by Geri Foster
“What can I do for you, Sheriff?”
“I want to talk to Aaron.” Quinn pressed his palm to the hood of Levi’s son’s vehicle. “He here?”
Obviously, he knew he was there since his truck hood had to still be warm.
“Yeah,” he thumped over his shoulder. “He’s in the house.”
“Mind if I have a word with him?”
“If it’s over that waitress, save your breath. I’ve told him to leave her alone a million times, but he doesn’t listen.”
“She’s getting a restraining order on him today.”
He scowled, not liking his reputation being further tarnished by a sniveling little chit of a woman. “Now, that’s not called for. Maybe I’d best talk to her myself.”
“You go near her and I’ll arrest you. I don’t know for what yet, but I’m warning you to leave her alone. Your son does enough damage for the both of you.”
He chuckled, trying to make light of the situation. “Listen, this is just a lovers’ quarrel. They’ll get over it.”
The serious squint of Quinn’s eyes warned him to back off. “You’re wrong. There’s no love there. Candi can’t stand the guy and he won’t leave her alone. I’m here to make sure he does.”
He stuck out his chin. “Or what?”
Quinn spread his legs, his expression grim. “He’ll go to jail and stand trial. You have my word on that.”
He held up his hands. “Now wait a damn minute, Sheriff. You come out here threatening all kinds of stuff you don’t have the authority to do. I could ask you to leave my property because you don’t have a search warrant.”
“I didn’t think I’d need it to talk to Aaron. However, I can leave, come back later with a warrant, handcuff him and drag him into the office for questioning, if you’d like.”
Sighing, he knew Quinn meant business and didn’t give a damn what anyone said or thought. He’d do his job, and nothing would stand in his way. Not even Levi.
Chapter 3
Austin pulled in front of his dad’s house and opened the car door, noticing his Uncle Jeff’s black pickup already parked in the driveway. Glancing at his watch, he looked up as his dad, Russ, and uncle walked out the door.
“We better get a move on,” his dad called out, hurrying toward him. “We don’t want to keep the realtor waiting.” The excited grin on his dad’s face sent a surge of warmth to his heart.
Over the years they’d had some tough times. It took Austin’s mom getting sick while he was still in high school for his dad to finally put down the bottle, his uncle to leave the Navy and him to decide to better his life by going to college with the mind to eventually join the FBI. Until then, their lives had been a horror story of poverty, fighting, and violent outcomes. He wished his mom didn’t have to get sick for things to turn out this way and prayed that she was looking down on them and smiling, seeing the way their lives were now.
It took a few years but things were better now. Much better. Tragedy struck earlier in the year when Jeff lost his ranch, but he saved his cattle. The insurance was more than enough for him to get a new place and move closer to his only brother.
Finally, with him included thanks to his job transfer, the Crawleys would be living in the same town once again.
He turned and headed back to his car. “I’m ready, if you are.”
They piled into his vehicle and headed out to the Patrick’s old residence. “I think this might be a good place to start over,” Jeff said. “There’s close to two hundred acres out there and I can use every one of them.”
Jeff had been a Navy SEAL for eight years. Too many wars and too much conflict had left him broken and empty. When he came home to heal, he bought a ranch and started ranching. After ten years, he was well on his way to success, when the storm hit.
Now, he simply wanted to get his life back together and Austin planned to help as much as possible. After getting his uncle settled, he would find a place of his own to live. He hadn’t given it much thought, but since he’d be working in close proximity to Rainwater, he figured he’d make the small town his home.
Plus, his dad had recently turned sixty-five. It was time his family lived nearby.
They pulled into the dirt driveway of the Patrick’s old place and the outside condition of the house impressed him. He’d expected a rundown shack. After all, Opal and Harold had lived there over fifty years. Instead, a neatly trimmed, freshly painted house with a wide porch greeted them.
“Doesn’t look bad from the outside,” Russ said. “I like the lay out of the outbuildings. Barn’s not too far away from the back door, and the tack room is easily within reach of the horses’ pen.”
Uncle Jeff pointed. “There’s the realtor. Let’s have a look around.”
They exited the vehicle and Austin put his hands on his hips and breathed in the crisp autumn air. Summer was in the rearview mirror and winter wasn’t expected for months. Fall tended to be his favorite time of year, with the exception of the rain. Too much of a good thing at the wrong time of the year could wreak havoc on the ranchers in the area. But, that was Texas.
Benny Martin greeted them on the porch with a wide grin and a firm handshake. “Howdy! Glad you gents could make time in your busy schedules to come out and take a look at the place.”
Russ chuckled. “Nothing busy about my schedule, unless you consider volunteer work.”
Benny slapped him on the back and grinned. “Why, Russ, I see you everywhere. I’ve never known a man your age to be so busy. Between the senior center, the library, and the family center, I don’t know where you find time to play poker every Thursday night.”
“A man’s gotta have some fun.”
Benny removed the realtor lock from the door and swung it wide. Austin liked it immediately and wished he’d called dibs on it first. However, he didn’t need all the acreage surrounding the place. The FBI kept him too busy for ranching on the side.
Jeff whistled. “This is a real nice set up.” He glanced back at him. “Don’t you think so?”
He nodded. “I was just thinking I wish I’d seen it first.”
Jeff and his dad both laughed. “Well, you didn’t, so don’t go trying to outbid me, you hear?”
He folded his arms and leaned against the wall. “It’s all yours, Uncle Jeff. I don’t have time to run cattle, and this is a ranch, not just a place to live.”
“That’s what I like about it,” Russ said. “It’s nice and practical.”
He didn’t consider the Patrick’s old place big, however it would serve Jeff’s needs very well. They’d remodeled and updated the interior and painted the outside. He loved the wraparound porch. Every house, in his opinion, needed a real porch.
The living room was designed for comfort and space. It ran right into the dining room and on into the kitchen, which could all be seen from the entrance. He knew the place had three bedrooms, two baths and a pantry he didn’t need to see. Glancing around he wondered what more a man could want.
Having seen enough, he stepped outside and dropped into a rocking chair on the porch, enjoying the view. This would be beautiful during a fall sunset and he knew Jeff would take advantage of it as often as possible. He sucked in a deep breath and smelled the sweet, crisp scent of a big Magnolia tree taking up most of the front yard.
The peaceful quiet had him totally relaxed, allowing his mind to turn to Candi Matthews. Why, he wondered, was he so interested now? Maybe it had something to do with the huge crush he’d had on her from the moment they met, and knowing he was staying in town had opened that door again. Try as he might have, it hadn’t been time for them back then, when they were teenagers. By the time he had come along, she had already hooked up with Aaron Travis and he’d decided to move on. No point mooning over someone head over heels for someone else. Only thing was, his heart never did get the message.
It wasn’t like he’d been pining away for her all these years. No, he’d had a long-term, live-in relationship with a woman named Lydia Ramir
ez that had lasted almost five years. When he got offered a chance to move closer to his dad, Lydia, being a high-powered Dallas lawyer, wouldn’t even consider Rainwater. Though it didn’t surprise him—she enjoyed the night life in the big city too much—it was a wakeup call that she could so easily dismiss him…and that that fact didn’t hurt as much as it should.
Though disappointment had lodged in his heart when they split so amicably, only strengthening the feeling that their relationship wasn’t all that great to begin with, it was even more of a relief that there were no tears, no arguments, and no long farewells. He simply moved out and she wished him well. Obviously, they’d been more friends, on both their parts, than he had realized. They certainly weren’t in love with each other, probably never had been.
Even though that happened just last month, he barely remembered their last conversation. If that didn’t speak volumes to the nature of their relationship he didn’t know what did. With that epiphany, he’d promised himself never to stay in a stale relationship like that again. Life was too short.
Hearing someone approaching, he turned to see Levi Travis walking in his direction. Though not a person he wanted to converse with, he didn’t want to be rude and retreat back inside.
He stood as Levi stepped up on the porch. “You here looking at the old place?”
“My uncle is. He lost his ranch in a tornado and he’s looking for a place to move his cattle.”
“Harold refused to sell me the place, although I offered him more than it’s worth.”
“That’s between the two of you.”
“Yeah, well I need this land for my own cattle. I’m running out of land.”
He nodded. “What’s on the other side of your place?”
“The Burkes live there and they’ve made it clear me and my cattle aren’t welcome.”
That didn’t surprise him. No one liked Levi Travis, even if they wouldn’t say so to his face, and that included him. When Austin’s family had first arrived in Rainwater, Levi had done everything he could to discredit his dad in order to make him lose his job for no other reason he could fathom than the man was just a mean old coot. The school board had gone against Old Man Travis’ recommendation and he resented it still to this day, even though Russ had eventually lost his job anyway.
Well, lucky for Levi, Austin never forgot, either. “Sounds like you’re out of luck.”
“I’m hoping I can make a deal with whoever buys this place.”
Pulling no punches, he stated plainly, “That won’t happen if my uncle makes an offer. You know what my family thinks of you.”
Levi squinted his left eye. “Can’t let bygones be bygones?”
“I don’t think so, but you might ask him.”
Levi leaned against one of the pillars propping up the porch. “I heard you went off and joined the FBI. You like being a government man?”
“I like it just fine. I’m opening an office near here, so I’ll be moving to Rainwater as well.”
“What are we going to do with three Crawleys crawling around Rainwater?”
Anger flared quick and hot and he clenched his jaw. “We don’t crawl.”
“Your daddy used to when he was in the bottle.”
“He’s not in the bottle anymore. Been clean for years.” He moved closer. “And when he was drunk, he never caused any trouble to no one but his family. So, I don’t know why it’s of any concern to you.”
“I make everything in Rainwater my business.”
“Not us, you don’t. My advice is for you to stay on your own land and leave us alone. I hear you’ve got your own drunk to shove around.”
Levi straightened and took a step forward, then quickly frowned. Turning at the sound of tires on the dirt road, he spit. “Damn, he’s back.”
Following his gaze, Austin watched as Lucas’ squad car pulled into the neighboring driveway.
“Looks like the Sheriff just came calling.”
Levi swung around and glared at him. “He’s a man looking for trouble.”
“And I’m sure he knows right where to find it. Appears your son has once again stepped out of line.”
“Now I’d say it’s time for you to mind your own business. Aaron is my concern. No one else’s.”
“Until he breaks the law. Then he’s either Lucas’ or mine.”
“Either of you ever touch my son and you’re dead.”
“I’d watch myself if I were you. I might take that as a threat and run you in.”
Levi went to leave as Austin’s dad and Jeff came out of the house, followed by Benny. They were laughing about the antics of the three grandmas, affectionately known for their shenanigans about town. “You know how crazy they are.”
The three men came to an abrupt halt and stared at Levi. He glared back, his face a mask of anger. “Well, what the hell are you all looking at?” he barked, then turned and stomped toward his property.
“What did he want?” Russ asked. “Hope he’s not thinking of causing trouble.”
“That old man doesn’t know anything else,” Benny said. “I warned you he’d be your neighbor and that’s not a good selling point.”
“I’m not worried about him as long as he respects the property line. I find him doing differently and I’ll take care of him.”
Suddenly Austin didn’t think Uncle Jeff living out here next to the Travis’ was such a good idea. The man proved time and again how dangerous he could be. Should anything happen to one of his family members, he didn’t know what he’d do.
He noticed the scowl on his dad’s face, indicating he didn’t like it either. “Best we leave well enough alone,” Russ said. “Levi is a sick man who has nothing in his life worth living for. I’d almost pity him if it wasn’t for the fact he’s meaner than a cornered rat.”
Jeff gripped Austin’s bicep. “We’re going out to check the barn. Want to come?”
“No, I’ll sit out here on the porch for a little longer.” He glanced up at the beautiful blue sky. “You’re going to love this view come night time.”
“I know.” Jeff grinned. “Part of the reason the place interested me.”
As Jeff and Benny walked off, his dad joined him on the porch, a slight limp in his step. He had a hip replaced three months ago and too much walking bothered him still. “You okay, Dad?”
“Sure,” he smiled. “Just thought I’d take advantage of the view.”
The man sitting next to him didn’t even resemble the old Russ Crawley. The one with the stinking breath, glassy eyes and slurred speech. The transformation still amazed him sometimes. It was almost enough to forget everything he’d put his family through…almost. “Your hip bothering you?”
“No, it’s been pretty good since the doc sent me in for additional physical therapy. It really helped.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I know how important it is for you to keep your independence.”
“Now, don’t go talking like I have one foot in the grave. I’m barely sixty-five and after my checkup, I got a clean bill of health.”
“That’s not going to stop me from worrying about you, Dad. It’s part of my DNA.”
“I guess it is. You always were one to take too much on your shoulders.”
Though neither said it, they both knew what he referred to.
He glanced over at the Travis Ranch. “I worry Uncle Jeff might be making a mistake if he moves out here. Levi is a mean, ornery man who has nothing to lose. He wants this land and he may take it upon himself to see Uncle Jeff become as miserable as he is.”
“Your uncle can take care of himself. He’s an ex-Navy SEAL and he knows his way around trouble,” Russ chuckled. “I’m more worried about Levi than I am Jeff.”
Chapter 4
Candi and Tyler finished dinner and while he and his friend, Kyler, played video games for one hour, she decided her garden needed some extra attention. When the two had met in kindergarten it was like they were fated to be best friends—Tyler and Kyler. It still made her
smile. The three of them had thrown a couple of pumpkin seeds in the ground when planting their spring garden. Now, the vines threatened to take over her fall plants.
Cutting them back felt like a losing battle. She’d been at it over the weekend and three days later it looked like she hadn’t touched them. Setting out with new resolve, she clipped away trying to free up her other vegetables so they’d get more sunshine.
George came up behind her and cleared his throat. Though he hadn’t snuck up on her, she still jumped like she’d heard a gunshot. Pressing her hand to her chest, she glanced up at the tall, slender man she’d known all her life. “You scared me.”
“I’m awfully sorry,” he replied in his usual, gentle tone. “Helen sent me out here to check on you. She heard Aaron came in the diner today and caused another scene.”
She put down the shears and removed her garden gloves, tossing them on a nearby chair. “Oh, the joys of small-town living. Can’t keep nothing to yourself.” She smiled up at him cheekily and he raised his eyebrows. With a sigh, she admitted, “Yes, he did. But that’s not new. Lucas came by earlier and said he would talk to him.”
“He needs to lock him up. That man is a pest. I’m afraid one of these days he might hurt you.” he glanced away. “Then I’ll have to kill him.”
She loved George and Hellen, and was very grateful for their protection, but she also knew George couldn’t kill anyone. “I think he knows better than to do that. Between Lucas and Marcus, you wouldn’t get near him.”
“Well, you be careful.”
“I will. I promise.”
He looked down the long driveway. “You see Austin is back in town?”
“Yes, he came in the diner today for lunch.”
“Russ told me he’s moving to Rainwater.”
It surprised her when her heart suddenly pounded loud and hard. “Why would he do that?”
“Heard he’s opening an extension office just outside Krum. He decided to move here to be close to his dad and his uncle, I guess.”
