Linda Warren - A Texas Family

“Did Jared ask Jena to marry him?”

“Not to my knowledge, but I remember he was crazy about her.”

“Maybe it was more about the sex than something long-term. Maybe Lamar confronted Jared and demanded he marry his daughter and one thing led to another.”

Levi shrugged. “Could be. But it was real stupid of Lamar to leave his shotgun at the scene.”

“Mmm.” Carson flipped through the files. “After my dad was ruled out as the murderer, no one else was ever questioned.”

“Nope. They closed the case and no one objected.”

“Why? That’s not normal police procedure.”

“I was clocking a lot of hours as a cop in Austin at the time, but Pop said the sheriff investigated and a Texas Ranger got involved. Then suddenly the case was closed. Like I said, no one was too concerned who killed Lamar Brooks. He’d murdered an innocent boy, and everyone felt he got what he deserved.”

“That’s not justice.” Carson had a bitter taste in his mouth that so much about what had happened back then seemed to be overlooked and easily forgotten.

Levi shrugged.

Carson shifted through the papers. “Bernie doesn’t have too much, but I’ll read through all of it, and then I’ll go to San Marcos to see what the sheriff has on the murders.”

“Don’t expect too much.” Levi crushed the cup in his hand. “The case was wrapped up quickly. My advice is to talk to Minnie again. She’s your weak link. And, of course, Asa.”

“He had a bad night. When he wakes up, I plan to confront him.”

Levi stood and aimed the cup toward the trash can. It landed perfectly. “Bam. Three points. Coffee’s on you next time.”

“You got it.” He picked up the lawyer’s card from his desk. “Ms. Brooks works for a criminal attorney now. She’s giving me a chance to find her child, and then she’s turning it over to the attorney.”

“Damn. That’s the last thing you need.”

“Yeah. Because of Pa’s involvement I can’t let her do that. I’ll have to call Ms. Brooks and ask for more time.”

“Do you think she’ll agree to that?”

“I don’t know. She seems...nice.”

“Nice?” Levi lifted an eyebrow.

“She was determined at first, but when I talked to her last night she seemed more amenable. She just wants to know what happened to her child, and I understand that. I feel for what she’s been through.”

“Oh, crap.”

“What?”

“You’re getting...hmm?” Levi’s eyes narrowed in thought. “What is that word women keep telling us we don’t have?” He snapped his fingers. “Emotions. Yeah, that’s it. You’re letting your emotions rule your head.”

“I am not!”

“This is how it starts, you know. The dance. The romance.”

Carson leaned back in his chair. “I can honestly say there will never be any romance between Ms. Brooks and me. There are a million reasons why. The number one reason is her father murdered my brother, and there’s no love strong enough to overcome that. Besides, I have no romantic interest in Ms. Brooks. My goal is to find her child and try to keep my father from being arrested.”

“What does she look like now?”

“What?” He was thrown for a second.

“She was a pretty teenager. I bet she turned into a beautiful woman.”

“I didn’t look that closely.” He frowned at his friend. “Besides, the first time I saw her, she was hurling accusations right and left, and I just wanted to get her out of my office and out of my life.”

“Good.” Levi glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run. Talk to you when I get back.”

As Levi walked out, Carson linked his hands behind his head. He had lied to his friend. He knew exactly what Jena Brooks looked like: she had sad, soulful dark eyes, dark flowing hair and a smooth curvy body that was titillating when bathed in sweat. He’d never admit that to anyone but himself. Since Beth, he hadn’t even looked at another woman, and it bothered him that he’d noticed Jena.

No, there could never be anything between him and Jena except a past they both wanted to forget.

* * *

JENA WAS ON her way back from Dripping Springs. Last night she and Hilary had talked until after midnight. Jena wanted to do something for Hilary in appreciation of everything she’d done for their mother. That led to a long discussion. Hilary didn’t want anything. She was her mother, too, she’d said. In the end, they agreed to fix up the house. It was long overdue.

Hilary wanted a buttercup-yellow house with white shutters, so Jena bought all the supplies and Hilary’s friends would do the work. In a fit of indulgence, she went ahead and bought shingles to finish the roof.

Her cell buzzed and she reached for it in the console. “Hey, Hil.”

“Did you get everything?”

“Yes. A soft yellow, just like you wanted. It’s going to look so nice with the white shutters. Are you sure the guys will do this?”

“Yes. I told them this morning, and Billy Jack said he’d bring the paint sprayer over tomorrow.”

“I went ahead and bought shingles. And we have to get new screens, but I have to measure them first.”

“Wow. You are being generous.”

“I left everything at the store for Billy Jack to pick up.”

“Good deal. I can’t wait to see the new look. I’m tired of that drab house.”

“That’s why you paint murals all over it?”

“Yes, I... Hold on. I’ve got another call.”

In a minute Hil was back. “Sis, it was Carson. He wants to see you. You didn’t give him your cell number.”

“Oh, crap. I forgot. I’ll check on Mama and then head over to his office.”

“I’ll check on Mama. You go to his office. He might have some news.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” She clicked off and felt a rush of excitement run through her. Maybe he’d talked to his father. Maybe he knew... Oh, God. Her hands grew clammy on the steering wheel.

She turned into the parking area of the constable’s office and took several deep breaths to calm herself. Grabbing her purse, she got out and stared at the building. Was it only yesterday she’d come here with every word rehearsed in her head? With every dream intact in her heart?

Opening the door, she went inside. Carson sat at his desk, reading through a big file.

“Come in,” he said. “Have a seat.” His eyes looked worried and his hair was tousled as if he’d been running his fingers through it.

She sat in a chair, placed her purse on the floor and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. Yesterday she’d been dressed in her best clothes. Today she was casual in white capris, sandals and an olive-green sleeveless top. She was thinking inane things when the most important subject was almost too painful to broach.

“Did you find the bloodstain on the basement floor?” she asked, her heart beating a steady tattoo against her ribs.

“Yes.”

“And you talked to Asa?”

“No. Sorry.” He looked up, his green eyes tortured.

She ignored that look. “You saw the stain, but for some reason you haven’t talked to your father?”

“No.”

She got up, grabbed her purse, intending to leave and call Blake right away. This was unacceptable.

But he was faster than her, blocking her path to the door. “Please, Ms. Brooks. I’m asking for more time.”

“I’ve been without my child for nine years. That’s enough time.”

“Please.”

Something in that one little word said in earnest got to her and she weakened. Or maybe it was the broad chest and wide shoulders that held her attention. A light citrus scent teased her nostrils. Swirls of brown chest hair peeped out from the V of his white shirt. Jared had had boyish good looks, but Carson had a raw masculinity that made her aware he was a man and she was a woman.