Promise Made (The Callahan Series)

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  “Dinner’s ready.”

  “It smells good.”

  His sweet smile almost broke her heart.

  He leaned close, kissed her lips. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “So am I.”

  Kate shut her eyes, leaned into the kiss. He took her in his arms, kissed her like she wanted to be kissed. The hunger that swept over her wasn’t for food. “Dugan?” she asked, between kisses. “Can we eat later?

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, kept his lips on hers as they staggered the few feet to the bedroom. They all but ripped off their clothes, then tumbled into bed in a flurry of hurried kisses and groping hands.

  His body was pure pleasure, she thought as her hands roamed over his shoulders, down his chest—then lower. When she got to the part she’d so intimately rediscovered in the shower she gasped with pleasure. She held him in her hand now, and reveled in her power when he trembled as she trailed her fingers up and down his beautiful body.

  They slid into their old rhythm. The sameness gave her pleasure. The knowing, confidence.

  His lips took hers with an urgency that hadn’t been there before. Hunger for the known and the unknown had her wrapping herself around him, allowing the pleasure his body gave her to close her mind to everything except the two of them.

  Dugan touched her lips with his, withdrew, and touched again until she was writhing beneath him in an agony of want. Her breath hitched as her arms locked around his neck, her legs around his waist.

  How could he do this to her? Again?

  She couldn’t help herself. The perfect union of their bodies was so sweet it brought an ache to her throat.

  She closed her eyes, let her lips urge him on until he thrust inside her with a moan of pleasure.

  Her head reeled as she held him tighter, matching thrust for thrust in a wild union that was new and breathtaking.

  “My God, Kate.”

  His voice was low and thick.

  Her eyes flew open only to see the fierceness on his face and the determination in his eyes.

  Their fingers linked as he poured himself into her.

  “Kate,” he said after they both fell from the peak and into each other’s arms, his voice guttural to her ears.

  “Yes?”

  “You’re amazing.”

  “Shhh,” she said, putting her finger over his lips. She didn’t want him to voice his thoughts or feelings. Hers were too close to the surface. Too compelling and too frightening.

  What she wanted was to stay in his arms for a while and glory in the aftermath.

  But she couldn’t let this become a habit. It wasn’t good for either of them no matter how wonderful it was.

  “I’m starved,” she said a while later. Lie. She’d rather just lie in his arms and make love again.

  He kissed her hard, then tugged her up from the bed.

  “I want you again.” He grinned. “But if you’re hungry…”

  By the time they finally got around to the food, it had grown stone cold. Neither cared.

  “Thank God for microwaves,” Dugan said as he took Kate’s plate out and put it in front of her.

  A couple of minutes later he sat beside her with his own.

  “Here’s to more nights like this,” he said picking up his glass of wine.

  Kate’s smile wobbled, but she picked up her glass, touched his.

  She picked at her food, unable to enjoy what Dugan had prepared. All she could think was that this wasn’t right.

  The sex had been more than wonderful. It always was with Dugan. But it would be foolish to think they could keep this up.

  “You’re not eating.”

  “I’m thinking.”

  “About?”

  She might as well lie. This whole thing was just pretend anyway. Pretending their relationship could stay as it was now. Pretending that somewhere down the line, if he should ask her to marry him, she would say yes. She sighed, knowing if it happened she couldn’t trust herself not to run. “The trial.”

  “Rita’s guilty, Kate.”

  “No, she’s a battered wife who barely saved her own life.”

  Dugan put down his fork. “I think she planned to kill her husband.” He shook his head, picked his fork back up. “Most likely, she’ll get away with it.”

  “You think I’ll get her off.”

  “Probably. We can’t come up with any evidence other than the insurance policy. But you can bet the prosecution will hammer that to death.”

  “I’m ready.”

  He ran a hand down her cheek, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch made her want him again.

  She had to get out of here before they ended up back in bed. “I have to go, Dugan. It’s late and Gram is probably worried.”

  “Grace isn’t worried about you, Kate.”

  “I have to go, anyway.” She stood, hurried to the door. “Dinner was wonderful.”

  “You were wonderful.” He stood, took her in his arms and kissed her hard and long. “I’ll walk you home.”

  “No. Someone is bound to see us. Can’t you just hear the tongues wagging tomorrow?”

  Dugan chuckled. “Let them talk. Odds are they saw you come here anyway.”

  “I hope not. Too much gossip already.”

  He chuckled. “We can’t stop it.”

  “I know. But really, it’s only a few blocks to Gram’s and it’s nice out.”

  Despite all the bad things happening in the world, Oaktree was a relatively safe place to live. Tobias Johnson’s murder had been only the second since Dugan took office.

  “All right, then,” he said, dipping his head for another kiss. “I’m invited to the ranch Sunday for dinner. Would you come with me?”

  Her stomach did a somersault. First step, family dinner, the next an engagement ring. She was not going there.

  “The trial starts Monday. I still have to prepare. But tell everyone I said hello.”

  “If you change your mind, the invitation stands. Good night, Kate,” he whispered against her mouth. “Sleep well.”

  ****

  The perfect weather didn’t last. Monday morning, storm clouds threatened rain. Kate prayed it wasn’t a bad sign.

  Her stomach harbored a flock of butterflies as she walked into the courtroom. She hoped the armor she’d put on, a black skirt and tank top along with a dusty rose jacket and high heels showed confidence instead of the uncertainty clawing at her. She’d never argued before a jury before. That had been Erik’s expertise. She told herself all of the people filling the seats were just that—people like herself—and that she’d seen and heard Erik defend dozens of clients. No amount of reasoning helped.

  The jury had been picked Friday. At the time, she thought she had picked well. Now she wasn’t so sure.

  She looked around. Where had all these people come from?

  She looked for Dugan, but didn’t see him. Perhaps she’d missed him in the crowd. She wanted to look again, but didn’t want to be obvious about searching him out.

  Every eye followed her to the front where she took her seat next to Rita.

  “I’m scared, Kate.”

  So am I.

  But Kate didn’t want Rita or anyone else to know just how frightened she was. Not only was this her first criminal case to try alone, and Rita’s future was at risk, but the town was here to watch. She would succeed or fail with an audience. Talk about wanting to run…

  Gram and Ed had wanted to come. She’d talked them out of it. But she expected Dugan. This was his murder case.

  She scanned the room one last time. The back door opened and Dugan walked in. He looked good. Dressed in khakis, a Western shirt, his Stetson in his hand, boots on his feet, he looked the sheriff he was. Her heart kicked up a notch. Just having him so close was a comfort. He nodded, as if he could see how her insides shivered with fear. She smiled to herself. He knew her so well.

  Rita grabbed Kate’s hand, forcing her thoughts back to the courtroom.r />
  “Relax, Rita. You don’t want to look worried to the jury.”

  “But I am worried,” Rita whispered. “What will happen to my babies if they put me in jail?”

  “We’ve discussed this before. If the worst happens, which I’m sure it won’t, we’ll work it out.”

  Rita sat back only a little pacified. Kate had fended off dozens of calls from her over the weeks leading up to the trial. Rita had cried and asked a hundred times if Kate was sure she could get her off.

  Kate had done her best to calm Rita down then, and did the same now.

  Kate was nervous too. Her hands were sweaty and her stomach fluttered with those butterflies. Her mouth dry, she took a couple of bottles of water out of her briefcase, gave one to Rita. How would she ever get through this?

  The jurymen and women walked in and took their seats. Several smiled at her while others frowned.

  She turned once more to look at Dugan. He nodded at her again. She turned back to the front. The bailiff stood to announce the judge’s entrance.

  Everyone rose.

  Judge Adam Greer entered. When he sat down, everyone followed suit.

  He looked down at the defense table.

  Kate swallowed hard.

  He looked over at the prosecutor, then back at her.

  “Is the defense ready?”

  “We are, your honor.” Kate did her best to make her voice sound strong and confident, but didn’t know if she succeeded.

  “How about the prosecution?”

  “Ready, your honor.”

  “Good.”

  Neither side gave an opening statement.

  To lay the groundwork, Dugan was called to the stand as the first officer to answer the 911 call. Then, Olin Williams from the State Police took the stand. The medical examiner and the forensics people were questioned.

  Kate had no cross for any of them.

  The prosecution called the insurance agent who sold the policy to the stand. For the next hour, the prosecutor did his best to convince the jury Rita had talked her husband into a large policy. The money would give her the life she wanted for her and her children and the only way to get the money was to kill him.

  Kate eyed the jurors. They were interested; a few took notes.

  How many believed the picture he was trying to paint?

  It was up to Kate to make sure they didn’t.

  On cross-examination, Kate asked one question. “At the time the policy was taken out, did you have doubts of any kind that Tobias Johnson was in any way coerced or forced to take out the hundred-thousand-dollar policy?”

  “No. I did not.”

  She walked toward her seat, changed her mind and turned back. “Was the victim sober?”

  “As far as I could tell.”

  “That’s all, your honor.” She took her seat.

  The prosecution questioned several witnesses who claimed Tobias was drunk so much of the time he couldn’t know what he was doing.

  Kate didn’t know if the jury was buying it or not. Their faces were expressionless.

  The prosecution rested and they broke for lunch. Rita grabbed Kate’s hand again. “Are we all right? I can’t tell.”

  “Too early to tell. But it’s our turn now. I’ll call you up after lunch. Do you remember what we talked about? All you have to do is tell the truth. If you do, you’ll be fine.”

  Rita nodded. “I’m so scared. I hope I can make the jury believe me.”

  “Just tell the truth.”

  “I will.”

  “Would you like me to order you a sandwich?”

  “No. I’m too nervous.”

  “Then let’s find a room so we can talk about your testimony.”

  “Okay.”

  They searched for a vacant room, found one at the head of the stairs.

  The bailiff caught up with her before she walked in. “Molly sent lunch.” He handed it to her. “Plus one for your client.”

  “I’ll thank her later,” Kate said, as she balanced the bags along with her briefcase and walked into the small room.

  As appetizing as lunch smelled, Kate couldn’t take a bite. Rita tried, but didn’t succeed. So they spent the next hour going over her testimony.

  Five minutes before the trial was to resume, Rita followed Kate back into the courtroom. Dugan wasn’t in his seat. Where did he go?

  For a moment, she put her hand on her stomach, willed the butterflies beating against her insides away. Then called her first witness, Doctor Pullman.

  He testified to Rita’s black eyes and bruises the day of the murder. Blown up pictures of her battered face were shown to the jurors. Jurors and spectators alike gasped at the punishment Rita had endured at the hands of her husband.

  By mid-afternoon, Kate had called all of the witnesses, including Pastor Jones and Rita’s best friend, Halley Wright. She called the owner of the bar where Tobias hung out, the liquor storeowner where he bought his booze. She asked if Tobias had ever bragged that he beat his wife. Both said he did.

  There was only one witness left. She looked at the clock. It was getting late.

  “I call Rita Johnson to the stand.”

  Rita’s hands trembled as she swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

  Kate took a deep breath and dove in.

  For the next hour she grilled her own witness. By the time she was finished, Rita was in tears, but Kate was satisfied. The jury had heard exactly what she wanted them to hear.

  “Cross.” The judge looked at the prosecutor.

  “It’s late, your honor, can we do the cross tomorrow?” the prosecutor asked.

  Kate held her breath. She wanted to finish this part today, not let the jury go home to wonder what the prosecutor would ask or what Rita’s answers would be.

  “You shouldn’t be long. Let’s get this over with.”

  Kate let out a relieved breath.

  The prosecutor tried his best to make Rita recant even a small portion of her testimony. But Rita stuck to her story and never wavered. After fifteen minutes he gave up and took his seat.

  “Any more witnesses?”

  “None, your honor,” Kate answered. “The defense rests.”

  On her way to her seat, she looked toward the door, unconsciously looking for Dugan.

  More than likely he was angry with her. She had turned down every invitation since the steak dinner. He’d suggested a picnic, dinner in San Antonio, dinner with his family. She couldn’t do this anymore. No matter how wonderful he made her feel, she couldn’t keep this up. Both of them wanted more. She couldn’t give more.

  There he was. He was leaning against the back wall of the courtroom

  Seeing him brought a smile to her face and regret to her heart.

  Why couldn’t she be normal?

  She took her seat next to Rita. “One more day, Rita. You could be a free woman this time tomorrow.” She didn’t tell her client that the decision could go the other way. Rita was well aware of that fact.

  The judge gave the jury instructions and Rita was led back to her cell.

  The judge left, as did the bailiff. The jury filed out.

  Everyone else stayed in their seats.

  Did they come for the trial or to see how Dugan and I react around each other?

  She was afraid it was the latter. She crammed papers into her briefcase, stood to leave.

  Dugan was there, looming over her with a half-smile on his face. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” He was so close it made her nerve endings tingle.

  “You’ve been avoiding me, Kate.”

  She waved her arm around the courtroom. “I have been busy, Dugan.”

  “Yes, you have.”

  “How do you think the trial is going?” His brows formed into a frown. “I need to hear the truth.”

  “Okay. Here goes. I still think Rita is guilty even though it looks as if the jury believed her testimony. However, when the prosecution gives his closing argu
ment they could go the other way. A hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money for someone in Rita’s circumstances. It would be a big incentive for murder.”

  “So you think it will boil down to final arguments.”

  “That’s how it looks.”

  “Thanks, Dugan. I needed to hear the truth. I’m too involved to see the whole picture.” She gave him a smile. “But Rita isn’t guilty.”

  His mouth tightened.

  Every eye in the courtroom tracked them. “We need to get out of here. Too many prying eyes,” Kate said.

  “I’ll walk you out.”

  “Why not? Take my arm while you’re at it. By tomorrow, who’s to know what the gossips will make of it.”

  “My pleasure,” he said with a smile.

  Kate wished she’d kept her mouth shut. One touch and she was ready to fall into bed again.

  Chapter Seventeen

  She’d made up her mind last night. She was going to stay here in Oaktree and practice law. Though she and Dugan were lovers now, she knew it had to stop. But every time she looked at him desire was a steady throb of yearning. She’d have to get used to it, or get over it.

  She awakened with renewed energy. With her decision made, her thoughts centered on her closing argument. Her biggest consolation was that the burden of proof rested with the prosecution. Her duty was to convince the jury there was too much reasonable doubt to return a guilty verdict. She prayed that with Rita’s testimony yesterday, and her closing today, the jury couldn’t help but send back a verdict of not guilty.

  She told herself that over and over when she spent thirty minutes doing push-ups to brace herself for court.

  Kate slid into her chair at one minute before nine; noted Dugan wasn’t in his usual seat.

  Her heartbeat kicked up. It seemed to do that on a regular basis anymore.

  Rita held out her hand. Kate clasped it tight. “We’re fine.” She hoped she was right.

  Judge Greer walked in and all too soon called the prosecutor to give his closing.

  Kate shut her eyes, listened to every word. She had to catch every innuendo and rebuff it.

  She had to admit he was convincing.

  Then it was her turn. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and marched over to stand before the jurors. They looked at her with solemn expressions.