Caroline fit hers in his grasp. “I’m Carrie Sheridan.”
“Would you like something else to drink?”
“No.” She checked the clock over the door. “My granddaughter should be back soon.”
“You’ve got a granddaughter? I know this might sound like a line, but I can’t believe you have a grandchild. How old? Five? Six?”
Her blush returned to color her cheeks a rosy hue. “Fourteen.”
“Fourteen! You’re kidding.”
“True. I was very young when I had my son.” She glanced toward the entrance. “Here she comes. I promised her I would let her get a henna tattoo. We’re going to a place in here.”
Three teenagers surrounded the table. Maddie inspected him before twisting toward her grandmother. “Ready?”
“Yes. Maddie, this is Jack Reagan. And these other two are Kelly and Ashley.”
King gave each girl a big smile, doing his own assessment. Perfect candidate for his side business. As Carrie rose, he did, too. “I’ll walk with you. I have to go to the department store down that way before I leave.”
“You know the Body Art Palace?”
King raised his sleeve to reveal a heart with an arrow shot through it and a name written across it. He gestured toward Belle. “Belle was my deceased wife’s name.” He remembered when he got the tattoo. Belle was with him, holding his hand because he didn’t like needles. She’d always been there for him until she’d died four years ago.
“I like the heart. Maybe I can get that instead of a dolphin.” Carrie’s granddaughter giggled with Kelly and Ashley.
The sound grated on King’s nerves.
“Whatever you get, you have to get a small one in a place your dad can’t see.”
“Yes, Nana.”
The trio of girls quickened their pace lengthening the distance between them and Carrie. “Your son doesn’t know what you’re doing?”
“No, but he’s being ridiculous. There’s nothing wrong with getting a henna tattoo. I’m getting one myself today.” At the store, she slowed and added, “Maybe a heart. We should be through in half an hour. Come back and see what I decided.” Then she sauntered into the shop with the three teens.
King laughed. This was going to be entertaining. If Wyatt Sheridan continued to investigate Rose’s disappearance and got too close, he would have a way to strike back at the heart of the man. He would not tolerate anyone threatening his business.
9
Carrie approached King outside the store. “You waited. I wasn’t sure you would.”
He peered behind her. “Where are the others?”
“Oh, they’re looking at earrings. I told them to take their time.” The smile that accompanied those words brightened the woman’s face, making her look ten years younger than her age of fifty-five.
There would be no woman to replace his wife, but at least she wouldn’t be a bad diversion, especially since he could use her to get close to Wyatt and his daughter. He widened his grin, his gaze focused totally on Carrie. “Did you get a heart tattoo?”
“Maybe,” she said with a laugh. “Did you get what you wanted at the department store?”
“Maybe.”
She glanced around him for a sack. “It must be small.”
“No, very big. I had it delivered to my ranch,” he lied, not having bought anything.
“You live on a ranch?”
“Yes, but not around here. I’m in town for a few weeks to buy stock and get some things I need. My ranch is outside Austin.” Another lie rolled off his tongue. He wanted to state a connection between them without really letting her know where he lived.
“I live with my son on a ranch, not too far from here. Lone Star Ranch isn’t big, but it has been in his father’s family for generations.”
“What does he raise?”
“He only has a few horses right now. He’s too busy with work to do much more.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s a Texas Ranger.”
King whistled. “There aren’t many in Texas. What are the odds I would meet someone whose child is a ranger?”
Carrie’s cheeks flamed, and she looked down then up at him through her lowered eyelashes. “He’s very good at his job. Maybe you could come out to the ranch while you’re in town and meet him.”
“Spend more time with you?”
She nodded.
“That would be great. I hate going back to my hotel room every night and trying to find something to watch on TV.”
“Why don’t you come tonight for dinner?”
“A home-cooked meal?”
She hesitated a few seconds. “Sure. What do you like?”
“Anything you cook would be fine by me. I don’t get too many home-cooked meals since I live alone. It’s not worth cooking for one.”
Carrie dug into her purse for a scrap of paper and wrote some directions on it. “This is how to get to the ranch. Seven tonight?”
“Sounds great. Can I bring anything?”
“No, I’ll take care of everything. You’re my guest.”
“Ah, I see the girls are leaving the store.” King rose. “I’ll walk y’all to your car then I have to leave. I still need to get to the stockyard.”
Amidst the chatter and giggles, King escorted Carrie, her granddaughter, and one of her friends to her car. “I look forward to seeing you later.” He pulled out a fake business card he carried in case he needed it and scribbled his cell phone number on the back. “If you need to get in touch with me, call here.”
Carrie took it and tucked it in her front jeans pocket. She gave him a smile with a hint of coyness—like a woman who had laid claim on a man.
Which made this all the more enjoyable. King watched her stroll toward her car, waiting for her to discover the flat. She didn’t. She kept throwing glances back at him.
When Carrie slipped behind the steering wheel, he gritted his teeth, strode to the vehicle, and pointed toward the front tire. “You’ve got a flat.”
Carrie climbed back out and inspected it. “I don’t know how to change one.” She looked up at him with a helpless expression.
“I can. Do you have a spare?”
“I’m sure I do in the trunk.” She leaned down and said to the two girls, “Jack is gonna change the tire.”
“How long is it gonna be?” Maddie asked as she exited the car.
“Fifteen minutes.” King walked toward the trunk as Carrie popped it.
“Can we go get a drink? Right inside the door there’s a place.” Maddie pointed toward the area.
“Sure. Bring me an iced tea. It’s hot out here.” She wiped her hand across her forehead. “Would you like something, Jack?”
King withdrew the spare tire and tools. “No, I’ve got everything I need to do the job.” He was definitely set. Carrie was so easy to manipulate it would make this a breeze.
Wyatt angled toward Kate in her Mustang. “I enjoyed this afternoon.”
“Do you mean once we escaped Mother’s?”
“No, I actually enjoyed the whole time. Meeting your parents was—interesting.” He rested his hand against the back of her seat.
His fingers were inches from her, and that fact kicked her heartbeat up a notch. “I appreciate you coming with me. I don’t know if I would have made it long enough to speak with Senator Foster.”
“Now you have a chance with your program.”
“Nothing is firm, but she sounded like I would after we talk on Tuesday. She’s friends with Judge Adams, which will help my case.”
“Let me know how it goes.”
“You’ll be the first one I call.” The sound of a car coming down the gravel road intruded. Kate glanced back. “Company?”
“No. Mom and Maddie are back from the mall.”
Wyatt’s mother pulled up to the side of the house, and the second she’d parked, his daughter jumped from the car and hurried toward the Mustang.
When Maddie bent down and peered inside,
he rolled the window down. “Did you put me into debt?”
“I tried my best but only found one outfit for school. I guess that means I need to go back next week.” Maddie looked beyond her dad. “Hi, Miss Winslow.”
“Hi.” His daughter’s expression was far different than it was earlier. Kate tried to remember when she was Maddie’s age. Two words describe that period in her life: drama and angst. She didn’t envy Wyatt having to deal with a teenage girl.
“Ask Nana about her date,” Maddie said in a loud whisper as her grandmother approached the car.
“Maddie, I think you forgot some packages in the trunk.”
The teen grinned and whirled around. “Oh, yeah.”
Her grandmother tossed her the keys, and she set out across the yard. “Don’t forget, Dad.”
“Forget what?” The older woman’s forehead wrinkled as she glanced toward Wyatt.
“Maddie says you have a date.”
A rosy hue brushed Carrie’s cheeks. “Sorta.”
Wyatt exited the Mustang. “Are you going out with a man tonight?”
“Not technically.” The color deepened.
“So what’s happening?”
Kate pressed her lips together to keep from laughing or even smiling at the exasperated tone in Wyatt’s voice.
“Jack Reagan is coming to dinner here tonight. I’m cooking.”
“Who is Jack Reagan?” Wyatt’s body language reflected the tension in his voice.
Kate felt as though she had a front row seat to a family drama. But she wasn’t going to leave, at least not yet.
“A man I know.”
“You just quit dating Chuck a few days ago. How long have you known this man?”
“A while. Chuck and I weren’t exclusive. I can talk to other men.” She huffed. “Really, Wyatt, I am your parent. Not the other way around.” She stomped toward the house.
Wyatt buried his face in his hands then rubbed his fingertips into his brow.
Kate slipped from her car and rounded the hood. “Okay?”
“Great. I thought she might mourn Chuck’s departure for at least a week. But as usual my mother can’t be without a man for longer than a day or so. What makes a person so needy?”
“Beats me. I’ve only had a couple of serious relationships, and the last one was enough to put me off having one.”
“Exactly.” He plowed his fingers through his hair then kneaded the cords of his neck. “My deceased wife was my one true love. If you’re lucky, you get one in a lifetime.”
“Who said that?”
He looked puzzled. “Well . . . I just figured a person shouldn’t be too greedy.”
“Love often has to do with how open you are to it. Right now my girls require so much of mine, but maybe one day . . .” She hadn’t realized she harbored the notion she might fall in love at some time in her life. Paul had pretty much killed the desire to search for a man who would love her unconditionally and without strings.
Wyatt got his cowboy hat out of her car and plopped it on his head, setting it low to mask part of his expression. “I don’t think this new man will last.”
“Why do you say that?”
“She said she’s cooking dinner. I guarantee that will chase him off. If it doesn’t, something is wrong.”
She put her hand on her waist. “Have you thought he might like your mom? She is nice. Remember my mother.”
Carrie came out onto the porch. “Wyatt, I need you to go to the store for me. We need some groceries.”
He groaned. “No matter what she buys, it isn’t going to help.”
Kate circled around Wyatt and crossed the yard to the porch. “I love to cook. I’ve even studied cooking in Paris. Can I help you, Carrie?”
“Bless you, child. You’re an answer to my prayers.”
His hands clasped behind his back, King stood at his office window and stared out at the pasture where some of his horses were grazing. Raising quarter horses was a front. He had enough men to work his ranch to keep up any pretense he was a rancher, but their real jobs were to guard his main form of income: the girls. He would do anything to maintain his current level of income. Actually, there wasn’t much he hadn’t done so far—including once his wife died, forcing Rose to join his business.
A knock sounded at the door. He turned and said, “Come in.”
His sister’s oldest boy, a young man who looked sixteen but was really twenty-one, entered his office, a pleased expression on his face—a face that had lured many girls into his operation. “She took the bait.”
“Ah, good. What name did you use this time?”
“Tyler Collins. All the girls I recruited under that name are still in our control. The cover with the Southwest Academy is a good one if anyone checks. So far they haven’t.” His nephew, Gregory, slumped onto the couch, lounging back.
King strode to his liquor cabinet and poured two glasses with several ounces of whiskey, the expensive kind that slid down a man’s throat smoothly. He gave his nephew one and then sat across from him in a wingback chair. “How did Brad work out? Do you still think he’s right for this job?”
“He’s good. He’s hungry for the money, so he’ll do just about anything to earn the bucks he’s getting. He used the name Chad Wilson for this job.”
King crossed his legs and savored his drink. “I’m going out tonight to see Carrie Sheridan. Give it a couple of days then call Maddie and set up a time to meet her.”
“Do you want me to take her then?”
“Not yet, unless something changes. I’ll let you know. Right now Carrie and Maddie are my insurance policy that Ranger Wyatt Sheridan stays out of my business. If we have to focus his attention in a different direction, then we’ll take Maddie and get her out of state before her daddy even realizes she’s gone.”
Gregory chuckled and took a gulp of whiskey. “My pleasure, Uncle.”
“Dessert anyone? I made a Pineapple Upside-Down Angel Food Cake. It’s light after that heavy meal.” Carrie stood, took Jack’s plate, and stacked it on top of hers.
“I didn’t know you knew how to make that cake.” Wyatt’s eyes twinkled.
Kate kicked him under the dining room table. “I gave her the recipe.” All through dinner he had subtly teased his mother about “cooking” the dinner. Technically, Carrie had, but with step-by-step help from Kate.
“I’d love some, but I’m watching my weight.”
Wyatt studied his daughter. “Since when?”
“Since I gained a pound.”
“Body weight fluctuates a couple of pounds during the day.” Wyatt shook his head. “I don’t understand why you and your friends are always on a diet.”
Maddie shot to her feet and tossed down her napkin. “Since when do you know about dieting? I doubt you’ve ever been on one. Have you?”
“No, but I still know your weight can go up a pound or two during the day. You’re fine, sweet pea.”
Maddie slanted a look at Jack, then back at her father. “Don’t call me that. I’m not a baby anymore. Excuse me.” She dropped her head and stormed toward the hallway.
“Okay, Kate, Jack, or Wyatt, any cake?” Carrie piled some more plates on top of the two she had.
“I’ll take a piece and,” Jack rose, “I’ll help you clear the table.”
“But you’re our guest.”
“Who would like to help.”
“Wyatt? Kate?” Carrie asked, all the while her gaze was transfixed on Jack.
“I’m stuffed and besides, I need to leave.”
“Mom, I’ll have some later.”
“We can clean up the dishes, then have a piece.” After Jack took the stack of dishes from Carrie, he started for the kitchen.
Carrie grinned from ear to ear and mouthed the words, “And he does dishes.” She waved her hand in front of her face, leaned down near Kate’s ear, and whispered, “Such a gentleman. Where has he been all my life?”
Kate chuckled as Carrie left the dining room. When
she shifted toward Wyatt, she caught his frown.
“Who is that man?” he asked, staring a hole through the closed door to the kitchen.
“Someone your mother is interested in.”
Wyatt groaned. “Here we go again. You wait. She has a knack for attracting needy men.”
“He seems pretty confidant to me.”
“Since he isn’t from here, maybe it will die quickly. But then if it isn’t Jack, it’s someone else.”
“Do you resent your mom having a boyfriend?”
A frown darkened his features. “Is that what it sounds like?”
“You tell me.”
“It’s more frustration than anything. I’ve always wanted my mom to have a marriage like I did with Rebecca. She didn’t even have that with my father. She may pretend she did because after every marriage she goes back to using the Sheridan name, but they weren’t good marriages. No one pleases her for long. This man will follow the others.”
Sad. Although she and her mother didn’t get along, Kate had seen firsthand the depth of love her parents had for each other—sometimes to the exclusion of her. She would love to experience that, but her luck with men hadn’t gotten her close to that. And now, her focus had to be Beacon of Hope, especially with all that had happened lately. She could pour her love into the girls. They certainly had little of it in their lives.
Kate stood. “I really need to get back to Beacon of Hope. Monday we’re holding a memorial service for Zarah at the church down the street. The girls need it.”
“What time?”
“One.”
In the living room, Kate grabbed her purse and strolled toward the foyer. Wyatt was a step behind her. He reached around and opened the front door, then proceeded onto the porch with her.
Although dark for an hour, heat still infused the air with its suffocating grip. Taking a breath was an effort. She descended the steps, her car parked only a couple of yards away. Quiet reigned. Stars littered the night sky with only a slither of the moon hanging above the trees to the left.
There was a part of her that didn’t want to end the evening yet. She enjoyed Wyatt’s company, his support. Today she hadn’t felt so alone. If they had met at a different time, maybe there could—she shook that thought from her head. He had made it clear he wasn’t interested in getting involved seriously, and she didn’t do casual.
Saving Hope: Men of the Texas Rangers Book 1 Page 13