Читать книгу A Texas Child - Linda Warren, Linda Warren - Страница 10

CHAPTER TWO

MYRA WAS FURIOUS and she had to let off some steam. The only way to do that was to talk to Jessie, who understood her better than anyone. Myra had never told her why she and Levi had broken up. There was a reason for that. She wasn’t sure her friend would understand.

Jessie firmly believed in love and everything it encompassed, so how did Myra explain to her that she’d screwed up? Myra was angry enough to lay it all on the line this time and be honest. Mainly because Jessie would love her no matter what. She was that type of person.

Jessie was the motherless daughter of Roscoe Murdoch, the oil tycoon. When Roscoe’s niece had been kidnapped and murdered, he became paranoid about Jessie’s safety. He’d hired guards to watch over her, and Rosa and Felipe Delgado to care for her. Myra was two years older than Jessie and they’d grown up as best friends in the Murdoch household.

Since Jessie was guarded twenty-four hours a day, her life was a living hell. She rebelled numerous times, but Roscoe was always in control. Jessie gained her freedom the day Roscoe passed away. She fired the guards and went after what she wanted out of life—a man named Cadde Hardin. She was now happily married and living in High Cotton, Texas.

Myra set the GPS for the small town and sped down U.S. 290. When Jessie had lived in Houston, they saw each other all the time. But since she lived so far away now and had two babies, they had to make time for those special occasions.

As Myra drove, she thought of her next course of action. She wasn’t giving up. She’d promised Stu she’d do everything she could to bring the baby home and she intended to do that with or without Levi. Like he’d said, there were other investigators and she just had to find a capable one.

The urge to pull the car over and have a pity cry was strong, but she was stronger. She didn’t do the weak female crying bit. But, oh, God, she wanted to. However, she wouldn’t waste one more tear on Levi Coyote.

She’d never dreamed it would be so hard to see him again and to reexperience all the anger he still carried from her betrayal. It was time to let it go—for good. There was no going back and there was no more apologizing. She had begged Levi for the last time.

Taking the cutoff to the county road that ran through High Cotton, she soon pulled into the driveway of the two-story colonial. Jessie’s Suburban was in the garage, so Myra knew she was home. She glanced toward the house a short distance away. Cadde had built Myra’s parents their own home as a way to repay their service over the years. They wanted to be close to Jessie because they loved her and had taken care of her for more than twenty years.

Myra didn’t see her dad’s truck. That meant they were out. She was hoping to see them, but considering her state of mind, it probably was best if she didn’t. Her mother had a knack for ferreting out her moods as if she were five years old.

The back door was open, so she went inside. Childish giggles and laughter echoed through the house. “Jessie,” she called.

“We’re in the den,” her friend shouted back.

Jessie sat on the floor playing with four little kids, three boys and one girl. Jessie’s hair was in a ponytail and her eyes were bright with happiness.

“Hey, friend, what are you doing out this way?”

Myra squeezed into the little group on the floor. “I was out this way and thought I’d drop in. You know, unannounced, like my mama told me never to do.”

Jessie hugged her. “I’m glad you did.”

Myra looked at the shining little faces. Jacob, who was two and a half, toddled over to her and plopped into her lap. She hugged him a little tighter than she should have because she needed to feel loved today. Cadde Thomas, twelve months younger than his brother, also fell into her lap and she held them close.

“I think they remember me.”

“Of course they do.” Jessie reached over and kissed her sons. “They know Auntie My.”

Myra glanced at the other two children. “Are you running a kiddie day care now?”

“No.” Jessie poked her in the ribs. “There’s a problem with the oil well on the property. They’re fracking it or something, and the Hardin boys of Shilah Oil are keeping a close eye on it. You know how Cadde and his brothers are about the oil business. They have to personally supervise everything.”

Cadde had worked for Roscoe for years, and on his deathbed Roscoe had made a deal with Cadde: marry my daughter and keep her safe and I’ll give you half of my oil company. It was a dream come true for Cadde and he gladly took the offer. He just didn’t know that Jessie had put her father up to it because she’d been in love with Cadde since the first moment she’d met him. Luckily, it had all worked out, but not without a lot of heartache and pain. Myra wondered if real love had to be tested first, put through the bowels of hell before it could survive.

“That’s Cody,” Jessie was saying, “Chance and Shay’s son, and the blonde cutie is Carly, Kid and Lucky’s daughter.”

“She’s adorable.” Blond curls covered her head and a pink bow was clipped to the side.

The back door opened and Myra heard a rumble of deep voices.

The three boys jumped to their feet. “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” they chorused, and took off running for the kitchen.

Carly stood up and Myra was surprised. She didn’t think the little girl was old enough to walk. Cadde and Chance came into the den with their sons in their arms. Carly looked past them, her bottom lip trembling, and fat tears rolled from her eyes.

Jessie immediately gathered her into her arms. “Sweetie, Daddy’s coming.”

Kid burst through the door about that time. “Hey, what’s wrong with my baby?”

Carly smiled, slipped from Jessie’s arms and waddled to her father. Kid scooped her into his arms and everyone was happy.

Myra and Jessie got to their feet. Jessie hugged her husband and her boys and she seemed to melt right into them. It was clear how much love they shared, and it made Myra very aware that there was real love in the world. Jessie had been lucky enough to find it. For Myra, that would never happen, which made her a little sad. But only for a moment.

“Hello, Hardin boys,” Myra said with her hands on her hips.

“The wicked lady’s back,” Kid quipped.

“You better believe it.”

Kid grinned. “Always a pleasure, but I’ve got to run. We’re meeting Lucky for lunch and that’s a big part of our day.”

“Me, too,” Chance added. “Nice seeing you, Myra.”

“I’ll take the boys outside so you two can visit,” Cadde offered.

“Thanks, honey.”

Myra and Jessie sank onto the sofa. “What’s wrong?” Jessie asked.

Myra made herself comfortable. “Why do you think something’s wrong?”

Jessie sat cross-legged in shorts and a tank top. “Because you’re here in the middle of the day when you should be at work. And you look a little stressed.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re beautiful when you’re stressed.”

“I saw Levi today,” Myra blurted out.

“Levi Coyote?”

“Yes. There’s only one Levi.”

“I always loved his name. He was just so big and strong and indestructible and I liked to see him smile. He reminds me a lot of Cadde. You know, tough and unbending. It takes a woman to soften them up.”

“Levi’s found someone to soften him up. He’s getting married.”

“That bothers you?”

“I... No.”

“I think it does.” Jessie touched her arm. “Tell me why you saw Levi today after all this time.”

“You remember I told you about Natalie.”

“Yes, how is she?”

“Still in a coma and the police haven’t been able to locate the boyfriend or the baby.”

“How sad.”

“Stu, her father, and I had this insane idea that Levi would be able to find them.”

“So you asked him?”

Myra took a breath. “Yes, and the response was a big no with capital letters and an exclamation point.”

She could feel Jessie’s eyes on her.

“You never told me why you and Levi broke up. At the time, you said you didn’t want to talk about it. Do you want to talk about it now?”

Myra stood up. She couldn’t remain still any longer. “I didn’t tell you because I knew if I did you would look at me differently.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’d think I was a horrible person.”

“Not likely.” Jessie lifted an eyebrow. “Nothing on this earth will ever change my opinion of you. You were the only bright spot in my dismal childhood and I know you as well as I know myself. If you did something you’re not proud of, then it was just a bad choice.”

Awkward silence followed and that was new for them. They could always talk about anything.

“Tell me what happened,” Jessie said softly.

Myra resumed her seat on the sofa and gathered her thoughts and courage. “You remember when that serial rapist was released from prison and, a week later, he followed a mother and her sixteen-year-old daughter home from the mall?”

“Yes. Levi was involved. The story was everywhere, but I don’t remember much of the details.”

“A neighbor was looking out her window when the guy forced them inside the house with a gun. She called 9-1-1. Levi was in the area and the first to respond. He was ordered to stand down until the situation was assessed, but as soon as Levi heard who the truck in the driveway belonged to, he knew the man was dangerous. He’d arrested him before. He parked down the street, out of sight, and walked to the house. Hearing a scream coming from the upstairs, he acted quickly, disobeying a direct order.

“He got in through one of the downstairs windows. The father had been shot in the living room. The screams and sobbing continued as Levi made his way to one of the bedrooms. The mother was tied up and the guy was ripping clothes off the teenager. His gun lay on the carpet. Levi burst in and the guy immediately went for his gun. Levi shot him.”

“I remember Levi received an accommodation for his bravery.”

“Not at first. He was immediately suspended for disobeying a direct order. But the father survived, and when he heard what had happened, he was livid that Levi had been suspended for saving his wife and daughter. He had political connections, and once he got through making phone calls, the suspension was lifted immediately and the accommodation awarded.”

“I don’t understand what this has to do with you and Levi.” Jessie’s face scrunched into a frown.

Myra wrapped her arms around her waist as if to ward off what she had to say, but she had to tell Jessie. She had to tell someone.

“Before the father woke up, the cops and detectives were all behind Levi, especially Stu, who was assistant police chief, and they supported his choice to go into that house against a direct order. They got a petition going so everyone could sign to show their support, and it was to be given to the chief of police and higher-ups.”

“Oh, Myra.” Jessie placed her hands over her mouth. “You didn’t sign it, did you?”

“No.” It came out as a moan. She rested her head on the sofa and covered her face with her hands. “The D.A. hadn’t signed it and I didn’t know what my position was supposed to be. Can you believe that? I was afraid of losing my job and, in the end, I lost something much more important. When Levi saw my name wasn’t on the petition, he came to my office and said, ‘You didn’t sign it,’ and I had to say no. He walked out without another word. His things were gone from my apartment that afternoon and I never spoke to him again...until today.”

“My—”

“Wait, that’s not quite true. I met him in the hall a couple of times and told him how sorry I was. He walked away without a word.” She drew a long breath. “Now you can tell me what a horrible self-centered bitch I am.”

“I will do no such thing.” Jessie scooted closer and hugged her. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but no one is perfect and—”

Myra sprang to her feet. “Don’t do that, Jessie.”

“What?”

“Be understanding and nice. I need you to be angry with me.”

Jessie shrugged. “Sorry. Not gonna happen.”

Myra paced. “When he walked into my office looking so hurt and disillusioned, I knew I’d screwed up so bad I could never make it right. I don’t understand why I let him down so badly. I’ve never been afraid to speak up for what I believe in, and that day, it seemed like another person had taken over my body and my thoughts.”

“It was your first big job and you had to go through several interviews before they hired you. Since you’re a Mexican-American woman, you were afraid they wouldn’t hire you. Which was totally ridiculous, I have to say. But they did and you worked hard to prove yourself, learning all you could to be part of the team. You were very young and that job was important to you.”

“But it shouldn’t have been as important as Levi.”

“Maybe. But, in my opinion, you were trying to follow the rules for your department and you weren’t sure what those were concerning a signed petition to support a cop whom you were dating. Why would you need to sign it?”

“What?”

“What weight would your signature carry? After all, your support should be understood and they shouldn’t have asked you to sign in the first place. So, please, stop beating yourself up. If Levi was the man for you, you’d be together. Just let it go, My. And now how about some chocolate? I got chocolate. That cures everything.”

Myra smiled. “I knew I needed to see you. You always make me feel better.” Arm in arm, they walked into the kitchen. They sat at the large island eating Truman Chocolates and Myra felt as if the world had been lifted off her shoulders.

Almost. There was something Myra had left out, but she just might keep that secret forever. No need to bare her soul. In her heart, she knew Jessie would understand, as always.

“Where’s Merry?” Merry was a dog Jessie had rescued. Someone had brutally abused her, stabbing her and cutting off her ears and tail. But Jessie had nursed her back to health, and she was usually under Jessie’s feet, along with two little boys.

“She’s under our bed, probably asleep by now. She’s getting older and the kids sometimes tire her out.”

Jessie had a loving heart and a goodness that went all the way to her soul. Myra could only hope that through the years a little bit of that goodness had rubbed off on her.

* * *

LEVI TOOK TIME to cool off before he went to the house. Pop could zero in on his moods like a rifle aimed at a target. Sometimes he hit the bull’s-eye, and other times he veered so far off it wasn’t worth the effort to endure the questions that would be fired at him.

Pop followed him into the house. “What did that fancy lady want?”

“She wanted to hire me.” Levi washed his hands at the kitchen sink and dried them with a paper towel.

“I knew it.” Pop slid into a chair at the kitchen table. “She wants you to find out if her husband is cheating?”

“What?” Levi threw the paper towel in the trash can. “No. I don’t even know if she’s married.” And it didn’t matter if she was. Myra meant nothing to him. But it might take a while to get her out of his head again.

“What did she want you to do, then?”

“Find a missing child.”

“I guess you’re packing. I did laundry this morning and your tighty-whities and socks are in your drawer.”

“I’m not taking the case.” He leaned against the cabinet.

“Why not? You just finished a case and you’re always eager to help find a child.”

“I’m busy.” He walked into the dining room and sat down at his laptop.

Pop immediately followed. “That’s a truckload of bullshit. What’s wrong with you?”

Hurt feelings. Hurt pride. Hurt until he didn’t want to feel it anymore. But, of course, Levi didn’t say that to his grandfather.

“Nothing. Some cases I take. Some I don’t. It’s my choice.”

“Mmm-hmm.” Pop pulled out a chair and sat facing him. “Do you know how old you were when I could tell you were hiding something?”

Levi didn’t reply, just kept checking his in-box.

“You were about seven, I think. I was called to the school about you, Ethan and Carson fighting with the Wilcott boys. Your dad was at a cattle auction and your mom worked in Austin, so I had to go. I asked you who started the fight and you stonewalled. You know what that is?”

“Pop, I’m not seven years old anymore, and if I don’t want to talk about it, I’m not. And yes, I know what stonewalling is.” He clamped his jaw tight and stared at his grandfather.

“Yep, that’s it. When you do that, I know you’re hiding something.”

Levi leaned back in his chair. “Pop, don’t you have something to do? Check on your cows? Or visit Walt?”

“Aw, I’m not going over to Walt’s no more. He’s keeping the baby and you can’t make any noise. Hell, I’m old. I make noise. What’s Ethan and Abby thinking, letting Walt keep that baby?”

Levi, Ethan and Carson had grown up like brothers in the small town. Walt, Ethan’s dad, and Pop were best friends but sometimes it was hard to tell that by talking to them. Carson’s dad had passed away last year, but not before wreaking havoc with Carson’s life. Through it all, Carson had managed to find happiness with Jena. Both his friends were married with families. He was the lone bachelor.

“Do you know Abby milks herself?”

“What?” That grabbed Levi’s attention.

“Yeah. Walt has it in his refrigerator. I almost drank it. He said Abby leaves it for the baby. Beats me why she’d want to do that. I don’t understand young women.”

“It’s called a breast pump, Pop, and women have been using it for years. One of these days, you’re going to have to start living in the twenty-first century.”

“Like hell. I’m not using that cell phone you got me, either. If I want to talk to someone, I’ll use the phone in the house.”

“I bet Walt uses his.”

“Hell, yeah. Abby calls ten times a day to check on the baby and so does Ethan. If the baby farts, they want to know about it.”

Levi wanted to laugh and he wasn’t in a laughing mood. “Did you take your blood pressure pill this morning? You’re grouchier than usual.”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“Well, you’re rambling. I don’t know what the subject is anymore.”

His grandfather nailed him with one of those I-know-you-boy looks. “Who’s the fancy lady?”

“Someone I knew a long time ago.” He didn’t bother to stonewall or lie.

“Thought so. Someone took her child?”

“No.” He gave him a short version of the story Myra had told him because he knew Pop would keep jabbing until he drew blood.

“That bastard beat his girlfriend into a coma and took her baby? And it’s Stuart Stevens’s daughter?”

“That’s about it.”

Pop tapped the table with his arthritic knuckles. “You can be packed and on the road in ten minutes.”

“I told you I’m not taking the case.”

“Why not? It’s Stu’s grandson and his life is in danger.”

“I’m not the only P.I. around.”

“You’re the only one who can find him in less than twenty-four hours and it looks like that little boy doesn’t have much time.”

“Pop...”

“Wait a minute. How do you know this woman?”

Levi tried hard not to grit his teeth. “I met her when I was a cop.”

“Is she the woman you were holed up with for about six months?”

“We weren’t holed up. I moved into her apartment.”

“Same thing. It was like you were in heat or something. You couldn’t come home. You had to be with her and then all of a sudden it just fizzled out.”

“Yep.” He wasn’t talking about this with his grandfather.

“So what happened to all that heat?”

“Like you said, it fizzled out.”

“Mmm. So what’s the problem?”

“I’m not getting involved with her again.”

Pop scratched his gray head. “Some of my brain cells nap, some of them have just plain dried up, but the ones that are working are confused as hell. The woman is just asking you to take the case. I don’t see a problem. Oh, is this about Valerie? You sure as hell don’t want to mess that up. She’s making pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy tonight. I’m not eating all day.”

Levi closed his computer and got to his feet. While Pop was on another subject, he decided to make his escape. “I’m going into the office.”

Pop frowned so deep his forehead looked like road ruts. “Wait a minute. We’re not through talking.”

“I am.”

Pop pointed a gnarled finger at him. “If something happens to that boy, you’ll never forgive yourself. I know you just as well as I know myself. You’re a P.I. It’s a job. Valerie will understand because she loves you, and if she don’t trust you, well, then, son, you ain’t got a thing.” Pop pushed to his feet. “Now I’m gonna go drive my tractor and push some dirt around just for the hell of it, and if I feel like it, I might plant some winter coastal for my pain-in-the-ass cows.”

It’s not about Valerie. But explaining that to Pop would take more patience than he had right now.

Levi took a quick shower, pushing Myra to the back of his mind. She wouldn’t stay there, though. Yanking on jeans, he tried to figure out what he was so angry about. She had some gall coming out here and destroying his peace. Grabbing a shirt out of the closet, he paused.

He was overreacting.

This wasn’t about Valerie. This wasn’t about Myra. It was about him and his damn pride. Myra had taken a strip of it and crushed his heart. It wasn’t easy to trust again and let a woman back into his life. He loved Valerie and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, so his anger was out of place.

Slipping his arms into a white shirt, he thought about his parents. They’d had a crappy marriage. His father had been a cowboy rancher and his mom was a city girl. They’d fought all the time. It had come to an end when his father was killed in a car/truck accident when Levi was nine. His mom had moved them from the ranch to Austin. Levi hated the city and had begged to live with his grandfather. That hadn’t happened until his mom met someone else, a short six months later. They’d moved to Virginia and Levi refused to go, so his mother relented and allowed him to stay with his grandfather. After that, Levi had minimal contact with his mom and his sister. They visited every now and then, but they felt like strangers.

He was well aware he had a trust issue with women. He blew out a breath and admitted that maybe a part of him was never going to get over Myra. That was a long way from doing her a favor, though.

But what about Stu?

Opening his sock drawer, he pulled out a pair. Unable to stop himself, he reached into the back corner where he had a single sock stored. He sat on the bed with it in his hand and dumped out the object that was inside—a ring box. Flipping open the top, he stared at the solitary diamond he’d planned to give Myra that weekend long ago.

He wasn’t sure why he’d kept the ring. Maybe as a reminder of the pain she’d caused him. Putting it back in the drawer, the anger left him. He’d learned from his affair with Myra. No one was perfect. Certainly not him. He didn’t hate Myra. He’d hated what she’d done to his pride. It was a man thing. But he was tough and she’d made him tougher. It reinforced his decision not to get involved with her again—even if it was business.

As he headed for his truck, he couldn’t help but think of what Pop had said. Could he live with himself if something happened to that little boy?