Son of Texas (Count on a Cop) Page 15

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “CALEB,” JOSIE SAID. “Join us. We’re going over the cases I was working.”

  It took him a moment to catch his breath. He thought he was ready to let her go, but obviously he was wrong or it wouldn’t hurt this much seeing her with Eric. Removing his hat, he pulled out a chair and sat down.

  “Find anything significant?” he asked, his voice sounding odd even to him.

  “Not really,” Eric answered. “We were talking about the Krump case. Mrs. Krump said someone was breaking into her house. The screen on a dining room window was off every morning. Josie and I couldn’t figure it out. Nothing was ever missing in the house. So Josie staked out the place and she called me for backup when she saw a man removing the screen and entering the house. We found the man in bed with her eighteen-year-old daughter. It was plainly consensual, but Mrs. Krump was furious. It turned out to be a boyfriend of the daughter and we had to keep him in jail until Mrs. Krump cooled off. When she found out her daughter was pregnant, she wouldn’t press charges. Two weeks later Josie and I were invited to the wedding. That’s about as exciting as it gets around here.”

  Josie stuffed the files back into the box. “We have to be missing something. This is just petty stuff.”

  Eric got to his feet. “I have to return to the station, and I’ll see if there’s anything that wasn’t put in the box. See you later.” He paused by Josie’s chair, and she looked up.

  “Thanks, Eric.”

  “No problem,” he replied, and headed for the door.

  Josie continued to stuff the files into the box with a shaky hand. Caleb caught both her hands between his. “What is it?”

  “Nothing.” With one toss, she threw her hair back.

  “You and I have known each other for over a year and there’s nothing you can’t tell me. What’s bothering you?”

  She leaned back in her chair. “Eric is so patient and understanding and I want to feel something, but I don’t.”

  “Don’t work yourself up. It will come like all the rest.” He took a breath. “You were getting along very well when I walked in.”

  “That was business. It’s the personal things I don’t remember and I’m tired of thinking about it.” She threaded her fingers through her long hair. “Lencha said Caddo loaned you his truck. You’ve been gone a very long time.”

  “I went back to the Silver Spur.”

  A light entered her eyes. “Did you find out anything? Do you know where Ashley is?”

  He told her about his talk with Boone and Mason.

  Her eyes darkened. “So Boone knows everything.”

  “That’s hard to say. He doesn’t openly admit to anything.”

  “But he knew Brett wasn’t Ashley’s father?”

  “He admitted that your father told him why he couldn’t stay in the marriage, but Boone didn’t believe him. Or it suited Boone’s purposes not to believe him.”

  “I don’t understand what all this means.”

  “I think it means we’re looking in the wrong place.”

  “What about Ashley?” She sighed.

  “Boone said she has a boyfriend in Switzerland.”

  “But you don’t think she’s involved, do you?”

  Caleb thought about it for a minute. “I wish I could say no for sure, but I can’t. After I talk to her, I’ll know more.”

  “And Mason admitted he couldn’t kill Brett’s child?”

  “He admitted that he wanted to, but by the look in his eyes I knew he couldn’t and he didn’t deny that. I don’t believe he had anything to do with your shooting.” At her troubled expression, he added, “I met the ranch manager and he seemed genuinely glad you were okay.”

  She glanced up. “Hal?”

  “You remember him?”

  “Yes. He was very nice to me when I first came here, a friendly face in a sea of enemies. He’s something of a loner, his life seems to be managing Boone’s affairs. How he does that I’m not sure because Boone treats him like dirt.”

  “Doesn’t Boone treated everyone that way?”

  “Mmm.”

  She stood and paced around the kitchen. “You said we’re looking in the wrong place. Where else do you have in mind?”

  “There’s enough motives at Silver Spur to get a lawman excited, but that’s too easy, too pat.” He touched the box. “Someone became angry at you about something and my feeling is it has to do with a case.”

  “But there’s nothing there. All of these cases were resolved peacefully.”

  “There’s still the missing girl Lencha mentioned.”

  She twisted a strand of hair around one finger. “I wonder if Lencha understood me correctly. Sometimes she gets lost in her own world. And Eric doesn’t remember a missing girl.”

  “Next step—intensify the search for Ashley. Then look through more files. Dennis has been very cooperative so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Josie touched the bruise on his forehead and frissons of warmth shot through him. He tried to block that feeling, but he had a suspicion that nothing on this earth was ever going to change the way he felt about her.

  “How’s the head?”

  He looked into her eyes. “Fine. It throbbed a bit when I was talking to Boone, but I think it was his voice. How’s yours? Remembered anything else?”

  “No. It just throbs a lot.”

  He rose and they stood inches apart, the scent of her hair, lavender and something he couldn’t define, did a number on his senses. Clearing his throat, he said, “A good night’s rest will help both of us.” He glanced around. “Where’s Lencha?”

  “Got called out to help with a birth.” She walked toward the refrigerator. “How about a sandwich?”

  They ate in silence and Caleb soaked up every nuance, every movement, every glance, knowing that soon they would be his last. Her memory could return at any second and then she wouldn’t need him anymore.

  Just as he’d told her.

  How long, he wondered, before he stopped needing her.

  THE RINGING OF THE PHONE woke Josie. She squinted at the clock—5:10 a.m. Who would be calling this early? It didn’t matter, Lencha would get it. She was always up early. But it kept ringing and it finally dawned on her that Lencha was still out helping with the birth.

  She reached for the phone. “Hello.”

  “Josie, it’s Ashley.”

  Josie sat bolt upright. “Ashley, where are you?”

  Instead of answering Ashley replied, “I need to see you, please.” There was a note of desperation in her voice. Josie looked up to see Caleb standing in the doorway in nothing but his pajama bottoms. Her heart rate was already breaking records. How much more could she take? She took a deep breath and motioned Caleb into the room.

  “It’s Ashley,” she mouthed.

  Caleb walked in and sat on the bed and she wished he hadn’t done that. Those broad masculine shoulders were too close, too tempting, too…

  “Josie, are you there?”

  She brought her chaotic thoughts back to Ashley. “Yes, I’m here.”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m in the park. Meet me there and please come alone.”

  Josie gripped the receiver. “I can’t do that. Caleb will be with me.”

  “Okay, but I want to talk to you alone.”

  “Ashley…”

  “Just come. I’ll be by the swings.” The phone went dead.

  “She wants to meet in the park,” she told Caleb.

  “Why can’t she come here?”

  “I don’t know. She sounds funny.” Josie swung her feet to the floor.

  “This isn’t safe,” Caleb said.

  “I know, but maybe this will tell us what we need to know.”

  “I don’t like it.” Caleb ran a hand through his dark hair, causing it to stand on end and making him that much more attractive.

  She swallowed and stopped her wandering thoughts. “I told
her you would be with me, and we can handle this.”

  Caleb shook his head. “I’m calling Eric for backup, just in case something goes wrong.”

  “Okay, but ask him to keep out of sight.”

  Josie quickly dressed and met Caleb in the kitchen in less than five minutes. “Did you get Eric?”

  “Yes.” Caleb grabbed his hat. “I told him where we’d be and he’s going in his own vehicle.”

  Backing out of the drive, Caleb asked, “Where is this park?”

  Josie gave directions. “Beckett actually has a very nice park with a pool and tennis courts donated by Boone. He’s also donated a lot of money to the schools.”

  “Good ol’ Boone.”

  “He’s very generous.” She gathered her hair and curled it into a rope and clipped it behind her head. “What do you think this means?”

  “Ashley’s scared and we’ll soon find out why.” Caleb parked at the curb. “You stay here until I can locate her and make sure it’s safe. And keep the doors locked.”

  Josie started to protest, but knew he was only looking out for her. He walked toward the benches by the swings and someone emerged from the shadows. It had to be Ashley and Josie wondered what they were taking about. It wasn’t quite dawn so she couldn’t see the figures clearly. Caleb motioned to her and she got out and ran toward them.

  She stopped a few feet away. Ashley’s blond hair was tousled and her clothes were wrinkled and dirty. Josie had never seen her like this.

  Ashley sprinted to Josie and Caleb made no move to stop her, so Josie wasn’t alarmed. Ashley grabbed her in a bearlike hug. “I’m sorry, Josie. I didn’t know who else to call.”

  Josie had no idea what she was talking about, so she led her to one of the benches and sat down. Caleb stood a few feet away. “Why do you need to talk to me?”

  Ashley wiped at her eyes with the backs of her hands. “I can’t seem to stop crying.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything.” She blinked away more tears with a hiccup. “I was taking your advice.”

  “My advice?”

  “About making a stand to live my own life. I gathered up all my jewelry in case I needed to hock it and planned to meet Hans in Boston, then we’d fly to wherever we wanted and start a new life.”

  “But you didn’t do that?”

  “No. I left a note and packed a suitcase. I was going down the back stairs when I heard all the loud voices, so I went to see what the argument was about and…”

  Now Josie understood. Ashley heard that Brett wasn’t her father. Ashley had nothing to do with shooting her. She was just caught in the middle of an ugly family secret. She hugged Ashley. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Brett isn’t my father.” Ashley hiccupped into Josie’s shoulder. “This man I’d loved and hated all of my life wasn’t even my dad. My father was right in front of me all the time. I don’t even know my mother. Or him. How could they do this to me? How could they?”

  “I don’t know.” Josie stroked her hair, wanting to comfort her in some way. “Where have you been?”

  Ashley drew back, wiping tears from her wet face. “I stumbled to my car and I was crying so bad I couldn’t see and I ran into a gate. Caddo saw it happen and when he noticed how upset I was, he drove me to his house and parked my car in his garage. I didn’t want anyone to know where I was. He’s listened to me cry all night.”

  “You’ve been with Caddo?” That shocked Josie even more.

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t even know you knew Caddo.”

  “Everyone who lives on Silver Spur knows Caddo. He taught me to ride and I’ve been teaching him to speak better English. We’ve always had a connection. I thought it was because we were cousins, but we’re…we’re…sister and brother.” She buried her face in her hands and began to cry in loud sobs.

  Caddo stepped out of the night and Caleb reached for his gun, then relaxed when he saw who it was. Caddo walked straight to Ashley and sat by her.

  “Stop this,” Caddo said in his deep voice. “Caddo’s tough.” He beat a fist against his chest. “You’re tough, too.”

  Ashley quieted down immediately. There was definitely a connection. “He’s right,” Josie said. “You’re stronger than this.”

  Ashley wiped away tears again. “Yes, I am. I’m leaving, but I had to let you and Ranger McCain know that I didn’t shoot you. Caddo said I was now the main suspect. I would never do that. Please believe me.”

  “We do,” Caleb replied. “I’ll be right back. I have to let Eric know everything’s okay.”

  “Please don’t let him know I’m here,” Ashley begged. “It will get back to Pa and he’ll make me come back.”

  Caleb nodded and walked off.

  “Where will you go?” Josie asked.

  “I was going to meet Hans.” She hiccupped again. “But when he found out I wasn’t coming with the Beckett money behind me, he suddenly wasn’t interested anymore.”

  “Bastardo,” Caddo uttered.

  Caleb returned and Josie tried to find the right words or a solution to Ashley’s problem, but to her, only one thing was going to make any of this better. “Ashley, running away isn’t going to solve anything. Until you speak to Lorna, you’re going to have this sore on your heart that will never heal. Confront her, tell her how hurt and mad you are. That’s the only way you’ll be able to live your life with any peace.”

  Ashley’s face hardened. “I can’t. I hate her.”

  “Tell her then. Let her know exactly how you’re feeling.”

  Ashley trembled. “They’ll make me stay and I can’t. I have to get away from here.”

  “Ranger McCain and I will go with you and if you don’t want to stay Caleb will make sure you’re able to leave. You can trust him. I have for a very long time and he’s never let me down.”

  Her words were like a cool breeze on a hot day, sustaining and bolstering Caleb. He sincerely hoped he never had to let Josie down.

  “You’d go with me?” Ashley asked as dawn appeared suddenly, bathing the park in a golden light.

  “Yes,” Caleb answered without any hesitation.

  “Boone will force me to stay. He might even lock me in my room.”

  “Not while I’m around.” Caleb glanced at Caddo. “And I’m sure Caddo will be around for backup.”

  “Sí.”

  “I know a place in Austin where you can stay until you get your head straight.” Caleb knew Gertie would take her in.

  As if reading his mind Josie said, “Yes. Ms. Gertie is a doll and she loves company.”

  “I don’t know.” Ashley tucked her straggly hair behind her ears. “I might want to be on my own.”

  “It’s your choice,” he said.

  “Okay.” Ashley took a long breath. “I want to talk to my mother.”

  They all stood. “Caddo and I will follow you in my car,” Ashley added.

  “Deal,” Caleb answered. He and Josie walked toward the truck as Ashley and Caddo headed for the car.

  Josie stopped as a slim woman entered the park with a baby in a stroller. “Just a minute,” she said, and hurried toward the woman. Caleb quickly followed.

  “Rhonda,” Josie called, and the woman turned and looked at her with bewilderment in her green eyes.

  “Oh, my, it’s Josie,” Rhonda said, her expression clearing. She hugged Josie. “Dennis said you were back and well. We all wondered what had happened to you. It’s so good to see you.”

  Josie knelt by the stroller. A little girl with blond hair and honey-brown eyes smiled. “You have your baby. Oh, my. She’s so precious. How old is she?”

  Rhonda knelt by Josie. “She had her first birthday two months ago. Dennis and I are so happy. We finally have our baby and we named her Jennifer. I always wanted a daughter named Jennifer and now I have her. We call her Jenny. Isn’t she adorable?”

  “Yes.” Josie touched the baby’s cheek and she smiled, showing off her new teeth. “I remember you were wai
ting for her.”

  “Yes. The adoption agency finally came through.” Rhonda touched her arm. “I’m so sorry for what happened to you. I can’t believe you survived all that.”

  “Thanks.” Josie stood. “My memory’s slowly returning and soon I’ll have my life back.”

  “I’m glad.” Rhonda glanced at Caleb.

  Josie made the introductions.

  “You’re in the park very early,” Caleb commented.

  “I know.” Rhonda heaved a sigh. “We live right across the street. Jenny is teething and she kept Dennis and me up most of the night. She loves the park and I’m hoping she’ll tire herself out and fall asleep so I can get a couple of hours rest.”

  “Hope it works.”

  They said goodbye and walked to the truck.

  Once inside, Caleb said, “So that’s Dennis’s wife?”

  “Yes. She was always very friendly to me.”

  Caleb pulled up in front of Ashley’s Mercedes and they headed toward Silver Spur. Josie was very quiet.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “That everything is a dead-end and we’re no closer to finding out who shot me than when we arrived. You’re right, as dysfunctional as the Becketts are, they didn’t have anything to do with my shooting.”

  “Yeah. But nevertheless we seem to get more entangled with their lives.”

  She glanced at him, a slight smile on her face. “I hope you realize we’re heading into the eye of a hurricane.”

  He nodded. “Day of reckoning for Mason.”

  “And Boone. Things he’s been denying he may now have to face and admit out loud.”

  “Mmm. I hope Ashley is up for this.”

  “I hate that she has to go through this, but she has a protector and I don’t mean you and me.”

  “Caddo,” he said before she could finish.

  “Yes. And how weird is that?”

  “I’d say it’s right. I know the feeling. Eli, my half brother, has covered my back many times, sometimes without me knowing. I always feel stronger when he’s around me.”

  “And you didn’t meet him until you were both grown?”

  “Yes. But that connection, that bond, was there.”