Yep. She smiled at the picturesque pastures and blue skies. It was after six oclock, but the June sun was shining brightly. No traffic, no constant city construction
No internet connection, no cell phone reception, Luke predicted.
Thats not true. Last time I visited Gram, I used my cell phone. She didnt volunteer the information that shed had to stand with one foot in the laundry room and the other on the attached porch, leaning forty-five degrees to the left while holding on to the dryer. Maybe service had improved since then.
This is the middle of nowhere! Nobody could possibly live here.
She jerked a thumb toward the side of the road. The mailboxes suggest otherwise. She appreciated that the mailboxes theyd passed were spread out at roomy intervals. Theyd had a nice enough home in the suburbs, but the yards were so small that when Damon used to throw a football with Luke, they spent half their time knocking on the neighbors door to retrieve the ball from the fenced backyard.
Youre going to love it here, she told Luke. Lots of community spirit and camaraderie, plenty of home-cooking and fresh air.
He rolled down his window, inhaled deeply, then grimaced. The fresh air smells like cow poop.
She ground her teeth, refusing to let him spoil her mood. Hell come around with time. Her first victory might even be as soon as tonight. Gram could cook like nobodys business, and Luke was a growing boy. A couple of helpings of chicken-fried steak or slow-cooked brisket should improve his outlook on life.
Theyd be at the farm in twenty minutes. As eager as Kate was to get there, when she spotted the gas station down the roadthe last one before Grams placeshe knew she should stop. The fuel gauge was dropping perilously close to E. Plus, it might be good for her and Luke to get out of the car and stretch their legs for a few minutes.
While she pumped gas, Luke disappeared inside to use the restroom. Although shed lived her entire life in Texas, sometimes the heat still caught Kate by surprise. Even in the shade, she broke a sweat. She tugged at the lightweight material of her sleeveless blouse to keep it from sticking to her damp skin, then lifted her hair away from her neck, making a mental note to look for an elastic band when she got back in the car.
While waiting for Luke, she went into the station and bought a couple of cold beverages. Shed barely pocketed her change before twisting the lid off her chilled bottle of water and taking a long drink. If Luke didnt hurry, she might finish her water and start in on the fountain soda she held in her other hand.
He was taking a long time, and she wouldnt put it past him to stall in a mulish display of rebellion. She turned with the intention of knocking on the door and hurrying him along, but then stopped herself. Half of parenting was picking ones battles. Theyd be at Grams soon, and her grandmother hadnt seen Luke in months. Was this really the right time to antagonize him? She didnt want him arriving at the farm surly and hostile. A smooth first night might prove to all of them that this could work.
Quit hovering, go to the car. She pivoted with renewed purpose. And crashed into a wall that hadnt been there a moment ago. Okay, technically, the wall was a broad-shouldered man at least six inches taller than she. He wore jeans and a white polo shirtwhich was a lot less white with Lukes soda running down the front of it.
Kate opened her mouth to apologize but, dammit! was the first word that escaped. A high-pitched giggle snagged her attention, drawing her gaze downward.
Behind the startled-looking man were two blue-eyed little girls. They were dressed so dissimilarly that it took Kate a moment to realize they were identical. One wore a soccer jersey over camo shorts; tangles of white-blond hair hung in her face, and her sneakers looked as if they were about to disintegrate, held together only by an accumulation of dirt. The other girl was wearing a pink dress that tied at the shoulders and a pair of sparkly sandals. Someone had carefully braided her hair, and she carried a small sequined purse.
Great, shed doused the guy with a sticky soft drink and cursed in front of his young, impressionable children. Shed been in town less than an hour and already needed a fresh start for her fresh start.
I am so sorry. She grabbed a handful of napkins off the counter next to the hot dog rotisserie and began frantically dabbing at his chest.
He covered her hand with his. Let me.
She glanced up, taking a good look at his face for the first time. Wow. Like the girls, he had eyes that were as blue as the Texas sky outside, a dramatic contrast to his jet-black hair. And his
Mom? What are you doing?
Perfect. Her son picked now to return, just in time to catch her ogling a total stranger.
Without waiting for an answer, Luke scowled at the man. Who are you?
Cole. The guy had been handsome already. When he smiled, those eyes crinkling at the corners, the barest hint of a dimple softening that granite jaw, he was breathtaking. Cole Trent.
* * *
DESPITETHEEASY, practiced smile that came with being a public official, Coles mind was racing as he processed the events of the last few minutes. The jarring chill of icy soda, the rarity of finding himself face-to-face with a stranger when he knew almost everyone in Cupids Bow and, the biggest surprise of all, the jolt of attraction he experienced when he looked into the womans amber eyes. He couldnt remember the last time hed had such an instant reaction to someone.
Was his interest visible in his expression? That could explain the waves of hostility rolling off her son as Cole introduced himself.
From behind him, Alyssas voice broke into his thoughts. Daddy, can I have a candy bar?
He turned, shaking his head. A candy bar will ruin your appetite.
But Im hungggrrry. She drew out the word in a nasal whine.
Which is why Im taking you to dinner. Theyd only stopped because Mandy had insisted she needed to go to the bathroom and couldnt wait another ten minutes to reach the restaurant; apparently, seeing him doused with soda had temporarily distracted her. If Mandy will
Its not fair! Alyssas lower lip trembled. I didnt get to go swimming like you said. They ran out of the color I needed to finish my picture at art camp. I dont
Thats enough, he said firmly.
But Mandy, who could barely agree with her sister on the color of the sky, picked now of all times to demonstrate twin solidarity. She took a step closer to Alyssa. Its mean you wont let her have a candy bar.
He fought the urge to glance back at the woman with sun-streaked hair and beautiful eyes. Did she think he was inept at handling his own children? Youre supposed to be in the bathroom, he reminded Mandy. If youd hurry, we could be on our way to the Smoky Pig by now. But if the two of you dont stop talking back, were headed straight home. Understand?
The threat of having to return home and wait for Cole to cook something motivated Mandy. She navigated the tight aisles of chips and road maps in a rush. He returned his gaze to the woman. The gangly boy whod called her mom had wandered away to refill his soda cup.
Kids, Cole said sheepishly. You have days like this?
The threat of having to return home and wait for Cole to cook something motivated Mandy. She navigated the tight aisles of chips and road maps in a rush. He returned his gaze to the woman. The gangly boy whod called her mom had wandered away to refill his soda cup.
Kids, Cole said sheepishly. You have days like this?
With a teenager? She laughed, her dark gold eyes warm and understanding. Try every day.
I keep waiting for single parenting to get easier, but sometimes I question whether Im making any progress.
She nodded. Same here.
So, she was single, too? That thought cheered him more than it should. He didnt even know her name. Nonetheless, he grinned broadly.
She returned the smile, but then ducked her gaze to the sodden napkins in her hand. I, uh, should throw these away. As she walked toward the trash can, he couldnt help but appreciate the fit of her denim shorts.
Quit leeringthere are children present. Well, one of his children, anyway. He turned to see if Alyssa had forgiven him yet. In his peripheral vision, he caught the blondes son pressing a quick finger to his lips as if sharing a secret with Alyssa. The boy quickly dropped his hand and moved away. Alyssa frowned at her purse.
Sorry again about the soda. The blonde was back, her tone brisk, as if she wanted to put their encounter behind her. And good luck with the parenting.
Cole hated to let her go. He wanted to know who she was and why she was here. Was she visiting someone in Cupids Bow or simply passing through on her way elsewhere? Maybe he would have asked if she hadnt seemed so anxious to go. Or if he werent busy puzzling over Alyssas strange expression.
Good luck to you, too, he said.
With a nod, the blonde walked away, holding the door open for her son.
Can we go now? Mandy rejoined them, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Im starving!
Same here. He ruffled her hair, but kept his gaze on his other daughter. What about you, Alyssa?
She jerked her gaze up from her purse, a flush staining her cheeks. Even someone without Coles training in suspicious behavior would have spotted the guilt in her eyes.
What have you got in your purse? he asked.
N-nothing. She clutched the small sequined bag to her body.
He held out his hand, making it clear he wanted to see for himself.
Tears welled in her eyes as she pulled a candy bar from her purse. B-but I didnt take it! That boy gave me it.
Coles blood pressure skyrocketed. Alyssa was, by nature, a sweet, quiet girl, but throughout her kindergarten yearafter every field trip or class party where other students had mothers presentshed grown increasingly unpredictable. The teacher who had once praised his daughters reading skill and eager-to-please disposition had started calling Cole about behavior problems, including a memorable graffiti incident. Now some punk was trying to turn Alyssa into a shoplifter, too? Hell, no.
* * *
HEY!
Kate jumped at the angry boom, nearly dropping her car keys. She turned to see Cole Trent, the single dad whod melted her insides with his smile. He wasnt smiling now.
He strode across the parking lot like a man on a mission. One of his daughters was sobbing. The other looked grimly fascinated, as if shed never expected a simple pit stop to be so eventful.
Aw, crap. Lukes barely audible wordsand the resignation in themcaused Kates heart to sink.
Not again. Not here! In her mind, shed built up Cupids Bow as a safe haven. But how could you escape trouble when it was riding shotgun?
What did you do? she demanded in a low voice.
He slouched, not meeting her eyes. It was only an eighty-nine cent candy bar. Jeez.
Cole reached them in time to hear her sons careless dismissal, his blue eyes bright with righteous fury. Its more than a candy bar, young man. Its stealing.
Kates stomach churned. You stole?
Coles gaze momentarily softened as he glanced at her, registering her stress. When he spoke again, his tone was calmer. Perhaps I should reintroduce myself. Im Sheriff Cole Trent. Whats your name, son?
Luke, he muttered.
And did you put that candy bar in Alyssas purse? the sheriff asked in an unyielding, dont-even-think-about-lying tone.
The boy hunched his shoulders. I felt bad for her.
Was that even true, Kate wondered, or had her son simply seized an opportunity for petty defiance?
Cole gave his sniffling daughter a stern look. Luke may have been the one to take the candy bar, but you should have put it back. Or told me what happened. Other peoples bad behavior is no excuse for acting badly yourself.
Terrific. Now her son was a cautionary tale for younger children.
The two of you are going back inside to admit what you did and apologize to Mr. Jacobs, Cole said.
His daughter gulped. The man behind the counter had smiled pleasantly at Kate, but she could see where his towering height, all black clothing and tattooed arms might intimidate a little girl.
While youre there, Kate told Luke, ask what you can do to make up for it. He was too young for an official part-time job, but it was clear Kate needed to find ways to keep him busy and out of trouble. Maybe they could use a volunteer to come by a few times a week and pick up litter in the parking lot.
Coles gaze swung to her. A few times a week? So you arent just passing through or visiting? Youre sticking around?
Was that surprise she heard in his voice, or dread? Given his duty to maintain law and order in the county, he probably didnt relish the idea of a juvenile delinquent moving to town. And Gram deserved better than a great-grandson who caused her problems in the community. Was this experiment doomed to fail?
Were staying with family in the area. Indefinitely. She forced a smile and tried to sound reassuring. But I plan to stay out of public until I learn how to properly carry sodas, and Luke may be grounded for the rest of the summer. So you dont have to worry about us menacing the populace, I promise.
The size of Cupids Bow might make it difficult to avoid someone, but she was willing to try. Between the terrible impression her son had made and Kates aversion to being around cops since Damons death, she rather desperately hoped never to see Sheriff Trent again.
Chapter Two
After Luke and his unwitting accomplice apologized to the gruff but fair Mr. Jacobs, Kate and her son resumed their journey. He had the good sense not to resume his complaining.
It wasnt until they were jostling along the private dirt road that led up to Grams house that Luke spoke again. Are you going to tell her about the gas station? And the sheriff?
She sighed. Well, it wasnt going to be my opening. I thought wed say hi first and thank her profusely for taking us under her roof before we hit her with news of your exciting new criminal activities.
I apologized, Luke grumbled. I even paid the guy, although no one ended up with the candy bar.
The guy is Mr. Jacobs, and youre going to treat him with respect when you see him next weekend. It turned out that the inked man with the gravelly voice visited the pediatric ward of the hospital once a month and gave a magic show. Lukes penance was that he would sacrifice a Saturday morning to work as the mans assistant. And paying for what you took after the fact doesnt justify what you did. You know better than to steal! Your own father was a policeman, who