“I’m moving back to Texas,” Wyatt said, hopefully ending the discussion.
Dixon looked skeptical. “To go into ranching with your family?”
“I doubt I’ll live on the ranch,” Wyatt explained, “but I’ve got unsettled business in Mustang Run and it’s time I take care of it.”
“Does this have to do with your mother’s murder?”
“That’s a big part of it,” Wyatt admitted.
“Are you sure you’ve thought this through?”
“I’m sure,” Wyatt assured him. He’d thought of not much else for most of his life. It was the reason he’d become a cop. He’d put it off as long as he could.
The chief shook his head, his expression making it clear he thought the move was a big mistake. “You said once that your brothers are all convinced of your father’s innocence. I doubt they’ll appreciate you stirring up trouble. And he’s served seventeen years of a sentence.That’s more than a lot of convicted perps serve when there isn’t the slightest doubt that they’re guilty.”
“I’m not going after my father. I’m going after the man who killed my mother. If my father is innocent, I’ll prove that beyond a doubt. If he’s guilty, then I’ll just have to deal with that. My brothers are grown men. They’ll have to do the same.”
“I hate to say it, but I can see where you’re coming from, Wyatt. And I don’t doubt for a second that you’ll find the answers you’re looking for.”
“I hope that confidence is justified.”
“Keep me posted. And as long as I’m heading up the force, there’s always a place for you if you decide to come back.”
“I appreciate that.”
“When do you plan to leave?”
“My caseload is as caught up as it will ever be, so I’d like to clear out as soon as you replace me.”
Dixon nodded. “The department will miss you.”
“I’ll miss being here.”
Talk went back to the Whiting case, but the celebratory tone of the meeting had shifted. Wyatt, usually the first to make a wisecrack to alleviate the tension, could think of nothing to say. He loved his job, but he had to do this.
And he could use a change of scenery. His apartment walls were starting to close in around him. He needed a taste of wide-open spaces, hilly pastures and the quiet fishing spots Dylan, Sean and now Dakota were always talking about.
That didn’t make going back to Mustang Run and Willow Creek Ranch any easier.
As soon as they stepped into the hallway, Alyssa poked him in the ribs. “When exactly did you plan to hit me in the head with this?”
“At the last possible moment, so I wouldn’t have to listen to you whine and lecture,” he teased. “And don’t poke me with those bony fingers.”
She poked him again. “You’ll go crazy in the Podunk town of Horse Run.”
“Mustang Run. And I don’t plan to be there forever.”
“No, just long enough to cause trouble,” Alyssa quipped.
“And I’m talented at stirring the pot, so that shouldn’t take too long.”
“Your dad’s already spent seventeen years in prison before being released on a technicality. He’s reunited with four of his five sons, even Tyler who’s still on active duty in Afghanistan. He’s a beloved grandfather. Have you ever considered just leaving well enough alone?”
“I’m not planning to go down there and string him up from the nearest tree. Troy claims he’s looking for Mother’s killer. I aim to help him.”
“Oh, right, the good son. You can’t even call him Dad.”
Wyatt stopped walking and made eye contact. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t feel the same if your mother had been murdered?”
“Okay, point made. But I’ll miss you, partner. Worse, I’m selfish. Now I have to adjust to someone new. I’ll probably get one who sweats profusely or passes gas in the car, or heaven forbid, treats me like a woman.”
“He won’t make that mistake but once.”
She smiled as if that were the ultimate compliment. “Do me a favor while you’re out there with those rattlesnakes and cow patties, Wyatt.”
“Send you a snakeskin?”
“Don’t even think about it. But if on the off chance you find a woman who can put up with you, don’t push her away like she’s been living with a family of skunks, the way you did everyone I tried to fix you up with.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You know what’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t like skunks.”
“You’re afraid of falling. As soon you think you might like some woman, you make up excuses for why it won’t work. She’s too smart. She’s not smart enough. She has cats. She has kids. She doesn’t like cats or kids.”
“You should get better friends to fix me up with.”
“You may as well admit it. You’re afraid of relationships.”
“Shows how smart I am. Do you know the divorce rate among cops?”
“One day you’ll meet a woman who’ll knock you for such a loop you won’t be able to walk away. I hear Texas is full of women like that.”
“Could be.” But a woman was the last thing he needed now. Texas and reuniting with Troy Ledger would be challenge enough. And now that the decision was made, he needed to move on. With luck, he’d be on the road by the middle of January.
He traveled light. That was just one of the advantages of never putting down any deep roots or acquiring things like mortgages or a wife.
He had no intention of changing that.
“IT’S THE FUEL PUMP, Mrs. Burger. It’s going to have to be replaced.”
Kelly groaned. She had another four hours to drive and it was already after three. Plus, the weather forecast for tonight was a line of severe thunderstorms preceding a cold front moving in from the northwest.
The mechanic yanked a red rag from his back pocket and rubbed at a spot of grease on his arm that defied his removal efforts. “I can get to it first thing in the morning. And I’ll be glad to give you a ride now to the nearest motel.”
“I really need to get back on the road today. I’ll pay extra if you can fix it this afternoon.”
“I’m not sure how quickly I can get the part. I might be able to just run over to Mac’s Garage and pick it up or I might have to have one shipped in.”
Just her luck to have her car break down in a small town. “Can’t you have someone drive to the nearest town with a Honda dealer and pick one up? I’ll pay his overtime and buy his gas.”
Jaci tugged on Kelly’s skirt. “Can we go now, Momma?”
“Not yet, Jaci.” She struggled to keep the frustration from her voice. She couldn’t expect a five-year-old to understand why they were just standing around waiting instead of off on the adventure she’d been promised. Jaci had been such a trooper over the last twelve months when their lives had been in serious upheaval.
“Let me see what I can do,” the young mechanic said.
He returned to the small waiting area ten minutes later, this time smiling.
“I found a fuel pump that I can have here in