Lone Star Burn_Lost Soul

by Sandy Sullivan

  “It’s okay, Lib. They aren’t worth your tears.”

  “Why does everyone hate me so much?”

  “They don’t. They are jealous of how beautiful you are and how smart you are. You’re going to be somebody someday, in this town. You will make them all sit up and take notice.”

  She raised her face so she could look into his gorgeous eyes.

  He wiped her tear-stained face with his thumb, before cupping her cheek with his palm.

  Her gaze went to his lips, so firm looking. She wanted to taste him. Nothing was more important than bringing their lips together.

  “Hey!” Her brother popped open the front door, interrupting the moment. “What’s wrong, Lib?”

  “She’s upset because no one came, you idiot.”

  She pushed away from Brock and climbed to her feet. “I’m fine.” Her fingers came back smeared with her black mascara when she wiped at her face. “I need to go wash my face. Then we’ll have cake, dance, and enjoy the warm evening.” A look at Brock revealed his stormy eyes. The brown had morphed into something dark and foreboding. He looked pissed. “It’ll be okay.”

  He nodded slightly before she turned to go into the house. She didn’t like it when he was mad. It made her feel bad.

  When she returned fifteen minutes later, she’d changed into her soft, comfortable jeans, boots, and a nice white tank top. By damn, this party would be what she wanted and to hell with the bitches from school.

  Her folks had made juicy steaks, baked beans, corn, and potatoes. They sat at the picnic table, eating, laughing, and listening to music playing softly in the background. Without a ton of money to spend, they’d made the best of the day for her.

  After they’d eaten, Brock had taken her hand, led her out on the makeshift dirt dance floor, and swayed with her to the music. His arms around her felt perfect. His breath on her cheek gave her goosebumps. His hand on her waist made her want more.

  Right then and there, she’d known her feelings for Brock ran deeper than being her brother’s friend.

  She wanted him with every beat of her heart.

  Her thoughts came back to the present as she ran her fingertip over the photo. Her mother had taken it that evening with the lights in the background, her in the middle, and Brock to her left while her brother had been on her right. They’d been so happy that night. Everything seemed so clear. The future was bright on the horizon.

  Her brother had applied to college and been accepted, his plan to go to Fort Mavis in the fall secured.

  Brock was going to stay in Bard for a year to work one of the local ranches. He planned to ride broncs in the rodeos around the state to make some money. He wanted to save some up and then go off to college. His mom didn’t have enough to pay for it, so he figured if he stayed home, worked, and saved, he could do it on his own.

  No one knew how much their lives would change a short two years later.

  Lee started using drugs in college, marijuana to start with. The partying got out of hand. He failed several classes, and they’d put him on academic probation. He didn’t care. Brock tried straightening him out, but it didn’t work. They got into fights and drifted apart. Lee made new friends, friends he could party with. Brock worked day in and day out, saving all his money. He never went anywhere, except to rodeo on weekends when he could.

  For her, she’d come to the realization she needed to figure out what to do with her life and what she wanted when she graduated. It was hard to see Lee waste his time and their parent’s money on partying the whole time he was in school. She’d never do that. Without too many friends in high school, she buckled down, got good grades, and made plans.

  Those plans included Brock if he’d just open his eyes and see her for the woman she was becoming.

  The day she’d given him her virginity had been a special one, one only a few knew about. Her, Brock, and Lee. She’d been sixteen.

  It hadn’t been planned. She’d ran into Brock at the local rodeo. He’d ridden earlier in the day and was hanging out near his truck, his saddle in the back. His black hat shaded his face as he looked down at the cell phone in his hand.

  “Hey.”

  He looked up, his eyes reflecting his delight in seeing her. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

  “Watching everything.”

  “Are you enjoying the events?”

  “Yep. I saw you ride. You did very well.”

  “Thanks. I’m not in first, but I should place in the money.”

  “Nice.” She took a seat on his tailgate next to him. “What are you doing after the events?”

  “Nothin’.” He shrugged.

  “You aren’t hanging out with the riders or something?”

  “Nope. All they want to do is hook up with some buckle bunny and get laid.”

  A snorted laugh escaped her lips. “And you don’t?”

  He glanced down at his hand, turning the phone over in his palm a couple of times. “It’s not that.”

  She bumped her shoulder against his. “Then what?”

  He jumped down from the tailgate. “Nothin’. Listen, I should get going. I’ve got an early mornin’ tomorrow. Fences need mendin’ and all that kind of stuff.”

  “I thought you were off tomorrow.”

  “Uh, yeah, well I—”

  She frowned and slid to her feet. “Never mind, Brock. If you don’t want to hang with me that’s fine. I don’t want to put you out or anything.” She took two steps away before spinning back around. “You’re a fucking jerk, you know?” A hot tear slid down her cheek before she could stop it. She wouldn’t cry in front of him, she wouldn’t. “All I wanted was to spend time with you, but I realize I’m nothing more than an annoying little sister to you.”

  A second later, he was in front of her, shoving his fingers into the hair at the side of her neck so he could hold her head where he wanted it. His whispered words against her mouth were almost tortured. “I wish I could think of you as a sister. It would make things easier.”

  His mouth came crashing down on hers, stealing her breath as he rubbed his lips against hers. His tongue drove between her lips to deepen the kiss to mind-blowing, before he tilted her head so they fit together perfectly. She wrapped her hands around his wrists, holding on for dear life.

  It had been her first real kiss.

  When he lifted his head and stared down in her eyes, she saw the battle he fought deep in his soul. He wanted her that much was clear. What that meant, she didn’t know until much later that night after he’d skillfully taken her to the heights of need, pushed her over into an orgasm she thought she’d never recover from, and then wrapped her in his arms to wait for morning.

  Chapter Six

  Brock eyed the center of Fort Mavis as he tried to find a store to buy clothes for Lee. The stoplight turned red as he eased the truck to a halt.

  Things with Libby were in a weird spot for him. He wanted her, of that there was no doubt, but he wasn’t good for her. His past would haunt him forever. He was a felon. He had a record. Nothing would make that go away, or at least nothing he could think of outside of finding the real killer.

  The sheriff in the town of Bard was no help. Anyone with money could buy the man easily. He’d proven that during the investigation into the woman’s death. Evidence had been scarce against him, but since the attorney who’d represented him was state appointed, they didn’t give a shit.

  Finding someone who did care would be important. He needed an ally, someone he could trust with details.

  When the light turned green, he stepped on the gas and turned right into the small strip mall’s parking lot. A western clothing store stood off in the corner and seemed like the best place for him to find something Lee could wear. Jeans, a long-sleeved shirt or two, and a pair of boots were probably the best bet.

  As he opened the door to the truck, he noticed flashing lights behind him. He rolled his eyes when he realized it was the local police for Fort Mavis. Fucking great. I do not need a
hassle from the cops. He tipped his hat as the officer came closer. “Officer. What can I do for you?”

  “This your truck?”

  “No, sir. It belongs to a friend of mine, Libby Reynold’s. She let me borrow it to come into town to get some clothes for her brother.”

  “Dr. Libby Reynold’s out of Bard?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And you are?”

  “Brock Callahan.”

  The officer took off his glasses, peering at him closely as he stepped within a couple of feet of him. “Brock Callahan, huh? Aren’t you the kid who went to jail for murder some years back?”

  Brock swallowed, hard. “Yes, sir.”

  “Got out recently?”

  “Yes, sir.” Sweat dribbled down his cheek from where it escaped at his temple. He didn’t like this one bit.

  The officer tapped the earpiece of his sunglasses against his lips. “I remember that.”

  Brock didn’t think the officer was much older than he was. “Oh?”

  “Yeah.” The guy’s eyes narrowed. “I read everything about that investigation I could get my hands on.”

  “You probably aren’t much older than I am.”

  “Nope, but I was interested in it from the investigation standpoint.” The officer put his glasses back on. “Just for the record, I think you were framed.”

  Brock’s heart beat double time in his chest. “Well, you know everyone in prison is innocent.”

  The guy scoffed as he held out his hand. “Dean Carlton. I’m the sheriff in Fort Mavis.”

  The warmth of Dean’s palm in his made Brock feel a little better. Dean seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Listen, the reason I stopped behind you was to tell you there is a brake light out on the passenger side of the truck. You’ll need to let Libby know so she can get it fixed.”

  “I certainly will, as soon as I get back.”

  “How’s her brother doing? I heard he got in bad with some drugs.”

  “He did. Had a bit of a relapse, so we are trying to get him back in rehab.”

  “Good, good. Nothing worse than drugs on a body. They get you into a lot of trouble.”

  “They sure do.”

  “Are you, uh, staying with Libby?”

  “Temporarily, yeah. We’ve been friends a long time, her and I. I used to hang with Lee in high school.”

  “I see.”

  “I’m out beating the bushes looking for work. A lot of people won’t look twice at me since I have a record.”

  “Must be tough.”

  “Sure is.” Brock shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “If someone would give me a chance, it would be great.”

  “Do you have experience doing anything specific?”

  “Wranglin’. I used to work on one of the ranches in Bard before I went to prison.”

  “Hmm. Well, if I hear anything, I’ll give Libby a call so she can get in touch with you. I’m sure there is someone around these parts willing to give you a chance.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I better get going. I’m supposed to meet someone for lunch.” He tipped his hat and said, “See you around, Brock. Take care and stay out of trouble.”

  “I plan to.”

  Brock watched Dean get back into his cruiser, shut the lights off, and then pull back out into the miniscule traffic that rolled down main street in Fort Mavis. That was kind of weird. He shook his head, shut the door on the truck, and headed for the door of the western store. Let’s get this over with.

  Libby slid the pictures back into the drawer, slamming it shut with a click. Brock’s prophecies had come true. She was someone in the town of Bard now. She took care of the ranch animals, everything from cattle to exotic pets. They all came to her to fix them.

  It made her smile to see the women she’d went to school with. They were friendly now, not that she cared, but it felt good to think of them needing her. She still didn’t have a lot of friends, but she had a few close ones. One of her best friends was Sarah Carlton. She’d married Tony Carlton our of Fort Mavis where they now run a place together and he trains horses. She met Sarah when she went out on a call to Tony’s place. They became fast friends although they didn’t get to spend as much time hanging out as she would like. It was terribly hard to be the third wheel when your friend was happily married.

  She sighed as she tapped the brochure for the rehab facility on her right hand. Lee had taken a seat on the chair by the door, his hands dangling between his parted thighs, and his head down. He looked defeated. “It’ll be okay, Lee. You’ll see.”

  When he lifted his head, she could see the pain in his soul. He was lost. “I’ll do my best, Lib, for you.”

  She moved to his side and went down on her knees next to him. “Not for me, for you. This is to help you.”

  His fingertips brushed her cheek. “You’re the best sister a guy could ask for.”

  She reached up and gave him a big hug before climbing to her feet. “I’ll call the clinic. We need to get you in there as soon as possible.”

  The doorbell gave a bong, earning a frown from her. Who could that be? The door gave way under her hand as she opened it. The last person on earth she expected stood on her doorstep. “Melissa?”

  “Hi, Libby.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see if you’d seen Lee. I need to see him, talk to him.”

  Lee appeared at her shoulder. “What do you want, Melissa?”

  The screen door stayed closed between them. Libby wasn’t sure she wanted the woman in her home, much less near her brother. The breakup between the two had spiraled him into addiction or pushed him toward where he was now. Didn’t he say the run in with her yesterday had pushed him into shooting up again?

  “Can we talk?”

  “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

  “Please, Lee?” Melissa wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “There are a couple of things you need to know.”

  Libby felt Lee stiffen behind her. She wanted to protect him, but he needed to learn to stand on his own. If he wanted to talk to Melissa, she would be nearby.

  “Okay. For a minute. Libby was about to make a call for me.”

  Libby turned around as the screen door squeaked open and Melissa stepped inside. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Unsure of whether to leave her brother alone with the woman, she glanced over her shoulder as she walked down the hall toward her bedroom to use the phone. Trust came hard for her when it came to her brother’s welfare, but he could decide on his own. He was a big boy and a grown adult, even if he didn’t act like it sometimes.

  Libby sat down on the bed and reached for the receiver to call the rehab facility.

  “Mission Valley Treatment Center, how can I help you?”

  “Hi. Uh, I need to see about getting a family member in for treatment.”

  “Has your family member been here before?”

  “Yes, ma’am. His name is Lee Reynold’s.”

  She heard a few clicking noises on the other end of the line before the woman came back and said, “Yes. I have his file open.”

  “When can he be admitted for treatment?”

  “Well, we need to talk to him personally. Is he available?”

  She glanced out her doorway, listening to the sounds of voices coming from the living room. “Not right this moment.”

  “Is he under the influence right now?”

  “No. He was yesterday when he arrived at my house. I’m his sister. He was having withdrawal symptoms last night, but he’s doing okay today. He’s in the middle of a conversation at the moment though and can’t come to the phone.”

  “I see.”

  “Can I have him call you back?”

  “It would probably be better if you brought him to the facility. He can talk to the counselor then, and between the two of them, they can decide if inpatient or outpatient is right for him
.”

  “Oh, he definitely needs inpatient.”

  The woman on the other end sighed. “I understand you wanting to get help for your brother, ma’am, but he has to decide, not you.”

  Frustration made her hands shake. She knew what he needed. She’d seen it before. “Fine. I’ll bring him there as soon as I can.”

  “We’ll look forward to seeing him this afternoon then.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The phone clicked in her ear before she could lay the receiver down on the hook. Libby took several deep breaths to calm her nerves before she faced her brother with the news they would be making a trip to the clinic as soon as Brock came back with his clothes.

  With a plan in mind, Libby got to her feet to head back into the living room. As she came to the end of the hall, the next words from Melissa mouth stopped her in her tracks.

  “Yes, she’s yours, Lee, your daughter. Her name is Andrea.”

  Libby stepped into the doorway. Lee was pacing the living room, running his hands through his hair. Agitation was apparent in his steps. Melissa sat on the couch watching him move.

  “I have a daughter?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before now? How old is she?”

  “I didn’t tell you before because of the drugs. You were using pretty heavily. She is the most important thing in my life, and I won’t let her be raised by a drug addict.” Melissa glanced down at her hands before bringing her gaze back up to him. “She’s ten.”

  “Holy fuck. Ten?”

  “Yes,” Melissa whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

  Libby’s stomach knotted. Lee had a daughter. She had a niece she didn’t know. Her parents had a grandchild they’d never seen. It wasn’t fair, none of it. The girl had a family, one who would love her no matter the circumstances of her birth, but they had never been given a chance with her. Libby wanted to scream at Melissa for keeping the girl a secret all these years. She knew she wouldn’t though.

  “You have to understand, Lee. You were pretty messed up when I found out I was pregnant.”