“Awww shucks, Sheriff, you don’t have to tell me about stereotypes, even the chickens under the porch know that,” Tex said in his slow drawl that made Cubby laugh.
“Guess I don’t. Still, it pisses me off that people think because I work in a small town I don’t have much of a clue, and have ended up here because I couldn’t cut it in a big city.”
Tex thought about that as he, like Cubby, stared at the lake.
“It’s not like you to care much about what others think, Cubby. You a bit raw at the moment?”
“Tired mainly, and this business with Katie’s a worry.”
“Seeing as you’re not about to elaborate, how about we go and see how the reunion is progressing? The tears should have dried some by now is my guess.”
When they arrived Katie was still in her father’s arms.
“I’m thinking we should leave them to it, Tex. Give me a lift back to town, will you.”
“I carried your ass this far, a few more feet won’t hurt I guess.”
They slipped out and headed for Ethan’s pickup. Jake caught up with him as he opened the passenger door.
“Thanks, Cubby, for bringing her home.”
He accepted the handgrip and chest bounce from his longtime friend. “No big deal, bud, just glad I could help.”
“It’s a huge deal, and I can never thank you enough,” Jake said, running a hand through his dark curls. He was the masculine version of his sister. The eyes were darker, almost black, and he was bigger, but there was no doubting they came from the same gene pool. Tall with a rangy build made up of muscle, Dr. McBride Jr. had hit some rough patches in his life too, and those would help him understand what his sister was dealing with.
“Katie looks like hell.”
“Can’t argue there,” Cubby said. “I need you to come in to the office tomorrow; we have to go over a few things about Katie.”
“Bad things?”
“Yeah. I have to be honest, bud, it’s not real good, and a result of the shooting she was in, but it’ll keep until tomorrow.”
“I want to know now.”
Tex came to stand beside his friend and Cubby was subjected to the full force of the two ex-military men. Both knew how to laugh, but also how to intimidate. But then, so did Cubby.
“Sure you do, but I need to do some investigating before I lay out all the facts, so you have to trust me that she’s safe in your hands for now.”
“You always have to have the facts, Hawker.” Jake sighed.
“Harder men than him have cracked under our combined glares, Jake. Do you think we’re losing out touch?” Tex looked from Cubby to Jake. “Maybe we’re going soft?”
“You sure as hell are,” Jake snapped. “And I want the entire story at nine tomorrow. I’ll bring the coffee and muffins.”
“Such a hard-ass, McBride,” Cubby said, climbing into the front seat of Tex’s pickup.
They drove along the winding road that would lead to his town, the lake to their left, a gentle breeze blowing in through the open window.
“So fill me in on what’s been happening, Tex. I need gossip, so lay it on me.”
“Told you about Newman; the man’s a shell of his usual self.”
“Now that I have to see.”
“Jilly dyed her hair pink, clashes something fierce with the supermarket green uniform, but she likes it, so I guess that’s all that matters.”
“It’s got to the point I can’t remember what her natural color is,” Cubby said, lifting a hand to a couple who were taking a walk.
