Actually, Cody had warmed to Officer Charles immediately for being nice to his mother and sister.
“I am formally informing you that you’re in violation of your parole for having a firearm in your possession and for using it,” he said.
“If you want to get technical, you’re right. But isn’t there any room for special circumstances?” Cody held his breath. If he had to go back to jail now that he’d had a taste of freedom, he’d fall apart.
“It’s my job to be technical. In retrospect, would you do it again?”
“Shoot the snake to protect my little sister?” Cody asked, making sure that they were both on the same page and that Charles wasn’t asking about the incident that got him to prison in the first place.
Officer Charles hesitated. “Yeah, the gun. Would you do it again?”
“Absolutely. I wouldn’t hesitate a bit. No matter how many parole conditions I violated. She couldn’t handle being bitten again. She was bitten before and landed in the hospital for just short of a week.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, what, sir? Should I go inside and get my toothbrush?”
“Nah. You know that they’ll give you a brand-new one at the Arizona State big house.”
Cody knew that Officer Charles was joking, but his heart sank as he just thought about going back. It felt as if he was going to barf. He couldn’t go back there, he just couldn’t. His mother needed him. His sister needed him. And he’d like to think that Laura and her son needed him. Just when they were connecting again, he wouldn’t see her for two more years.
This gun thing was bogus. He didn’t want to feel sorry for himself, but how much more could he take?
Johnny. He wanted to get to know Laura’s son.
Cody wanted to put a fist through the wall of the ranch house, but it would probably fall apart.
He could hear his mother and Cindy sobbing from inside the house.
Officer Charles inclined his head toward the house. He could hear them crying, too. “I know there was a snake, Cody, and that you greeting me with a gun in your hand was coincidental.”
“It was, sir.”
“I’ll tell you what, Masters. I’ll call my supervisor from here. I’ll discuss the matter with her, and we’ll decide if I’m going to file a violation of parole against you and take you downtown.” He got up from his chair, stood by his car and punched in some numbers on his cell.
As Cody watched Officer Charles on the phone, he said every prayer he knew. Then he remembered that he had a date with Laura at the church picnic.
It looked like he wasn’t going to make it.
Chapter Five
Laura scanned the crowd for Cody, but she didn’t see him. Soon, church officials escorted her to the makeshift stage in front of the band that was tuning up, and sat her down in one of a long line of folding chairs.
Johnny sat next to her, a perfect little gentleman, at least for now. He seemed to sense that he had to behave because something important was going to happen. Laura smiled when she remembered Johnny asking her if he could wear a suit and tie “like Grandpa.” Grandpa wore a suit only when he went to horse or cattle auctions.
So, she went to the only clothing store in town—the one now owned by Hank Lindy’s son, Steven—to get Johnny a suit, dress shirt and new, longer tie for the boy since he’d grown taller. Only in Duke Springs would there be a combination feed, clothing and hardware store.
Laura wondered why Georgianna Masters Lindy didn’t get the store in Lindy’s will, since she was married to Hank at the time of his death. If Georgianna knew the answer to that, she was keeping it quiet. Maybe it was because his son, Steve, had worked at the store forever. He was the natural successor to his father.
Laura put her hand on Johnny’s knee to stop him from swinging his feet. The program had better start soon. Laura dropped off her meal with the red, white and blue ribbon to the box-lunch committee at the designated table, hoping that Cody would remember to bid on that one, no matter what the cost.
Where was Cody?
Finally, the bidding was about to start. Reverend Pangburn welcomed the crowd to the picnic, stating that he hoped everyone would have a good time and that he was looking forward to being the auctioneer for the boxed lunches.
Two more parishioners spoke about upcoming events. Finally, it was Laura’s turn. She took Johnny’s hand and stepped up to the podium. Someone gave Johnny a chair to stand on and helped him get up. Laura put an arm around Johnny to steady him, but instead of beginning her speech, she checked the crowd for Cody one more time.
He still wasn’t here.
She smiled at the people, nodded at Reverend Pangburn and the rest of the dignitaries, and took a deep breath.
“I will keep this short because I know that you can’t wait to start the festivities. So, on behalf of the Duke Foundation, I’d like to present Reverend Pangburn with a check for the repair of the church’s roof and steeple.” She paused for the round of applause and cheers that came from the audience. “I’d also like to add that any profit realized today from the carnival will be matched by the Duke Foundation.”
There were more cheers and applause.
Other than investing the foundation’s money and playing the stock market to refurbish the funds, this was the best part of her job: giving away her father’s money to causes that mattered. Matter of fact, this was the second roof she’d funded. The first one was the Double M’s.
If J.W. ever found that out, he’d have a fit, and she’d be out of a job, and she loved her job.
After the ceremony, she and Johnny walked the grounds, stopping to play the games specifically designed for children. Johnny won several stuffed animals and other prizes and couldn’t be happier.
“Momma, can I have some blue cotton candy?”
“Not until after lunch. We have to eat lunch first.”
And it looked as if they’d be eating alone.
She pulled out her cell phone to call Cody, but she couldn’t. He didn’t have a cell phone.
But this wasn’t like Cody. Unless something was wrong, he would have found a phone and called her.
She looked at her phone, willing it to ring. She should just call Georgianna, for heaven’s sake, but she didn’t want to alarm her or Cindy if Cody was just running late.
Over the loudspeaker came the announcement that the box-lunch auction was starting. Disappointment washed over her like a tidal wave. She was so looking forward to this time with Cody and Johnny—just the three of them. The man she’d always loved...and their son! Finally, Reverend Pangburn held up the first box decorated with flowers and feathers. There was good-natured heckling as husbands bid against husbands—even the women got into the act.
Then Reverend Pangburn held up her box. “This is a beautiful box lunch, very patriotic. And on the note it says that it’s fried chicken, apple pie and potato salad.”
“I bid fifteen dollars,” said a man with bib overalls that Laura didn’t recognize.
“Twenty bucks,” said George Coleman, one of the deacons in the church who was always after her for a date.
“Thirty dollars,” said a voice in the crowd. It was the choir director, Louise LaClare. She was just driving the price up.
“Fifty dollars!”
There was a big “oh” that went up from the crowd, then applause. Heads swiveled to see the big bidder.
Laura’s head swiveled the most. Then she saw him. Cody. He was leaning against a wooden railed fence. Only those who knew him closely would know that his nonchalant stance was hiding a man who was coiled and ready to spring.
“Fifty dollars from Cody Masters,” said Reverend Pangburn, who’d been one of Cody’s supporters when he was first arrested. “Welcome back, Cody. It’s good to see you.”
Cody tweaked the brim of his hat
to the reverend and nodded.
Most of the faithful parishioners smiled and nodded back to Cody. The rest murmured among themselves, pointing at him.
“Fifty dollars going once,” said Reverend Pangburn. “Fifty dollars twice. Sold to Cody Masters. One picnic lunch. Whoever packed this beautiful basket, please pick it up and take it over to Cody to join him.”
Laura’s heart pounded as she felt everyone’s eyes on her and Johnny. She took her son’s hand and approached the stage to claim her boxed lunch.
Reverend Pangburn covered his microphone and leaned over to talk to her. “If you don’t want to have lunch with Cody Masters, I’ll certainly understand. We can work something else out.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to have lunch with Cody?” she asked.
“Well, he just got out of jail and some women would shy away from a criminal—a murderer.”
“Then those women aren’t very Christian, are they, Reverend Pangburn? He’s paid his debt to society—no, he’s still paying. Besides, I’ve known Cody for all my life, and so has most everyone at this event.”
Laura took her picnic basket, and with Johnny in tow, they walked over to Cody.
* * *
“Cody Masters, I’d like you to meet my son, Johnny Duke. Johnny, this is Mr. Masters.”
“Hi,” Johnny said, studying Cody.
“Howdy, partner.”
Johnny was the cutest little guy that he’d ever seen. He was trying to look so grown-up and important in his little suit. Johnny had dark blond hair, the most striking blue eyes and a little dimple on the right side of his mouth.
Cody could see the resemblance to Laura, although Laura didn’t have dimples. Cody’s sister, Cindy, had them and he thought they looked as cute as hell whenever she laughed or smiled.
Cody squatted down to be somewhat level with Johnny’s eyes. “Johnny, you’re looking mighty fine for our picnic with your suit on.”
Cody looked down at his own chambray shirt and well-worn jeans. His shirtsleeves were rolled up and showed sunburned arms that were finally turning tan. He wore a shiny belt buckle that he’d won at some rodeo competition. He had so many buckles and prizes, that he should try to sell them for extra money to put into the Double M. His boots were scuffed and dirty after delivering the snake pieces into the desert. “I’m looking like a bum compared to you, Johnny.”
Cody held his hand out, and Johnny shook it. Then they bumped knuckles, which turned into a high five.
Johnny nodded very seriously. “Momma said that this was an important day. My grandpa wears this when it’s important.”
“It’s an important day, Johnny?” Cody asked. “Because of the picnic?”
“No. It’s because we gave the church money,” Johnny said. “We’re really rich, you know.”
Laura winced. “Did Grandpa J.W. tell you that?”
Johnny nodded. “We have to show people how nice we are so they won’t be jealous of our money.”
Cody was amused. “Maybe you shouldn’t talk about how rich you are, and just be nice to everyone. You think?”
The little guy thought about it for a while as he dug the toe of a polished shoe into the desert sand. “Okay.” He lifted his little shoulders. “I’m hungry now. Are you going to eat with us, Cody?”
“That’s Mr. Masters,” Laura corrected.
“Mr. Masters, are you going to eat with us?”
“If your mother will let me.”
“She has to. You bought her basket. It’s the rule.” He tugged on Laura’s arm. “Let’s eat, Momma.”
Laura chuckled. “Let’s picnic by the creek. There’s a nice spot up there.”
“Sounds good,” Cody said, taking the picnic basket from her hand. “Johnny, will you let me hold your hand?”
“I guess so.”
When Johnny slipped his little hand into his, Cody fell in love. This boy could have been his.
“Cody, you were late. Is everything okay?”
He grinned and let out a deep breath. “Yes, it all worked out in the end. I’m fine. Really fine. I’ll tell you about it later.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Okay.”
Cody bit his lip from asking Laura the question that had been boring into his brain since he found out Laura had a son: why hadn’t she waited for him? They’d had plans. Cody was going to make his mark in the world and show J.W. that he was finally good enough for Laura.
J.W. had told him many times that he was not right for his daughter. Deep inside, in his heart of hearts, he knew that he could never marry Laura now. Now he was a jailbird, a killer, despite all his best intentions. But even if he could turn back the hands of time, he’d still do the same thing. He’d go to court, plead guilty and do his time.
Then it hit him. He was a jailbird lunching with a sweet little impressionable boy and a woman from the leading family in Duke Springs.
I shouldn’t have come here. I should leave now.
Heaven help him, he wanted to stay. He wanted to be with Laura and get to know her son. He wanted to have lunch with them.
Didn’t he deserve some happiness? Just for a while?
* * *
Laura almost cried when she saw Johnny’s little hand in Cody’s big, work-rough hand. She could tell by Cody’s bright eyes and big grin that he’d already fallen in love with his son.
Laura’s heart warmed and broke in half at the same time.
Why did I bring the two of them together? Cody would soon realize that Johnny was his son.
She tried to tamp down her conflicted feelings and vowed to relax and have a good time at the picnic. She desperately needed a break from worrying.
Laura spread a red-checkered tablecloth on the ground and they all sat down. Then she unpacked plates, forks, napkins and a plastic jug of iced tea and cups.
“We have potato salad, fried chicken and apple pie,” she said. “I made everything but the fried chicken. Clarissa made that.” Laura helped Johnny out of his suit coat.
“You could take your tie off, Johnny,” Laura suggested.
“I don’t want to.”
“Okay.” She began to make a plate for him.
“Everything looks delicious,” Cody said. “A real feast.”
“Hey, Cody, did you go to jail?” Johnny asked.
Cody almost choked on his iced tea.
“Johnny, that’s not a nice thing to ask anyone,” Laura tucked a napkin under his chin. “Where did you hear that?”
He turned to his mother and said, “I heard Grandpa say it.” Then he looked at Cody. His eyes were wide in awe. “Was it cool there?”
“Cool?”
Laura could tell that Cody was just about to spew the granddaddy of all swearwords, but he realized that he wasn’t in cell block 16. He was sitting by the sluggish creek on the church’s grounds with her and Johnny, who was obviously enthralled with the whole jail thing.
Cody looked as if he was trying to find the right words. “No, Johnny, it wasn’t cool at all. It was plain awful.”
“Johnny, eat your chicken. Don’t ask Mr. Masters about such a thing. Let’s enjoy our lunch.”
“But Mom—”
She fixed a napkin over his shirt. “No buts.”
“Laura, if you don’t mind, I’d like to answer Johnny’s questions.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not a bit.”
She trusted Cody not to go into detail, and to let Johnny know that jail wasn’t “cool.” “Go ahead.”
The brightness left Cody’s face, as if a dark cloud decided to float in front of him.
“I never had a nice picnic like this in jail. Never.”
“No picnics?” Johnny stopped eating and was as still as a statue.
“No Pirate?” Johnny’s mouth fell open.
“No Pirate. Slim would have to take care of Pirate. Or your mother. Someone would have to ride him, too, if you’re not around.”
“I wanna ride Pirate. He’s my pony.”
Cody shook his head. “See how jail’s not cool, son?”
Laura’s heart pounded in her chest, and her face felt as if it was on fire. Cody had called Johnny “son.”
She took a couple of deep breaths and told herself that it was just a term that everyone used to address a young kid.
It was no big deal.
It meant nothing.
“Jail isn’t cool,” Johnny said. “Can I have a soda?”
“May I have a soda?” Laura corrected.
“That’s what I said, Momma! I want a soda.”
Cody chuckled and Laura shot him a stern look with a slight smile so Johnny couldn’t see. He turned his head, but she could still see Cody’s shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“Johnny, how about iced tea instead of soda?” Laura asked.
“Well, okay,” Johnny said.
Laura stole a glance at Cody as she poured more iced tea for Johnny. He was lying on his back, looking up at the sky. His smile had disappeared and there was tightness around his mouth.
He was remembering something about his time in prison. She wanted to take his hand, but not when there were other people picnicking along the creek and could see them. Someone would certainly take exception, and word would get back to J.W.
It was going to be bad enough when J.W. and Penny found out about their picnic together, but she just couldn’t be seen holding Cody’s hand.
“Would you like some chicken, Cody?” she asked.
“Sure would.”
She passed him the container. As she’d hoped, their hands touched under the plastic bowl and lingered there.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “You did a great job answering Johnny. That couldn’t have been easy for you.”
“It’s okay. He’s a great kid, Laura,” Cody whispered back. “Smart, and as cute as can be.”
The Rancher's Surprise Son (Gold Buckle Cowboys Book 4) Page 6