by Angel Smits
She was surprised at what she saw once she faced the big ranch house. It had to be a hundred years old, judging by the style, but it was immaculate. Old-fashioned metal fencing stretched between posts to surround the big white house with a lush green lawn. She pulled up to the fence, just a few yards from the gate.
A gate that stood wide-open and for some reason, Emily knew that Tyler had left it that way. She hoped Wyatt didn’t have a dog or other pet that could now be loose in the wilderness. She laughed. Wilderness. Ranch land was not wilderness, not really.
A woman came out of the door, the wooden screen slapping loud against the frame. “Tyler?” The woman’s blond hair fell in long ringlets. Was this a friend—a girlfriend of Wyatt’s? Emily frowned. Had he been distracted by the woman, thereby allowing the boy to run away?
Tyler reached for the door handle and turned to climb out of the car. Before he could move, though, Emily clamped her hand around his thin little wrist. “Hold on.”
He frowned but slowly turned his head to look at her through the mop of hair hanging in his face. “What?”
Wow! Plenty of attitude in that half-hidden glare. But that attitude made something in her shift. Her anger evaporated, drifting around for an instant to land somewhere near her heart.
“Are you sure you’re okay here?” She tried to see Tyler’s face, see what he was thinking. Was he afraid? Was he comfortable here? Was there something here that had caused him to run away?
None of those answers stared back at her.
“She’s waiting for me,” he informed Emily and finally pulled his arm free. He shoved the door open with his tennis shoe and bounded out. “I’m here,” he called just before he slammed the door closed.
Emily took a deep breath, wishing desperately that she’d never decided to do this. She should have kept it all in her courtroom, where she was safe behind her robes, behind the bench, across the room from any of the participants.
Her palms grew damp, and she rubbed them around the warm steering wheel once, twice, then before she could shove the car into Reverse and turn tail and run, she opened the door and climbed out. She refrained from slamming it as Tyler had done, though barely.
The hot Texas sun beat down on her head, but she stood up straighter and shoved her purse over her shoulder. She curled her hands around the strap as if it were a lifeline and stepped forward.
The woman knelt in front of Tyler, her hands on his shoulders. She was speaking, but for some reason, Emily couldn’t hear her words. Maybe it was the roaring in her ears. She took a deep breath, noting the relaxing scents of the fields and heat. She could do this.
She stepped forward, moving through the open gate. She extended her hand just as the woman started to speak to Tyler again.
“He was walking into town,” Emily interrupted.
The blonde’s jaw dropped open. “That’s over ten miles.”
“He didn’t get there.” Anger and a dose of panic rippled through Emily. She should have trusted her gut. She should have sent this boy to social services. She should have—
“Tyler, you scared us half to death.” The woman had none of Emily’s hesitation in grabbing him and hugging him tight.
“Sorry,” he mumbled from inside her tight embrace.
She finally let him go and took his hand in hers. “Let’s go call Wyatt.”
“He’s not here?” Emily felt her brow rise.
“No.” The woman turned back with her own frown. “He’s been out searching for this one. I hope his cell works in the gullies and canyons he’s checking.”
“Oh.” Emily felt silly. Her suspicious nature always made her feel like a shrew. “I’ll... I’ll get his backpack from the car.”
“Oh, thank you. Please. Where are my manners? I’m Addie Hawkins. Wyatt’s my brother. Guessing by the time, you’re Judge Ivers.”
Relief slid through Emily and she forced herself to ignore it. This was his sister...not—she forced her mind to focus on her steps and the task of getting the backpack—not a girlfriend.
The beaten backpack was heavy in Emily’s hand. What had he packed? She pulled it out and walked around the car.
A thundering roar grew in the distance, freezing Emily in place, stealing the words she was about to say. She’d heard that sound before, a long time ago—a lifetime ago. She shook her head, looking up at the sky, hoping to see a building thunderhead somewhere, anywhere. Clear blue skies stared back at her.
Her heart pounded in her chest. The damp that had been in her palms spread throughout her body. Her breath froze.
Emily watched the solitary rider appear on the horizon. Wyatt sat atop a wide-shouldered horse whose mane and tail were silhouetted in the afternoon light. He was riding quickly toward the house, and she nearly expected his hat to fly off like in all those old cowboy movies she’d watched as a kid.
He drew closer, the shadows let go and she could see the details of him. He was dressed the part of a cowboy, unlike the man who had appeared in her courtroom just days ago wearing an expensive tailored suit. No, this cowboy wore a blue shirt that contrasted with his worn Levi’s. Costly but worn Ropers were snug in the stirrups.
She’d just turned her head, catching a glimpse of white, when the great white horse rumbled into the yard, clearing the low fence with ease. He landed with a heavy thud just inches from her.
Wyatt jumped down from the horse’s back, landing with a similar thud.
“Where is he?” Wyatt barked out the words as he swung out of the saddle.
She looked up at him. Sweat glistened on his face and he yanked the Stetson off and swiped his brow with his sleeve.
“In the house.”
Before she could say or ask anything more, he tossed the reins to her and loped across the lawn.
She caught the reins—a habit she’d thought long forgotten. He’d made the assumption, like everyone did, that people who lived in Texas knew horses. She did, of course, but she hated his assumption.
She stood there a long, silent moment.
Big. Huge. Brown eyes stared at her. She could see the horse’s long lashes as it blinked at her. It—she glanced around and amended—he.
The horse tossed his head and whickered before taking a step forward. Emily froze and dropped the reins. The well-trained horse didn’t move, but Emily saw a whole new set of images. Of another horse. One not as big, but whose eyes were just as beautiful and soulful. Whose coat was just as pure white.
“Sugar,” she whispered. But Sugar was gone. Long gone.
The horse’s big chocolate eyes stared at her, slowly batting its big eyelashes. The horse took a step toward her, and Emily crumbled into the darkness.
CHAPTER SIX
“AH, HELL.” WYATT realized his mistake the instant he let go of the reins. He spun around just in time to keep the judge from landing on her pretty little butt in the grass.
He’d been in such a hurry to check on Tyler that he’d barely registered that she had arrived. Great timing. Maybe she didn’t realize Tyler had been missing for the better part of the afternoon. He could hope.
He curled his arms in, pulling her up against his chest. Her softness, and the scent of something sweet wafting in the air, registered along with Prism’s shadow falling over them. Wyatt whistled and his foreman, Chet, stuck his head out of the barn.
“Come get Prism, will you?” Wyatt yelled.
The wiry old man hustled across the drive and through the gate to take the horse. “Gracious, who you got there?” Chet peered past Prism’s shoulders.
“The judge,” Wyatt explained, knowing Chet knew the situation with Tyler. “Seems she’s scared of horses.” Her eyelids fluttered and Wyatt hastened to the steps to get her inside and away from the horse.
“Come on, boy. Just my luck. He gets to catch the
girl and I’m stuck with you.” Chet’s words followed Wyatt toward the house as the old man led Prism out through the gate.
“Addie,” Wyatt yelled as he stepped inside the foyer. He headed to the living room, and was halfway to the couch when the judge’s eyes opened. Wyatt found himself staring into a very startled pair of deep brown eyes. Her panic surprised him.
“Put me down!” She wiggled and Wyatt struggled to keep from dropping her. She managed, with his help, to land on her feet—barely. She wobbled and he wasn’t sure if it was her condition or those ridiculous heels.
“Sit down,” he commanded and guided her to the couch. “Better yet, lie down until we figure out if you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.” She did, however, sit down.
“Uh-huh.”
Her color was returning and she closed her eyes while she took several deep breaths.
Lame horses, banged-up cowboys and even flash storms, Wyatt knew how to handle. Women didn’t normally swoon at his feet, so he was at a loss of what to do. Where the hell was Addie? “Can I get you anything?”
The judge looked at him then, and the shimmer in her eyes startled him.
“Maybe some water. I...must have been out in the heat too long.” She rubbed her forehead with a trembling hand.
“Sure. Add—” he yelled then stopped himself when he saw his sister appear in the doorway. Tyler was behind her, munching on a cookie that was bigger than his hand.
“Tyler, where have you been? Are you okay?” Wyatt hunkered down beside the boy, the judge left to Addie’s care.
“I’m okay,” Tyler said around a mouth full of chocolate.
“What are you yelling for?” Addie stepped forward, seeing the judge sitting on the couch. “What happened? She was fine a minute ago.”
“You knew she was here?” Wyatt frowned at Tyler.
Addie frowned back. “Yeah. She’s the one who brought him home.”
Wyatt’s heart sank. There went that hope. “I carried her in.”
“What?” Addie simply stared back at him then hastily moved to the couch. “He carried you?”
“I...uh...fainted. Must be the heat. I’m fine now.”
Wyatt took a deep breath and turned his focus back to the boy, who wouldn’t meet his eyes. “You got something you want to tell us?”
“No.” Tyler turned toward the kitchen and climbed back up onto the chair he’d obviously been sitting in. He grabbed the half-full glass of milk and took a drink.
“Are you sure about that?”
Tyler didn’t say anything, and to keep from grabbing the kid, Wyatt slid over into Dad’s chair. “So where have you been?”
“I don’t know.” Tyler swung his legs and stared at the ground, reminding Wyatt of the day he’d first met the boy at that abandoned house. He needed to tread carefully here.
“I can answer that.”
Wyatt turned back to see the judge standing in the doorway. She was no longer pale and her eyes were a stormy brown. The vulnerable woman he’d glimpsed was gone and the no-nonsense judge was back. Addie was right behind her.
“Please, have a seat. I made coffee,” Addie said.
“I’d prefer something cooler, if you have it. Water would be great.”
“Of course.” As Addie got busy, the judge—Emily, he reminded himself—headed toward the table. He hastily pulled out a chair and noticed her hands still trembled as she sat.
“I’m sorry Prism scared you. I—I was focused on Tyler.” The soft perfume he’d noticed earlier mingled with the sweet scent of the fresh cookies. Temptation.
“Understandable.”
Addie took a seat after setting a glass of ice water in front of the judge.
Then the silence descended.
* * *
LONG, PAINFUL MINUTES ticked by. Finally, Emily couldn’t stand it any longer. “Do you want to tell your aunt and uncle what’s up, or shall I?” She pinned Tyler with her best courtroom stare.
He hung his head and it took everything in her not to reach across the table and fold him in her arms. She saw the same struggle on Addie’s face but couldn’t see Wyatt’s features from this angle.
Tyler simply shrugged.
She cleared her throat. “I was on my way out here when I saw him, about five miles from here, walking beside the road.”
“How’d you get so far?” Addie’s alarm came out loud and clear. Tyler didn’t answer.
Wyatt did. “You got off the bus down by the Richardson’s spread, didn’t you?”
Tyler looked up and met his uncle’s eyes. Emily saw the boy swallow then nod.
“Where were you going?” Addie asked.
Again, Tyler remained silent. Emily wanted him to step up, but he was only eight, she reminded herself. “Apparently, from what he told me, he overheard you two talking and realized his mother wouldn’t be able to find him out here. He was going to town to where his mom’s letter was originally sent.”
“I was just gonna put a note on the house. Then come back,” Tyler defended himself, and if it weren’t so foolish, Emily would have applauded his loyalty and determination.
“Oh, Tyler.” Addie reached for the boy, but Wyatt beat her to it, putting his hand up to stop her.
“So rather than asking us about it, you just took off?” Wyatt’s voice was soft, but the anger in it was strong.
Tyler simply stared.
“Here’s the deal.” Wyatt leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees so he and Tyler were nearly eye to eye. “In this house, we have a few rules. I realize you’re new here, so you’re going to get a break this time.”
Wyatt leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed, but Emily sensed the tension in his body. “We don’t eavesdrop. We talk and ask questions if we don’t know what’s going on. And last—” he looked over his shoulder at Emily then back again “—the Hawkins men face up to their issues. We speak up and admit when we do wrong.”
“Yes, sir.” Tyler’s voice trembled, but he straightened his shoulders.
Emily guessed it had something to do with the notion that he was one of the Hawkins “men.” She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but had to give Wyatt credit for how he was handling this.
“If you’d asked me, I’d have explained. The post office forwarded the letter here. I get all the mail. And, Tyler, you know I’d have found a way to help you leave that note.”
Emily appreciated that he didn’t belittle the boy’s plans.
“Am I...” Tyler cleared his throat. “Am I gonna get punished?”
Wyatt seemed to ponder that and Emily waited, curious. “Well, what do you think? Does running away deserve punishment?”
Emily held her breath. What would Tyler say and what would be Wyatt’s reaction?
“Yeah. Mama would think so.”
Tyler’s voice came out so pathetic and sad, Emily had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. He was just too danged cute. She glanced at Wyatt, who’d leaned his chin in his palm, his finger curled over his lips, but she could still see the hint of a smile.
He nodded. “Well, then, for once I agree with your mom. So let’s see.” He paused for pure drama; she could see that. “Whatcha think it should be?”
Emily could tell Wyatt already had a plan, but he wanted Tyler to be part of it.
“You aren’t gonna spank me, are you?”
“No!” Addie erupted. “Who spanked you before? Your mother?”
“No.” Tyler vehemently shook his head. “Dom did, though.”
“Dom? Who’s Dom?” Emily asked.
“Mama’s boyfriend. He was mean.”
Emily put that little note in the back of her brain, wondering if Dom had anything to do with his mother’s decision to leave Tyler behind. “Did Dom do an
ything else to you?” She opened the door but wouldn’t lead him.
“No. Just spanked me with his belt.”
Outrage and something akin to understanding had Emily wanting to take Tyler home with her and keep him safe.
“Well, we don’t do that here,” Wyatt said. “Anyone tries that, you come see me, okay? I don’t tolerate abuse of people or animals. Understood?”
Anger cloaked Wyatt’s voice and the red flags on his cheeks told Emily Dom had better not cross paths with Wyatt anytime soon—if ever.
“Well, then, what?” Tyler was totally perplexed.
After a minute, Wyatt’s anger had faded and he glanced at Emily, then Addie, before focusing on the boy. “I think a week of mucking out stalls with Chet should do. Every day after school, you come straight home and head to the barn.”
“Is that all?” Tyler’s face lit up at the mention of the barn.
“You want more?”
“Oh, no. No, sir.” Tyler was fighting a grin.
“Now go upstairs and unpack that backpack, then go see if Chet needs any help today. He might be almost done.”
Tyler reached for his glass of milk and finished it in nearly one swallow, then grabbed the backpack and lugged it out of the room. His footsteps were fast and loud up the stairs, as was the thud of the backpack he dragged behind him.
As soon as they heard him reach the top of the stairs, Wyatt turned to face Emily. “So, Judge. How’d I do? You going to take him away?”
She heard Addie gasp, but Emily looked at Wyatt instead. His blue eyes said so much. In the past few minutes, she’d seen them wide with concern, spark with anger, bracketed by a smile and now direct and challenging. She felt herself falling deep into them.
“I...” She cleared her throat. “And rob him of a whole week of barn time? I don’t think so.”
Addie audibly released her breath.
“You agree with what I did?”
“As opposed to smacking him with a belt? Absolutely.”
Wyatt settled back in his seat, and she realized he, too, had been on edge. The tension oozed out of him. “Hell,” he whispered. “That boy took ten years off my life today.”