Texas Lawman (23 page)

“They knocked you down?” Mae demanded, looking fierce.

“I fell.”

Mac’s frown showed she didn’t believe her.

“Where were you when this happened?” Rare asked.

“Outside the hospital, getting coffee. The hospital cafeteria was closed, so I went to a cafe down the street.” Her explanation petered out.

Mae’s fierce look deepened. “You left the hospital—alone—when you knew”

“I’d forgotten!” Jodie defended. “Driving Christine, I forgot everything!”

“It was a hair-raising experience,” Harriet contributed, trying to help.

Mae waited for $odie to say something more. But Jodie couldn’t. She’d used up all the energy her body had stored for the day. Too much tension, too much worry, too much emotion. She had nothing left to argue with.

Gib, sensitive to her needs, said firmly, “I’m takin’ her home, Aunt Mae. Any more questions are gonna have to wait till tomorrow.”

Mae gave a dismissing motion with her cane, but Gib had already started for the door. This time he hadn’t waited for her permission.

Her father carded her the last steps to their house, then, after she’d quickly changed for bed, returned to her room to tuck her in. “How many years has it been since I’ve done this?” he questioned softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“A long time,” Jodie murmured.

He adjusted the cover under her chin and ruffled her bright hair. “Do I have to tell you to sleep tight?”

She shook her head. “I can barely keep my eyes open.”

It made her feel all warm inside to have her father’s undivided attention. She’d missed these infrequent moments from her childhood. She’d missed them even then, when she didn’t have them.

He got up jto switch off the lamp and was ready leave when Jodie said, “Daddy … I love you.”

“I know you do.”

“And?” It was important to her to hear the words, She needed to hear them from him.

Her father hesitated, not because he was unsure or because it wasn’t tree, but because saying it was difficult for him. “Yes, little girl,” he said at last, “I love you, too.”

Then he slipped out the door and closed it behind him.

Tears sprang to Jodie’s eyes and one rolled onto her pillow. She smiled, sniffed, then fell instantly asleep.

IT GALLED TATE to leave Jodie and Rio together. He knew the Parkers were going to make hanging around the ranch a problem for him—they disliked him in-tensely–but it was Jodie’s feelings that counted.

He remembered how he’d felt when, after pulling the Hammonds off each other, he’d glanced up to see Jodie and Rio standing together, looking for all the world like the cover on one of those romance novels two lovers, bravely facing the world, the hero’s hands tightly clasping the heroine’s shoulders, drawing her back against him. He’d wanted to pull them apart, too!

All the way into town Tate thought about what he’d like to do to Rio Walsh. Cocky little. It was a good thing no women or children were privy to what was in his mind, because then he’d have to censor himself just as he had Rufus Hammond.

What if Rio was to get work as a hired hand on one

of the surrounding ranches? What if he and Jodie took up where they left off? They certainly looked friendly enough. Where did that leave him?

He was in a foukmood when he walked into the station. He didn’t say anything to anyone and barely heard what was said to him.

From the way he felt you’d think he was in love with her.

“Oh, hell!” he growled, shutting the office door. It was fortunate his mother was off duty. She’d probably have read him like a crystal ball.

Was he in love with Jodie? Tate raked a hand over his close-cropped hair. He’d never been in love before. Not like this, if that was what this was. So how was he supposed to know? He liked her, wanted to be around her, wanted to get to know her better, wanted too

To help keep his thoughts off Jodie, he dialed the sheriff’s office in COlorado and found that Sheriff Preston had kept late hours that evening, as well.

“Got some good news and some bad news,” ‘rate said levelly, aware of the bombshell he was about to drop in the other man’s lap. “I found out who killed that gift of yours up there, and it’s something’ you’re not goin’ to like to hear. Seems Phil Hammond had some strong feelings for her and didn’t take too well to the idea that she was expecfin’ Rio Walsh’s baby. He confessed what he’d done in front of his dad and his brother and most near everyone who lives on the Parker Ranch. I have Phil in custody in my jail. His dad and brother are on the way home—they don’t want to have anythin’ to do with him. Won’t even see to

getting’ him a lawyer. So, how do you want to handle it from now on? When do yoj want to come get him? “

There was a stunned silent. Tate had to repeat some points, but finally Bill Preston put together what he wanted to do. His plans satisfied Tate and Tate soon hung up.

In a few minutes he needed to check on his newest prisoner. After that, he was going home.

Then he remembered his mother—and his promise that they would talk.

Might as well get it over with, he thought tiredly, and gave her a quick call to let her know he was on his way. ::

“I JUST STOPPED BY to see what you needed, Mom,

then I’ve got to go. It’s been a long day. ” Tam knew dam well what his mother wanted: to talk about Jodie. It wasn’t’ what he wanted, but he didn’t see how he could avoid it unless he avoided her.

“I heard what happened out at the Parker Ranch,” she began.

“Yeah, it was something’.”

“So Rio Walsh is a free man?”

“I don’t have anything to hold him on.”

“But you wish you did?” his mother guessed.

Tate rubbed the back of his neck. “Is this all comin’ to something, Mom? Because if it’s not…”

Emma patted the chair across from her. “Sit down, Tare,” she requested softly.

“I want to get home, Mom.”

She smiled. “Just for a few minutes. You can spare me a few minutes, can’t you?”

Tate sat, feeling totally ill at ease.

“I heard something about that fall of Jodie’s,” she stated. “I heard three men tried to kidnap her and you put a stop to it. Is that true?”

“Who told you?” “Is it true?”

Tate frowned. “Yes, but it’s not something I want put around.”

“Why not?”

“Because Jodie doesn’t want her family to find out about it. She doesn’t want to cause any more hard feelings. So I’m goin’ to ask that you not tell anyone, Mom, and that you tell whoever told you not to say anything, either.”

“A number of people saw it happen. I don’t think you can keep it a secret.”

Tate grimaced.

His mother watched him carefully. “Just how much has she come to mean to you, Tate? The other day, at your house, I sensed”

“She doesn’t mean anything to me,” he denied.

Emma arched a brow and reminded him, “This is your mother you’re talking to.”

Tate frowned, then shook his head, admitting, “I don’t know. Everything would be a whole lot easier if I did, but I don’t.”

“I’ve also heard something else,” Emma said. “I’ve heard you’ve been offered a position on some kind of special state task force and you’re not sure if you’re going to take it.”

“Has Jack been talking to you?” Tate demanded. “It’s not because of me, is it? You aren’t unsure

about taking it because of my medical situation, are you? Because I’m fine now. I’ye learned to manage this disease. I love having you rarby, but I’ll be fine if you decided to move away tomorrow. The only reason I had trouble before was that I didn’t know I had it. Tate, it was bad enough when you gave up your job in Dallas to move back here, but I’d really be upset if’ I thought. “

“It’s partly that,” he admitted, “but a lot of other things, too.”

She went quiet for a moment, while he regretted having spoken.

“I don’t want you to consider me for a minute,” she said finally. “You make up your mind purely for your own wants and desires. Just remember—I wOUldn’t be alone. I have loads of friends. And an active social life. You didn’t know that I’ve been taking square-dancing lessons, did you? Or that Mark Lovell has been taking me around.”

Mark Lovell. Chief Lovell! Tate was surprised. Emma grinned. “It’s nothing serious and never will be. But we’re both without partners and thought we could have some fun together. He’s my square-dancing buddy.”

Tate smiled. “When did this start?”

“A little over a month ago,”

“I never knew a thing.”

“You’ve been too busy. Tate, is it the sheriff’s job that’s holding you back?”

“Well, it does look a little funny to be thinkin’ about leaving so soon. I only took office a year and a half ago. How long was Jack sheriff? Thirty years?”

“But you’re not Jack.”

Tate frowned. “No. And I’m not my dad, either.”

Emma looked at him closely. “What does your father have to do With this?”

“I’ve been trying to figure out what he’d do if he were in my situation. And I don’t think he’d leave. He probably wouldn’t even consider it.”

His mother placed a hand over his and said softly, “You said it yourself—you aren’t your father.” She went to get a photograph from the piano and handed it to Tate. It was one he’d seen numerous times. Dan Connelly, dressed in what passed as a county uniform twenty years before—white Western shirt with a five-pointed Texas star pinned over the left pocket. The exact same badge Tate wore now. Dan’s handsome face was smiling with open friendliness.

“Tate,” Emma said, “your daddy was a special man and a good lawman. And he loved the work he did here. Do you truly think he’d want you to follow in his footsteps if you weren’t happy doing it?”

“I’m happy !”

“Are you? What about all that special training you’ve had? How much do you use it?”

“I use it,” Tate defended.

“Do you enjoy looking after the jail?”

Tate grunted. “No person in his right mind would enjoy that.”

“What about the long hours?”

“I don’t mind hard work. You know I don’t.”

“Do you have any time left for a private life? What if, say, you wanted to take a little time to trail after Jodie Parker” — Tate made a sound she ignored

“—coulcJ you do it? A picnic, something simple. Could you invite her out and not be interruputed? And remember, I know the hours you put in.”

That was the trouble. He couldn’t lie. He couldn’t even fudge the truth. If his mother didn’t know firsthand, from having taken and delivered the calls herself, she could easily find out. “Are you telling me I should take the job?” be demanded.

Emma set the photograph back in its proper place. “No. I’d never presume to do that. It has to be your decision. I’m just trying to get you to see you don’t owe anything to anyone. Your dad gave his life for this county. You don’t have to do the same.”

Tate drew a quick breath.

His mother turned to face him. “I have a feeling Jack’s getting a little antsy out on his place. I saw him the other day. He seems … restless. You should talk to him.”

IT WAS AFTER TEN O’CLOCK before Tate unlocked his own front door and let himself into the house he did little more than camp out in.

Was it because nothing about his job—both as deputy and as sheriff—had seemed permanent to him? Was that why he’d hesitated to put down solid roots?

But maybe all he needed to put down roots was the right woman in his life. Jack had had Maureen. His father had had his mother. He could have . Jodie.

But could he? Here, in Del Norte? In this house? As his wife?

He laughed with very little humor and sat down for

a minute in the recliner. Only, when his eyes fell shut, it was morning before they opened again.

JODm SAT ere” breathing hard. Something was chasing her, about to get her. She had to– Suddenly she realized where she was—in bed, in her father’s house, on the ranch, safe and sound. The terrible menace existed only in a dream.

She fell back against the warm sheets, panting. She was hot. Was that what had disturbed her sleep? Then memory came flooding back. Rio, Phil Hammond, Tare. It was a wonder she’d slept at all!

She checked the time—2:00 a. m. Was she the only person awake on the ranch?

She longed to call Tare. Just to hear his voice. But would he talk to her, as angry as he was? Especially at two in the morning?

She’d told Rio she was in love with “Fate. Why? As a way to keep Rio at arm’s length? Or because Rio was leaving and she never expected to hear from him again–and she’d wanted to test out saying the words?

Rio was oddly easy to talk to about such things. Maybe because he viewed society’s rules as restrictions placed on other people.

Jodie had been governed by rules all her life. Mae believed firmly in right and wrong and saw little in between. Rio existed in the shades of gray. He’d spent his whole life there.

She switched on the bedside lamp and flipped open the lid of a lacquered box, her favored cache for her most prized possessions since childhood. She withdrew Rio’s lucky coin and, turning it this way and that, let

the has-relief carvings catch the light. Was she wrong to have accepted it?

No. It was a part of her life, just as Rio was. She could no more deny either of them their place than Phil: Hammond could change the fact that he had destroyed the person he loved and in so doing cut himself off permanently from his family.

She could almost feel sorry for Phil Hammond. Almost. Until she thought of the young woman he’d killed.

Rio had said she and Crystal would have been friends. Might they have been?

Jodie switched off the lamp after returning the coin to the box, then lay back to stare up at the darkened ceiling. For a time she kept her mind purposefully blank, until an earlier thought could no longer be denied.

She’d told Rio she was in love with Tate.

So . was she?

N.

“LOOK! A POSTCARD from Darlene and Thomas!” Harriet exclaimed as she brought the mail to Mae’s house. “From Alaska. She says it’s absolutely beautiful there. And they’re having loads of fun.”