The Arizona Lawman

by Stella Bagwell

  Chapter Five

  By the time the threesome returned to the ranch house and dealt with the horses, the sun had already dipped behind the distant mountains, stretching long shadows across the patio where Tessa and Joseph sat sipping tall glasses of iced tea.

  Moments earlier, Hannah had skipped her way to the barn to search for the cats. As quietness settled over the backyard, Tessa realized it was the first time today that she’d actually been alone with Joseph.

  Since they’d taken seats in the red motel chairs, he’d removed his cowboy hat and placed it near his feet. The wind had lifted the waves of his dark hair and scattered the strands across his forehead. His strong, sexy image caused vivid memories of their kiss to parade through Tessa’s mind.

  “Tessa, I think I need to apologize to you.”

  The unexpected comment caused a wash of heat to sting her cheeks and, before she could stop herself, she blurted, “If this is about that kiss, then don’t.”

  “It’s nothing about that,” he replied. “Unless, you’re thinking I ought to apologize—for the kiss, that is.”

  As her gaze continued to slip over his tanned features, she tried to avoid his mouth. Yet the harder she tried, the more fascinated she became with the gleam of white teeth against his lips, the faint dimple coming and going near one tempting corner.

  “Um, no. I don’t think that at all,” she said awkwardly and then tried to give him a casual smile. “I’m just trying to figure out why you’d be feeling the need to apologize to me.”

  With a heavy sigh, he settled his shoulders against the back of the lawn chair.

  “It’s about...well, what Hannah was telling you earlier,” he began. “About Dad—his death and the rule about her not riding alone. If you think I sounded too curt with her, I’m sorry.”

  Surprised that he’d even brought up the subject, she shook her head. “I’m not one to be judging you. The Calhoun family have babies and younger children and I often acted as their nanny. But none of those children are as old as Hannah. So I’m hardly an expert on the best way to handle a ten-year-old girl,” she assured him. “And, anyway, I can understand the safety reasons behind the riding rule.”

  He let out another long breath then wiped a hand over his face. “That’s something else I wanted to talk with you about. It’s not just the fear of Hannah falling from her horse. Because—well, to be frank, I’ve never been convinced that Dad’s death was an accident. Neither has Blake. The rest of the family doesn’t say too much about it, but Mom expresses her doubts from time to time.”

  Stunned, she shifted around in her chair so that she was facing him and at that moment she could see dark, raw pain clouding his brown eyes.

  “Are you saying you believe...someone deliberately caused him to be hurt—killed?”

  His features as hard as granite, he nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Chilled by the notion that such an evil incident might have touched his family, her mind began to whirl with questions. “Ray must have been the sheriff at that time. How did he handle it?”

  Grimacing, he said, “He and his staff investigated every possible angle. There just wasn’t any proof that Ray could take to the DA. So, ultimately, Dad’s death was ruled an accident.”

  Frowning thoughtfully, she said, “Legally, I can see how the lack of evidence tied Ray’s hands. But what did he personally think about the case?”

  “Dad could ride the rankest of broncs. And on that particular day the horse he was on was as gentle as a lamb. Major Bob and Dad were best buddies. The brown-and-white paint would follow him around like a puppy and the miles he carried Dad over the ranch would be countless. Knowing all this, Ray figured something else had taken place. An encounter with someone that turned out deadly.”

  Just the notion of Joseph losing his father in such a horrifying and malicious way left her heart aching for him. “Oh, Joseph. It’s so horrible I...well, I don’t know what to say. Except that I’m sorry. You and your family didn’t deserve to have such a thing happen.”

  His lips twisted to a bitter slant. “An accident I could accept, Tessa. Losing your mother in a car accident was surely awful for you. But at least you know how she died and that someone didn’t deliberately kill her. With Dad—we can’t be certain. And the idea Dad’s killer might possibly be walking among us is something that’s gnawed at me for the past five years.”

  Tessa suddenly recalled telling Sam that Joseph seemed like an intense young man. Now she understood where some of that intensity was coming from.

  “Is your dad the reason you became a deputy?” she asked curiously. “To go after the person responsible for his death?”

  He shook his head. “No. I was already in training before Dad died. My uncle Gil, Dad’s brother, is a law officer down in Tucson. He had a big influence on me. So did Ray. I’d always liked the idea of serving my community and making it a safer place for everyone.”

  “What did your father think about your job choice?”

  He shrugged. “I think a part of him was disappointed that I wanted to do something outside the ranch. But he supported me. He was the type of father who encouraged his kids to follow their dreams.”

  She sighed. “You’re lucky to have had a father like that, Joseph. Even just for a while. I often think if my father had lived, I might be a different woman now. But that’s something I’ll never know.” She slanted him an empathetic look. “I hope someday you’ll unearth the truth about your father’s death. Five years is a long time. Have you found any clues as to what might have happened?”

  “Unfortunately no. Blake and I still go out and search around the spot on the ranch where Dad’s body was discovered. But we’ve never found anything helpful. The problem is compounded by the fact that we can only guess how far Major Bob had traveled with Dad hanging in the stirrup. It could’ve been miles. The horse was smart. He knew Dad needed help and he knew he had to get both of them home. And they weren’t that far from the ranch yard when some of the hands spotted the horse with Dad dragging beneath him.”

  Tessa outwardly shivered at the horrific image. “I take it that your father had gone out riding alone that day.”

  He nodded glumly. “That was nothing unusual. Dad liked to ride alone and gather his thoughts. Especially when things were hectic. That day he’d gone out to check a water pump. Or so he told Holt. I’ve often wondered...” He paused then leveled a pointed look at her. “If I tell you something, Tessa, will you promise not to repeat it to anyone? Not even Sam?”

  She tried not to look surprised. “Of course, I promise,” she assured him. “Whatever you tell me will remain with me.”

  He raked fingers through his hair, then glanced out to the barn as though he needed to make sure Hannah was still out of earshot. At the moment the girl was sitting on a hay bale near the open doors with both cats vying for a position on her lap.

  When his gaze swung back to Tessa, he said, “This is something I’ve not told anyone. Not even my family. I’ve kept it to myself because—I’ve been afraid it would do more harm than good.”

  The closeness she’d felt to Joseph this afternoon as they’d cantered to the river suddenly took on a far more personal meaning. He trusted her enough to share private details of his family life with her and that notion touched her deeply.

  “I’m guessing this is about your father’s death?”

  He nodded. “It’s something Ray told me not long before he died.”

  Confused by the mention of Ray, she said, “I thought Ray had been retired for a few years before he died.”

  “Even without a badge on his chest, Ray never truly quit being a lawman. All those years, he continued to work on Dad’s case. Ruling it as an accident really frustrated him. He wanted closure for Dad and himself—for all of us. Not long before Ray died, he suggested to me that he was getting close to solving the
mystery. Naturally, I pressed him for details, but he refused to say much. Except that he believed a woman had some sort of connection to Dad’s death.”

  Totally shocked now, Tessa’s jaw dropped. “A woman! Who? What did she have to do with your father?”

  His sigh was heavy with frustration. “Ray wouldn’t explain. Except to say that she was acquainted with Dad somehow and that she lived in Tucson. At least, at that time, she lived there. By now, it’s anybody’s guess where she might be.”

  Tessa looked at him and wondered how he’d lived all these years with such uncertainties. Only a few weeks had passed since she’d found out about her inheritance and the questions surrounding it continued to torment her. She couldn’t imagine going for years without having answers.

  “Oh, Joseph, why did Ray throw you just enough tidbits to have you wondering? He clearly recognized he was dying. Why didn’t he share his whole theory on the matter with you while he was still alive?”

  He shrugged. “He was waiting to gather more evidence before he laid everything out to us. See, Ray was very protective of Mom and didn’t want to cause her any unnecessary grief. Not without definite proof.”

  “I see. So we can assume the trail he was on never developed into anything. Is that what you think?”

  A grimace marred his forehead. “Hard to say. His health took a sudden turn for the worse and before I had a chance to press him on the matter, he was on a life support machine and unable to talk.”

  Her heart was suddenly aching for the heavy load Joseph had been carrying around. “And all this time you’ve not said anything to your family because you wanted to protect your mother, too,” she said gently.

  “Mom has already been through so much grief. If I find something concrete to go with Ray’s assumption, then that’s another matter. I’ll have to reveal it to the family. But I’ll tell you this, Tessa, Dad wasn’t a womanizer. He would’ve never betrayed Mom.”

  Instinctively she reached over and rested her hand on his forearm. “After meeting your mother and most of your family I can only imagine how hard this is for you—dealing with all the doubts and questions surrounding your father. But I trust your judgment on the matter, Joseph. I also happen to believe you’ll solve the mystery someday.”

  Smiling, he reached over and placed his hand over hers. The intimate contact was warm and comforting, yet also terribly exciting and she couldn’t stop her heart from thumping with crazy pleasure.

  “Thanks, Tessa,” he said quietly. “And I think I ought to apologize—again. Here I am talking about finding the truth about Dad when you have all sorts of questions about Ray and his will.”

  She shook her head. “My mystery can hardly be compared to yours, Joseph. I was given a huge gift. You had something very precious taken away.”

  “Yes. But you need answers, too. Just like I do.”

  She said, “I admit I’m having trouble getting the whole thing off my mind. Every morning I wake up I look around at this beautiful land and nice home and it’s like I’m living in a dreamworld. Without knowing Ray’s reasons behind his gift, none of it seems real somehow.”

  His hand tightened slightly over hers and she was forced to look away before he could see just how strongly his touch was affecting her.

  “Maybe you’re just having a hard time accepting the idea that you’re deserving of Ray’s lifelong savings.”

  “I am having a hard time accepting the notion,” she agreed. “These past few days since I saw you at Three Rivers, I’ve been trying to decide whether I should ask a favor of you.”

  She could feel his brown eyes searching the side of her face and the sensation left her with the urge to squirm upon the seat of the lawn chair.

  “Why would you hesitate to ask me for a favor?” he asked.

  She pulled her gaze away from Hannah and the cats to settle it back on him. “Well, um, I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong idea. I mean, that I was using you—or maybe chasing after you.” Her face reddened as she said the last words, but he didn’t seem to notice. Or if he did, he was kind enough not to point it out.

  “What is this favor?”

  “Help me find the answers to Ray’s will—my connection to him. You’re a deputy and, I hope, my friend. You’re the only person I know of who might be able to unearth the truth.”

  “Ah, the truth,” he said softly. “Seems like we’re both searching for that.”

  She nervously licked her lips and wondered how much longer he was going to leave his hand on top of hers. The touch was growing hotter by the minute. Pretty soon she was going to self-combust.

  “Well, I don’t want to put you on the spot, but I’ve been thinking some of the people who worked under Ray might still be working there with you. There’s a chance, although I admit a slim one, that they might have heard Ray mention me or know how he might be connected to me or my family.”

  He finally pulled his hand away from hers and though Tessa felt a measure of relief, she also felt bereft that the warm connection was gone.

  “You’re not putting me on the spot,” he told her. There are a few guys still on the force that worked under Ray. And also a secretary who worked with him for years. I’ll ask around. See if they know anything.”

  Tessa gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Joseph. I realize it’s a long shot, but I’ve been trying to think of every possibility. You’re probably going to laugh at this suggestion, but I’ve even considered the idea that Ray might’ve somehow known my father, Asa—years ago when they were both still living.”

  An uncomfortable expression suddenly came over his face. “That theory crossed my mind. I’ve also wondered if you might have been related to Ray—closely related.”

  Her mouth went dry. Her heart drummed loudly in her ears. Even though that very same thought had crept through her mind, just hearing Joseph say it out loud was enough to jolt her.

  “You mean—as in father and daughter?”

  Suddenly he was squatting on his heels in front of her chair and his hands were curling tightly around hers, as though he already knew she desperately needed his support. “Tessa, tell me, do you think there’s a chance your mother might’ve known Ray?”

  Incredible thoughts tumbled through her mind as she lifted her gaze to his.

  “The notion seems far-fetched, but I have considered it,” she admitted. “Still, knowing my mother, it just couldn’t be true.”

  “Why? It’s possible there was another part of your mother’s life she didn’t tell you about—before she met Asa Parker?”

  If his suggestion were true, then her family had never been what she’d always believed it to be. And that idea tilted her very world.

  Groaning with dismay, she said, “Ray couldn’t have been my father—or uncle or...well, anything. I have my birth certificate. I even have my parents’ marriage license. His name was Asa Parker. And believe me, Joseph, when my mother talked about the man, you could see genuine love shining in her eyes. I have no doubts he was my father.”

  He studied her thoughtfully. “You told me your father died before you were born. Do you have any photos of him here with you?”

  “Two. They were taken when my parents got married in Las Vegas. Unfortunately the quality is poor. But to me, Asa Parker doesn’t look like a younger version of Ray Maddox.”

  “You’ve never seen either man,” he noted. “I’d like to look for myself.”

  He helped her to her feet and Tessa instinctively glanced toward the barn.

  “What about Hannah? She might come back to the patio and miss us. And it’s going to be dark soon. You should probably be saddling up.”

  With a wry smile, he urged her toward the back entrance of the house. “Trust me, Hannah isn’t shy. If she wants to, she’ll come in and find us. And the horses can easily see their way home in the dark.”

  With that sett
led, they entered the house. When they reached the living room, Tessa said, “Have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Ray’s album is on the coffee table if you want to take a look. I’ll go fetch the photos from my bedroom.”

  Moments later she returned with a pair of small snapshots to find Joseph sitting on the couch, pouring through the photo album. As Tessa approached him, he smiled and, in that moment, she realized she’d come to trust this man with her family history. But that didn’t mean she should trust him with her heart. No, that was a whole other matter. She desperately needed to remember that.

  Easing down next to him, she handed him the photos. “I recall Mom telling me these were taken with one of those disposable cameras that were popular back in those days. Let’s see, that would’ve been January of 1994. I was born the first of September.”

  Bending his head, he carefully studied the images. “They are terribly grainy,” he said. “The developer must have done a crummy job.”

  “I’m guessing that particular wedding chapel didn’t have a photographer. Or if it did, my parents couldn’t afford the services. At that time she worked as a file clerk for a tire company and my father did day work.”

  He glanced up and Tessa was instantly overcome by the few scant inches between their faces. It was hardly enough space to allow her to breathe. But what did breathing matter when all she wanted was to lean into him and feel his lips on hers? Had she lost her mind or just now found it?

  He asked, “You mean day work on ranches? He was a cowboy?”

  Oh, mercy, his skin smelled like a man touched with sage and sunshine. The unique scent pulled on her senses.

  Clearing her throat, she said, “That’s what Mom always told me. Although she never said where. Now that I think back on it, whenever she talked about my father, it was usually about his character. Not the details of where he came from or anything about his family.”

  “Hmm. You didn’t ever find that strange?”

  Looking away from him, she nervously licked at the prickly sensation dancing across her lips.

  “Not when I was small. Though, whenever I grew old enough to understand, I decided it was very strange. But my mother was so good to me and I could see that talking about Dad made her very emotional and sad. Digging at her wouldn’t bring my father back to us. So I didn’t see the point in badgering her with questions.”