Page 6 of Call it Reckless

“Lexi? You hear me?”

Her sigh sounded even louder through the phone. “Yes, sir.”

At least some of the charm school’s lessons were paying off. I didn’t fall for her demureness, however. I knew there would still be arguments next Tuesday when she had the extra class after school.

Lexi was naturally considerate and friendly toward others. She had a willing spirit to help others in need, probably fostered by our town’s many fundraising events. It was one of the reasons I was glad Abby and I settled in Sterling Mill. And I was grateful Lexi had nice friends and good grades.

But she’d been turning into a tomboy under my solo care without her mother’s quiet charm to round out my rough spots. Hence, the extra Tuesday classes.

I changed the subject, and we chatted for a few more minutes through the phone speaker as I passed along the dark country road, keeping a close eye out for any deer that might decide to dart in front of me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart.”

“Okay, Daddy. I love you!”

“I love you, too.”

“I love you three!”

I smiled at the game we’d started years ago. “I love you four.”

“For what, Daddy?”

“I love you for not complaining about trying on dresses for your grandma.”

She snorted. “That’s lame.”

I snickered. “Okay, I love you for being the brightest star on this dark night.”

“Much better, Daddy.” I could hear the smile in her voice, causing my mouth to curve upward in response.

“Good night, cupcake.”

I hung up in a much less frustrated mood than when I called.

I hadn’t been exaggerating about the darkness. There were no streetlights this far out, just random porch lights from the big, old homes that were out this way.

I loved driving through this part of town. Lexi and I lived in a small but nice house in one of the new neighborhoods just outside the downtown area, but the acreage out here made my mouth drool. Others saw it as a lot of upkeep; I saw it as an opportunity to have breathing room.

When I was little, I wondered who got to live in such pretty, big homes and dreamed of being able to own one someday. Hell, I still did. But they were rarely put up for sale, and when they were, they were way above my pay grade.

Maybe someday.

Passing one of my favorites on the edge of town, I slowed to admire it. I’d only met the couple who’d lived here, Arabella and Oliver Allen, a few times in passing before they were tragically killed coming home from a church trip to Nashville. The bus they were traveling on lost control and went down a long embankment, injuring and killing several, including Arabella’s older brother, James.

I couldn’t help but think they would be sad that their home, once full of life and love, was sitting empty. Arabella and Oliver had been pillars of the community. I knew from my friend, Emalee, that her cousin, Bristol, had inherited the historic home, but I guess she’d been too caught up in another life to move here.

Now, as splashed across every news station for the past few months, her circumstances had changed, and she was due to arrive any day. I hadn’t driven past here in a while, but even in the dark, I could see some updates had been made. A fresh coat of paint brightened its appearance, and new windows reflected the moonlight. A crooked shutter had been straightened, and the flowerbeds no longer held scraggly weeds.

Damn.Not for the first time, I wished I’d been able to buy it, but looking at the renovations that had been done, I knew there was no way I could have afforded the maintenance, much less the mortgage.

A yellowish flicker in one of the windows caught my eye. I peered through the darkness toward the back of the house.

Sure enough, I saw a faint light bobbing around. Being over a hundred years old and vacant for so long, the old house had become a silent invitation for ghost hunters and kids who dared each other to spend the night. They were usually harmless, but I was more concerned about real-life vandals, maybe even a construction worker who saw something he liked and had come back for it after hours.

I killed my vehicle lights, turned my SUV around, and parked along the side of the road. Unlocking my glove compartment, I pulled out my gun and ensured I had my badge. I’d learned the hard way that one could never be too prepared.

I made a quick call to dispatch so they’d know where I was and what I was doing. They’d send backup, but I wanted to snoop around before someone got away. I made my way to the back and tested a side door, frowning when I found it unlocked. I’d have to follow up with Cameron Allen about making sure her employees secured a building after they finished working for the day. Either that, or she was unknowingly harboring a thief in her employment.

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