“What the hell happened to the fence?” Wade said, looking straight at Judd. “Did it run into your car?”
Judd laughed out loud. Even Charlie managed to chuckle through tears. Rachel giggled, too, although the joke was over her head, and then she pointed out the door.
“Big bull.”
Wade frowned. “What bull, honey?”
Charlie choked on a sob. “Oh, Wade. Tucker’s bull…it was in our pasture again. I couldn’t find Rachel, and then I saw her…and the bull was charging…but I couldn’t outrun…if it hadn’t been for…he drove through the fence and…I fell and it was…oh, God, Wade, the bull would have killed her.”
She shuddered, then buried her face against the back of Rachel’s neck.
All the color faded from Wade Franklin’s face. He looked at Judd, and this time, he was the one who offered his hand.
“Mister, I suppose we’ll sort out the details later, but if I’m understanding the situation here, you just saved their lives, and if that’s so, then there aren’t enough words to thank you.”
Judd shrugged, a little embarrassed at being the sudden focus of attention. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Too overcome to speak, Wade impulsively hugged him. Judd was still reeling from the impact of being royally thumped on the back when Wade let him go and shifted his focus to Charlie.
He squatted down beside her and lifted the ice from her foot. “I think you need to see a doctor,” he said, then took out his handkerchief and wiped at the tears and dirt on her face as if she was a child.
Charlie caught his hand. “No, it’s just a sprain. I’ll be fine.”
Judd’s heart twisted again. The closeness between brother and sister only served as a reminder of what was missing in his life.
“About that phone call,” Judd said. “If you’d recommend a towing service and a motel, I’ll be out of your hair.”
Wade rocked back on his heels. “There aren’t any motels in Call City, and the only tow truck is out on a call. I know because I sent him.”
Then he glanced at Charlie. She nodded. They had no options but to offer their home to the man. After all he’d done, it was the least they could do.
“Charlie and I would consider it an honor to put you up for the night.”
Judd shook his head. “That’s not necessary. I’ve slept in my car plenty of times. It won’t hurt me to do it again.”
“No,” Charlie said. “You’ll stay in the house, with us.”
He took a deep breath and looked down. Even with the dirt on her face, Charlotte Franklin was a good-looking woman, but it was the expression in her eyes that swayed him. She needed to make reparation. Whether he wanted to or not, he felt obligated to accept her hospitality.
“Then I thank you,” he said. “And just to make sure you folks don’t feel the need to sleep with a gun under your pillow, would it make you feel better to know I’m a cop?”
Wade’s smile was one of relief as he stood abruptly. “Why didn’t you say so sooner?”
“Probably because I’m AWOL from my precinct,” Judd said. “And, before you assume the worst, I’m not in trouble, I just got fed up.”
Wade’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “Yeah, that can happen.”
Judd handed Wade a card with the phone number on it.
“Call the Tulsa, Oklahoma, P.D. Ask for Captain Roger Shaw. He’ll vouch for my honesty, if not my sanity.”
Charlie flinched, then held her baby closer, suddenly unsure of having this stranger in their house all night. Judd caught the look.
“Ma’am.”
She looked up.
“I swear to you that the only person I’m capable of hurting is myself.”
Charlie stared intently. She had no reason to trust his word, other than the fact that he’d saved their lives. It would have to be enough. Finally, she nodded and managed a smile.
“Then that’s that,” Wade said. “And before you call a mechanic, I need to use the phone. I’ve got to talk to a man about a bull.”
Wade stalked to the phone and punched in some numbers before taking the portable with him as he strode out to the porch.
Charlie combed a shaky hand through her hair as Rachel wiggled to be put down. Through the open doorway, bits and pieces of Wade Franklin’s conversation could be heard.
“Don’t give a good damn about why…nearly killed…going to be hamburger if you don’t get the son of a…”
Charlie looked at Judd and then sighed. “Wade has a bad temper.”
Judd shrugged. “I don’t blame him. If it had been me, I would have probably shot the son of a bitch and worried about the complications later.”
Startled by his matter-of-fact tone, Charlie could think of nothing to say. When Judd turned away, she found herself watching his every move.
“Potty,” Rachel suddenly announced.
Charlie groaned. With her bad ankle, she’d never make it to the bathroom with Rachel in time.
“Wade! Come quick.”
Her call brought her brother running.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Rachel needs to go to the bathroom.”
Wade laughed and tossed the cell phone on the cushion beside Charlie as he picked up his little niece.
“Come on, shortcake, let’s hurry.”
Rachel giggled. “Hurry, hurry,” she repeated.
Charlie rolled her eyes and then glanced at Judd. He was grinning.
“Potty training,” she explained. “There’s never much time between her and disaster.”
His grin widened.
“As soon as Wade comes back, he’ll show you where you can sleep. After I wash some of this dirt off myself, I’ll see to fixing supper.”
“No, ma’am,” Judd said. “We’ll cook. You just sit there and look pretty. It’ll make us all feel better.”
Charlie blushed. Moments later, Wade was back. He helped her to her feet and then down the hall to the bathroom, leaving Rachel and Judd alone.
Judd squatted until he was eye to eye with the little girl, and then reached out and pulled a
