LITMIR.BIZ

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the feed being mixed incorrectly with pesticides to kill weevils. The owner pointed the finger at Cooper. In anger, Coop had gotten into a fight with the man, who’d filed charges. Coop had been convicted for assault and killing the horses.

      He spent six months in prison before the truth came to light. The owner had mixed the feed incorrectly to collect the insurance money. Cooper was released, but people now looked at him differently. He was an ex-con and people didn’t trust him, but Caitlyn and Dane Belle had. At Cait’s urging, their father had given Coop a job when no one else would.

      Maddie nodded at Cooper’s bay gelding. “I told you Sadie could beat that bag of bones.” She and Coop had become good friends, and each day after work they’d race back to the barn. Coop usually won, but today she’d outsmarted him. She’d gotten a head start.

      He slid his hat onto his head in an easy movement. “You cheated, and that old gray mare can’t outrun Boots.” The dog lay at his feet. At the mention of his name, his ears lifted.

      “I beg to differ since I was here first and that old gray mare is in the corral eating sweet feed.”

      Coop grinned, and he didn’t do that often. His past weighed heavily on him and he was a bit of a loner. Over six feet tall, Coop had sandy-blond hair and green eyes. The townspeople said he was bad to the bone, but Maddie knew he had a heart of gold.

      Coop eyed their visitors. “What’s going on?”

      “They’re looking for Brian Harper. Do you remember him?”

      “Yep. Dane hired him back in the spring, but he left to work in the oil fields.”

      “Do you know where?”

      “No. Cait might.” Coop glanced at Ginny. “God, she’s pregnant. How old is she?”

      “I don’t know, but I’m guessing Brian Harper is the father.”

      “That kid had a head full of dreams of making big money. If she wants him to take responsibility, I can tell you that’s not gonna happen.”

      “He’s not the responsible type?”

      “Nope. Far from it. He’s out for himself and that’s it.”

      Maddie hated to hear that. The girl was too young to have a baby. Something inside Maddie twisted at life and its cruelties.

      “You might try calling Walker,” Coop said.

      “Why?”

      “Those are his kids.”

      “What?” That shocked her. Walker was the constable and the only law in High Cotton, Texas. She’d met him at a party at Southern Cross. He’d made an offhand comment about her looking as young as his daughter. What he’d really meant was that she looked like a child. No woman wants to hear those words from a handsome man. It still rankled.

      “Are all of them his kids?”

      “No. Just the two small ones.”

      She thought about that for a second and what Haley had said about her mother. “Where is Walker’s wife?”

      Coop shrugged. “All I know are rumors.”

      “Tell me, anyway. I have to figure out what to do with these children.”

      “They say she left him for another man.”

      “What about the kids?”

      “She left them, too.”

      What kind of woman would do that? A child was a gift—the most special gift. Anger simmered inside her. How could a woman disrespect that gift and walk away from the love and care her babies needed?

      Coop pointed to her face. “You’re getting those little lines around your eyes when you’re angry.”

      “I do not get little lines.” She stuck her nose in the air and desperately wanted to look in a mirror.

      “If you say so.” He glanced at the kids huddled together. “Good luck.” He ambled out of the barn, leading his horse, the dogs trotting behind him.

      She faced the kids, trying to think of a solution. “Let’s go to the house for milk and cookies and I’ll call Caitlyn.”

      “We don’t want your cookies,” Haley said, and Maddie realized the girl was angry, probably from everything that was happening in her young life. And she had to wonder if the mother even knew that Haley was planning a surprise visit.

      “I want a cookie.” Georgie raised his head.

      “Then you shall have a cookie.” Maddie held out her arms. “Want to come with me?”

      “No, he…”

      Haley’s words trailed off as Georgie went to Maddie. His weight in her arms caused her throat to close up. He was adorable with caramel-colored eyes and brown hair. She melted from the contact. Turning, she headed for the house. The girls had no choice but to follow.

      THEY WALKED INTO A WARM, big kitchen, and Etta swung from the stove, a spoon in her hand. A spry, thin woman, she was in direct contrast to her big husband. Her eyes opened wide when she saw the children.

      She zeroed in on Ginny. “Lordy, Lordy, Ginny Grubbs, you’re pregnant.”

      “Yes, ma’am.” Ginny removed her Windbreaker and slid into a chair at the table, as if to hide her stomach.

      Etta had a lot more to say, but Gran entered the room. Dorthea Belle was a delicate, ethereal creature who seemed to float instead of walk. Her hair was completely white and curled into a bun at her nape. She gave the appearance of being fragile, but Maddie knew her grandmother’s inner strength.

      Maddie kissed her cheek. “Hi, Gran. We have company.”

      “I see.” Gran’s eyes swept over the boy in her arms. And Maddie knew she was thinking what Maddie had pushed to the back of her mind. She would never have a child of her own.

      To block those thoughts, she removed Georgie’s jacket and placed him in a chair. “Etta, we need milk and cookies, please.”

      “Coming right up.”

      “I have to call Cait. I’ll be right back.” She leaned over and whispered to Gran, “Watch them, please.”

      Gran winked and Maddie hurried to her office. Judd answered on the second ring.

      “Hi, Judd. Is Cait there?”

      “She’s right here.” There were muffled voices and whispers. Then silence. Maddie waited. What were they doing? Now, that was a real stupid question.

      Finally, her newly married sister came on the line, sounding out of breath. “Hey, Maddie. What’s up?”

      “Do you two ever stop?”

      “No.” Cait giggled. Her sister was happy. Maddie wondered if she would ever be that happy.

      “Enjoy, sister dear.”

      “Oh, I am.” There was another muffled silence. Then Cait asked, “Is this important?”

      “I found three kids in the barn. Cooper says two of them are Walker’s kids. The other is Ginny Grubbs and she’s pregnant. She’s looking for Brian Harper. Do you know where he is?”

      “Good heavens, I haven’t seen him since the spring. I have no idea where he is.” She now had Cait’s full attention. “How did they get there?”

      “I don’t know.”

      “Call Walker immediately. He must be worried out of his mind about his kids.”

      “Do you have his number?” While she waited, she tapped her fingers against the desk, thinking. After making the remark at the party, Walker had asked her to dance. She’d refused. Skylar had danced with him instead, saying something silly, like they only let Maddie

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