A Texas Family

by Linda Warren

  “Here’s another.” She handed him a Dr Pepper can.

  “Oh.” He was careful not to touch her fingers. Pouring the dark liquid down the drain, he watched it swirl around and disappear, similar to his control. He hadn’t been this attracted to a woman since Beth and he didn’t understand it. After Beth’s death, the sensual part of him seemed to die, too. He didn’t want anyone else. What was Jena Brooks doing to him?

  He took a long breath and walked back into the office.

  “Where do we go from here?” she asked.

  Good. He relaxed. They were back to business.

  “I plan to talk to my dad again, and I’m going to find a way to get into Jared’s room without upsetting Pa. And I’d like to talk to the sheriff to see whose fingerprints were on the shotgun. If Lamar wasn’t at the scene, then how did his gun get there?”

  “It must have been stolen.”

  “Did your dad ever mention that?”

  She shook her head. “Not to my knowledge.”

  “My kids get out of school tomorrow, so I’ll have a conflict once they’re on vacation, timewise, but we’ll continue if that’s what you want.”

  She tucked hair behind her ear. “I don’t have much choice, and now I want my dad’s name cleared, too, so I don’t plan on stopping.”

  They moved toward the door. “After I drop the kids at school in the morning, I’ll call you.”

  “Okay.”

  Locking the door, he said, “Thanks for watching my kids.”

  “Don’t make a habit of it,” she replied with that teasing light in her eyes before she sashayed to her car.

  Unable to stop himself, he watched until she drove away. Two days with Jena and he was feeling seventeen again, which on a scale of one to ten had to be the worst thing that could happen.

  He didn’t need another problem. Another headache. Another way to complicate his life.

  But then...

  * * *

  JENA CROSSED THE tracks and took the first right turn, slowing as she saw trucks parked around their home. Hilary’s friends had arrived. Two men were nailing shingles to the roof. Two others were on a scaffold scraping the house while two more were also scraping lower down. They worked fast.

  She parked alongside a truck in the driveway and got out. Hilary ran to her. “Hey, sis.”

  Jena looked at the men. “I’m impressed.”

  “They’ll get the roof on and finish scraping today. Tomorrow they’ll paint the house. I’m so excited.” Hil did a jig in her boots. Today the tops were yellow. Her sister must spend a fortune on boots.

  “Me, too. I just never dreamed they’d do it this fast.” The pound of staple guns echoed through the trees along with manly chatter.

  “They have jobs and wanted to do this as fast as possible.”

  Jena glanced at her sister. “For you?”

  “Yeah.” Hil shoved her hands into the pockets of her short skirt. “I have some neat friends. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

  They walked closer to the house. “Hey, guys,” Hilary yelled above the noise. All the pounding, hammering, scraping and talking stopped. “This is my sister, Jena. You remember her?”

  “Hey,” they chorused.

  “Nice to have you back in Willow Creek,” one of the guys on the scaffold called.

  “Thank you for doing this,” she shouted to them.

  “No problem,” the man on the roof said. “We get a free meal and pie out of this. And Boots will babysit when we ask. Can’t beat that.”

  “Not every time,” Hil told him. “I have a job, you know.”

  They laughed.

  “That’s Billy Jack,” Hilary whispered to Jena. “He’s always busting my chops, but I love him to death—as a friend. Only.”

  “We hear you, Boots,” one of the guys who was scraping said. “Otherwise our wives wouldn’t let us come here.”

  “Appropriate nickname.”

  “Yeah.”

  Jena could feel the easy rapport her sister had with her friends. Evidently the wives were included. Jena was glad about that. She wanted her sister to be happy and she seemed to be.

  “How is Mama taking all this noise?”

  “She’s fine,” Hilary replied. “She’s watching television and doesn’t seem to notice it.”

  “I’ll check on her.” Jena went into the house, sidestepping a couple of ladders, and Hilary followed her. The noise inside sounded as if Santa and his reindeer were stomping on the roof.

  Norma sat in her chair, oblivious to what was going on around her.

  “Hi, Mama,” Jena said.

  Norma’s cloudy eyes stared at her. “I was hoping you’d all make it home from school before it started raining. The thunder’s getting louder and louder.”

  Hilary sank down by their mother’s chair and stroked her arm lovingly. “Mama, remember, I told you we’re putting a new roof on the house. That’s what the noise is about.”

  “Oh. I forget sometimes.”

  Hilary continued to stroke her arm. “It’s okay, Mama. I understand.”

  Tears stung the back of Jena’s eyes and she knelt on the other side of her mother. “It’s okay, Mama.”

  Norma reached out and touched Jena’s hair. “My baby, you can’t stay long. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I know.” Taking her cue from Hilary she knew there was no need to tell her mother otherwise. She wouldn’t remember. It broke Jena’s heart to witness this, but it lifted her heart to see her sister being so strong and mature. Hilary had grown up in the years that Jena had been away, and the bubblehead was now a very compassionate woman. Jena admired her.

  Later, the guys went home, and she and Hilary fixed supper. Norma was stuck on it raining and couldn’t seem to get it out of her mind.

  “Is it still raining?” Norma asked for the fifth time.

  “No.” Hilary removed the plates from the table.

  “Still—” Norma wrapped her arms around her waist “—it’s a chilly winter day and I think I’ll just go to bed.”

  “I’ll help you,” Jena offered, and before long she had her mother tucked in bed under a blanket. How she stood a blanket in May was mind-boggling, but then, it was all in her mind.

  After baths, she and Hilary sat on the floor in the bedroom looking at the mural. She told her sister what they’d found out about their father.

  Hil stood on her knees. “You’re freakin’ kidding me.”

  “No. Willie said Dad was with him, but I’m not sure anyone’s going to believe him now.”

  “How did y’all go from looking for your child to investigating the murders?”

  Jena drew up her knees. “I didn’t have much choice. Asa’s the only one who knows where my baby is and he’s not talking. Carson mentioned something about the cases being closed quickly and that there was still a lot of information out there. I was hoping some of the information would lead me to the baby.”

  “But why didn’t you call Blake?”

  Jena tightened her arms around her legs. “It’s complicated, Hil.”

  “Do a little uncomplicating, then.”

  She looked into brown eyes similar to her own. “Because too many people have been hurt and I don’t want that to happen again.”

  “I’m not following. I say call Blake, have Asa arrested and let the whole ugly truth come out.”

  “Hilary.” She sighed. “For that to happen Blake’s team of investigators would come here and interview just about everyone. And the community would not like the intrusion. They’d hate me. They’d hate you, and I just can’t have that. I don’t want you hurt in any way. Mama, either.”

  Hil sank back against the bed. “I love that people like me and don’t look down on me anymore, but they’re
not my friends if they turn on me because of an investigation.”

  Jena wrapped an arm around her sister. “Have I told you how grown-up you are?”

  “Come on, Jen-Jen. I want you to find that peace you’re looking for. You deserve it.”

  “But not at the expense of your happiness.”

  Nothing was said for a few minutes. They rested their heads on the bed and stared at the mural. A happy place. A dream life. Were they always going to be dreaming?

  “So you and Carson are going to continue investigating the murders?” Hilary asked.

  “For now, yes. We’re trying to figure out how the shotgun got to the scene of Jared’s murder.”

  “Dad always kept it in his truck.”

  “Do you remember him talking about someone stealing the gun or losing the gun?”

  Hilary shook her head. “No, but he could have sold it for liquor money.”

  “I don’t think so. His dad gave him that gun. I can’t see him selling it even for booze.”

  “That’s a real mystery right here in Willow Creek.”

  “Please don’t tell anyone,” Jena said. “We don’t want this to get out just yet.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  Jena stretched out her legs. “All these years I believed our dad was a cold-blooded killer, and it’s such a relief to know that he wasn’t.”

  “Yeah, but it doesn’t make us forget all the other bad things he did.”

  “But we loved him in spite of them.” Jena wanted to make that clear.

  “Love is funny like that,” Hil mused. “I guess that’s why women stay in abusive relationships.”

  “Like our mother.”

  Hil sprang to her feet. “Not going there.”

  Jena’s phone buzzed and she reached for her purse. “It’s Blake. I’ll take it in the living room.”

  “Night, sis.” Hilary pulled back the comforter. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Night.” Jena clicked on. “Hi, Blake.”

  “You haven’t called. Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She eased onto the sofa and sat cross-legged in the dark. “I’m taking things slowly.”

  “How’s it going with the constable?”

  Jena tensed. “We’ve been talking.”

  “I’m surprised you’re talking to him.”

  Her nerves stretched tighter at the tone in his voice. “Why?”

  “He’s the son of Asa Corbett, the man you said stole your child.”

  She gasped. “Are you checking out my story?”

  “Honey, I always check my facts.”

  “I resent you checking into my personal history without my permission.”

  “It’s only because I care about you.”

  She gritted her teeth. “This is my problem and I will handle it my way.”

  “I don’t understand why you won’t let me help you.”

  “I’ve told you but you’re not listening to me. My sister and my mother live here, and I do not want to disrupt their lives.”

  “What about your life?”

  “Blake, I admit I’m going through a lot of emotions right now and I don’t know if I’m making the right decisions or not, but if I’m not, they’re still my decisions. Please try to understand that.”

  “Okay. The longer you’re away the more I fear I’m losing touch with you.”

  “I have to deal with my past before I can even think about a future. That’s important to me.”

  “You’re one stubborn lady. I guess that’s why I’m so attracted to you.”

  She blew out a breath, knowing that his attraction was driving a wedge between them. She wasn’t ready for it. And that told her so many things she’d just as soon not face right now.

  “How is your mother?” he asked when she didn’t say anything else.

  “Not good. She’s out of it most days and I want to help my sister as much as I can while I’m here.”

  “You have lots of vacation coming, so take all the time you need. Besides, you know your job is secure.”

  She took a moment before responding. What she said next could cost her her job, but she had to say it. “Blake, when I come back, we really have to talk. I’ve told you many times I’m not ready for a relationship and I don’t want special favors from my employer.”

  There was a long pause. “I’m aware I push too hard, but you’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met. I know you’re not ready and I appreciate your honesty.”

  Was that her allure? She wasn’t like his other women? But what he’d meant to say, she was sure, was that she wasn’t easy.

  “Like I said, we’ll talk later.” She couldn’t handle Blake’s pressure on top of everything else, but she wanted him to know, to her, they were employer and employee.

  “Sure, and you’ll call if you need me?”

  “Yes, and thank you for being so understanding.”

  She clicked off and stared into the darkness. She’d made a deal with Carson and she wouldn’t go back on her word, yet it was very tempting to let Blake take care of her problems. But she was stronger than that.

  Today when she and Carson had been standing in the doorway of the bathroom, she sensed a change in the relationship. It wasn’t anything she could put her finger on. It was just something she could feel. The way he looked at her. The way he purposely tried not to touch her. The way she wanted him to. That was what frightened her the most. She couldn’t be falling for Carson. That was out of the question. Out of the realm of possibility and could make a complicated situation explosive. She didn’t do explosive anymore.

  For heaven’s sakes she just wanted peace and quiet. Where did she find that? Maybe in the darkness of this room, where there was no one but her and her thoughts. Did she walk away and leave the past where it was—in the past? Or did she keep searching for that elusive dream?

  God help her, all she could feel were his green eyes looking at her, trusting her, and she knew she would see it through. She could do no less.

  * * *

  TREY AND CLAIRE were outside playing and Aunt Fran was watching them through the kitchen window. Carson thought it was the perfect time to talk to his father.

  He walked through to the den. Asa sat watching TV—or staring at it was more accurate. Carson didn’t think he was seeing or hearing it. His shoulders were slumped and he had a defeated expression on his face. That struck a chord with Carson and he felt sympathy for his father. He understood the pain Asa had endured after losing his youngest son. It didn’t erase the bad stuff he’d done, though. It just made Carson aware of his love for his father.

  “Pa.”

  No response. Carson could see what held his dad’s attention. The large TV was built into a walnut bookcase. Family photos and books surrounded it. Asa’s eyes were on a picture of Carson and Jared when they were about ten and fifteen astride paint horses Asa had bought for them.

  Carson sat in a chair close to his father. “Pa, I’d like to talk.”

  “Nothing...to say.”

  Carson let that pass. “I spoke with the Texas Ranger who worked Jared’s murder case, and he said you called off the investigation. Why would you do that?”

  His father looked at him with a weary expression. “I didn’t.”

  That threw Carson. The ranger wouldn’t lie. “Are you sure? You were very angry at the time.”

  “Ranger wanted...to see my boy’s room. Said no. That’s it.”

  “Did you talk to the sheriff?”

  “No need to. They had...the killer.”

  Something wasn’t adding up again. “Why wouldn’t you let the ranger see Jared’s room?”

  “Nobody touching...his things!” he said with a burst of anger.

  Carson rubbed his hand
s together, staring at the pattern on the area rug. “What if Lamar didn’t kill Jared?”

  “Bitch...turning your head.”

  Once again Carson let that pass. “Pa, I’m trying to work things out. You took Ms. Brooks’s baby and now is the time to make it right.”

  “Never. She will...suffer.”

  “Do you know how insane that sounds?”

  His dad only stared at him and Carson knew he wasn’t going to budge an inch. He took a deep breath. “Where is the key to Jared’s room?”

  “Leave it...alone.”

  God, he wished he could do that, but there was no turning back now. He had to keep his father from being arrested one way or the other.

  Before he could respond, the kids came running in. “Grandpa, the last day of school is tomorrow,” Trey told him, sitting on the rug, his eyes bright with love for his grandfather.

  Claire stroked Asa’s shaky hand. “Do you feel okay, Grandpa?”

  Asa nodded. “My babies...are home.”

  Claire twirled around. “Look at my hair. A lady did it, but I don’t ’member her name.”

  “Trey, do you have homework?” Carson asked to divert their attention. He was sure Trey remembered and could blurt out the name at any minute.

  “No, Dad,” Trey replied. “It’s the last day of school and we’re just going to have fun. We get out at noon, so don’t forget.”

  “I won’t.” Carson walked into the kitchen.

  Aunt Fran was stirring something in a pot. “I’m making spaghetti,” she said. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Yeah.” His mind churned with so many doubts and confusion he wasn’t really hungry, but he wouldn’t disappoint Aunt Fran. Leaning against the cabinet, he asked, “Do you know where the key to Jared’s room is?”

  She glanced at him briefly. “Asa has it, I guess.”

  “Have you noticed it in Pa’s room?”

  “No.” She placed a lid on the pot. “Why are you asking?”

  “Pa wouldn’t let the officials into the room when Jared was murdered, and I want to see what’s in there.”

  “Carson, please leave this alone.”

  “I wish I could, but after looking into both murder cases a lot of things aren’t making sense. I need answers. I need to know what happened to my brother.”