Coming Home to Texas Read online

  “Just this deputy.” The tone of his voice tightened up.

  Ellie came up to stand beside him. She wanted to smooth over whatever had just happened, but wasn’t exactly sure how. “Have you...have you been shot? Is that it? Is that why you won’t teach the boys?” It seemed a prying question, but by the way his shoulders tensed, the answer seemed obvious. She moved in front of him, wanting to see his face. “You have, haven’t you? Whoa. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  “No, it’s okay,” Nash replied, although it was clear it wasn’t.

  “It doesn’t look okay. Really, it’s none of my business. I don’t know when to keep my mouth shut sometimes.”

  “It’s why I’m here.” His words were quick and quiet, like ripping off a bandage. If a flinch had a sound, it was his tone. “Well, part of why I’m here. And, yes, it’s why I won’t teach the class.”

  “I’m so sorry. What happened?”

  He turned to look at her, pain and memory and a bit of bewilderment in his eyes. There was something different about Nash’s eyes, some subtle distinction she couldn’t quite name but saw all the same. “The short version is that I used to work with teens. One of them, someone I had come to trust, turned on me. With a gun. I was shot once in the shoulder and once in the thigh. So you can see why I’m in no hurry to hang out with teenage boys right now.”

  “I didn’t know. And here I’ve been egging you on like an idiot. I’m sorry.”

  “It could have been a lot worse. I try to thank God every day I’m still here. But the truth was, after that I couldn’t stay in LA.” He leaned against the porch railing as if the mere mention of the wound made his leg hurt. “I used to be able to see the good in some of the worst kids. I thought of it as my gift—cutting past all the trash talk and tough-guy tattoos to connect with guys before they went all the way bad.”

  “That does sound like a gift,” Ellie said, meaning it.

  “Yeah, well, two weeks in a hospital can knock the gift right out of a guy, I suppose.”

  For all her betrayed feelings, Ellie couldn’t say Derek had actually set out to hurt her. To have someone seek to harm you, hunt you down at gunpoint? To fire at you with a mind to end your life? If she’d wanted to run from Atlanta, who wouldn’t want to run all the way from California to get away from something like that?

  Teens had hurt him. Of course he’d say no to working with them again. “I can see why you won’t help Pastor Theo with those boys.”

  Nash shook his head. “‘Why I won’t help.’ Why do those words bug me so much, making me feel petty for refusing to step up and lend a hand when I have every good reason to say no?”

  Maybe Theo was right and God really was putting a plan together. “Are you sure you need to say no? Maybe you’re just scared to say yes. Gran always says scared isn’t a good enough reason to say no to something that might be good.”

  “Then your grandmother is a stronger person than I am.”

  What Nash did, helping those kids in LA, must have taken so much courage and compassion. It couldn’t all be gone just because one kid betrayed him. Then again, wasn’t she hiding here in Martins Gap because of betrayal, too? “What if what you really need is to prove to yourself you still can see the good in kids like that? What’s the worst that could happen?”

  He shook his head and gave a dark, low laugh. “I could get shot again. And this time the kid may not miss.”

  “Cowboys and Indians,” she said, remembering his earlier comment that now had such a different edge to it.

  “Cops and robbers,” he said, his features showing a hint of humor.

  “Cars and knitting.” A plate of biscotti was on the porch table from her meeting with Pastor Theo. Ellie took one and held it in front of her like a mustache, doing a pathetic Groucho Marx impersonation. “It’s an idea so crazy it just might work.”

  “It probably won’t work.” Nash took the cookie from her hands and took a big bite out of it. “But maybe I ought to try anyway.”

  Chapter Five

  “Why, Ellie Buckton!”

  Ellie smiled at the young woman behind the church office desk Thursday morning. With the exception of a few additional pounds and the switch from a perky ponytail to a more “adult” hairstyle, Dottie hadn’t really changed. Frozen in time like half of Martins Gap, she presented a slightly older version of the high school friend she had been to Ellie. Of course, she was Dottie Howe now that she’d married Ted Howe, her high school sweetheart. Dottie was the mom of twins, but Ellie was embarrassed she couldn’t remember their names or how old they were. She should have kept closer ties.

  “Hi, Dottie.”

  “I heard you were back in town.” Dottie shook her head and waved a hand adorned with bright pink fingernails. “Sorry to hear things didn’t work out between you and the chef guy. So sad. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

  So word was out. That was to be expected—this was prime, juicy gossip for the likes of Martins Gap. “Thanks.” She still hadn’t come up with a suitable reply for people’s condolences. Ellie tried to tell herself that letting word spread through the rumor mill was better than having to rehash the painful details over and over, but her heart wasn’t buying it. Dramatic as it sounded, these days she felt like emotional roadkill, forced to lie there in splatters while the rest of the world drove by and gawked. This won’t last forever, she told herself. Just for now. And everyone here is on your side. Remember that.

  “You remember the great big wedding Ted and I had. I can’t imagine all that’d be involved in calling one off.”

  Ted and Dottie had married two weeks after high school graduation in a big affair by Martins Gap standards. Ellie had been a starry-eyed bridesmaid in the ceremony. Of course, after working in the Atlanta food industry, her idea of a big wedding was now a lot more elaborate than Ted and Dottie’s VFW Hall reception. To Martins Gap, Derek’s and her plans would have felt slick and sophisticated. Ellie put on her “I’m making the best of it” face and sighed. “Well, at least the invitations hadn’t gone out yet.” Those were sitting in a box back in her Atlanta apartment awaiting a stuffing-and-stamping-and-pizza-and-movie night that would have been next month with Katie, Derek, and Derek’s brother and best man, Clark. Another casualty lying by the side of the road waiting to be cleaned up.

  For a startled second she wondered if GoodEats had issued a press release. What an odd field public relations was in the restaurant world, where people were promoted as much as the food or the decor. “It’s kind of a big mess right now.”

  “I am sorry. Must feel good to come back home for a spell.”

  Ellie could only shrug. “I’ll let you know.” Being on the ranch was one thing. Being out and about in Martins Gap felt like quite another. Everyone was friendly, but she couldn’t help feeling on display knowing she was the object of whispers. Ellie changed the subject. “How are Ted and the kids?”

  “Oh, they keep me running.” She ran her hand over a framed photo of two sandy-haired, ruddy-cheeked boys who looked about four. “I work here while they’re in preschool across the street. Why don’t you come over for dinner one of these nights? Ted grills a mean steak and you can see the twins.”

  Your life is so different from mine, Ellie thought as she stared at the photo. The distance between the direction her life had taken and where Dottie’s had led gaped wide between them. Dottie had called to say she was expecting, but Ellie had missed coming back for the baby shower. Ellie had knitted baby booties and sent them when the twins were born. She’d paid halfhearted attention to Dottie’s social-media posts about fishing derbies and birthdays and lost teeth. There had been a few casual conversations when Ellie made it home, a wave at the grocery store last Christmas, but nothing substantial. “They’re adorable,” Ellie offered, because they were—all grins and freckles that matched Dotti
e’s wide, welcoming smile.

  “They make me crazy most days, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.” Dottie put down the file she had been holding. “It’s a shame we’ve lost touch. I mean it about dinner, Ellie. You really should come.” Her face brightened with an idea. “Two Fridays from now a bunch of us girls are getting pedicures and all kinds of stuff at Wylene’s. We do it once every other month. We laugh ourselves silly. Lydia will be there, too. It’s probably nothing like what you’re used to, but it sure is fun. You ought to come.”

  Ellie’s heart twisted at the invitation. With Dottie being so friendly, she knew she should be jumping at the offer, but it stung anyway. All but one of her high school friends were married—half of them mothers already. She’d be the only single woman in the crowd, the sad jilted city girl grafted in out of pity. “I’ll think about it,” Ellie replied.

  “You do that. It’s been ages since all of us have been together. It’d be a hoot. I know it would.” She handed Ellie a scrap of paper. “Write down your cell-phone number and I’ll get you all the details.”

  Ellie complied. “It’s really nice of you to offer.”

  Dottie tore off another scrap of paper and scribbled down digits. “That’s mine. I really do want us to get together. And you ought to come to Wylene’s. You’d have fun, and I imagine you could use a little fun right now.”

  Ellie pocketed the number. “I suppose I could.” Say yes right now, she told herself, but couldn’t quite make the words come out. “I’ll let you know. I’m here to see Pastor Theo.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I plum forgot he said you were coming in. You’re going to do something for the after-school program he’s got going.”

  Ellie smiled. “That’s the plan.”

  “Good for you. You always did need to stay busy. I expect Martins Gap feels a bit slow and backward to someone with your kind of career.”

  “No, it’s nice,” Ellie replied. “I could use a break from things, you know?”

  “Don’t I know about needing a break! Well, anyways, Pastor’s office is just in there. I’ll bring you two coffee in a jiffy as soon as he’s off the phone.” She peered at a handset on the desk, tapping it as a red light blinked off. “And there he goes. Head right on in. He’s expecting you. And I’m going to call you about dinner and Wylene’s.”

  Ellie started walking toward the office. “Okay.”

  Dottie smiled one last time. “I bet Miss Adele’s tickled to have you home for a spell. She talks about you all the time, you know. You and that big-city life of yours.”

  Me and that big-city life of mine. Now if only I knew what that life was going to be like from here. Anytime you want to let me in on Your plans, Lord, I’m listening.

  * * *

  Don looked up from a report he was filing. “Theo tells me you finally said yes to his request.”

  Nash had only called Theo this morning. The speed at which certain information traveled around this town still amazed him. “I did.”

  Don’s chair gave a hearty squeak as he leaned back. “I know that can’t have been easy for you, but I meant what I said to Theo. I think it’d be good for you and good for those kids. We all know you’re a better choice than that fuddy-duddy old shop teacher they’ve got down at the high school.”

  Nash raised an eyebrow at the name-calling.

  “One fuddy-duddy can call another fuddy-duddy out on his—” Don’s eyebrows knitted together as he reached for the word “—fuddy-ness” He folded his hands over his portly stomach. “I know these kids don’t relate to me. It’s why I brought you in. I don’t even understand half of what they’re talking about anymore. My cell phone’s only got numbers on it, and I like it that way. I’m just glad when I can work the radio in the cruiser and find the right website to file our reports.”

  In fact, Nash had been forced to step in three times last week to help Don navigate the state’s online reporting system. Don was a good lawman—a very good one and highly respected by the adults—but the kids in town probably made fun of his outdated ways. That wasn’t helpful. Kids who felt as though the sheriff’s office was behind the times could easily jump to thinking they could outwit the local law. That led to stunts like what were happening at the Blue Thorn. Don had been smart to bring on a younger deputy, and Nash wanted to do a good job for the guy. It just felt as if it was going to cost him a whole lot to succeed.

  “You told Theo about your background?”

  For a guy who’d come to Texas to escape his past, he sure had been rehashing it a lot of late. “I did.”

  “Good. He’ll support you. Good guy, Theo. Cares a lot about this town, and that goes a long way with me.”

  “Yeah,” Nash agreed. “I like him. Killer recruiting skills. Ellie told me no one ever says no to Pastor Theo. She looked at me like I had no choice once Theo had asked me.”

  “She’s right. ’Course I knew that all along.” Don snickered. “It might even have been why I suggested you.”

  Nash spun his chair to face Don. “You put Theo up to that?”

  “It’s in my best interest that you get acclimated into this community. You’re no social butterfly, Larsen. I had to get creative.”

  Nash shook his head and turned back to his desk. At least if he was going to get railroaded into community service, it’d be alongside someone he liked and could relate to, like Ellie. If he’d ever wondered what made her hightail it out of Martins Gap, Nash had a feeling he was about to find out.

  Chapter Six

  Sheriff Mellows looked up at Ellie with a wide smile as she walked into the storefront that served as the Martins Gap Sheriff’s Office. “Ellie, darlin’, good to see you. You holding up okay?”

  Everyone asked her that. Was she? Ellie didn’t know. Nothing felt right, but parts of her still knew she’d made the right choice by breaking it off with Derek. “I think so” had become her standard reply to such questions. “I am glad to be home for a while, anyway.” She switched subjects as quickly as possible. “Gran tells me this is your last term as sheriff. Are you really going to make Martins Gap elect someone new to fill those great big shoes?”

  Mellows pointed to a small black gadget blinking the number 232 in red.

  “Says right there. New sheriff takes over in two hundred and thirty two days, whoever he is. Or she. I’m a forward-thinking guy.”

  “You’ve got a countdown clock?” Ellie laughed.

  “My granddaughter sent it to me from San Antonio. Nash says I’ve messed with it to make it run faster, but I’m amazed I got the fool thing to even turn on.”

  “Is Nash around? I just came from church and I have some stuff for the after-school program from Pastor Theo.”

  Don nodded toward the back door of the sheriff’s office. “He’s out back fiddling with that car like he does every lunch break. He may be putting poor old Clive out of a job tending to the department vehicles the way he keeps things running.” He raised an eyebrow toward her tote bag. “I don’t suppose you’ve got some of your Gran’s brownies in that there bag?”

  Gran kept the sheriff’s office, the volunteer fire department and half a dozen other town services in baked goods. “Afraid not,” she teased the older man. “But I have half a dozen blondie bars from Lolly’s.” Lolly’s was the diner down the street known for its scrumptious deserts. “Will that do?”

  Don laughed and patted the paunch straining his shirt buttons. “It will, darlin’. It’ll do just fine. Don’t you let Nash eat ’em all before I get some.”

  Ellie headed for the door that led out back. “I promise.” The screen door gave a tired squeak as she pushed it open, causing Nash to look up from where he was bent over a low, sleek, black-and-gold sports car with the hood raised. The spring sun warmed the paved parking lot, and Nash was in a white cotton T-shirt, his uniform shirt hanging ou
t of the way on a peg beside the door. A wide stripe of something black was smeared across one lean forearm while a matching smear ran across one side of his jaw. He offered her a cheerful grin as he worked a wrench around some nut or bolt on an engine part. “Hi, there. Give me a sec to get this tight and I’ll be right with you.”

  She slid her bag onto the picnic table that sat in the shade cast by the office wall, noticing an open box from Shorty’s Pizza on the table with a few slices gone. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get engine grease on your lunch?”

  He half grunted, half laughed as he struggled with the wrench. “I’m more afraid I’ll get cheese on my spark plugs, actually. Ah, there.” Whatever he was fighting with slipped into place, and he straightened up, reaching for a grimy towel spread across the front fender. “This is a nice surprise.”

  “I met with Theo this morning to go over the program schedule, and I thought I’d drop off a copy of the calendar he gave me.” She’d tacked Lolly’s and a visit to Nash on to the end of her errands as a present to herself for surviving the pitying stares of the bank teller—a woman who used to be in her high school chemistry class and who was now pregnant with her second child—and two whispering old ladies from the pharmacy. “I see you went to Shorty’s. Has anyone introduced you to Lolly’s blondies yet?”

  Nash grabbed a cake of soap from above the hose spigot and turned on the water. “Not yet,” he called above the noise of the water sloshing over his hands into a bucket on the pavement.

  “Well, you’re in for a treat. Half a dozen. Three for you, two for Don and one for me.”

  He dried his hands and came over and sat down on the picnic bench. “What if I only want one?”

  Ellie pulled one of the large gooey squares out of the bag and broke off a corner. “You won’t. Lolly’s blondies are legendary. I’ve had Gran send them to me in Atlanta. Gran’s tried to get her recipe for years, but Lolly’s no fool.” She bit into the sweet, crumbly delight. “Yum. If anyone ever tries to get out of a speeding ticket with one of these, take them up on it.” Ellie threw a glance at Nash, who lowered his eyebrows at the suggestion. “Not that I was trying, that night. I just meant what I said—you really were the only nice thing in a really crummy day.”