A Rancher's Brand of Justice by Ann Voss Peterson

Author:Ann Voss Peterson
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-07-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Hold on.” Nick couldn’t sit back and watch this any more. This might be Melissa’s friend and Melissa’s city, but he just wasn’t built to let things fall apart in front of him and not at least try to stand up and take charge.

He pushed up from his chair. In two steps, he was in front of Tammy Bernard. “Melissa doesn’t deserve this. She’s trying to clear your husband’s name, damn it. Calhoun is the one investigating.”

Melissa’s hand tightened on his shoulder. “Nick. No.”

“There is an investigation then. Into Jimmy.” Tammy’s voice barely rose above a whisper.

The woman sounded shell-shocked, her voice monotone, and for a moment Nick could understand why Melissa had wanted to shield her from additional emotional stress. Too bad they didn’t have the luxury to just sweep any unpleasantness under the rug and focus on cookies and milk. “Melissa just found out about it last night.”

Melissa took Tammy’s hands in hers and stared straight into the older woman’s eyes. “I didn’t want you to know. Not until I cleared it all up. You have too much to deal with as it is.”

Tammy shook her head. “No…no. I need to know. What do they say Jimmy did?”

“Melissa?” Jason called from the kitchen.

Melissa glanced at Nick, the look holding a silent plea.

“Melissa,” Tammy said. “Jimmy was always straight with me. He always trusted me enough to tell me the truth. You need to be straight with me, too.”

Nick gave Melissa a nod. He was far from sure his son would be content with him as a substitute for Melissa, but he’d give it a try.

Melissa let out a heavy sigh and started explaining the suspicions of bribery and ties to drug gangs. With each word, her voice grew more rough and raw.

Nick circled back to the kitchen table where Jason was watching, his toy cars held in frozen hands. He had devoured his cookies and sucked down most of his milk. Nick slid back into his chair at the kitchen table and picked up a blue Camaro, the only tool left in the distraction arsenal. “Let’s play cars.”

Jason shook his head, craning his neck to see Melissa.

Nick remembered the horseback-riding advice Melissa had tossed back at him. Take control. Focus on the result you want. He zoomed the little car across the oak surface.

Jason’s eyes flicked down to the car. His fingers tightened around the vehicle in his hand.

Nick made his car take a sharp turn, imitating the screech of tires on pavement. Taking a looping detour around cookie plate and milk glass, he drove it back toward him.

Jason moved his car, bringing it alongside Nick’s. He blew air through his lips, providing engine sound effects for their game.

So far, so good. He made a fishtailing turn with the Camaro and started back the other way, an ear cocked for the conversation in the living room. Melissa might never forgive him for confirming Tammy’s fears, but at least on the Jason front he might be on to something.

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