back up. “Julianna, I brought those tables over for the barbecue.”
“Oh, great. Clay can help you take them into the barn until we need to set them up.”
The Lawman Returns Page 3