Linda Warren - A Texas Family

Carson was reminded of the years he and Asa went head-to-head on just about everything. His father was a hard man, and his sons knew that better than anyone. Work was always on Asa’s mind, and he’d made sure his boys started working at an early age. Carson could remember pushing hay off the back of a truck to feed cows at six. After school, it was ranch work. Weekends were the same. Vacations were nonexistent. The only fun they’d had was hanging out with friends and playing sports. His father was the reason he’d joined the Marines. He’d had to get away to be his own man apart from his father’s insane views of life.

His father was also an unforgiving man. He could remember the time Asa beat Jared to within an inch of his life for leaving a gate open. Cows got out and Asa was furious. Carson jumped in and pulled Asa off his little brother. They’d slept in the barn that night, and the next day Asa acted as if nothing had happened. There were so many days like that. Yet through it all they’d loved their father.

But Jared’s murder had broken Asa. So much so that he’d allowed a worthless ranch hand to squander away everything he’d built. Carson shook the memories away.

“Hi, Pa.”

The chair buzzed as Asa turned it to face him.

“I need to talk to you.”

“About...what?” His robust voice was now a gravelly whisper.

There wasn’t any way to do this but to say the words. “Jena Brooks is back in town.”

“Bit-ch,” he spat, his leathery, lined face suffused with rage. “Killed...my...son. Bitch!”

“Lamar Brooks killed Jared.”

Asa heaved several deep breaths and drool ran out the corner of his mouth.

“Stay calm.” Carson handed him the washcloth on the arm of the chair.

Asa dabbed at his mouth.

“Pa, there’s more.” He hated to keep on, but if he didn’t an investigator from the sheriff’s office would. “You okay?”

Asa nodded.

Carson measured his next words. “Ms. Brooks says Minnie Voltree gave her something to induce labor in the basement of this house. That you then took her baby from her and told her to get out of town or you would kill her.”

There was no reaction on his father’s face, and Carson wondered if he’d heard what he’d said.

“Pa, she’s come back for her child.”

An evil grin spread across Asa’s face. “She...will...never...find it.”

CHAPTER FOUR

CARSON SANK ONTO the arm of the sofa. Stunned. Speechless.

No denials. No indignation. No shock. Nothing but a glee in his dad’s eyes that was hard to explain. It was as if he’d been expecting this. Had been waiting for it. Waiting for the day he could have this moment. Of what? The ultimate revenge.

He marshaled his chaotic thoughts. “You kidnapped Jena Brooks and took her baby?”

Asa nodded once.

“Why?

“An eye...for an eye. A life...for a life. She...took...my boy. I took...her baby.”

“That’s insane, Pa. And illegal.”

His father stared at him with triumph in his dull eyes.

Carson stood and raked both hands through his hair. “Where’s the baby?”

Asa shook his head.

“You don’t know? Or are you refusing to say?”

Asa just stared at him.

“Damn it, Pa. Jena Brooks works for a lawyer, and he will speak to the sheriff about her claims. The sheriff in turn will have questions for you. As the constable, I’m supposed to work closely with the sheriff. Do you understand that?”

“So? Arrest...me.” Asa tried to hold out his shaky hands, but the left one barely left his lap.

Carson drew in deeply, trying to figure out how to handle the situation. “Pa, talk to me. Tell me what happened. After Jared’s death, you were under a lot of stress and everyone knows that. Just talk to me, please.”

Asa shook his head.

Carson watched the mulish expression on his father’s face. He’d seen it many times, and he was especially reminded of the day he’d beaten Jared. He’d been bent on teaching his son a lesson. And now he was determined to teach Jena a lesson. Nothing would stand in his way. Not even jail. Nothing.

But maybe there was something that would grab his attention. Something other than revenge. “Pa, that baby is Jared’s, so whatever...”

“No!” he shouted, his whole body vibrating with rage. “Bitch...lied. Had Ro-land follow...her and...”

“Roland lied to you just like he lied about everything else.”

“No!” This time the denial wasn’t so forceful.

“Whatever you did to that child you did to Jared.”

“You...believe...that bitch?”

Carson heaved a long sigh. “It’s not a question of belief. You freely admitted to taking the child. I’m just trying to figure things out. If you tell me the truth, I’m sure the D.A. will go easy on you. It was a difficult time. Please work with me. Think about your grandkids. What will you tell them when the sheriff arrests you for two kidnappings? Think about that.”

Asa looked toward the TV and pushed a button on the remote to turn it off. Carson hadn’t even been aware of the sound. He’d been so focused on his father.

Asa was silent, so Carson hoped that was a good thing. Maybe he’d gotten through to him.

“Talk to me, Pa,” he said again. “I’ll do everything I can to protect you. Just talk to me.”

Asa looked at him, his eyes cold and hard. A chill ran through Carson. “Never. She will...suffer...like me. Forever.”

Carson threw up his hands in despair. “If that’s the way you want it. Forever for you will probably be in a sanitarium, and Aunt Fran won’t be there to wait on you hand and foot.”

“Don’t...care.”

“Fine.” Carson walked out.

Aunt Fran was outside the door, and she followed him into the kitchen.

“You heard?”

“Yes. Asa’s not in his right mind.”

“I’ll agree with you on that.” He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water. Twisting off the cap, he took a big gulp. “He kidnapped Jena Brooks, had Minnie induce labor and then took Jena’s child. That’s against the law. Once Jena’s attorney gets here, speaks to the sheriff and an investigator starts digging, it will be just a matter of time before Pa is arrested.”

“He’s a crippled old man out of his mind with grief. What can they do?”

“Once they verify Ms. Brooks’s baby was stolen by Pa, and there’s no doubt they will since Pa freely admits it, they’ll book him and probably put him under house arrest until the trial. If he’s convicted, they’ll put him in an institution for the rest of his life.”

“Oh, Carson.” Aunt Fran touched his arm in distress. “You can’t let that happen.”

“I don’t have any choice, Aunt Fran.” He set the bottle on the kitchen island. “I just have this bad feeling.”

“About what?”

“Pa’s been waiting for this.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s been waiting for Jena to come back. I could see it in his eyes. He keeps saying ‘a life for a life,’ and I’m so afraid he’s been waiting to tell Jena that her baby is dead—just like Jared is dead.”

“Oh, no, Carson.” Aunt Fran covered her mouth in horror. “My brother would not kill an innocent baby.”

Carson reached for the water and took a swig, wishing it was hundred-proof alcohol. He wanted to agree with her or say something to get rid of the hollow feeling in his gut. Instead, he spun toward the door. “I have some thinking to do. If Pa wants to talk, call me.”

At his car he heaved a sigh and glanced toward the barns and corrals—a peaceful ranch scene with live oaks, scrub oaks, yaupons and a hilly prairie that stretched to the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Cows munched on grass, and a windmill whirled in the distance, pumping water into a trough. Peaceful—though there was nothing peaceful about the Corbett family.