A Texas Family

“The sheriff and his deputies made up a motive by talking to people around town. They said my dad was trying to force Jared to marry me and nothing could be further from the truth.”

“What was the truth?”

“We graduated in May and worked all summer. The baby was due the first week in October, and we wanted to save enough money to rent an apartment in Austin. Before the baby was born, we planned to run away and get married.”

“Who knew about the plan?”

“No one. I didn’t even tell Hilary. We didn’t want Asa to find out.”

“Can you prove any of this?”

“Why do I need to prove anything?”

His eyes held hers. “Because it would mean your father didn’t have a motive.”

“My father didn’t know we were getting married,” she said rather tartly.

He pulled a pad and pen forward. “Did you get a marriage license?”

“Yes. In San Marcos.”

“Did you rent an apartment?”

“Yes. In Austin.” She gripped her hands again to keep the memories at bay. “Jared was killed the day before we were to leave.”

Complete silence followed her words, and she took a moment to gather her shattered composure. Memories of that day were still very real and painful. But it was only a prelude of the misery to come.

“Mr. Corbett...”

“Could you please call me Carson?” His green eyes held hers, waiting.

“I’d rather keep this formal.” She didn’t know why she was hesitating. She just didn’t want to be on friendly terms with him.

“Willow Creek is as informal as you can get.”

“But you and I are not friends. You and I will never be friends.”

“I see,” he said in a flat tone, and for a moment she felt a twinge of guilt. But it passed quickly. He made her feel weak and she hated that. She would never be weak again.

She reached for her purse and stood. “Dredging up the murders is not the reason I’m here. My child is the only reason I came back, and your father is the only one who has the answer. You’re stalling because you know I’m right.”

He stood, too, his green eyes turning dark. “I’ve asked before, and your answer wasn’t satisfactory. Why are you coming back now? Why not eight years ago? Five years? You’ve left it rather late to play the mother card.”

“How dare you! I don’t have to explain anything to you, and I’m not answering any more questions. You have until eight o’clock tonight to speak to your father. If I don’t hear from you, I’m calling my attorney.” She turned on her heel and walked out.

In the car she was trembling so badly she had to take several deep breaths. She’d known this wasn’t going to be easy, but she’d never counted on her emotions betraying her. There was an attraction between them, very subtle, but it was there. No way was she letting her heart get involved with the enemy. And that was who Carson Corbett was—her worst enemy.

* * *

CARSON RAN BOTH hands through his hair. Son of a bitch! What had just happened? They were having a normal conversation and the next minute she was tearing into him like a cornered bobcat.

He closed the folder and jammed it back into the storage box. She was right. Dredging up the past was pointless. He had to deal with the present.

His cell buzzed and he reached for it on his belt. It was his aunt.

“Carson, your father’s awake. He’s had a late breakfast and now he’s watching TV.”

“I’ll be right there.”

He locked up the office and headed for home. Driving down the winding road to the house, he glanced at his cows feeding on new coastal hay. It had taken him years, but he’d slowly built a good-size herd again. Yet the ranch was far from what it used to be. He couldn’t afford help, so when he wasn’t doing his constable job, he worked the ranch. His life ran at a grueling pace, but it kept him from thinking.

Parking at the garages, he took a moment and then went in through the sunroom. Aunt Fran was in the kitchen, loading the dishwasher.

She looked up, her face worried. “What’s this about, Carson?”

“It’s not good.” He told her about Jena Brooks’s allegations.

“That can’t be true.” She wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Asa wouldn’t do something like that.”

“I’m not so sure. He was out of his mind with grief.”

“I wish I could have gotten here sooner after Jared died, but I was in Australia and...”

“You know Pa. You couldn’t have changed a thing. Where is he?”

“In the den. Carson,” she called as he turned away. “Be patient.”

He nodded and walked into the large Western-style room with dark walnut paneling, leather sofas, horse sculptures and a brightly colored area rug. His father sat in his chair, watching TV, a remote in his unsteady hand.

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.

With long strides he made his way to the barn. The horse stalls were empty compared to the heyday of the Bar C, when they’d been filled with thoroughbreds. He walked through the large barn to the other end and pushed open the double doors that were an entrance to a corral and then the horse pasture.

He whistled. A black horse with three white stocking feet cantered to the fence. Carson undid the gate, and the horse pranced through and into the barn to a feed trough. Within minutes, Carson had a saddle on his quarter horse, Jet, and they galloped away into a bright sunny day. He had no idea where he was going. He had to clear his head, to get his thoughts straight.

He rode through his herd, but he barely noticed them. All his thoughts were on what he had to do in the next few hours. He dismounted at Willow Creek and sat in the grass.

Two years ago the creek had dried up from a severe drought. Due to heavy rains it was flowing again. Large willows hugged the creek, and the tips of their slender branches played with the water. He picked up a pebble and skimmed it across the surface. After three skips, it landed on the other side. He and Jared had done this so many times, each trying to outdo the other.

Back then, they were kids and happy in their own way. They had Aunt Fran, their friends and each other. Their father was someone who yelled at them and, when they displeased him, gave them a sharp lash from his belt.

Asa had a softer side, too, but he rarely showed it. He’d brought a puppy home one time for Jared and let him keep it in his room. Asa had fed it on occasion. Then there were times he’d take them to horse and cattle auctions, and he’d proudly tell people, “These are my boys.” He gave them money, trucks, anything they wanted. But he never gave them his love. At least, Carson never felt it. He was pretty sure Jared hadn’t, either.

There was something about DNA, though. It bound people together, overlooked faults, accepted imperfections, and even if those three words were never spoken, instinctively they were understood.

Carson skimmed another pebble across the creek. How did the Corbett family get so messed up? There wasn’t an answer.

Glancing at his watch, he rose to his feet. He had to get his kids from school. They were the bright spot in his life. He would never let them down, and he made sure they felt his love every day.

With one foot in the stirrup, he swung into the saddle and turned Jet toward home. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to Jena. He’d rather take another lash from Pa’s belt than tell her she would never know what had happened to her baby.

* * *

JENA WAS RESTLESS and had to do something to let off some steam. She pulled the mower out of the shed and finished mowing the yard. After that, she used the Weedwacker to trim around the edges. There wasn’t a single blade of grass peeping up its head. The yard looked better. But it would look even better with flower beds.

In the shed she found a hoe and started digging. She didn’t stop until she had a bed on each side of the porch. Her back and shoulders ached, so she thought she’d stop for the day. After the house was painted, she’d buy mulch and finish the beds.

All day she’d forced herself not to think of Carson and their talk, but she’d looked at her watch about a hundred times. She’d given him until eight o’clock, and she intended to keep her word on that. Wiping sweat from her brow, she decided to take a break and sat on the porch. A light breeze fanned her heated skin.

Carson had wanted to know why it had taken her so long to come back. Her reason was personal and private, and she would not share her life with him. Hilary and cousin Nan knew, but other than them she hadn’t told a soul, not even Blake.

Realizing it was six o’clock, she went inside to fix supper for her mother. At least Hilary didn’t have to rush home for that. She made ham-and-cheese sandwiches, and her mother ate very little. She had a faraway look in her eyes as she picked the cheese off her sandwich.

“Is Hilary still at school?” Norma asked.

Jena was taken aback. Her mother had been fine all day. Now she seemed to be in another place.

“Um...yes.” She followed Hil’s example and agreed with her.

“I don’t like her walking home in the dark.”

“Hilary’s fine, Mama. I’ll check on her later.”

Her mother touched her arm. “You’re a good sister. Have you finished your homework?”

“Um...yes.”

Norma suddenly sat up straight, her head cocked to one side. “Did you hear that? Is that the sound of your dad’s truck?”

“No, Mama. It’s just a noise on the highway.”

“I don’t know.” Norma jumped up and went into the living room, peering out the window. “I don’t see anything.”

Jena followed her. “It’s nothing.”

“I’ll sit in my chair and wait.” Norma sank into her recliner. “If I holler, you get out of the house. I don’t want him beating on you again.”

How many times had she heard those words? More than she wanted to remember. In that moment she realized her mother had spent most of her life listening for the sound of her husband’s truck. No wonder she was losing her mind. Without any happiness, the mind had found its own kind of peace.

After putting ham and cheese back into the refrigerator, she slammed the door just a little too hard. Why did life have to be like this? As a kid she used to dream of a happy family with loving parents. She’d tell her dad about her day and he’d smile and encourage her. Reality was far removed from the fantasy. But when their grandmother had been alive, their life had been almost normal. Their dad had supper with them every night and he didn’t drink. At least not in Grandmother’s presence.

After her death, life became a nightmare. Her father lost his job, and he was angry all the time. The drinking, arguing and fighting started. Life was never the same again.

She cleaned the kitchen counter with a deep sigh. There had to be happy families somewhere. Maybe they only existed beyond the clouds in Hilary’s mural.

To stop the depressing thoughts she went to take a bath. Afterward, she slipped on clean shorts and a tank top. She hadn’t brought many clothes, and it was a good thing Hilary had the washing machine. After putting a load on to wash, she checked on her mother. She was sound asleep in her chair. At peace.

She went outside and sat on the porch, swinging her legs off the side the way she had as a child. It was after seven and Carson hadn’t come by or called. She’d wait until after eight and take it from there. She hadn’t called Blake today, and she’d wait on that, too. Right now her thoughts were on her child. Carson would come, she kept telling herself. He’d have news. But they’d parted on an angry note, so she shouldn’t expect much. Still, she kept hoping.

The white constable car turned into the driveway and her heart raced. He was here. She ran her sweaty palms down her bare thighs and waited.

He strolled toward her, and there was something in the way he moved. Was it dejection? Despair? She couldn’t decide. Either way, it wasn’t good.

“Good evening, Ms. Brooks,” he said, his voice cordial yet hesitant.

“Good evening,” she replied. “Have you talked to your father?” The words rushed out before she could stop them.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“He admits to taking your baby.”

Her heart skyrocketed. She hadn’t expected Asa to admit that so easily. “Oh” slipped from her throat.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” he warned.

“Why?”

“He’s never going to tell you where that baby is.”

“What?” She was confused.

“Revenge, Ms. Brooks. The ultimate revenge. In his mind you took Jared from him, and in return he took your child. And since he can’t get Jared back, you’re not getting your child back, either. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way Asa is.”

Her hands curled into fists. “How can he be that evil?”

“Like I said, I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, but I’ve done what you asked. It’s out of my hands now. Call your lawyer and let him do what he can, but nothing on this earth will make Asa tell his secret. I know him well enough to know that.”

“It’s illegal to steal someone’s baby,” she said with barely controlled anger.

“Yes, and Asa will be arrested because he freely admits to everything, but in his condition very little will be done. He’ll probably be put into a home.”

She fought the tears forming in her eyes. “I don’t understand any of this. Asa was so mean to Jared, and all he wanted to do was get away from his father. Now he’s acting like Jared was a son he loved dearly.”

“In his heart I guess he did.”

“He doesn’t have a heart,” she spat. “How can he keep a child from its mother? Jared’s child!”

Carson shrugged. “I don’t profess to understand my father. He’s all the things you say he is, but that’s not going to change a thing. He will never tell you what happened. That secret will die with him. I’m sorry for what he put you through, but for me this is over. There’s nothing else I can do.”

She stood on unsteady legs. “It will never be over for me, Mr. Corbett.”

“I understand that.”

“Do you? Do you know what it’s like to have your baby forcefully taken from you? Do you know what it’s like to be in fear of your very life? Do you...?” Tears clogged her throat, and she had to stop.

He stepped forward as if to console her.

She flung out her arms. “Do not touch me. Ever.”

“Ms. Bro...”

Not able to take any more, she turned and ran into the house. Tears ran from her eyes, and her body shook violently. They would not break her. She would not give in to the pain. She sank onto the floor in the bedroom and stared at Hilary’s clouds and drifted away to a better place.

* * *

WHEN CARSON WAS in Afghanistan, he’d often wondered what it would feel like to be hit by a sniper’s bullet. Now he knew. It had to be similar to the paralyzing fear that controlled his body and his mind. And touched his soul.

After Jared’s and Beth’s deaths, he’d felt a deep sadness and didn’t know how he was going to go on without them. They were a big part of his world and adjusting to a new life wasn’t easy, but he had his kids. Jena had nothing.

Somehow he felt responsible for her pain because he’d delivered the bad news. That hopeless look on her face got to him, and he just wanted to comfort her in some way, but there was no comfort in the knowledge she would never see her child.

He got into his car, cursing his father’s stubbornness and life’s cruelty. Maybe she could move on now and find happiness. That was, after Asa was arrested. Maybe that would bring her some peace. For him it would be another nightmare to get through.

He and Beth had vowed to have a happy, loving family, and they had for a while. They were ecstatic when they found out she was pregnant with Trey. In her sixth month, they’d decided it would be better if she came home to Willow Creek to have the baby.

Beth had called her mother, who’d said it wasn’t a good time to come home. After many years of marriage, Connie and Don Kirby were getting a divorce. Beth had packed and gone home anyway, trying to save her parents’ marriage. It hadn’t worked. Her father had already moved out, and her mother was planning to relocate to Maine to be with a truck driver she’d met at Mabel’s Café.

Beth was devastated and Carson was so far away he couldn’t help her. That was when Asa had stepped in and invited Beth to live at the Bar C. Beth was one of the few people Asa liked, so Carson hadn’t worried about how his father would treat her. He doted on her, hiring a housekeeper and making sure Beth had everything she needed.