by Linda Warren
Nov 12—When I got home today, Pa hollered for me to come into the den. His belt was wrapped around his hand and he was so angry the veins in his neck were about to pop through the skin. Before I could run, he hit me across the chest with the belt. It stung like hell. He yelled that he’d told me to stay away from that girl and now he was going to teach me to follow orders. This time I caught the belt and jerked it out of his hand. I don’t know what would have happened next ’cause Beth came in and I got the hell out of there.
Carson flipped through the pages as he read more about Jena and Jared’s developing relationship. And Jared’s tumultuous life with Asa.
Dec 18—Carson’s home for two weeks. Pa’s chewing on his ass now. I get a break for two whole weeks. Best Christmas gift I ever got.
Jan 1—Spent New Year’s Eve with Jena. We went into Austin, saw a movie and had dinner. After that, we went to a fireworks display in a park. At the stroke of midnight we kissed. It blew my mind. She was scared; I could tell. I told her I wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to.
Jan 5—Something good and something bad happened today. Trying to wrap my head around it. I went to Jena’s to see why she wasn’t in school. She wouldn’t come out, so I kept banging on the door. That was probably rude but I didn’t think about that then. She finally came out. One eye was bruised and her jaw was blue. Her father had beaten her. I was so angry I wanted to kill him.
I talked her into coming with me, and I drove to the Willow Creek bridge crossing. We talked about our lousy fathers and then she cried. I didn’t know what to do, so I just held her. We started kissing, and, I still can’t believe it, we had sex in my truck. It was her first time and she was quiet on the way home. That was bad. I didn’t know how to make things right again.
Jan 18—Jena’s avoiding me in school. I ruined the best thing in my life.
Jan 20—Pa’s on my case again. Said he told Carson he was giving me the ranch and I should learn the business end from Roland. Yeah, like I want to spend time with that jerk. Like Carson, I’ll be gone as soon as I get my diploma. Pa doesn’t need to know that, though.
Jan 31—Jena met me in the hall at school and said she needed to talk to me. I took her home and she said she thought she was pregnant. For a split second I felt as if my life was over. Pa was going to kill me. Don’t know why I thought of him. Guess I was in shock. Jena quickly told me she didn’t expect anything from me. She just wanted me to know. I told her, feeling grown-up, I would take care of her and the baby. She told me to get lost. Man, I screwed up bad.
Feb 5—My head is finally on straight, and Jena and I had a good talk. I like Jena, but I don’t know if I love her. Not sure if I even know what love is, but I told Jena we could learn to love together. I asked her to marry me. Took a solid week before she agreed.
Entries from February through July were things Jena had already told him as they planned their life together. This wasn’t the type of information Carson was looking for, and he felt guilty reading about their relationship. But he already knew most of it. Two kids facing grown-up problems and doing their best to do the right thing.
The young girl in the journal was so different than the woman he knew. She was now mature, confident and able to handle life. The journal made him see how vulnerable and insecure she was as a teenager. And it made him understand why it took her nine years to come back. She was really afraid Asa would kill the two people she loved if she ever returned to Willow Creek.
The Aug 3 entry caught his eye—I’ve been working my ass off trying to make Pa believe I’m going to run the ranch. But something is wrong. A lot of equipment is missing. I asked Roland about it and he said the equipment was in the shop. Asa liked everything in top shape. I don’t believe that. I thought Pa was running the ranch, but Roland seems to handle everything. Going through the Bar C checkbook, I found out why. Pa pays for an apartment in Austin for Tanya LeBeck. That’s where Pa spends all his time. Wonder if I should send her a thank-you card. Ha!
Aug 10—Two drawers are locked in the office and I asked Pa if he had a key. He did. Roland and Curly were out and I wanted to see what was in there. I couldn’t believe it. Roland has two sets of books; one for the Bar C and one for himself. The man is embezzling money from the ranch! I took photos of the books with my camera and locked the drawers. Carson’s coming home for the birth of his son and I’ll send the shots to him once he’s here. Sorry, bro, but I have to go.
Aug 21—Confronted Roland today. Didn’t mean to. He just got under my skin. I informed him I knew he was funneling ranch money into his private account. If he didn’t put the money back, I was calling the sheriff and telling Pa. He tried to scare me, but I held my ground. I gave him twenty-four hours. That’s all the time I have because Jena and I are leaving on the 23rd. We want to be settled before the baby arrives.
The entry ended the page and Carson forced himself to flip to the next note. Aug 22 was written in bold letters, or maybe they seemed to stand out for Carson. It was the day Jared was murdered.
I met Roland at the barn and he said he’d transferred the money and wanted to give me the paper work. I held out my hand, but I should have known there was a catch. He said he had to get the papers from the bank and he wanted to meet later on County Road 246. I told him I’d meet him back at the barn, but he was afraid Asa would get suspicious. Since I was leaving early in the morning, I decided to get it over with. I’ll leave the paper work with Beth to give to Carson. He’ll take care of everything. ’Bye, big brother. I’ll call. Just don’t tell Pa.
Carson touched the page. “’Bye, li’l brother.”
He closed the book and felt numb. It had been a trap. The minute Jared had stepped out of his truck Roland had shot him—with Lamar’s shotgun, which he’d probably stolen when Lamar was drunk.
Son of a bitch! He’d never put the embezzlement and the murders together. Why hadn’t he seen the connection? Roland was slick. He’d covered his tracks and spread rumors about Jena and Lamar, and no one ever questioned them. Carson certainly hadn’t.
He slipped the book into his nightstand. All these years he’d wondered what had happened that night. Now he knew. His heart slammed against his ribs in anger. Roland was going to pay for what he’d done. Jared had left a trail of evidence that was hard to dispute. He ran his hands over his face, plotting his next move.
But first he had to tell Jena.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CARSON THOUGHT HE wouldn’t sleep, but Claire woke him up at 5:30 a.m. “Daddy, it’s time to get up.”
“It’s too early,” he mumbled groggily.
“But I want to play.”
“Go back to sleep.” She crawled in beside him and Trey crawled in on the other side. “Why is it I can barely get you two up during the school year, but during the summer you’re up before the sun?”
“Don’t know,” Trey said and before long they drifted off, as did Carson.
The next time he looked at the clock it was six-thirty. As soon as he moved, the kids woke up.
“Let’s go see if Aunt Fran will make us pancakes.” Trey jumped out of bed and Claire followed him out the door.
Carson groaned and sat on the side of the bed. It was morning and he had a clearer picture of what he needed to do. Had to do. He opened the drawer and pulled out the journal.
“Jared, I think you hid this for a reason. You wanted me to find it. I know you had no idea you were going to be killed, but in a psychic sort of way you left clues. I just hate that it took me this long to find them. I also know you’d want me to do the right thing—for Jena. Not sure how to handle Pa. Because of his health I’ll have to be careful. But he’s clinging to a powerful secret that has to be told.”
He dressed and went downstairs to his study, placing the journal on his desk. In the kitchen, the kids were stuffing pancakes into their mouths.
“Would you like a couple of pancakes?” Aunt Fran asked.
“No, thanks. Just a mug of coffee.” As he poured it, a knock sounded at the back door and Ethan walked in.
“Mornin’, all.”
“Is Kelsey back?” Trey asked.
“Yep, they got back last night,” Ethan replied and then looked at Carson. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” Carson poured another mug and they walked to his study. He, Levi and Ethan had an uncanny connection. Ever since they were boys, they seemed to know when one of them was in trouble. And Carson needed a friend to talk to today.
“What’s up?” Carson asked as they took seats, Carson behind his desk and Ethan in a leather wingback chair.
“We’re taking Kelsey to see a Texas Rangers’ game at the end of the week. I thought Trey might like to go.”
“Who’s we? You and Walt?”
“The whole family, including Dad.”
“You do know I have two kids? If Trey goes and Claire can’t, I’ll have one sad little girl on my hands.”
Ethan took a sip of his coffee. “Since we know Chloe will be miserable, Abby’s been trying to talk her into staying with her grandma and grandpa, but that’s not going over very well. So taking Claire will solve the problem. The separated-at-birth twins can entertain each other.”
“It’s uncanny how much they look and act alike.”
“Yeah, if I didn’t know better I’d say Abby’s ex had an affair with Beth.”
Carson ran his hands over his face.
“Hey, man, I was joking.”
“What?” Carson blinked, lost in his own inner thoughts. “Oh, I know you were.”
“What’s wrong?”
Carson told his friend what had been happening lately and about Jared’s journal and what was in it.
Ethan placed his mug on the desk. “So Roland shot Jared and framed Lamar?”
“It doesn’t say that. Jared just says who he was going to meet that day on County Road 246, but it doesn’t take much to figure out the rest.”
“And my cop instincts tell me Roland waited for Lamar that morning and shot him, too. He got rid of the shotgun, making sure it wasn’t Asa’s because that was his gravy train.”
“That’s my guess. I’m going to make an appointment to see the sheriff today. This case has to be reopened. Lamar didn’t kill Jared and I have to be pretty persuasive to convince the sheriff and the district attorney of that.”
“You shouldn’t have a problem. It’s just going to take time.”
“Yeah.” He sighed deeply. “I have to tell Jena first.”
Ethan frowned.
“What?”
“The way you said her name.”
“So?”
“As if you have feelings for her.”
Carson couldn’t deny that. “Okay, I like her. She doesn’t deserve what happened to her. And she deserves to know what happened to her child.”
“Man, this is as complicated as it gets.”
“I know. I have to read Jared’s journal to Pa, and it’s either going to cause him to have another stroke or a major heart attack. But he’s the only one who knows what happened to the baby.”
“Well, now—” Ethan rubbed his hands together “—Roland might know. He did all your dad’s dirty work.”
“Mmm. A lot more might be uncovered before this is over.”
Ethan got to his feet. “I have to get to work. If you need any help, just let me know.”
“Everybody in this town branded Lamar a murderer and never questioned it. They believed all of Roland’s lies about Jena. Sad to say, I bought into it, too. I believed the rumors.”
“Don’t beat yourself up.”
“I’m going to make sure justice is done this time.”
They walked to the door, and Ethan patted Carson’s shoulder. “Take it slow, my friend. Take it slow.”
* * *
CARSON SPENT THE next thirty minutes scanning pages from the journal. If he had to turn it over to the sheriff and the D.A., he wanted to make sure he had a copy just in case it turned up missing. He dug out his leather briefcase and slipped the journal inside.
Evidently the kids were through with breakfast. He could hear them playing in the den.
“Not too loud, guys,” he said on his way to the kitchen. They followed like little puppies. “Aunt Fran, I have some police work to do. Do you think you could watch the kids?”
She turned from putting dishes in the dishwasher. “The therapist is coming, and he’ll work with Asa most of the morning. Then Asa will be tired and sleep. The kids and I might go for a walk.”
He looked down into two smiling faces he loved. “You know the rules. You have to mind Aunt Fran.”
Trey nodded. “We know.”
“Son, you might clean up your rod and reel and see if it still works. It might need new line, too. Look in my tackle box.”
“I’ll help him,” Aunt Fran offered.
“You know how to put line on a rod and reel?” Trey was clearly surprised.
“Sure do. Caught many a fish in my day.”
“Wow.” Trey was impressed.
“Go upstairs and get dressed.”
“My hair, Daddy.” Claire held out her tangled tresses.
“Go.” Aunt Fran pushed him toward the door. “I’ll get them dressed and brush Claire’s hair this one time, but I’m not doing any braiding.”
He kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Aunt Fran.” Going out the door, he knew he’d have to tell his aunt about the journal. But right now Jena was his top priority.
* * *
“WHAT AM I going to do?” Hilary wailed as they finished cleaning the kitchen after breakfast.
“You’ll find another job,” Jena told her.
“Not one where I can run home and check on Mama.”
“Do you want to go back to the café?”
“Hell, no.” Hilary flopped into a chair. “I’ve finally found my pride.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Say that in about a month when we have nothing to eat.”
Jena shook her head. “I’ll get a pen and paper and we’ll go over expenses and figure out a way to survive.”
“Oh, great, nothing like knowing how really poor we are.”
“Will you stop it. I—” A knock sounded at the door, cutting Jena off. “I’ll get it.
“Hi, Billy Jack,” she said, opening the door.
“Hilary’s not at the café. They said she quit.”
“You bet I did.” Hil spoke from behind her. “You were right. I should have asserted myself before now.”
“Hot damn, Boots. It’s about time, and in case you’re wondering, it’s a mess down there. The coffee isn’t fit to drink, and Bea is so slow filling orders everyone is walking out.”
Hil slid her hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “They’ll hire a cook.”
“Not for minimum wage.” Billy Jack chuckled. “Talk to you later. Just wanted to check on you.”
As Jena closed the door, Hil said, “I feel kind of guilty. Everyone depends on me for breakfast before they go to work.”
“Oh, please.” Jena’s cell buzzed, preventing her from saying anything else. She ran to the bedroom to get her phone. It was Carson. She sat on the bed. Her heart raced, she had a ridiculous urge to smile and for a split second that euphoric feeling she called happiness bubbled inside her.
Even though she’d had misgivings, she had a wonderful time yesterday. She’d gone to sleep with a smile on her face. His kids were adorable. Trey was a tough little guy, and Claire was a cutie. They were easy to... No, she wouldn’t think that word. She couldn’t ignore all the obstacles between them.
An
d he was waiting.
“Hi, Carson.”
“I’m at the office. Do you have some time this morning?” He sounded stressed.
“Uh...Hilary quit her job and she’s having a major meltdown, so I really need to be here.”
“I wondered what was going on over at the café. A lot of trucks are burning rubber as they leave. I’ll have to go over there if it doesn’t stop.”
“Billy Jack came by. Seems everyone is upset.” There was silence for a moment. “Is the reason you want to see me important?” she finally asked.
“Yes.”
“Is it about the baby?”
“It’s connected to the baby.”
“I’ll be right there.” Nothing was as important as the search for her child. Her hands shook as she slipped on sandals. Any information was important, which was what she told Hil as she rushed out the door. Hil understood.
She made it in record time. Carson sat at his desk with a somber expression, so unlike yesterday. A tremble ran through her as she took a seat.
“What is it?”
“I got into Jared’s room last night.”
“Oh.”
“Did you know Jared wrote in a journal?”
“Uh...no. He never mentioned that.”
“He started when he was about ten or eleven. Aunt Fran started traveling about that time, and Pa was even harder to deal with. Jared wrote about his feelings or sometimes just what happened on a certain day. He didn’t do it every day, only when he was stressed. It helped him to cope.”
“You found his journal?” she asked, knowing that had to be the reason he’d called.
“I found several of them, along with the marriage license and paper work and a receipt for an apartment in Austin.”
She brushed a speck from her shorts. “It was a one-room efficiency. The sofa made into a bed. I didn’t know where we were going to put a crib, but Jared said we’d figure it out. It really didn’t matter. I just wanted to be away from the prying eyes of the people of Willow Creek.” She bit her lip, refusing to let memories take over. “Did you find anything else?”
“Like I said, I found his journals, but the last year of his life was missing. I thought that was odd since his last year was stressful and I’m sure he would have written something down. I searched everywhere and couldn’t find it. As I was leaving the room an odd sensation came over me and I looked back. I saw a shadow on the bed. It was coming from the light fixture, and that’s when I saw it. The journal was tucked inside the light fixture.”
