Page 153 of It Runs in the Family

“This is a good temporary solution, but not long term.” I paused. “Besides, I’m thinkin’ Granny might be right. Maybe I should consider goin’ to school.”

His eyes flew wide. “That’s a great idea. What are you thinkin’ about doin’?”

I let out a short laugh. “I have no idea, but I want to be able to get a job and support myself, and maybe even buy a house like you did.” I gave his arm a soft shove. “You know, be a grown-up.”

“You’re pretty damn grown up,” he said, his voice rough. “You’ve been grown up since you were a kid.”

I shrugged. I didn’t feel like discussing my mother.

“Have you considered doin’ one of those DNA tests?” he asked. “Maybe you have family out there.”

“I already have family.”

“You know what I mean.”

I shook my head. “My father didn’t want anything to do with me. The last thing he’d want is the kid he never wanted showin’ up on his doorstep.”

“That’s the story your mother told you,” he said. “It might not be true.”

I let myself consider that for a moment. He was right, but my head was pounding and the idea exhausted me. “Maybe at some point. I can’t think about it right now.”

He covered my hand with his own. “If they don’t want anything to do with you, then they’re fools.”

I laughed. “You have to say that.”

“No, I speak the truth.” He shoveled the last of his pulled pork into his mouth. “Is there any more pork? You gave me a bird-sized portion.”

I laughed. “Okay, growin’ boy. There’s more on the counter.”

I was glad we were back to normal, and I was surprised he hadn’t asked me who I’d been with today or about the Texas Ranger. Maybe he was happy enough that I was here and safe, and that I’d agreed to go to Granny’s tomorrow. We spent the rest of dinner talking about everything except for Selena and murder and danger. Then we watched TV, bickering about what we were going to watch before settling on a reality show he made fun of the entire time.

Around ten, we were both yawning, but thankfully my headache was better. Garrett took his water glass into the kitchen and was about to get ready for bed when his phone rang.

He answered it, then spoke in hushed tones before ending with, “I’ll be right in.” He appeared in the doorway. “I have to go into work.”

“Garrett, you must be exhausted. You went in at six this morning and must’ve worked until after five.”

“There’s been another murder.”

My heart gave a hard stutter.

“It’s not Selena,” he said. “It’s a man.”

A man? Oh, God. Was it Cody? Boone would be devastated. “Where?” I choked out.

He frowned. “You know I can’t tell you that.”

“Was he shot like Rebecca?”

He looked alarmed. “How did you know her name was Rebecca?”

Thankfully, an answer came to me quick. “You said I was interested in a dead woman’s bracelet, Garrett. Deanna said she and her best friend Rebecca bought theirs together, and Marvin had told me he only had three.”

He studied me like I’d just announced I was the pope.

“I’m not a fool, Garrett. I can deduce things.”

He scowled. “You’re the last person I’d consider a fool.”