Last Stand In Texas. Robin Perini
he’d fallen in love for the first time. With the perfect woman.
That was the year he’d uncovered his father’s feet of clay.
That was the year Burke had been forced to kill the woman he loved.
He walked across the plush carpet and poured a drink.
The door opened without a knock. He whirled around, ready to tear into whoever dared interrupt his planning until he saw the woman who walked in with a smile on her face.
“Burke, darling, you shouldn’t be working this late. I’ve told your father not to foist his bad habits onto you.”
“Mother.” Burke walked across the room and gently pulled her close. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
Her sweet smile tilted the corners of her mouth. “I’m dragging your father to the club for a late dinner. Do you want to join us?”
“I have work to do.”
His mother pouted her lips. “You’re too much like Gerard.”
No, I’m not! he wanted to scream. “You always say that.” He smiled.
She kissed his cheek and he released her. His mother deserved the world for putting up with his father all these years, for helping Burke survive his childhood. He’d do anything to protect her and to give her whatever would keep her life content and happy.
That had been true all his life. His vow had been put to the test when he’d discovered his father’s weakness for other women, but Burke had passed the test.
She picked up the photo of Zoe on his desk. “I can’t wait for your little girl to visit. Did she like the dress I sent her? I’ve been looking at a catalog. I think I’m too old-fashioned. I want Zoe to have a hip grandmother.”
Inside, Burke winced. Until Orren brought Zoe back to him, he’d have to lie, and he hated lying to his mother. “You don’t need to change a thing, Mom. Zoe loved the dress. She’s planning to wear it next time she visits.”
Of course, sometimes lies were necessary.
His mother frowned. “How long will Faith’s trip last? I miss my granddaughter. I’m sure it’s good for Zoe to attend a camp to help with her reading, but she’s been gone all summer. School starts soon.”
Burke hugged his mother to his side. “Zoe will be back before long. I promise.”
She let out a slow sigh and replaced the photo. “I’m sorry your marriage to Faith didn’t work out. She seemed like such a nice girl.” She patted his cheek. “You look tired, Burke. You should find someone who can make you happy. Your father worries.”
Hardly.
He kissed the perfectly coiffed hair. “I have work, and you have a date.”
She flushed and patted his arm. “Don’t work too hard, my sweet boy.”
Burke escorted her to his office door and gave her one final kiss.
“I’ll do what I have to do.”
SEVEN IN THE morning didn’t come early enough, especially when you’d bedded down the night before in a small grove of trees. Thank God Faith had made an emergency plan in case something like this happened. Zoe was safely hidden. Faith had stayed up all night clutching the bat, staring at the back of the shack where they’d lived for the past few months.
She stretched, and her body protested with every movement. Each time she blinked, she could have sworn sandpaper scraped off a layer of her eyelid.
Burke hadn’t shown up, though she’d caught a glimpse of a couple of figures lurking around. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been able to get a good look except that one appeared to be bald. Just like Zoe’d said.
If she’d harbored any last hope, it was gone. Burke had definitely found them.
Her daughter squirmed out of their hiding place and crawled over to Faith. “Is it time to get up?”
“Afraid so.” She wrapped the blanket she’d been forced to steal from the shack’s bedding around Zoe.
Her daughter rubbed her eyes and let out a yawn as big as Texas. “My stuff is still in the bag, isn’t it? We got everything? My unicorn? The baseball Daddy gave me?”
“It’s all here.”
“What if we left something?” Zoe asked.
“We didn’t.” Faith had no plans on ever going back to that shack. “Let’s get ready.”
Using water from a bottle, they cleaned up as best they could before the long walk into town. Faith took the backstreets and traveled across a vacant lot or two. No need to make their presence visible.
Zoe didn’t skip along like normal, and Faith found it tough to smile or fake any optimism. They were in deep trouble. She tucked her money into her pocket except for one hundred dollars for gas. She just prayed the mechanic would cut her a break on the car repairs. Especially since he already had the ten grand she’d prepaid for the IDs.
Finally, Faith made out the siding of the auto shop. She gripped Zoe’s hand and rounded the back of the building. A shiny new vehicle sat outside the small repair shop. At least Ray was early. She scanned the empty streets and tried the doorknob, but it was locked.
She pounded on the front door. It yanked open.
The guy looked like he’d done an all-nighter. Oil and grease streaked his jeans and work shirt.
“Oh, it’s you,” Ray said with a frown. “Come back next week. Car’s not ready.”
He moved to shut the door on her, but she stuck her foot through the crack.
“Not an option. I need to leave town.” She shoved her way inside. “Zoe, stay out here, but where I can see you.” She turned on Ray. “I need the car. And the other items. Today.”
Faith crossed over to the counter and laid the envelope down.
Ray followed her. He fingered the bills and clicked his tongue. “You’re $500 short.”
“I know. But we have to go.”
He shook his head. “No can do. Besides, I found another problem. It’s gonna be another $750 before it’s drivable. Parts, you know.”
His twisted smile challenged her. Faith tried with everything in her not to react, not to cry out in defeat. She straightened her back. “This is all I have. You gave me a quote, and I’ve paid you a lot of money. You know I’ll come through with the rest.”
“Sorry,” he said, though he didn’t look sorry at all. “I can’t give you the car without the full amount.” He moved closer, his face just inches from her. “Besides, it don’t matter. No IDs yet.”
Her knees buckled. She gripped the counter to keep from sinking to the floor. “I need those IDs,” Faith said, her voice rising.
His gaze scraped up and down her body. A horrible feeling slithered through Faith. She stepped away from him and crossed her arms over her chest. Lifting her chin, she met his gaze. “Then the deal’s off. I want my money back. All of it.”
She grabbed at the cash but he yanked it away.
“Hold on now.” With a slimy smile painting his face, he leaned toward her. “I’ll get the IDs in a couple of days. As to the car, well, maybe we can work something out.” His smiled broadened. “A trade wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Mom?” Zoe called through the cracked open door.
Days? Faith stilled. Impossible. They couldn’t return to the shack. Her mind whirled with possibilities. Mrs. Hargraves might help. Or maybe they could sneak in after closing and sleep in the library.
His smile broadened as if he knew