Eileen and Phillip Hargrove didnt love anyone. They saw Josie, the only child of their only child, as the Hargrove heir, belonging to them by rightsas much a possession as Eileens BMW or Phillips Jag.
What I need Heather sighed is a plan. Other than hauling ass toward the Mexican border.
With customs security checkpoints? Definitely not the direction you want to head if theres possibly a warrant out for you. His forehead crinkled in concentration. I might know a place you can go. Ever been to the hill country? I have a cousin in Fredericksburg.
Its bad enough I imposed on you, she said, not following his train of thought. I cant show up on your cousins doorstep.
You can if shes not home. He was starting to look excited, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. My cousin Kelsey is married to a guy in the military. Hes been overseas a lot but now hes got a six-month assignment in Alaska. Shes going to join him, and I arranged for a friend to house-sit. All the regular bills are set for automatic drafts out of Kelseys bank account. As long as youve got cash for stuff like groceries, you and Little Red would be set. Its perfect!
I dont understand. What about your friend who already agreed to do it?
Shell be inconvenienced when I tell her Kelseys changed her mind. And a little peeved, he admitted. But Ill make sure she lands on her feet. You have a hell of a lot more at stake, Heather.
She was all too aware of the high stakes. To keep the panic at bay, she tried to lighten the moment. Heather, huh? I think thats the first time youve ever called me anything but Red.
About that. He tilted his head, considering. You stand out with that hair color. Ever thought about going brunette?
She pressed her fingertips to her eyes. Not until just now. Im new at this whole fugitive thing.
Different hair would help. So would different names. I can assist you there.
She glanced up, startled. Theres a limit to what Ill let you do for me. Even as she said the words, she prayed they were true. How much risk would she let a friend take if it meant protecting her daughter?
I didnt mean like create new social security numbers for you or falsify a passport, he clarified. This isnt a Bourne movie. But I might know someone who, uh, dabbles in fake IDs. It would have an upcoming expiration date because the new ones are too hard to copy and it probably wouldnt fool a professional beyond a quick glimpse, but its a start.
Counterfeit identification and lying about who she was? Bryces intentions were good, but did she dare continue on this path? Then again... She cast one more anxious glance in Josies direction. How could she dare not take Bryces help?
Chapter Two
You havent said anything since we left the steak house. Stupid. Since when was Sergeant Zane Winchester reduced to stating the obvious? His razor-sharp instincts had helped solve cold cases and take down crooked politicians. Colleagues sought his input because he was known for having a quick mind, but a few hours in his teenage daughters company made him feel like an inept rookie fumbling with a gun for the first time, capable of shooting himself in the foot with one stray word.
Eden glared from the passenger seat of the truck. What do you want me to say? Thanks for ruining the first nice time I was having since I got shipped to this godforsaken town?
There were so many things wrong with her retort that he didnt know where to begin. My fault. Too out of practice. He hadnt tried hard enough to keep a close bond with her while she and his ex, Valerie, lived in California. Eden didnt let an hour pass without reminding him that she hated her parents decision to relocate her. She saw her mother as selfish for ditching her, and she clearly viewed Zane more as prison warden than father.
What exactly did I do? Zane asked, trying to better understand the daughter he no longer knew.
You practically threatened that cute waiter at lunch! You might as well have pulled your gun on him.
Youre exaggerating by a mile. And that cute waiter was too old to be flirting with my fifteen-year-old daughter. He steered onto their street. You may think youre an adult, Eden Jo, but youre not. Adults face the consequences of their actions. You blame your mama for sending you here, but you refuse to take responsibility for your part in forcing her hand.
Why are you defending her? To Edens credit, she sounded genuinely baffled rather than sarcastic. You should be mad, too. You didnt want me here.
Thats not true! Rather than take the time to pull into the garage, he angled crookedly in their driveway and cut the engine so he could focus on her. He studied her face, marveling at the changes. This wasnt the little girl with blond pigtails he used to carry on his shoulders. She was a young woman now, with two thin streaks of hot pink framing her face.
Strips of neon aside, she looked so much like Valerie that he couldnt help a twinge of nervous déjà vu. As a teenager, Val had been beautiful, fascinating and self-destructive. He prayed the similarities between mother and daughter would prove superficial.
He put a hand on Edens shoulder, an awkward substitution for a hug. I love you. Even if Im not crazy about the behavior that led you here, Im glad to have this time with you.
Her green eyes glittered. Yeah, I can tell how much you care by all those visits to California and the dozens of phone conversations we had. She wrenched open her door and hopped to the pavement.
He followed, still trying to frame his explanation as he unlocked the front door. On the other side, the dog was already going nuts, barking in manic greeting.
It had hurt like hell to let go of his daughter, but hed thought it best. When he and Val had divorced, Eden had been just starting that tumultuous journey from adolescence to physical maturity. Hed known there would be questions and scenarios shed be embarrassed to discuss with him. Instead of an acrimonious custody battle that would compound the pain of the divorce, hed let Val take her. As Val had reminded him, at least she was around for their daughter, rather than chasing bad guys all across the state of Texas.
With Edens displeasure filling the foyer, it seemed even colder in the house than it had out in the brisk March breeze. I never would have given up custody so easily if I hadnt believed it was in your best interest. I figured youd be better
I was better off in California, she interrupted. If you really loved me, youd let me go back to my friends and my life there! Tears spilling from her eyes, she stalked down the hall to the guest room. A moment later, the little ranch-style house shook with the force of her slammed door.
He shifted his weight, torn between the urge to go hug her and the urge to reprimand her for the temperamental display. At the rate she was going, hed have to replace all the hinges in the house by the time she went back to school on Monday.
I need some air, he told the dog, a black border collie and shepherd mix splotched with white and gold. Want to go for a walk?
Grabbing the leash that hung on a nearby Peg-Board, he called out, Eden, Im taking Dolly for a walk around the neighborhood. Unsurprisingly, there was no answer.
I need some air, he told the dog, a black border collie and shepherd mix splotched with white and gold. Want to go for a walk?
Grabbing the leash that hung on a nearby Peg-Board, he called out, Eden, Im taking Dolly for a walk around the neighborhood. Unsurprisingly, there was no answer.
Zane hesitated. Was it better to intrude, to hammer home the fact that he was here for her, or should he give her space to adjust to their new arrangement? He wasnt used to feeling conflicted. In years past, Zane and his ex-wife had argued about his rigid black-and-white worldview, but having a teenager in the house certainly challenged that perspective. Throwing tantrums and slamming doors were inexcusable for a fifteen-year-old, yet it was difficult to fault Edens behavior when he was so ashamed of his own. As a father, it had been his responsibility to stay involved in her life, no matter how many miles separated them.
A couple of years ago, when Eden had asked to skip visiting Fredericksburg for the summer because she wanted to attend camp with her friends, hed agreed instantly. Hed been mired in task force duties as the Rangers sought to shut down a cartel whose members kept slipping across the border. The following June, Eden had stayed in California because her uncharacteristic dip in grades necessitated summer school. Hed seen her for a few days at Christmas, but awkwardly exchanging presents before sticking her back on a plane wasnt real parenting.
With a sigh, he hooked the leash on Dollys harness and stepped outside. After only two weeks, Zane was feeling as weary as Val had sounded on the phone.
I dont know whats wrong with her, his ex-wife had complained. Maybe shes acting out because she wants your attention. Or maybe I just suck as a role model. But the way shes been behaving, these kids shes been hanging out with... Her voice had quivered with maternal fear. Youve gotta fix her, Zane. Before she lands in real trouble.
Could he do it? Hed spent a chunk of his life trying to fix Val, to no avail. The day hed signed his divorce papers, he swore hed learned his lesson. No more rehabilitation attempts thinly disguised as romance. If he ever got involved with a woman again, it had to be as equals. He didnt want to be anyones life coach or shining knight. The only rescues hed perform would be in his professional lifea philosophy hed stuck by, with the exception of Dolly.
After a few weeks of steady meals and belly rubs, Dolly had idolized him. Repairing his relationship with Eden would be far more complicated.
Doggy!
Zane glanced up and saw a little girl shoot out of the house next to his. Probably no older than four or five, she looked like a walking accessories department. Her pink shirt and sweatpants were nondescript, but shed worn them with a sequined scarf and sparkly plastic high heels. The yellow sunglasses dominating her face were so large they made him think of circus clowns. A tiara perched crookedly on her red-gold curls, its fake gemstones sparkling in the sun; clip-on earrings dangled from her lobes, and a feather-trimmed purse hung from her forearm. Peeking out of it was a plastic Tyrannosaurus rex whose snarling expression and sharp teeth were incongruous with her rather exuberant glamour.
He paused, overcome with nostalgia. It seemed only yesterday Eden had been in the throes of her sparkly princess phase. Yet now she was a sullen stranger who stood as tall as his shoulder. The T-rex-toting girl wobbled on her dress-up shoes, then went down with a splat in her front yard.
Shushing Dollys frenetic woofing, he hurried toward the kid. Are you okay?
Her bottom lip trembled. Patches of mud covered her knees. Ow!
Previous parenting experience had taught him that sometimes too much sympathy reminded the child she was in pain, while matter-of-fact conversation could work as a distraction. He reeled in Dollys retractable leash to keep her from licking the girls face. Why do you carry a dinosaur in your purse?
Its a dog, but you hafta use your imagination. My chihuahua got ripped. The way she said the word, it came out chowawowa. She sniffled. Mommys gonna fix her but shes been too busy with other sewing.
He helped the little girl to her feet. So, why do you carry a chihuahua in your purse?
Because Im fabulous. She punctuated her statement with an exasperated duh look.
Get your hands off my daughter! A dark-haired woman flew through the open door at such high speed that he half expected her to face-plant on the lawn, too. She snatched the girl into a protective hug against her body.
The child wiggled, either in embarrassment or protest at her mothers grip. Zane had the absent thought that the freckles smattering the womans cheeks seemed out of place, too sweet and potentially girlish for someone whod barreled down on him like an avenging angel.
He took a step back, murmuring softly to Dolly, whose hackles had risen at the womans shrill approach. Maam, I was just checking to make sure she wasnt hurt when she fell. Zane Winchester. He tipped his white cowboy hat in greeting. I live next door. You must be the lady Kelsey and Dave got to house-sit?
She cast him a fleeting glance before returning her attention to the little girl. You scared me, Belle. What are you doing outside? Never, never open the door without me! I told you wed play in the yard after I went to the bathroom. And after you changed shoes.
The girls eyes, which were the same golden-brown as her mothers, grew wider and wider, then filled with belated tears. Her left leg buckled dramatically as if she were in too much pain to stand. Zane tried to suppress his grin. And the award for best actress under ten goes to...
I hurt my leg, Mommy.
Leaving the house without an adult, youre lucky you werent hurt much worse! The woman plunged a hand through her short hair, let out an aggrieved sigh, then turned back to Zane. I suppose I should apologize for snapping your head off.
You were worried about your child and dont know me, he said. Im a parent myself. I get it. She was new to the area, surrounded by strangershed been in California collecting his daughter when the brunette had moved in two weekends ago. Maybe shed lived in a bad neighborhood before this. It would certainly explain her eyeing him as if he were a convicted criminal.
She tugged on her daughters arm. We should get you cleaned up.
Then can we blow bubbles? Belle negotiated. Weve been inside all day. Its boring!
Maybe. In the backyard.
I still havent pet the doggy, Belle said pitifully. Whats his name?
Shes a girl, Zane said. He should walk away. It would be easier for Belles mama to coax the child inside without the temptation of the dog. But he found himself curious about his new neighbors. Her names Dolly.
Dolly? That doesnt sound like a dog name.
Tell me about it, he commiserated. Id feel a lot less silly yelling something like Scout across the dog park. But I found her while I was doing cleanup after Hurricane Dolly and started calling her that before I realized I was keeping her. In a lot of ways, it had been fitting to name her after a natural disaster. Only a puppy back in 2008, shed done some significant damage to his belongings in the first few months hed owned her.
Change her name, Belle instructed as she patted Dolly on the head. Thats what me and Mommy did.