Page 63 of The Honorable Texan
“I heard the kidnapper was still on the loose,” Blake told him.“You don’t think he’d be crazy enough to show up here in town?”
Grier met his eyes evenly.“Without Tippy, there’s no case.Kidnapping is a federal offense.It means hard time.The guy is a professional contract killer.I don’t have any illusions about Tippy being safe just because she’s in my house.I sleep light these days.”
Blake nodded.“I hope it works out.”
“It will, one way or another,” Grier said grimly.
“What about your cats?”Leo asked curiously.
Blake blinked.“What?”
“We’ve heard some strange stories from people who visited you at home,” Leo replied with a chuckle.“They say most all of them came out running.”
“And bleeding,” Grier added wickedly.
“A few scratches here and there, that’s all.”
“Yes, but Violet will be living with them.”
“She has some ideas that involve fresh salmon,” Blake replied, grinning.“They do take bribes.”
“Good luck,” Grier said.
“Amen,” Leo added.
Blake just smiled and went back to Violet.
* * *
He told heron the way out of town about Julie Merrill jumping bail, and about the evidence Grier wanted to see.
She looked at him with soft compassion.“It’s hard for you to look back, isn’t it?”she asked gently.“Shannon meant a lot to you.”
He nodded solemnly.“She did.”His head turned toward her.“But the past is gone, Violet.I’ve made mistakes, trying to live in it.She was a kind woman.She wouldn’t have wanted me to be bitter.”
She smiled.“You were just hurt,” she said.“It takesa lot of time to get over losing people.I know.I still miss Daddy.”
“I miss both of my parents,” he said unexpectedly.“My father died when I was little.I took care of my mother all the way through school.She died of a stroke the week after I graduated from law school.Shannon was there, with food and comfort, kindness.I was almost out of my mind with grief already.Then, just a few months later, I lost Shannon, too.”He glanced at Violet.“I’ve been hiding, I suppose.”
“It isn’t hard to see why.”She leaned back against the seat.“Leo looks different.”
“He’s married,” he said, laughing.“He’s definitely mellowed.All the Hart boys have.It’s just amazing.I’d have bet real money that they’d end up crusty old bachelors.”
“They said the same thing about the Tremayne brothers,” she pointed out.“And look at them!”
He smiled.“Marc Brannon, Judd Dunn, there are two other bachelors I’d have bet on staying single.”He shook his head.“Now Cash Grier’s about to fall.”
“You think Tippy could settle down in a small town?”she asked, aghast.
“You’ve seen them together.What do you think?”
She sighed.“I think they’re crazy about each other, but neither of them is willing to admit it.She’s been through a lot, including the miscarriage.That must have been tough.What if the tabloids find out she’s here and start on her again?”
His eyes twinkled.“Oh, I think Cash can handle the press.”
“Matt Caldwell certainly did, they say, when a reporter targeted his Leslie some years ago, before they were married.”
“This is not a good place for outsiders if they ruffle feelings,” Blake reminded her.
