“Okay.” Rhett grinned at her again and pushed a lock of dark hair from his eyes. “I’ll wait for the hail to stop and head on down. Looking at the sky, it might be a while. At least, it will be warm inside the roadhouse.”
Julie smiled. “I’ll see you soon.” She disconnected and flopped down backward on the bed. “At last.”
Nine
“Dad.” Julie’s voice came through his phone’s speaker. “All I ask is you give him a chance. He’s old-school like you and well-educated. So, he might not fit your ideal, but I like him and that’s what matters.”
Wolfe ran both hands down his face and peered at Norrell across the desk. He only wanted what was best for his girls. Julie was over twenty-one and could walk away from home at any time she wanted, but she’d chosen to stay with the family until at least she’d established herself in her career. In truth, he couldn’t ask for more. He cleared his throat. “We’re done for the day here, so we’ll be home in ten minutes or so. I’d really like to be there when he arrives.”
“He’s holed up at the Triple Z Roadhouse at the moment waiting for the storm to pass. He has ridden his Harley all the way from Helena.” Julie sounded disappointed. “At least invite him to dinner. He must be exhausted.”
“We’ll make him very welcome.” Norrell raised both eyebrows at Wolfe and gave him a meaningful stare. “See you soon.” She leaned across the desk, disconnected the call, and then glared at him. “Don’t ruin this for her, Shane. Think about it. They met each other months ago, and he has still been in touch with her. They chat just about every night. She may have found her one true love. At least give him a chance. He is planning a career in children’s services after spending most of his young life in foster care. He can relate to the kids more than most people in that profession. He seems like a nice guy from what I’ve heard.”
Standing slowly, Wolfe picked up his phone and slid it back inside his pocket. “I guess we’re gonna find out.” He took her hand and walked along the hallway, stopping at one of the laboratory doors and peering inside. “We’re heading home now, Em. Don’t stay back too late. We have company for dinner. Julie’s friend Rhett may be staying with us for a few days until he finds somewhere to live.”
“I’ll be right along.” Emily put her hands on her hips and stared at him. “You won’t go too hard on him now, will you? I figure he’s a keeper.”
Grinding his back teeth as he drove home, his mind went to his promise to Angela, the wife he’d lost to cancer when his girls were so young. He’d given her his word he would make sure no harm came to them. Even with a team of professional law enforcement officers as his best friends and workmates, Julie and Emily had almost become victims of serial killers. It would seem nothing he could do was enough to protect them from the horrors of the real world. He figured one day he’d have to trust someone else to take over his job of protector. Emily had finally found somebody that he approved of—not that his approval would have made any difference—but he liked Raven and hoped they would become a couple. Raven treated Emily as if she were made from Dresden china and he knew she resented it, being a very independent woman, but in his eyes, he saw that as a plus. What would this Rhett Lawson fellow be like?
He didn’t have too long to wait. By the time he had removed his coat and boots in the mudroom, slipped on his slippers, and made his way to the family room to warm his hands at the fireplace, the roar of a very powerful motorcycle slowed in front of their house. The next moment, Julie came thundering down the stairs and rushed to the front door. He followed her. A tall man with broad shoulders slid off the back of a vintage Harley. So, this was Rhett Lawson. The man grinned at Julie, unstrapped his helmet, and hung it over the handlebar of his motorcycle.
“There you are.” Rhett stepped forward and gave Julie a hug. “Man, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
“It’s good to see you here safe and well.” Julie looked up at him, her eyes dancing with excitement. “It must have been a nightmare driving all this way.” She led him onto the porch and turned to one side. “I’d like you to meet my dad, Shane Wolfe, and Norrell, who hates being called a stepmother.”
“Mr. Wolfe, sir, it’s nice to meet you.” Rhett held out his hand to Wolfe.
Wolfe stepped forward to shake his hand. The young man’s grip was firm. He glanced toward his motorcycle. “Is your Harley street legal? It’s loud enough to wake the dead.”
“Yeah, it’s got grunt.” Rhett’s gaze didn’t falter. “I figure I built personality into it.”
This guy wasn’t intimidated by him and he liked that. Wolfe leaned a little closer. “Personality is fine as long as it doesn’t lead to trouble.”
“I’m here to see Julie, sir.” Rhett’s gaze narrowed slightly but he smiled. “And sort out some family business, is all. I’m not looking for trouble.”
Wolfe nodded. “I hope so. You see, trouble doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it rolls in on two wheels and a smile.”
He took in the young man’s body language, but he remained relaxed, self-assured, and never broke eye contact. Beside him, Julie tugged on his arm, but Wolfe stood his ground, waiting for a reaction. If this guy thought he could come along and charm his daughter into doing something she regretted, he had another think coming. He’d need to fight for the chance to know her.
“Daddy, please.” Julie pulled at his arm. “You promised.”
The rain had started again and distant thunder rolled over the mountains. To his surprise, Rhett smiled and shook his head.
“Well, sir, I imagine when I have daughters and someone looking like me arrives on my front door, I’d be the same.” Rhett held out a hand to Julie and she went to his side. “The ink was part of my rebellion when I left a string of foster carers after my folks died. I was young and foolish with a rebellious streak a mile long. I wanted to change the world and fought hard to get my foster brothers and sisters out of the hole where they lived. I complained to children’s services, social workers, and the local cops, but no one listens to a kid. I figured the only way I could do anything is to become one of them. I used my scholarship to UM to get the qualifications I needed to do some good.” He indicated to the snake tattoo on his neck. “The kids recognize one of their own and know I’ll fight for them. I hear the local sheriff has the same ideals. Black Rock Falls is the place I need to be to make sure kids are safe.” He glanced at Julie. “Julie has the same goals as me and we like each other. I hope we can keep on seeing each other and see where it goes.”
Impressed, Wolfe moved his gaze to the motorcycle. It was a skillful restoration and would have taken years to secure the parts. “How did you come by the knowledge to build the Harley?”
“Luck.” Rhett shrugged. “Like many kids, even though I had a full scholarship, I worked my way through college. I’ve always had an interest in motorcycles and would fix many things around the various homes I lived in. I read a flyer on one of the noticeboards in town looking for someone to do the grunt work around a motorcycle repair garage. It was perfect. They needed someone to clean up in the afternoons and on Saturdays. I started helping out with repairs and when I purchased the Harley in a barn find, they allowed me access to their tools after work. It took me four years to complete, a little longer to get it cleaned up and painted. I should have called her Blood, Sweat, and Tears but I named her Justice.” He lifted his chin toward Julie. “Jules tells me you built your own ride as well. I’d like to see it someday.”
Strong, respectful, and courageous went a long way with Wolfe. He smiled. “Why don’t you bring your bags inside out of the rain? Julie will show you the garage. You can leave your motorcycle there. It’s safe. I’ll meet you there and show you my ride.” He turned and headed back inside and glanced at Norrell. “He’ll do.”
Ten
Sierra Lang yawned and leaned back in her chair in Aunt Betty’s Café and then smiled at the other women around the table. “That was one heck of a workout we did tonight.”
“Yeah, I like Deputy Rio.” Judy Gamber sighed. “He is so patient. I’m surprised he worked with us alone tonight.”
“I guess the other deputies were on a case.” Donna Dallaire sipped her coffee. “It’s a shame Deputy Kane isn’t teaching us anymore, but Rio told me he teaches the guys now. I guess there’s young men out there as well who need to know how to protect themselves.”
