Forgotten Son Read online

  “Go get the chair or I’ll walk to his room,” she threatened, knowing that was the only way to get Grace’s cooperation. “I have to see how he is—with my own eyes.”

  Grace slung her purse over her shoulder. “You’re becoming obsessed with this man.”

  “Until you’ve been held in a dark room for four days and nights with occasional bread and water, you don’t have a right to judge my actions. At the very least, I owe the man a polite inquiry about his health.”

  Grace flounced to the door, then turned back. “I hope this isn’t going to be a pattern of our living together—you giving orders and expecting me to obey them.”

  Caroline held up her right hand. “I’ll be a docile roommate.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Caroline smiled as her sister disappeared out the door. The smile soon faded.

  What would she say to Eli? She knew he didn’t want to hear another thank-you or any questions about his health. So what could she say? And in this ridiculous negligee. Oh God. She’d forgotten what she had on. She was still going, though. Grace thought she was acting irrationally and she probably was.

  But she was going.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ELI SAT ON THE EDGE of the bed, his bandaged arm in a sling. He was dressed and ready to go. It took a few minutes to get his boots on, but he managed. Tuck grumbled the whole time, and Eli was glad he was going back to his apartment. He’d been on his own ever since he graduated from college and started working for the Department of Public Safety. Injured or not, he wasn’t about to let someone mother him now—even Tuck.

  Tuck had also left home, but returned when Pa died so Ma wouldn’t be alone. She’d complained a lot about him doing that, but Tuck did it anyway. The house wasn’t far from his office and it worked out well.

  When Ma passed, Tuck continued to stay at the ranch. The house was his and the land had been split between him and Tuck years ago. Eli had planned to build a home on his land for him and Ginny, but that was before Pa and Ma had died. They’d loved Ginny and he’d wanted her to be close to them when he was away. Those plans never materialized and he’d never build that home.

  He was thinking about family and he wasn’t sure why. He was basically a loner and always would be. Maybe it was the medication.

  “The nurse is bringing a wheelchair,” Tuck said, zipping up an overnight bag.

  “A wheelchair!”

  Tuck turned to him. “It’s hospital policy. You’re not going to be difficult about this, are you?”

  “I might.”

  “Let me put it to you this way.” Tuck drew in a deep breath. “I’m wearing a gun and you’re not.”

  “Point taken.” Eli tried not to grin because Tuck was so serious. He and Tuck were closer than any two brothers and they knew each other so well. Tuck knew that Eli’s pride sometimes flared up, but it never got in the way of doing what was right. Being a ranger kept him focused on that.

  Someone tapped at the door.

  “Ah. There’s the nurse now,” Tuck said, then called, “Come in.”

  Eli watched as a wheelchair was rolled in, but it wasn’t empty. A woman was in it—a very beautiful woman with blond hair and green eyes.

  Caroline. His stomach tightened. What was she doing here?

  He found he couldn’t look away. She wore a lavender silky thing and her skin glowed and her eyes sparkled. She didn’t resemble in the least the terrified woman he’d rescued from Buford.

  “Ms. Whitten.” Tuck stepped forward, shook her hand gently and echoed Eli’s own thoughts. “You look great—nothing like the woman I saw the other day.”

  “Thank you. I feel much better.” Her soft voice played over Eli and he could almost feel her touching his skin.

  “This is my sister, Grace.”

  “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Tuck said. “I’m Jeremiah Tucker. Everyone calls me Tuck.”

  “Why?” Grace asked, her frown adding emphasis to the rudely spoken word.

  Tuck seemed taken aback for a second. “That’s the nickname my father gave me and it stuck.”

  Eli could see that the women looked a lot alike, but the sister was uppity—that’s what Ma would call her. From Tuck’s expression, it was clear he felt the same way.

  “I’m sorry,” Grace said when she realized her faux pas.

  “It’s really none of my business.”

  That’s what Eli was thinking, until his brain went haywire as Caroline’s eyes caught his.

  “I wanted to come by and see how your arm was.”

  Eli clenched his left hand. “It’s fine,” he said in a low voice. “I’m going home this morning.”

  “Yes. I guessed that from your clothes. I’m hoping the doctor will release me tomorrow.” Caroline took in every facet of his appearance, from his longish brown hair to his clean-shaven face and gorgeous blue eyes. She felt she knew his strong body very well. At night when the darkness surrounded her and a suffocating feeling engulfed her, she’d think of his strength and she’d calm down.

  His lips were tight, his expression closed, telling her he did not appreciate this visit. In that instant she realized Grace was right—she was attaching too much importance to Eli. Clearly he did not want her thanks again. Now she had to make a graceful exit.

  “How are the hands and feet?” he asked.

  “Great. I should be walking in a couple of days.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Yes. I’m very grateful I came out of this with only a few cuts and scratches.”

  They were talking stiltedly—like strangers, which was what they were.

  “I’d better go,” Caroline said, looking directly at him.

  “Thanks again.”

  His gaze didn’t waver and though she saw something flicker in his eyes, he quickly disguised it. “You’re welcome.”

  She bit her lip, wanting to get away. Grace turned the chair just as there was a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Tuck called.

  Three men walked into the room and everything became very quiet. Caroline caught a glimpse of Eli’s dark face and knew he didn’t want to see these men, either. They were all about the same height, with dark hair and eyes. One wore slacks and a pin-stripe shirt, one wore a suit and the other was a Texas Ranger. She knew that by the badge, gun, boots and light-colored hat. Who were these men? Why did Eli not want to see them?

  The ranger held the door open and soon she and Grace were in the hall.

  “I wonder who they are?” Caroline asked, looking at the door.

  “It’s none of our business,” Grace said. “Let’s go to the coffee shop. I could use a double mocha latte.”

  “Make that decaf,” Caroline replied.

  “Make it with a shot of bourbon.”

  Caroline smiled slightly at Grace’s nervousness, but her thoughts were on Eli.

  Who were those men?

  TUCK SHOOK Jake McCain’s hand. “It’s good to see you. How’s Ben?”

  “Better than we ever expected. He’s keeping up with the other kids in his class. Of course, Elise works with him constantly and she makes it fun so Ben doesn’t even know it’s work,” Jake replied. He was the oldest brother and a farmer. He ran the farm that Joe McCain had—the farm that had been in the family for years.

  “Your wife sure loves that little boy.”

  Eli clamped his lips tighter, letting their words go over his head. He didn’t want to see the McCains, his half brothers. But obviously they’d taken it upon themselves to come anyway. That made him uncomfortable and angry.

  He tried to block out the conversation, but found himself listening for news of Ben. Three years ago it had been an odd twist of fate that he’d been the one to help rescue Jake’s son, who’d been kidnapped by Ben’s biological mother. Ben was a preemie and had developmental problems, but Elise and Jake were working hard to help him overcome his difficulties.

  From what Eli understood, Jake hadn’t even known Ben existed until the boy was three
years old. By then Jake had married Elise and they were planning their own family. Things were rocky for a while, but they’d worked out their problems.

  Ever since the incident with Ben, Jake had been trying to contact him. Eli had sent back letters and ignored the phone calls. They might have the same father, but that didn’t mean a hell of a lot to Eli. He had to get that across to the McCain brothers. Again.

  “How’s the new baby?” Tuck asked, and Eli wanted to hit him. Why was he being so damn friendly?

  Jake smiled. “Katie holds my heart in the palm of her hand and she doesn’t even know it.”

  “She has us all wrapped around her little finger.” Beau spoke up, shaking Tuck’s hand. He was a lawyer and the middle son of Althea and Joe McCain.

  “You’re a lucky man, Jake,” Tuck said.

  “We tell him that every day,” Caleb said, also shaking Tuck’s hand. Caleb was the youngest and a Texas Ranger. Eli had heard he’d been accepted, and wasn’t pleased. He didn’t want to deal with the McCains in his work. He just wanted them to stay out of his life.

  “Congratulations on making the rangers.” Tuck couldn’t stop socializing.

  “It’s been a dream of mine for a long time and so far it’s everything I thought it would be. I’ve been asked to help out with the Amos Buford case. They need investigators to help place some of the women back with their families.” He looked at Eli. “When my brothers heard I was headed to Austin, they wanted to come and see how you were doing.”

  Jake took a step toward Eli. “I know we’re invading your privacy, but we’ll only stay a minute. How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” Eli mumbled.

  “I never got the chance to thank you for what you did for Ben.”

  “It was a job.” Eli stared at Jake, his eyes dark. “I told you that at the time.”

  He’d known this man since they were boys. They’d gone to the same school, in the same class, yet Jake never knew they were half brothers. Eli had. His mother made sure he knew, hoping that Joe McCain would one day leave his wife and kids and marry her.

  Joe had used Vera as a diversion when he grew bored with his wife. As Eli grew older he saw what was happening, but his mother never did. She’d loved the man till the day she died.

  As a young boy, Eli had rebelled and got into fights and trouble at school. It escalated to the point where he’d been facing juvenile hall. That’s when his mother had called her uncle, Jess Tucker, and it was the best thing she’d ever done for him. He’d found a home and a family and it had saved him.

  He’d left the McCains behind and he didn’t want them back in his life. He knew he was being hard-hearted, but it was the way he felt. Nothing was ever going to change that.

  “Yes. You did.” Jake broke through his reverie. “And I apologize for this intrusion.” He took a step closer. “But you, Beau, Caleb and me are brothers bound by blood. I understand you have bad feelings about the past. I did, too. I had brothers I didn’t know about until I was grown, because I believed in a father who didn’t deserve my trust. But I learned to forgive. Without forgiveness there’s not much happiness in this world. I learned that, too.” He took a breath. “If you ever reach that point, you know where to find us. Hope your arm gets better soon.”

  The three men walked out.

  Tuck shook his head in frustration. “I don’t get it. Why do you hate them so much?”

  Eli stood. “I’m ready to go.”

  “Yeah, Eli. Block it out. Ignore it. That helps a lot.”

  Eli glared at him. “If my right arm wasn’t bandaged, I’d knock you on your ass.”

  Tuck blinked. “What the hell for?”

  “For being you, dammit.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. Who do you want me to be?”

  Tuck was right. Eli wasn’t making any sense. But he knew why he was angry. He wanted to be as friendly as Tuck had been to the McCains, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t just wipe out a past that had molded, shaped and scarred him, and become one of them. For the first time he wanted to, but he’d never be able to make that transition.

  He took a long breath. “Just your aggravating self is enough.”

  “I think we need to write this down somewhere.” Tuck waved his hand, as if jotting something in the air. “Do not give Eli medication. It makes him crazy.”

  Before Eli could respond, a nurse came in with a wheelchair, and within minutes they were on the way to Eli’s apartment. When Eli walked through the door, he stopped short. The place was immaculate—not how he had left it.

  “You couldn’t resist, could you?”

  “Nope.”

  He sank onto the sofa. “I’m not even going to get angry.”

  “That’s a first.” Tuck carried the overnight bag into the bedroom. “I stocked the refrigerator, so you’re set for a few days.”

  “I’m going to work in the morning.”

  Tuck hurried into the living room. “Does the captain know this?”

  “He hasn’t told me not to.”

  “He told you to recuperate. I’m not sure what that means to you, but to everyone else it means stay at home and rest.”

  “I can’t,” Eli said. “I have to help with this investigation.”

  “The attorneys and the FBI will handle it now.”

  “I can still help them. Buford is saying Caroline was there of her own free will and I can’t let him get away with that.”

  “They’ll sort it out,” Tuck insisted.

  “Not without my testimony.”

  Tuck sighed in frustration. “A ranger has to be physically fit to perform his duties to the best of his ability. You’re not even in the ballpark, so take the rest you need.”

  Eli glared at him. “Dammit, I’m not going into a gun battle. I’m just planning on finishing my paperwork so the FBI can have all the information they need to nail this case shut.”

  “You can’t use your hand,” Tuck pointed out.

  Eli gritted his teeth. “I can dictate.”

  “Once a ranger, always a ranger.” Tuck muttered the familiar ranger saying. “Just take it slow and easy.” He sat in a chair facing Eli, propping his feet on the coffee table. As particular as Tuck was, he’d still do things like that. It was incongruous for a man who took such good care of everything. “You haven’t said anything about Ms. Whitten’s visit.”

  “She has a very uptight sister.”

  Tuck laughed out loud. “Yeah. Grace Whitten is wound tighter than an eight day clock. Caroline is different, though. She seems very nice.”

  Eli didn’t say anything.

  “Click. The shutters close,” Tuck said.

  Eli frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Whenever I mention her name, that’s what you do—shut her out of your thoughts.”

  “Tuck…”

  “You said you were ready to let Ginny go. Well, this is how you start—by admitting you feel something for Caroline. I’m not saying it’s love, but it’s interest and it’s something to build on.”

  “She’s a witness on a case I’m working,” Eli reminded him. “That’s it. Anything else would be unethical on my part.”

  “She’s also going through a rough time and could use a little understanding.”

  Eli’s frown deepened. “Don’t you have to go to work?”

  “Yes.” Tuck set a small bottle on the table. “I had the prescription filled for pain pills. You might need them tonight.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Want me to help with your boots before I leave?”

  “No.”

  “Anything you want me to do?”

  “Go to work,” Eli growled. “And stop annoying the hell out of me.”

  Tuck stood. “I’ll bring something back for supper.”

  “No,” he snapped. “Go back to your life and stop fussing over me. I can take care of myself. If I need anything, you’ll be the first person I call.”

  “Okay.” Tuck headed for the
door, but turned back.

  “Did you notice the hurt look on Caroline’s face when you treated her as if she was contagious?”

  “No. I didn’t notice a thing.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “Go to work before I—”

  “I’m gone.” The door slammed shut.

  Eli rested his head against the sofa and tried to erase the image in his head, but it wouldn’t go away. He saw Caroline’s face clearly and the hurt look in her eyes. The memory curled his stomach into a knot and he cursed himself. But how was he supposed to have acted? He couldn’t see him and Caroline becoming friends or much of anything else.

  Besides Ma and Pa, Ginny was the only person who’d understood him. She’d accepted his bad moods and rough edges and loved him in spite of them. She knew he carried deep wounds from his childhood that kept him shackled to a past that controlled his emotions. And she’d loved him anyway. She’d made him laugh and…

  He closed his eyes, trying to see her face, but all he saw was Caroline.

  Dammit. This was crazy. He hardly knew the woman.

  Dammit.

  GRACE FLUFFED PILLOWS and hovered around Caroline. “Do you need anything else?”

  “No, Grace. I have everything I need,” Caroline said, propped up on the sofa with her laptop, books, phone and TV control. Magazines were displayed in an orderly fashion on the coffee table.

  “You don’t have to worry. The guard is outside the door.”

  “I know.”

  Grace watched her. “Are you still upset?”

  “About what?” Caroline looked up from flipping through a photo magazine.

  Grace heaved a sigh. “About Ranger Coltrane not being too friendly yesterday.”

  She laid down the magazine. “That’s just Eli.” She brushed it off, but she was hurt and wasn’t hiding it well.

  “If you say so,” Grace said. “I was just glad to get out of there. I can’t believe I spoke so rudely.”

  “You were a bit tactless.”

  “When Ranger Coltrane’s friend said his name, I immediately questioned it and I’m not sure why. I’m not usually that blunt. But Jeremiah is a very beautiful name and if I ever see him again I’m calling him that.”