Brides on the Run (Books 1-4): Small-Town Romance Series

by Jami Albright

  Well, damn. This good night had gone to hell in a matter of minutes. “Why don’t you tell me what it is that you think I’m keeping from you, Hank?” She didn’t know why she was being so cagey. He clearly knew, but for some reason she couldn’t bring herself to say it. It wasn’t because she wanted to keep it from him anymore, but more that she didn’t want to share Pod with anyone else.

  His features hardened even more. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe that you’re pregnant?”

  All her bravado seeped away when she heard the words. “Yes.”

  “Is it mine?”

  “No.”

  Disbelief flashed across his face. “No?”

  “I’m growing it. It’s taken over my body. I’m the one who dealt with morning sickness, exhaustion, and the terror that I might do something wrong and hurt it, so I’ve earned the right to claim it as mine alone. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired, and I want to go home.”

  “And whose fault is that? I would’ve been there if you’d told me.” His anger punched the words at her.

  She was too tired to be diplomatic. “Uh-huh, and how would your wife have liked that? While I was dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, Hank, you were trying to save your marriage. I didn’t think the two things went together very well.”

  That seemed to take the fire right out of him. His face softened, and he stepped toward her. She was stuck to the spot. The impossibility of moving shocked her, but she couldn’t budge, especially when he curled a piece of hair behind her ear. “You’re right. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with this alone.” He rested his forehead on hers, and the need to throw herself into his arms and let him take care of everything was almost second nature. After all, wasn’t that how she’d lived the last eight years?

  That sobering thought gave her feet the motivation to move away from him. “I’m doing just fine on my own,” she said to his chest. She might be motivated to stand on her own, but her weakness for this man was a danger.

  He hunched down some so he could look her in the eye. “But you don’t have to anymore. I’m here, and I’m going to do the right thing and take care of you and the baby.”

  The stab of those words ripped her chest open. Just as she knew he would. He wanted to do the right thing. Her arms went around her middle. It wasn’t much, but it was a partial barrier between the two of them and him. “Why?”

  “Why, what?”

  The adorable crooked grin and cocked head made him look like he used to when they were teenagers. She set her jaw and shoved every bit of strength she had into her resolve to get the answers she needed. This was too important. “Why now?”

  He shoved his fingers through his hair. “I know I have some explaining to do.”

  “Yes, you do. Like why after six weeks of not speaking one word to me do you suddenly want me, but that’s only after you found out about this.” She placed her hands on her belly. The tightness in her throat strangled her, but she continued. “You know what I think, Hank? I think your over exaggerated sense of duty is why you want me now.”

  “That’s not what this is.”

  Damn tears. They wouldn’t stay where they belonged, and two rolled down her cheeks. “I’ve spent the last eight years surrounded by people who only wanted something from me. Hell, if you count my mother, then I’ve spent all my life with people only wanting me for what they could get from me. Now you’ve decided I’m worth your time because I have something you want.” She moved her purse in front of her belly like she could hide Pod’s existence.

  He took her by the elbows. “No. That’s not it. I want you, Charlie, with or without this baby.”

  More than anything in her life, she wished to believe him. But all the people who’d been so sincere and two-faced at the same time scrolled through her mind. And the way he’d dismissed their night together like it meant nothing, then when they could have been together he’d avoided her, until now—until he knew about Pod. It jacked up her suspicion of his motive.

  The promise she’d made herself and the little thing she was growing came back to her. The only people who got to be in their lives were the ones who made an effort to be there. So far, Hank didn’t fulfill that criterion. In fact, he’d done nothing but run from her. “I’m sorry, Hank. This thing, whatever it was between us, is over.”

  That door was locked.

  Desperation clawed at Hank’s mind. He had to say something to make her understand. “Charlie, I’ve screwed up, I know it, but I swear to you that I never stopped wanting to be with you.”

  A sad smile ghosted across her face. “That’s what you say, Hank. It’s not what you did. I don’t blame you for trying to save your marriage, but after it was over, you treated me like I didn’t exist. That’s where I’m having trouble reconciling your words and actions.”

  “What did you want me to? File for divorce then run to your house?” He splayed his fingers across his hip bones. “I was dealing with some shit.”

  “No, but you could’ve at least spoken to me. You certainly had no trouble getting all up in my business before you filed for divorce. You had an opinion about my clothes, choice of places to work, even who I did business with, then you and Karen break up and it’s radio silence. What am I supposed to think, Hank?”

  He’d honestly lost the ability to hear. The blood in his brain turned to ice at the reminder that she and his child were involved with Thomas Chang and Raul Perez. Dear God, how was he going to protect her if she didn’t let him into her life? He needed to regroup. If he knew one thing about Charlie, it was that once she got an idea in her head there was no changing it. She believed he only wanted her because of the baby she carried, so he’d have to prove her wrong. “I understand.”

  “What?”

  “I understand. You’re hurt, and I have some things to make right with you before you’ll give me a chance. I get it.” He moved to open her car door for her.

  “Oh.” He could see his response took some of the steam out of her tirade. She moved to the open car door, climbed inside, and placed both hands on the steering wheel.

  “Charlie.”

  “Yes?”

  Her deer-in-headlights expression made his heart hurt. This was his doing, and he had to fix it. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “This isn’t over.”

  She didn’t say anything, but he didn’t miss the goosebumps that popped up on her neck. He closed her door, and she pulled out of the parking lot. He climbed in his truck. He’d follow her home. Hell, he’d follow her anywhere.

  Now to get her to believe him.

  The streets of Zachsville were empty at this time of night, so it was easy to keep her in view without being right up on her. Somehow, he didn’t think she’d appreciate his protectiveness.

  The absolute, pure joy pumping through him at the knowledge that he was going to be a father was only dampened by the realization that the DEA had made Charlie a pawn in their case against Raul Perez. A thought occurred to him. Maybe since she was pregnant, they wouldn’t want to use her.

  He could only hope, because he had no idea how he was going to keep her out of this unless they decided she wasn’t useful to them.

  After Charlie pulled into her driveway, he drove to the next block and pulled over to send a quick text to Agent Sheridan.

  I need to speak with you. Be in Houston at ten.

  He prayed it would work.

  Chapter 37

  “I’m sorry, Hank, but Charlie Klein is still our best chance of nailing Raul Perez.” Agent Sheridan rested his butt on the front of his desk, with his legs outstretched and his hands in his pockets.

  “She’s pregnant, Sheridan.” Hank crossed his arms over his chest.

  “We know,” Agent Murphy said.

  What the hell? The DEA knew Charlie was pregnant before he did. There was something seriously wrong with that. “How do you know?”

  Murphy pulled a folder out of the satchel she always carried and handed it to him. He was beginning to hate that damn
thing. The first thing he saw was a photo of Charlie walking into the Dip N Do with a box in her hands, then another of her in front of Wardell’s house watering the flowers. In fact, the folder was full of photos of her at various places in town, including getting out of her car at the Golden Leaf Garden. His heart lodged in his throat. “When…”

  “Since you first told us about her having contact with Thomas Chang. She’s not involved, by the way,” Sheridan said.

  Annoyance at these two, but especially Murphy, looped around his vocal chords and made his words ridged. “I could’ve told you that.” He continued to flip through the folder until he saw something about her doctor. Curiosity almost had him flipping through their notes on the pregnancy, but he wanted the information to come from Charlie and not from the fuckin’ DEA. He closed the file and handed it back to Murphy.

  “Be that as it may, we prefer to do our own investigation.”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re fairly unpleasant, Agent Murphy?” There was no controlling the acid in his tone.

  She laughed. “A time or two, Sheriff Odom. A time or two.”

  How the hell did you deal with a person who so blatantly enjoyed her bad reputation? Ignore her. That was his only recourse. “Sheridan, surely there is another way to get what you need on Perez without involving a civilian, let alone a pregnant civilian. What if something happens to her or the baby?” The icicles forming on his spine sent a chill of dread through him.

  Sheridan and Murphy shared a look. Apparently, they’d considered the risk to Charlie and decided it was worth it. Damn it.

  “Hank, nothing’s going to happen to Ms. Klein, because you’re going to be there to make sure she’s okay.” Sheridan’s logical demeanor made Hank want to pop him in the mouth.

  “How exactly am I supposed to do that?” It was a legit question and one he’d been asking himself since the moment he realized that Charlie intended to do business with Perez and Thomas Chang.

  “Zachsville’s a small town. You two are old friends. Surely it won’t be hard to keep an eye on her?” Murphy said.

  He tipped his cowboy hat back. “That’s not the problem, Agent Murphy. The problem is that this woman doesn’t deserve to be used like this, and that there’s every chance this is putting her in danger. I can’t get behind that.”

  Sheridan moved behind his desk, sat, and pulled another folder from his desk drawer. “Take a look at this, Hank.”

  The file was much thicker than the one on Charlie. It was filled with photos and statistics. “What is this?”

  “This is what Raul Perez has done to the small towns in Texas that he’s infiltrated just in the last year.” Agent Sheridan adjusted his tie. “The incidence of cocaine and heroin use have gone up dramatically. It’s like a disease spreading through South Texas.”

  Hank flipped through the pages. “Some of the statistics are for kids as young as eleven.”

  “Bastards target kids specifically. Lots of freebies, or cheap drugs, until they’re hooked. It’s a lifetime client.” Disgust dripped from every word that left Murphy’s mouth.

  He thought of Lottie and the twins. Bile burned a hole in his gut. He glanced up at Sheridan. “You knew this would do it for me, didn’t you?”

  The agent shrugged. “You’re a lawman, Hank, and a damn good one too. You also have an inflated sense of right and wrong. I figured you needed to see the whole picture to make the right decision.”

  Damn him, and the horrible timing of his life. There was only one thing to do, and it wasn’t the right thing for Charlie. He’d have to make sure she was safe. He could do that. He planned to be a permanent part of her life anyway. “You should know that Charlie’s baby is mine.”

  The agents shared a shocked look. Ha! He’d finally managed to get something over on them. But there wasn’t any real satisfaction in the bomb he dropped. The whole situation sickened him.

  “Hank, I need you to tell me right now if this is going to be an issue,” Sheridan said.

  “Not at all.” The only issue it presented was that it doubled his determination to make her his.

  “What?” Agent Murphy shouted. “You’re not seriously planning to keep him involved, Jim?” Murphy was fired up. Now, there was some satisfaction in that.

  The stern glare that Sheridan gave the other agent stopped whatever she was about to say. “Julie, the way I see it we don’t really have a choice. Also, the Sheriff here has an added incentive to run this operation the best he can.” His dark eyes cut to Hank. “Isn’t that right, Hank?”

  That look communicated clearly that Hank’s job would be in the shit can if he crossed them. “Absolutely.”

  Chapter 38

  Charlie scanned the menu of El Toro Loco. She’d woken up this morning with a craving for tacos, so she’d asked Hailey if they could have Mexican food for lunch. “Lord, I’m hungry.”

  “Yeah, being pregnant will do that to a girl.” Hailey peeked her green eyes over the top of the daily specials list.

  With the prickly sting of heat crawling up her neck, Charlie knew she must look like a bloated tomato. “Yes, well…” The relief of Hank and Hailey knowing relaxed the giant knot that had taken up residence between her shoulder blades.

  “How far along are you?”

  “Almost seventeen weeks.”

  “It’s Hank’s, right?”

  The drink of water that Charlie had taken came right back out and into her napkin. “How did you know?”

  Hailey sipped her sweet tea. “Hank told me about what happened in Austin.” She gave Charlie a devilish grin. “And I’m good at math. I think it’s fantastic, by the way.” Her friend grabbed a chip and dipped it in a bowl of salsa. “Hank and Charlie back together, just like the old days, only now there’s a baby on the way.”

  Charlie took her own chip and broke it into two pieces. “There’s probably not going to be a me and Hank.”

  “Listen, I know you’re not happy with him right now, and I don’t blame you. All I’m going to say is, give him a chance.”

  “Can we not talk about him? I don’t know where he fits in mine and Pod’s lives.”

  “That’s what you’re calling the baby? It’s terrible.” She laughed.

  The chip in Charlie’s hand went flying across the table, right in Hailey’s face. “Bite your tongue. Pod is adorable. It’s short for pea pod.”

  Hailey sobered. “Honestly, how are you feeling? I was so sick with Lottie that I could barely leave the house.”

  “I’ve been pretty sick. Know what the worst smell for me is?”

  Another chip went into the salsa, and Hailey shook her head.

  “Peanuts. Specifically peanut butter, but any form of peanut is bad.”

  It was her friend’s turn to choke. “Oh, no.”

  Charlie laughed and set her menu aside. No need to look too hard, it was a taco kind of day. “I understand why you were mad. I wasn’t there for you. Haven’t been there for you. I’m so sorry.”

  “I know.” Hailey took her hand and gave her a sad smile. “I’ve missed you too.”

  Those four little words triggered an explosion of color into the drab interior of her soul. For the last eight years, everything had been about creating, cultivating, and curating Charlie Kay. From her job to her hair color, to the way she behaved and dressed. So much time spent living as a fictional character leached the pigment from real life. Ironic that after so much time in Hollywood, where everything sparkles and is done on a grand scale, her world would’ve shrunk to something so monotone and small. “I missed you so much.”

  Hailey placed her elbows on the table and folded her hands under her chin. “So have you thought of a name?”

  “No.” Charlie shook her head. “You don’t realize how many people you hate until you start trying to name a baby.”

  Hailey laughed. “Isn’t that the truth.”

  “Can I take your order?” their waiter asked.

  “Tacos. We want all the tacos.” Hailey c
losed her menu and handed it to the waiter.

  A crooked front tooth winked out from his bright smile. “Beef or chicken? Crispy or soft?”

  “We’ll do it all.” In charge, Hailey was taking control.

  “Still bossy as ever, I see.”

  Hailey laughed. “You don’t live my life and not be a little bossy. You try wrangling an almost eight-year-old and running a business by yourself.”

  She chewed on her lower lip. “You better start tutoring me, because I’m going to be doing that very thing. Well, minus the almost eight-year-old. I’m opening a shop to sell my body creams and soaps.” She couldn’t control her smile. This was what she’d always wanted. Not acting or being a star. Living in her small town and selling the things she made. The dream her grandmother planted years ago was about to come true.

  Hailey rested her elbow on the table. “Okay, tell me everything that’s going on with you and your career. Hank told me you didn’t get the job at the bar to research a role.”

  The napkin in her lap became very interesting. “No, I didn’t.”

  “Hey.” Hailey took her hand. “I’m not mad. Come to think of it, you weren’t the one to tell me that anyway—Hank was. He also told me your mom stole from you. What happened?”

  “My mom happened.” The hollow ache in the center of her body tore open. Would there ever be a time when she could say her mother’s name and not experience the sensation of a giant maw swallowing all her emotions? “She stole almost everything I had. Then she took what I’d set aside for Pops.”

  “How?” Shocked green eyes begged to understand. “I mean how is that even possible?”

  That was the multi-million-dollar question. “Because I’m an idiot. She handled all my money. When we first went to LA, I didn’t have a choice, but I didn’t change things when I turned eighteen.”

  “Why? I mean, I don’t know anything about that kind of thing, but it seems like you’d want to take control of things.”

  Charlie shrugged. “I should’ve. But things are so different in the business. I was in control of very few things, and my mom was one of them. When we first got to LA, she was overbearing, meddling, you know, like she always had been. After the money started rolling in, she got worse, but she was my mom. She’d always taken care of me. I had no reason to doubt her. Sure she was unpleasant at times, but that didn’t make her a criminal. Then two years ago she got involved with this boxer named Marco, and turned into someone I didn’t know. She changed.”