A Texas Hero

by Linda Warren

  He reached for her hand on the table and linked his strong fingers with hers. Staring into her eyes, he asked, “What are we doing in a mall?”

  “Your daughter needs clothes.”

  “Oh, yeah.” He squeezed her hand. “Here’s the thing. We’re both dealing with a lot of emotions right now. We need to take it slow.”

  “Could we meet for coffee one day or go out for a drink?” She rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.

  “I don’t see why not.” At the gleam in his eyes she wanted to wrap herself around him, uncaring of where they were.

  “Mommy. Mommy.” Chloe’s little voice quickly brought her to her senses. “Did you see me?”

  “Oh, yes.” She reached for a bag on the floor to still her excitement. “It’s time to go home.”

  They made their way through the mall to their vehicles. Halfway there Chloe grew tired and Ethan had to carry her. When they reached the truck, Kelsey gathered the shopping bags from them.

  “I’ll put these in the truck, Dad.”

  He reached in his pocket and threw her the keys.

  “Abby,” Kelsey called as they turned to Abby’s car. “Thank you. I’m sorry I was...you know...rude earlier.”

  “Thanks, sweetie.”

  “Isn’t she awesome?” Ethan said with pride, buckling Chloe into her seat.

  “Her dad’s pretty awesome, too.”

  They were both leaned over Chloe in the door opening. Chloe impulsively kissed Ethan’s cheek. “Bye, E-tan,” she said.

  Impulsive as her daughter, Abby kissed his cheek, too. “Bye, E-tan.” He smelled of pizza, sunshine and tough, badass maleness. She wasn’t sure that had a scent, it was more of a sense of who Ethan was—enormously strong, honorable characteristics and raw masculinity bundled into one hell of a man.

  He stared into her eyes and her heart spun with exhilaration at what she saw in his dark, warm depths. One long finger lightly touched her bottom lip and she trembled. “Thanks for the help, lady. I’ll call.”

  She didn’t mind him calling her “lady.” Not when it was said with so much feeling.

  * * *

  HE WASN’T FREAKING OUT. Ethan silently repeated the words several times on the drive home. He was just accepting that something was happening between them. Not only for her, but for him, too.

  The moment he saw her ex kiss her and call her “honey” was a defining moment for him. It bothered him that she’d given Doug a second chance. And he was jealous. There, he’d admitted it.

  They had a connection and it might be gratitude on her part. On his it might be a desire to protect her. Whatever it was, he was willing to take a chance and find out.

  Then there was his daughter, who was talking nonstop about school and clothes. An occasional “uh-huh” was all that was required of him. It might be too early to bring someone else into their lives. But he would take it slow and hope for the best.

  He had no idea where his relationship with Abby was going. He just needed to be with her and to admit that he knew his emotions were involved. The days ahead would test those emotions.

  That rest of the day was chaos as Kelsey showed all her new clothes to her grandpa and then modeled them. Walt tried to be excited but all the girly stuff was out of his range of excitability. It was a little out of Ethan’s, too. Having a young girl in the house was changing their lives and keeping them on their toes.

  He made her go to bed at ten o’clock—her new curfew time to be in bed so she could get up for school. With no complaints she took a bath and went to bed.

  His dad was asleep in front of the TV. Ethan took a shower and went to his room. He would spend the weekend with his daughter, the one he’d planned weeks ago. His back burned a little so he crawled into bed to rest. Kelsey had put a cooling pad in the bed and it felt good. She was determined to take care of him.

  Stuffing a pillow under his head, he wanted to tell Abby about his daughter. He reached for his cell on the nightstand.

  “Are you busy?” he asked as she answered.

  “No. I’m in bed. I’m avoiding my stepmom.”

  “Don’t be too hard on her. I’m sure she means well.”

  “I know. Let’s please talk about something else.”

  He told her about Kelsey.

  “I’m glad you’re getting along so well.”

  “If anything good came out of the robbery or fire, it’s my relationship with my daughter. When I left that Friday night, she told me she didn’t care if I came back or not.”

  “She was just trying to protect herself.”

  “Mmm.”

  “Is your room dark?” she asked.

  “Um...yes.”

  “Mine, too. I feel like we’re in the woods talking. I can almost hear the crickets and your voice. ‘Lady, haven’t you ever been in the woods before?’ You were very grouchy.”

  “And you were very frustrating. I don’t know how you managed to be so beautiful in dirt and sweat.”

  “Ethan...”

  “Hmm?”

  “I feel like I’m part of you.”

  He sat up and jammed a hand through his hair, unsure of what to say. Unsure of emotions that were new to him.

  “Are you freaking out?”

  “A little.”

  “Big, tough Ethan is admitting that?”

  “Yep.”

  She laughed and he felt something unfold inside him. It was the lock he had on his heart.

  “Are you yepping me?”

  “Yep.”

  “Oh, I love it.”

  They talked on and on about any and everything. And a lot about the robbery.

  “Do you think they’ll find the third person?” she asked.

  “Yes.” He told her about the lawyer. “There’s a paper trail somewhere and we’ll find it. I’m going back to work on Monday.”

  “Ethan, is that wise?”

  “I won’t rest until this case is closed.”

  “Please be careful.”

  “I’m always careful.”

  “You’re not. You’re a daredevil.”

  “Let’s change the subject.” He thought that might be best. “I’m spending the weekend with Kelsey—the one I promised her. If I get any free time, I’ll call.”

  While they’d talked, the time had flown. It was late, but it was hard to end the call. “Good luck tomorrow.”

  “I may have to sneak out.”

  “You’ll do fine. Good night, Abby.”

  “Night, Ethan.”

  His hand gripped his cell and three little words hung in his throat. Words he’d never said to anyone but his parents and Kelsey.

  I love you.

  And they scared the hell out of him.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  THE MOVE WENT smoothly. Abby had breakfast with her dad and Gayle, and there was no pleading or begging her to stay. Her dad had obviously had a long talk with his wife. Gayle teared up when Chloe hugged her goodbye.

  Feeling wretched, but to show she had no hard feelings, Abby hugged her, too. “Thank you for everything. We will visit often.”

  “Call if you need anything.” Gayle wiped away a tear.

  Her dad embraced her in a big bear hug. “I’m so glad you survived everything. Now I just want you to be happy.”

  “Me, too.” One last hug and she and Chloe walked to her car in the driveway. As she drove away, she felt as if it was the first day of the rest of her life.

  It was an uplifting feeling.

  When they entered the apartment, Chloe ran from room to room. “We’re home, Mommy.” Then she dashed into her room, pulling out toys. Even if you were three, you needed a place to call home.

  She unpacked their clo
thes and put them away and then went into the living room and looked out the French doors to the pool. Her apartment was upstairs and she had a small balcony. Children played in the pool, enjoying their last free weekend before school started.

  Wrapping her arms around her waist, she stared up at the bright blue sky. The heat of August was fading into September and milder temperatures. But this August was a month she’d never forget.

  She’d met Ethan.

  She wanted to call him, but she knew he was busy with Kelsey. Sinking onto her comfy cream-colored sofa, she relaxed and enjoyed the feeling of being in her own space once again. She’d decorated the place on a dime, not wanting to spend more than she had to. After the divorce she’d been very careful with her money.

  She’d purchased most things at thrift shops or used-furniture stores. One wall she’d painted a goldenrod color, the others were an off-white. She’d found a large area rug with a cream center and a border of tan and an orangy goldenrod. It looked great on the dark hardwood floors. Orange throw pillows pulled everything together. That, and her glass-and-stainless-steel coffee and end tables. She was home. But things were different. She was different. At times, if she closed her eyes, she could feel that intense heat rolling over her and Ethan. The sense of knowing she’d escaped death was something she’d never forget. Time would dull the awful memories, but Ethan would always be a part of her. She was sure of that.

  Her cell buzzed and she jumped up to get it out of her purse in the kitchen. It might be Ethan. It wasn’t.

  “Abs, I have a big favor to ask,” Doug said.

  Asking for favors was his specialty. “What?”

  “My sister flew in from New York and we’re meeting at my parents for a family weekend. I’d like Chloe to be a part of it.”

  “We just moved back to the apartment. It’s too much going back and forth for her.”

  “Abs, please. It would mean a lot to my parents’. I know they just saw her, but other than that they rarely see her.”

  Whose fault was that? She’d patted herself on the back for not saying the words out loud. “Okay, but after this I want her back into her normal routine.”

  “You didn’t tell me you were moving back to the apartment.”

  “We’re divorced. I tell you very little.”

  “Abs, please...”

  “What time are you picking her up?”

  “About three.”

  “I’ll have her packed and ready to spend the night. And, Doug, put her to bed yourself. Chloe’s not familiar with the housekeeper or the nanny your parents hire to watch the grandkids. She’ll get scared and cry.”

  “I’m not insensitive. I’ll take care of my daughter.”

  She laid her cell on the counter calmly and resisted the urge to throw it across the room. Taking a deep breath, she picked it up again and touched a name in her contacts.

  “Hey, Hol. What are you doing tonight?”

  “Laundry.”

  “How about a girl’s night out?”

  “You’re on. I’ll call...”

  “No. Just us. I’m not in a mood to go out.”

  “Okay. Where’s Chloe?”

  “Doug’s picking her up at three.”

  “Didn’t he just have her?”

  “I’ll explain later. Bring wine or anything to get me in a better mood.”

  “You got it. See you at three.”

  “Oh, Hol, I’m at the apartment.”

  “I talked to your dad earlier and he said you were home. I was giving you time to get settled in before I called.”

  “Sorry. I should have phoned you.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  She spent the next thirty minutes talking Chloe into going. “I not going,” she said as if it was her decision. “I staying home.”

  She started to call Doug, but she didn’t want Chloe to feel as if she could make the decision of whether to see her father or not. In the end, the Bauman’s two poodles changed Chloe’s mind. She loved playing with them. And it was sad that she cared more for the dogs than her grandparents. But the Baumans had never made any attempt to spend quality time with Chloe. She barely knew them.

  Doug arrived promptly at three. She kissed Chloe. “Have a good time.”

  “Okay,” Chloe said and took her father’s hand.

  “Wait,” Abby called. “You forgot Baby.”

  Chloe ran back to get her doll.

  “Dad said she’s too old to cling to a toy. It’s time to wean her away from it.”

  Something about the way he kowtowed to his father rubbed her the wrong way. “Tell your father he can kiss my ass. I will raise my daughter my way.”

  “Our daughter. I have a say in her raising, too.”

  “You do. Your father doesn’t.”

  “Abs, what’s wrong? You’re not acting like yourself.”

  This was so typical of their marriage. Whenever she voiced her opinion she “wasn’t acting like herself.”

  He slid his hand around her neck, his thumb caressing her cheek. “Come with us. Mom and Dad would love to see you. It will be like old times and it will show them that we’re working on putting our marriage back together.”

  She stepped back, breaking all contact with him. “We are not getting back together so please stop touching me, kissing me, calling me ‘honey’ and your wife.”

  “But you said you were partly to blame for the breakup of our marriage and...”

  “Yes. I meant that. I didn’t say we were getting back together, though. I would like for us to remain friends so that we can raise Chloe without all the resentment and bitterness.”

  “Okay.” He raised both hands. “I’m not going to push you. I know you’re still dealing with the aftereffects of the robbery and the fire. I can wait.”

  “Doug...”

  “I ready.” Chloe came running back and they left.

  Abby wanted to beat her head against the door, but she decided to wait for Holly to bring liquor. She needed something numbing.

  * * *

  MONDAY MORNING WAS chaotic at the James house. Kelsey ran into the kitchen three times in three different outfits asking, “How does this look?” Before they could answer she was off to try on something else.

  “Son.” Walt took a sip of his coffee. “If you have another child, could we get it as a baby so we can get used to all the craziness first?”

  Ethan shook his head and got up from the table. He knocked on Kelsey’s door. “Kel, the last outfit was fine. Don’t change again.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes. I’m coming in.” He paused at the clothes strewn all over the room. Taking her arm, he led her to the bed. “Take a deep breath and calm down.”

  “I can’t,” she cried. “It’s the first day of school and I’m nervous. I don’t know anybody.”

  “You met everyone the other day. Just be friendly and you shouldn’t have a problem.”

  “Okay.”

  He glanced around the room. “Hang up all these clothes and come eat. Grandpa’s fixed a big breakfast.”

  After that things went smoothly until he stopped at the school. She seemed petrified. “Everything will be fine,” he told her. “If not, you can always call me. I’ll be in Austin, about thirty minutes away. But I’ll come.”

  “Okay, Dad. I’m going in.”

  Smiling, he reached over and gave her a hug. She grabbed the backpack at her feet and got out. Joining other students as they walked into the school, she turned and waved one more time before disappearing into the building.

  He waited a moment and drove away. She would be fine, he told himself, but he’d keep his phone handy. From US-290 he took the TX-1-Loop Mo-Pac Expressway into Austin. Levi’s office was off Congress Avenue a
nd soon he was pulling into the parking area of Coyote Investigations.

  “I’m in here,” Levi called as Ethan opened the door. Levi had acute hearing, something he credited to his Indian ancestors on his grandmother’s side.

  The office consisted of a tiny reception area and, to the right, a room with a refrigerator, a microwave and a cot where Levi spent many nights when he was working a case. To the left was a bathroom and Levi’s big office, which contained every evidence-gathering electronic device known to man. Levi was a whiz at hacking into computers, but no one knew that except his closest friends.

  Levi stood as he entered. “Hey, you have clothes on. Jeans, boots, white shirt. Back to being a detective, huh?”

  “Almost.” They shook hands.

  “How you doing?” Levi asked as they took seats.

  “Fine. I just dropped my kid off at school.”

  “It sounds weird when you say ‘my kid.’”

  “Sounds weird to me, too, but things are going good. She’s finally settled in.”

  “I’m glad, man.”

  “Thanks. What do you have on the case?”

  “A whole lot of nothing.” Levi shuffled through some papers. Folders covered his desk and were stacked on the floor.

  “How do you find anything in here?”

  “Don’t touch a thing. I know where everything is.”

  “If you say so.”

  “The money paid to Bryce was cash,” Levi said, “And you’ll hear the gist of that from Ross and Beecher. The last I heard they were meeting with Grundy. I’ve been ordered to stay out of it, so now you can take over. It’s going to take a lot of digging to find that third person, but it begs the question—would why someone with twenty-five grand instigate a bank robbery?”

  They tossed theories around for a bit and then Ethan left. When he got into his truck he saw it was only eight-thirty. He reached for his phone to call Abby. On Saturday night he’d talked to her for a few minutes and she’d been a little tipsy. She’d said she had a friend over and they were drinking wine. He wasn’t sure who the friend was and he didn’t ask. But he would today.

  “Ethan.” She answered quickly. “I’m sorry I was out of it on Saturday.”