Meet Me In Texas

“Dr. Mike Tanner.” He shook Del’s hand with his ungloved one, then pulled on the second glove. “What’ve we got here?” The vet looked at Lucky. “Whoa, seems like your pal tangled with a nasty customer. What happened?” Without waiting for an answer, he began to give the animal a cursory exam.

“I don’t know. I found him trapped under a stack of lumber but no clue how long he’d been there.”

“Her.”

“Excuse me?”

“Got yourself a female here,” Tanner said to Del.

So much for the name Lucky, Del thought as the vet looked at the gash on the dog’s shoulder. It didn’t seem to suit a female dog.

“Doesn’t appear to be too deep, but let’s get her into the examination room and have a better look,” the vet suggested.

“You need me?” the young woman asked.

“Naw, I think Connie and I can handle it. She’s just finishing up with the potbellied pig from this afternoon. I’ll give a yell if I do.” Dr. Tanner gathered the dog in his arms and turned to Del. “You can come along if you want.”

“Uh, sure,” Del replied, and followed him through the swinging doors.

ALLISON RUSSELL COULD hardly believe her eyes.

Del Rickman. Here, in Crystal Creek, standing not five feet away, and all she could do was stutter and stare. Great, she thought. She’d spent all these years thinking about him, hoping they would meet again, and he’d simply walked back into her life like magic. She should have introduced herself, said something, but she had been dumbfounded. And what did you say to a walking, talking memory that suddenly appeared in front of you like a ghost from the past? To say she was shocked was an understatement. And thrilled, of course. Her whole family would be.

They had tried to keep tabs on him over the years. Once his picture was in the newspaper, and about five years ago they’d seen him on a national news show giving a quote about a high-profile case. Her dad had taped the program while she was at school. Del’s appearance was hardly more than a ten-second sound bite, but she had watched it repeatedly until her sister, Sandy, recorded a Buffy episode over it. The result was one of the worst fights they’d had since they were kids. But the long-since-erased tape couldn’t hold a candle to the real thing.

She remembered him as handsome, but she’d viewed him through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl when they first met. She was slightly more objective today. He’d matured, and there was the faintest touch of gray hair at his temples, which she had to say was very attractive. He was not model gorgeous, but then she’d never cared for that type, anyway. His face had strength and a kind of power that went past mere good looks. His hair, dark and thick, was longer than she remembered—not the neatly trimmed style the FBI favored. The truth was, Del Rickman was one extremely good-looking man.

Of course, she’d had a crush on him all those years ago. After all, he’d been the strong FBI agent who had found her and delivered her into the safety of her daddy’s arms. A hero. Her hero. Del had risked his life to keep her from harm, and Allison never forgot that day, or him. At first she’d idolized him, but as she matured, he became a symbol of a turning point in her life. No, more than a turning point, a revelation. It had shaped and directed her life in ways she’d never expected. Overnight she had gone from being a selfish preteen to a young adult with the whole world spread out before her. An evil man intent on killing her stepmother and unborn child had used her as bait, instilling in her the kind of terror that could damage an adult psyche, much less that of a twelve-year-old girl. Allison had no doubt that he would have killed her. Del Rickman had fired the bullet that put an end to her terror, and in doing so became part of that life-altering experience.

Before the kidnapping, Allison had been a moody adolescent with the usual parental resentment. That resentment had intensified the moment her new stepmother, Lynn McKinney Russell, had announced she was pregnant. As the months passed, the rift grew between the two of them. The harder Lynn tried to be a pal, the more distance Allison put between them. The harder her father, Sam, tried to be a mediator, the more Allison felt he had chosen his new wife over his oldest daughter. She had lost her mother to a drunk driver and felt as if she was now losing her father. Even her younger sister, Sandy, had been a victim of her resentment simply because she got along so well with Lynn. But the experience of being kidnapped and threatened with murder predictably changed all of that—changed Allie forever. She discovered a determination she never knew she possessed and a new attitude about what was important in her future.

Allison was adamant that she would direct her own life, and set about doing just that. Her determination propelled her through a grade promotion and advanced courses in high school. She graduated with honors and was valedictorian of her class, then took a full load through four years of college. Through it all she volunteered with the SPCA in Austin and worked part-time at the local vet’s office.

None of this might have happened if Del Rickman hadn’t come into her life. But he had, and she promised herself that if she ever got the chance to express her gratitude to him in person, she would do it eloquently. And while she was delighted that she now had this opportunity, she couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing in Crystal Creek. And with an injured dog, no less.

She smiled, unable to believe her good fortune. She rarely worked on Saturday nights, and it was only sheer luck that one of her coworkers had taken the weekend off and Allison had agreed to work in his place. If not for that quirk of fate she might have missed Del Rickman altogether. No way would she let him leave without telling him how important he had been in her life. She just wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.

Obviously, he didn’t recognize her. Not that he should. After all, almost thirteen years had passed. The last time they met he was the Special Agent in charge trying to find her, and she was two months shy of her thirteenth birthday, spindly, awkward and scared to death. Was it any wonder he didn’t recognize her?

Yet she’d known him practically the instant he came through the door. And he was still in the rescue business. This time it was a dog, but that made no difference to Allison. She was so thrilled to see him her heart did a funny little skip and she felt as if she actually had butterflies in her stomach.

She was being ridiculous, she knew. As soon as she told him who she was, her emotions, still mixed with hero worship, would settle down. She was so excited and she knew her family would be, too. With nervous fingers she dialed the number of the Russell home.

“Dad, it’s me. I’ve got the most wonderful news. Guess who just walked into the clinic with a—”

“Del Rickman with an injured dog,” Sam Russell finished at the other end of the line.

“How did you know?”

“He called me to get directions. How’s the dog?”

“I’m not sure. At first look Dr. Mike didn’t think it was too bad, but he’s been working on him for a little over a half hour, so—” The sound of voices cut her off and she glanced over her shoulder to see Del Rickman come through the double doors. “Oh, Dad, here he is now. I’ll call you back.”

Del walked into the lobby area, took a deep breath then smiled.

“From the expression of relief on your face, I take it the dog is going to be all right,” Allison said.

“Yeah. Looks that way.” Del’s smile broadened.

“Well, uh…” For a split second she struggled with whether to call him Mr. or Agent Rickman. “…Mr.—”

“Rickman. Del Rickman.”

“Yes.”

The sense of familiarity Del had felt earlier tugged at him again, prompting him to take a closer look at the woman. His years as an agent made a physical assessment easy. Height: Probably five foot eight, maybe nine. Weight: One hundred and twenty pounds was a safe estimate. Body type: Slender, with what appeared to be the right amount of curves in exactly the right places, but he couldn’t be certain because her white smock prevented an unobstructed view. Hair: Light brown, streaked with honey gold. As for the length, it was swept up and held with a wide clasp at the back of her head, so he couldn’t be sure. Eyes: Blue. He glanced at her left hand. No wedding ring. Age—Del had never mastered the skill of pinpointing a woman’s age. He guessed her to be in her late twenties. She was pretty—actually, beautiful was more accurate, and there was something compelling about her. Maybe that’s what he’d mistaken for the feeling of familiarity.

“Mr. Rickman?”

“You, uh…you probably need me to fill out some kind of form or something, even though he’s not my dog.”

She handed him a clipboard. “If you wouldn’t mind just filling out the top sheet, but—”

“You know, I think I owe you an apology.”

“Why?”

“I must have looked like the devil on a rampage, storming in here, a bleeding dog in my arms. It was clear from the look on your face that I scared you.”

“Not scared. Startled, maybe.”

“I’m sorry.” He propped his forearm on the counter and leaned toward her.

“It’s just that you were the last person on earth I expected to see walk through the door.”

Del frowned. “Do I know you?”

“You don’t remember me at all, do you?”

He looked at her for several seconds. “I’m sorry, but no.”

“Actually, there’s no reason why you should. The last time we saw each other, I was a frightened teenager crying my eyes out and hanging on to my daddy for dear life.”

Del was dumbfounded, then the light dawned just as she said, “I’m Allison Russell.”

CHAPTER TWO

THUNDERSTRUCK, DEL STARED FOR a second. “I don’t believe it. Wow, no wonder I didn’t recognize you. You’ve grown into a lovely young woman.”

“Thanks.” Allison smiled. “But you haven’t changed a bit. And you’re still in the rescue business, only this time it’s a dog.”

He shrugged. “Just in the right place at the right time. What about you? I assume you work here.”

“Yes, I’m—” She patted her breast pocket, then glanced down. “Oops, forgot my name badge. I’m a full-time veterinary technician.”

“That’s great. What a stroke of luck to run into you like this.”

“You’re telling me. I don’t usually work on Saturday nights, but I’m filling in for a coworker. Listen,” she said, “I was just on the phone to Dad when you came back into the lobby and the whole family is so excited to know you’re in town. Long enough for a visit, I hope.”

“Truth is, I’m going to be here for quite a while.”

“Really? On a case?”

He shook his head. “I’ve retired and am in the process of relocating and starting a whole new business right here in Crystal Creek.”

Her eyes widened. “No kidding! That’s wonderful! Why haven’t I heard about this? When did it happen? Did my mom and dad know about it?”

Del laughed at her enthusiasm. “As a matter of fact, Sam gave me directions to this clinic. But it was a short conversation and I didn’t have time to tell him I was moving to Crystal Creek. No one knows.”

“Except me.”

“You’re the first.”

Smiling, she propped her elbow on the counter. “Ah-h-h, former agent turned man of mystery.”

“Hardly,” he said. “This town just sort of stuck in my mind all these years and I thought it would be a great place to start over.”

She smiled. “Well, I’m glad I’m the first to know and the first to welcome you to our fair city. Again.”

“Thanks.”

“Mom and Dad will be thrilled.”

“How are they? Everything going well?”

“Great.” For the first time since she saw Del Rickman walk through the clinic doors, Allison’s spirits sagged slightly. At least, everything had been going well. For as long as they’d been together, she’d never felt anything but harmony between her parents, but recently she’d noticed a definite tension and it worried her. She kept her smile in place.

“And the rest of the family? How are they?”

“Just fine. My sister Sandy is attending the University of Texas and Hank is a typical teenager. I know they’ll want to see you.”

“I’d like that. Sam and Lynn and citizens like them are part of the reason I decided to live and work in Crystal Creek.”

“Since you’re starting a new business, Dad will want to introduce you to the Businessman’s Association and the Lions Club.”

“Well, I’m not quite ready to open my doors just yet.”

“Even so, he’ll want you to get to know people. Say,” her smile brightened. “Would you like to have dinner with the family tomorrow night?”

“Thanks for the invite, but Sam and Lynn may have other plans,” he hedged, even though the idea of a home-cooked meal among friends was definitely appealing.

“Sunday dinner is always the whole family at the table. Mom says we eat on the run the rest of the week, so she insists we all be together for the Sunday meal. Let me give them a call, but I already know the answer.”

Del watched as she walked to the phone and punched out a number. After a minute-long conversation she turned, gave him a thumbs-up and one of the most genuinely beautiful smiles he’d ever seen. The impact of it rolled over him like an unexpected tropical breeze after a long, cold winter. She had brilliant blue eyes but they dimmed in comparison to her smile. He had the feeling that when he closed his eyes tonight to sleep, that smile would be etched into his memory so clearly he would be able to recall every detail. There was something…he searched for the right word and had to settle for compelling…about her. Something that made him want to take her hand, tuck it safely into his and walk with her, talk with her. Just the two of them. He blinked, realizing his thoughts had taken a decidedly sensual turn. What was he thinking? This was little Allie, the girl he’d rescued.

Of course, she wasn’t little anymore. Even a fool could see she was a grown woman, and a damned attractive one. That smile of hers was enough to make a man dream about home and hearth. Get a grip, he told himself. If a great smile could affect him this way, he’d been alone far too long.

“It’s all set,” Allison said after ending the conversation. “Very casual, lots of good food and conversation, and tons of laughter. You’re going to love it.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” he answered, and it was true. A meal with a real family. He needed that kind of connection.

“Me, too. If I’m not being too curious, you said ‘relocating’, so I assume you’re looking for a place to—”

At that moment one of the double doors opened and Dr. Tanner motioned for Del. “Why don’t you come on back,” the vet suggested.

Del glanced at Allison. “I’ll go with you,” she offered, and they walked into the treatment room. Inside, a young woman who introduced herself as Connie, another vet tech, was cleaning up. Lying on a stainless steel table and hooked up to an IV tube was the hapless stray. At the sight of Del, the dog’s tail thumped loudly against the table.

“Hey, there, sweetie,” Allison cooed as she stroked the dog’s head. “You’re being such a good girl. Yes, you are.”

“Well,” Tanner said, “the good news is, no broken bones, no infections. She’s got a coupla lacerations, but only one needed stitches. Those’ll have to come out in about a week. She’s gonna favor her right leg for a while and she’s got a nasty bruise on that hip, but I figure she’ll probably walk it off in a day or so. You know, another twenty-four hours under that woodpile and it mighta been a whole different story.”

“Is she anemic?” Allison asked Tanner.

“Slightly.” He looked at Del. “Anemia is pretty common in strays. That, and malnutrition. This one’s hardly more than skin and bones, but it won’t take long to put some meat back on her. A week or two of three squares a day and you won’t even recognize her. She’ll be in the pink.”

“She’s been spayed,” Allison said, gently running her hand over the dog’s abdomen.

“Yep. Best guess is that she’s about three years old.” Tanner petted the dog. “The biggest concern now is dehydration. As you can see, we’ve got her on an IV and probably need to keep her on it for several hours, but she can go home with you tonight.”

“Thanks, Doc, I appreciate everything you’ve done. Is there any way you can board her until I can find her owner or a good home?”

Mike Tanner raised an eyebrow. “You’re not gonna keep her?”

“I hadn’t planned on it, but I will make sure she’s taken care of.”

“Well, that’s fine, but unfortunately she can’t stay here. We’re affiliated with A&M’s school of medicine through a grant from a rich alumnus. Not for profit, and all that. Mostly teaching and experimental. We’re not really open to the public except for emergencies. We just don’t have the space or staff to board animals unless it’s a serious medical circumstance. I’d point you in the direction of the local animal shelter, but they’re sufferin’ from cutbacks in state funding. Only open three days a week. There’s a shelter in Fredericksburg, and of course there’s the Austin ASPCA. Might give them a call. You allergic to dog dander or something?”

“No, I just don’t have a home—I mean, I do, but…I’ve just moved here. Today, in fact. I own a house, but it’s empty until my furniture arrives day after tomorrow. I’m staying there, but the accommodations consist of an air mattress, a sleeping bag and an ice chest.”

Mike Tanner grinned. “Look at this dog. Does she strike you as the highfalutin type? Besides, if you’re gonna run an ad in the Lost and Found section of the newspaper, there’ll have to be a number to call, and we can’t do that here.”

Del looked at the dog, clean now, or at least as clean as the doctor could accomplish without giving her a bath. With the top layer of filth gone, he could see she was a mixed breed: part Lab, part Retriever with maybe a splash of German shepherd thrown in for good measure. The colors in her coat were swirled, splotched and splattered rather than blended together, giving the dog’s fur the bizarre appearance of a Jackson Pollock work on fur. Then he looked at the very place he’d been avoiding—her eyes. They weren’t pleading or soulful, just trusting. Del told himself not to be a sap. He was too busy, had too many irons in the fire to babysit a stray. Still…the animal had been on his property. Technically, it was his responsibility to see the dog settled.

“Judgin’ from where she’s been,” Tanner said, “I’d say a bare floor inside a warm house is a step up for her. You got heat, right?”

“No, but I’ve got a working fireplace and plenty of firewood in the back of my truck. Weatherman said it would only drop to around forty degrees tonight, so I should be fine.”

“That’ll work.”

“But she’ll have to eat and I don’t have any dog food.”

“Got some in the back I’ll give you,” Tanner offered.

“And we’ve got a plastic bowl in the storeroom you can use for water,” Allison added.

Del was embarrassed that he sounded like a wimp, but the truth was, he hated to admit that he didn’t know the first thing about taking care of a dog.

“Once she’s hydrated, she’ll do fine,” Tanner insisted.

But would he, Del wondered? He just wasn’t used to sharing his space with anyone or anything. “What if she gets sick or her wound starts to bleed?”

The vet shrugged his shoulders. “That’s really not likely, but we’ll send along some antibacterial wipes and a bandage just in case. I’d like to see her again in a week to remove the stitches, and if you haven’t found the owner or a regular vet by then, we probably need to.”

Allison and the dog looked up at Del. “What could one night hurt? Essentially you’d be serving as a foster parent until she can be adopted,” she said, one hand slowly stroking the dog’s head. “And tomorrow I’ll see what we can do about finding who she belongs to, okay?”

“I couldn’t ask you to—”

“You didn’t. I offered.”

“Well,” Del sighed. “I guess if my place is good enough for me, it’ll have to be good enough for her.”

“There you go,” Tanner said. “All settled.” He gave the dog a gentle pat, shook Del’s hand then disappeared through a door marked “Lab” at the far end of the treatment room.

Del stared after him, wondering why he’d let himself be talked into leaving with the dog when that had not been his intention. He glanced at Allison and found her smiling. “Two against one, no fair.”

She nodded toward the dog. “Three.”

“Yeah. Looks like I’ve been outvoted.”

“You’ll do fine. Just call on all those survival skills you learned in the FBI.”

“I’m not sure they apply to dogs.”

Allison smiled. “My money’s on you.”

Del sighed again, knowing when he was well and truly beaten. “Okay, what time do I come back for her?”

“Ten o’clock. That’s when my shift ends.”

“Then I guess there’s nothing left to do but pay the bill.”

Allison crooked her finger and said, “Follow me.”

“What have I gotten myself into?” he mumbled.

The dog thumped her tail against the table, and Del glanced down at her. “Yeah, like you weren’t in on it from the start.” Then he followed Allison out to the front desk.

“All right.” She placed the statement on the counter then explained all the charges. “If you’ll just fill out the top of the form with your name, address, etc., we’ll be done.”

Del had no idea if the amount at the bottom of the statement was reasonable or not, but he simply did as she instructed, then returned the form and handed her his credit card.

She turned away, looked back at him. “2318 Roanoke? You bought the old Loftin place.”

“You know the house?”

“I used to know the family that lived there,” she said as she processed the transaction. “There you go, Mr. Rickman.” She handed his credit card and receipt back to him.

“I wish you’d call me Del.”

She looked straight into his eyes. “I would love to call you Del.”

“And in exchange I promise not to call you Allie.”

“Deal.” She stuck out her hand, and Del shook it.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you shortly after ten,” he said.

Del headed out, still wondering how he’d gotten himself a pet when that had been the last thing on his mind an hour ago. He was no closer to an answer three hours later when he found himself walking out of the clinic again. This time with a dog in hand.

WHAT AN ASTONISHING DAY, Allison thought as she drove home after her shift. No, more like fateful, she decided. She’d wanted to meet Del Rickman again ever since he’d rescued her, and to have him simply walk into the clinic as he had tonight was nothing short of fateful. While a part of her was eager to talk to her parents and share everything that had transpired, another part wanted to savor the events, keep them to herself. To be honest, she didn’t want to share him with anyone, even her family. A ridiculous notion, she realized, because in a small town like Crystal Creek, news spread like poison ivy at a summer camp. Before noon tomorrow, Del Rickman would be the talk of the town. Besides, he was a friend of the family, and he had already spoken to her father. Still, she didn’t say anything as she walked into the house. Her mother was at the kitchen sink and her father was seated at the table. She decided to wait for them to broach the subject, and she didn’t have to wait long.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Dad.”

“So.” Sam Russell grinned. “What did you think about seeing Del Rickman after all this time?”

“Your father has talked about nothing but Del all night.” Lynn McKinney Russell came over and gave Allison a hug. “That cold front must have moved in. Your ears are like icicles.”

“Are they?” Allison touched her ears. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather when he called looking for a vet,” Sam said. “How’d it go? Did the dog make it all right?”

“Everything went fine, and—”

“Did he tell you what he’s doing in Crystal Creek?” Sam asked. “Is he on a case?”