he’s the sheriff,” Adam stated, in case she wasn’t aware of that.
“Relax, Adam. This is Homestead, Texas. No one has heard of us or even cares for that matter. We have a new beginning. Is everyone ready?” She held up her hand for a high five.
Reluctantly, Adam raised his hand and gave her a high five. “Ready,” he said.
“Ready,” Brit and Mary Beth chorused from the backseat.
“I want a horse,” Brit said.
“I want a dog,” Mary Beth added.
Adam turned to glare at his sisters. “Will you two grow up?”
“Shut up,” Brit snapped back. “You’re not our boss and I’m nine and I don’t want to grow up just yet. So there, you big bully.”
“You’re stupid,” Adam told her.
“You’re stupider.”
“Time out,” Callie intervened. “Everybody quiet. Not one more word.”
She didn’t need them arguing right now. She had to keep her focus on the sheriff. As she took a ragged breath, she wondered if she was ever going to breathe normally again.
Following the sheriff’s car toward the business district of Homestead, she hoped something would jog her memory from her childhood, but nothing looked familiar. The large yellow stone courthouse with granite columns was in the center of a town square shaded by big live oaks with drooping branches. Inviting benches were nestled beneath them. Several older men were sitting there chatting, whiling away the pleasant summer day.
Callie glanced up at the imposing clock tower and the scene triggered something in her mind, but for the life of her she didn’t know what it was.
Soon her attention was diverted by the town itself. Many businesses were boarded up. The town had a deserted feel and she could see what Miranda was talking about. People were leaving, looking for better jobs, a better life. It was a sad scenario for a small town. Hence the Home Free Program—a way to bring people back.
Miranda knew that Callie didn’t plan to stay forever, but she’d promised her a year and to fix up the house. Callie intended to do that. Her lawyer had told her it would probably take a year for her to gain custody of the children. At that time, a judge would decide if Callie would face any charges for abducting them. That part she didn’t want to think about.
She turned from Main Street onto Bluebonnet and the feel of bygone days was very evident. There was no Gap or Starbucks, just a kolache shop, a hardware store, a general store called Tanner’s and a dollar store that was the closest thing she saw to a clothing store. The storefronts looked old, but their bricks and mortar had stood the test of time. Their occupants had not.
A truck pulling a horse trailer was parked parallel at the hardware store, blocking traffic. The sheriff stopped to speak with the driver. A cowboy stepped out of the truck in worn boots and jeans.
“Look, Callie, there’s a cowboy,” Brit shouted. “Wow! He’s got boots. I need boots. Can I get boots?”
“Me, too,” Mary Beth chimed in.
“We’ll see,” Callie answered absently, her thoughts on other things.
She was glad when the sheriff got back in his car and continued on his way. When he stopped at the large three-story Victorian house, Callie caught her breath. It was exactly like she knew it would be. Of course, she’d seen a photo, but seeing it in person was so much better. The paint was peeling and a leaning pillar supported the first- and second-floor wraparound verandas. Some of the gingerbread trim was missing. The windows had cobwebs and weeds grew to the windowsills. The house was not in good shape. But she fell in love the moment she saw it.
Getting out, she waited as Wade strolled toward her, his badge glinting in the sunlight, reminding her of who he was. Her first thought was to run and to get as far away from Wade Montgomery as she could. He could end their new life as quickly as it had begun. She couldn’t let that happen. No way was she letting the sheriff take her and the kids back.
She had to get rid of him.
CHAPTER TWO
WADE’S MIND KICKED into overdrive as he walked toward Callie Austin. She wasn’t what he was expecting—something about her wasn’t quite right. She was defensive, nervous and way too attractive, with blond flaxen hair, blue eyes and a nicely packaged body that had curves in all the right places. He was surprised he noticed that. After his son’s death and his subsequent divorce, that part of his nature had taken a vacation. He wasn’t sure whether to be happy or not that it was back.
Looking at Callie’s blond beauty, he had a feeling she could be trouble—to his peace of mind. Something he’d fought very hard to achieve in the past four years.
“I called Miranda and she’s on the way over,” he told her as he reached her side. “The house is open so you can take a look around.”
The kids tumbled out of the car.
“Thank you,” she replied. “I’m sure you’re a very busy man so I can handle it from here.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” God, she had the most beautiful eyes and he couldn’t resist teasing her.
“Of course not. I just don’t want to impose.” He got a frosty reply for his efforts.
“Since I’m on the Home Free Committee, you’re not imposing. Consider it part of my job.”
“Okay, then.” She gave in ungraciously and Wade wondered why she was so anxious for him to go. It was probably nothing—just his lawman’s instincts. Callie was in a new town so she had a right to be apprehensive and cautious.
“It’s gross,” the boy remarked, staring at the house.
“Is it haunted?” the bigger girl with the cowboy hat asked in an eager voice.
“I want my mommy,” the smaller girl cried, clutching a doll.
Callie pulled the child close to her side and he could see that all her defenses were out of love—like his had been for his son.
“Yes. The house needs work,” Wade said, looking at the kids. They all had blue eyes and blond hair like their mother, except the younger girl’s was a shade lighter. “And what are your names?”
Callie introduced them.
“Well, Brit, to my knowledge the house is not haunted.”
“Oh.” Her face fell in disappointment.
“But if you see a ghost, you call me and I’ll come arrest him.”
“Cool.” She smiled, then quickly asked, “Do you have a horse?”
“Sure do. I live on a ranch with my dad and we have several horses.”
“Do you let kids ride them?” She tapped her hat. “See, I got a hat.”
