Raven noticed the change in Kane’s eyes, a flicker of anger as if remembering something unpleasant. It vanished a second later. “That’s good. I knew a couple of guys in the service who had trackers implanted. They said it made them feel like microchipped dogs.”
“I imagine it would.” Kane shrugged. “If we needed to track your phone or vehicle, we could as they’re all issued by the sheriff’s office, but it’s not something we do.”
Sipping more of the excellent rich brew, he looked at Kane. “This coffee is the best I’ve tasted. What brand is it?”
“Kane’s Special Blend.” Kane grinned at him. “I found myself in Oregon at one time and I walked past this store with the aroma of roasting coffee beans. They were roasting beans right there in the window. It looked as if it had been there forever and kind of dragged me inside. I stood there inhaling for a time. It’s an old store, been in the same family for decades. The storekeeper came out and spent time asking me my tastes and mixing different brews for me to taste. It was quite an experience. Since then, I have a standing order, which has increased substantially since I met Jenna. We take it to work as well. The store is the Roaster’s Legacy, if you find yourself in Portland. Or if you like my blend, they’ll make a pack for you. It’s ordered as Blend 1521, but I’ll give you some to take home.”
Interested to discover a small part of Kane’s mysterious life, Raven nodded. “Thanks, I’d appreciate it. Is Portland your home town?”
“Nope, I was just passing through.” Kane stood to clear the table. “I hear a vehicle. It must be Shane.”
“I’ll let him in.” Jenna sprung to her feet and headed for the door.
As Raven helped Kane clear the table, Wolfe’s voice could be heard in the hallway. He went into Jackson’s bedroom and emerged soon after the little boy started to cry again. “How’s he doing?”
“I gave him a shot in the buttocks and escaped before he saw me.” Wolfe looked at Kane. “He’s asking for you. Jenna is getting all the blame right now.” He frowned. “I know it sounds bad, but kids of his age often get infections no matter how hard we try and prevent them. If you plan on swimming in the creek, you should make sure the kids wear earplugs. After heavy rain the creeks and rivers are filled with debris and carcasses. They carry microbes you don’t want to know about.”
“He hasn’t been near a creek.” Kane dried his hands. “He swims in the tub.”
“I’ll give you drops to use after he bathes to dry out the ears.” Wolfe rubbed his chin. “Don’t allow him to get his ears wet until he’s well over this infection.” He pulled medication out of his bag. “He only needs a few drops of this. It tastes like chocolate, so he should take it okay. Start tomorrow. The shot will cover him for today and he’ll be back to normal in three days, but finish the bottle.”
“Got it.” Kane headed for Jackson’s room.
Raven gathered his things. “They look exhausted.”
“Worry does that to a person.” Wolfe sighed. “It was easier with Tauri. He’d gone through most of the problems infants have, and not having any siblings, neither of them have any experience with sick kids. Dave believes he can fix anything and seeing his son sick would have been a wakeup call. They’re lucky Jackson is strong and healthy, and trust me, when he was born, I ran all types of tests on him on their behalf, searching for any genetic abnormalities. Jenna had it in her head she was too old to have him, but she still isn’t. I’ve seen women in their late forties produce healthy babies.”
The front door opened and Raya and Tauri poured into the mudroom to remove their coats and then Tauri ran into the kitchen grinning at him.
“Uncle Raven.” Tauri laughed. “I saw Ben in your truck. He wagged his tail at me.” He bent to stroke Duke’s ears. “Hello, Duke.”
Raven smiled at them. “Has the rain cleared?”
“Yes, but there’s a mudslide near the res and Uncle Atohi sent us back home.” Tauri frowned. “He said the mountain wasn’t happy. We can go back when it’s smiling again.” He scampered away. “Mommy, I’m home.”
“Hey, not so loud. Your brother is sleeping.” Kane came back into the kitchen. “He has a sore ear and isn’t feeling well.” He rubbed Tauri’s hair and looked at Raya. “Jackson has meds and is finally sleeping.”
“I’ll go see him.” Tauri headed along the hallway not making a sound.
“I’ll take Tauri to my apartment.” Raya smiled at Kane. “I have cookies to bake.”
“Thanks.” He looked at Raven and handed him a packet of coffee. “Keep us informed of your position.” He tapped his shirt pocket. “I have my phone right here.”
Raven nodded. “Copy that and thanks for the coffee.” He headed for the mudroom.
Twenty-Nine
Lawson’s Ridge
Overwhelmed by the opulence of his parents’ home, Rhett stood for a few moments soaking in the atmosphere. Beside him, Julie slipped her hand in his and leaned closer. He turned to look at her. She seemed to fit in just fine, as if she belonged here. She reminded him of a porcelain figure, perfect skin and delicate features, but inside her small frame hid a lioness. She was strong and determined, and he’d never met anyone like her until he’d arrived in Black Rock Falls. It seemed the sheriff’s influence had rubbed off on Wolfe’s daughters, creating a trio of women determined to take on the world if necessary. He couldn’t believe what Julie had gone through over her short life and he’d believed he’d suffered until he’d heard her stories. After surviving serial killers without suffering PTSD, she would take this house, land, and business in her stride. It would be a world for her to conquer. He’d cared deeply for her from the moment he first laid eyes on her—but would he be good enough for her?
“The house appears to be in good shape.” Carter walked along the passageway and then turned back to look at him. “You planning on taking the tour or are we going back to town?”
Shaken from his thoughts, Rhett smiled at him. “I’m just taking it all in. I had no idea my family had money. All this is a surprise and, to be perfectly honest, it’s a little overwhelming. I am still trying to come to terms as to why I was subjected to years of foster care. Why wasn’t someone appointed a caregiver and lived here with me? For years I figured I’d been abandoned. No one would give me answers.”
“From what you told me, when your grandparents died there was no one else left in the family to care for you.” Julie gripped his hand. “It might help if you discover the instructions your father left with the lawyer before he died.”
Rhett nodded. “I know that already. His instructions were to leave me with my grandparents. The problem is, he left nothing in writing for the lawyer to act upon when my grandparents died.”
