The No. 1 Sheriff in Texas Read online

  “Now that I’m a detective with the department, I’ve been assigned to your case.”

  Great. “Has anything new come up?”

  “Maybe.” He looked past her. “May I come in?”

  What could she do, but step aside? After removing his hat, the detective walked in, then stepped into the small kitchen and dropped a folder on the table.

  Brandon had rushed over to Nora Donnelly’s apartment the second he’d gotten this lead. He was determined to find this guy. He glanced over her face. The makeup hid most of the bruises, but they didn’t mar her beauty, either. He motioned for her to sit down. She did and so did he.

  “This morning, I went to the hospital and talked with some of the nurses in the E.R.,” he began as he opened the file. “It seems that a few days before your attack, you attended a woman who came in with multiple bruises, laceration to her face and a broken arm. All done by the work of her husband.”

  Nora nodded. “Karen Carlson. She was in bad shape. We had to keep her overnight.”

  Brandon looked over his notes. “A nurse, Beth Hunt, told me you sat at Karen’s bedside because she was so afraid her husband, a Pete Carlson, would come to get her.”

  Her blue eyes lit up. “Have you found him?”

  His heart tripped and he had to glance away to concentrate. “Not yet. But you convinced Mrs. Carlson to go into a shelter.”

  Nora blinked. “You think it was her husband who attacked me?”

  “He could have.” Brandon pulled a picture out of the folder. “Does this man look familiar?”

  Nora studied the mug shot. “He’s burly, but I can’t say for sure.” She handed it back. “Are you going to arrest him?”

  “First, we have to find him. But, yes, he has a long rap sheet. He likes to drink and fight, not caring if it’s a man or a woman.”

  “But he’ll be arrested?” she asked again.

  He nodded. “For his attack on his wife. I need to talk to Mrs. Carlson, first. Would you be willing to go with me?”

  “Isn’t that your job, Detective?”

  “Under the circumstances, I think she’ll be more willing to give me information with you there. Twice before she’s dropped the charges against the man.”

  It hadn’t taken much to see that Nora Donnelly was uncomfortable. She didn’t trust easily. Was it just him, or all men? Had a man hurt her before? Her husband?

  “I don’t know how I can help.”

  “All I want is for you to talk with Karen.”

  Those large eyes locked with his momentarily. Damn, it was hard not to react to her.

  She glanced at the wall clock. “Okay, I’ll go, but I’ll need to be back before three-thirty. My son will need his medication.”

  “Is he sick?”

  “He’s diabetic.”

  Brandon wasn’t sure how to respond to that. That had to be rough for the kid, and the mother. He stood. “Then we’ll make sure we’re back in time. Even if I have to use lights and siren.” He smiled, but she didn’t.

  Nora stood and went to get a sweater and her purse, then returned to the entry. He reached for the doorknob as she did and their hands touched. She jerked back.

  “Whoa, Nora,” he said softly. “I’m not going to hurt you. And I’m not going to let your attacker hurt you, either.”

  Her gaze met his, but she quickly glanced away, murmuring, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  Nora looked out the window of the patrol car. Brandon Randell had kept a conversation going during the twenty-minute drive. She didn’t want any small talk, or more questions she couldn’t answer. Her life could depend on not letting anyone find out her secrets.

  Then Brandon turned off the highway onto a tree-lined road. About a quarter mile up they came to a wrought-iron gate. He stopped, rolled down the window and punched in a code on the keypad, then the gate swung open. He continued along the circular driveway toward a sprawling two-story brick and cedar building with black shutters on the rows of double-hung windows.

  “It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “This doesn’t look anything like a shelter!”

  Brandon smiled. “It was planned that way.” He released his seat belt and climbed out.

  Brandon Randell strolled around the car, giving her time to pull it together. The closeness in the car had made her very aware of this man; it was difficult not to be distracted by this good-looking cowboy type.

  Nora chided herself for even giving the man a second thought. She opened her door and got out, allowing the cool breeze to brush against her heated face.

  A huge fountain adorned with cherub angels caught her attention. The refreshing sound of rushing water had her walking toward the grassy knoll with an array of colorful flowers and shrubs. She looked down to see the plaque that read “Abby’s Garden. Special thanks to Abigail Randell for her work and dedication to Hidden Haven House.”

  She felt Brandon’s presence behind her. “Is she a relative?”

  He nodded. “My mother. She helped design and build this place. It took her nearly twenty years to get it completed.”

  The night of the attack, Nora had heard the nurses talking about the affluent ranching family that gave back to the community. The topic quickly turned to the handsome Randell men.

  Nora stole a glance at Brandon. She couldn’t deny that he was good-looking, but she sure wasn’t going to do anything about it, either. She had no desire to get involved with a man again, ever.

  Together they started up the walkway to the door where Brandon pressed the button on an intercom. After identifying himself into the speaker, he opened the door.

  Inside, the walls of the entry area were painted a sea-foam-green, the marble floors were spotless and fresh flowers were arranged on the pedestal table in the center. They crossed the room to a large desk where an attractive, middle-aged woman smiled as she pulled off her glasses.

  “Well, hello, Brandon,” she greeted and looked at his uniform. “I guess I should call you Detective Randell now.”

  “Just call me when you bake those delicious oatmeal cookies of yours, Bess.”

  “You come out and see us more often and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Brandon nodded. “Bess this is Nora Donnelly. She’s a nurse at West Hills.”

  The two women exchanged greetings.

  “Is it possible for us to see Karen Carlson?” he asked.

  Bess nodded. “She’s in the rec hall, but I’ll have someone bring her to the garden room so you’ll have some privacy.”

  “Thanks.” Brandon placed his hand under Nora’s elbow and directed her down the hall. Instead of intimidating her, this man’s touch stirred other feelings. Feelings she didn’t want to think about right now. If ever. When they came to a door, he opened it and moved aside for her to enter first.

  The room was surprisingly large and beautiful. Light blue walls, antique white furniture and plush mushroom-colored carpeting. A floral sofa rested against one wall, on the opposite was a desk in front of a row of French doors. She walked across the room for a better view of a lattice-covered patio with large plants and flowers. Beyond, was a vast green lawn.

  “It’s breathtaking,” she breathed against the glass pane.

  There was a knock on the door and Brandon opened it to find Karen Carlson standing on the other side. The woman looked like a frightened deer. Her clothes hung on her thin body, with her bandaged arm in a sling. Her dark blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was only thirty-five, but looked years older.

  “I was told to come here,” she said nervously.

  “Hello, Mrs. Carlson. I’m Detective Brandon Randell with the sheriff’s department.” He stepped aside. “Do you remember Nurse Donnelly?”

  “Hi, Karen.” Nora smiled and went to her. “I’m glad you’re doing so well.”

  “Nora.” Karen came into the room and gave a hesitant smile. “You came to see me?”

  “That and to talk with you,” Brandon said as he directed the women to
the sofa and they sat down. He swiveled a chair around and took his seat.

  Brandon exchanged a glance with Nora. “We were wondering if you’ve had any contact with your husband.”

  Karen looked panicked and shook her head vigorously. “Oh, no. He’s not supposed to know I’m here. That’s the rule. This place has to stay a secret.” Her eyes grew large. “They said if I contacted Pete I’d have to take my children and leave. I have nowhere else to go. And I can’t go back to him.”

  Nora wrapped her arms around the woman and held her close. “It’s okay, Karen.”

  “Please, don’t let him find me,” she cried.

  Brandon knelt down in front of Karen. “Pete isn’t going to find you,” he promised. “You’re safe. Your kids are safe.” He glanced at Nora. “I just need to find Pete. We thought you might know where to look for him, some places he might go.”

  Karen sniffed as she pulled back and Brandon handed her a folded white handkerchief from his back pocket.

  She wiped her eyes. “When Pete drinks, he goes to a place called The Dark Room.”

  “The strip club on the west side, off the county road?”

  She nodded. “We didn’t live too far away. Just down the road at the Wagon Wheel Mobile Home Park.”

  Brandon took out his notepad. He couldn’t look at her as he recalled the shambles of the small trailer. He had no doubt Carlson had taken out more of his anger on the place. “We’ve checked out your home. There’s no sign of your husband. Does he have any other family around?”

  “His brother lives in Dallas.” Karen gave him the name and address. “They don’t get along. He has a friend, Max. He lives at the trailer park also.” Karen’s gaze met Brandon’s. “The sheriff already asked me these questions.”

  “Nora was attacked outside the hospital a few nights ago.”

  Karen gasped, and glanced over at Nora’s face, her eyes widened as she spotted the faint bruises. “Who would do that to you?”

  “We wondered if it could possibly be Pete,” Brandon said. “Maybe he knew she helped you when they brought you to the hospital.”

  A tear rolled down Karen’s cheek. “This is my fault.” Her chin trembled. “If I’d just stayed…”

  “No!” Nora interrupted her. “You can’t go back to a man who beat you. He could have killed you, Karen.”

  “If I hadn’t made him so angry.”

  Brandon touched her hand and felt her tense. He cursed to himself, but checked his own anger at the jerk who did this to her.

  “You’re not to blame for this, Karen. There’s never a reason for a man to strike a woman. Ever,” he stressed. “So from this minute on you think about yourself and your kids. Haven House will help you start that new life—without a man like Pete. But first you have to believe in yourself.”

  She blinked at her tears and gave him a nod. “Okay.”

  He smiled. “Good. Now, we’re going to find Pete, but you have to press charges this time.” He stood, took out his wallet and pulled out two business cards. “Here’s a lawyer who’s a friend of mind, Brad Ashton. He does pro bono work for the center. He can help you. And here’s my card. If you need anything call me.”

  Karen took the cards. “Thank you.” She stood. “If I remember anywhere else Pete could be, I’ll let you know.” Nora hugged her and they watched as Karen walked out.

  The room grew silent as Brandon sat on the edge of the desk. So many emotions surfaced as memories of his own childhood flashed in his head. The years of fear, the fights and his mother’s muffled cries in the night. He’d been too young and couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

  “Brandon?”

  He jerked out of his reverie. “What?”

  “Do you really think Pete was my attacker?”

  “He seems to be the best lead we have. The most logical explanation.” His gaze met hers and his breath caught. “Unless you have another idea who it could have been?”

  She glanced away. “No, I don’t.”

  He’d bet his new promotion that she was keeping something from him. He checked his watch. “We should head back.”

  Nora was more than ready to leave. She nodded and started across the room just as the door swung open and a mature woman walked in. Beautiful couldn’t describe her. Her auburn colored hair was styled in a blunt cut just below her ears. Her fair skin was as flawless as her trim figure.

  Her rich green eyes softened as she looked at Brandon. “Well, I heard rumors that you were here.”

  “More likely Bess tracked you down.” He embraced her and kissed the woman’s cheek. “Hello, Mom.”

  “So you do remember who I am.” She stepped back from their embrace, then looked in Nora’s direction. “Hello, I’m Abby Randell.”

  “Sorry, Mom. This is Nora Donnelly. She’s helping me with a case I’m working on.”

  Nora put on a smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Randell.”

  The older woman took her hand. “Please, call me Abby.”

  “And I’m Nora.”

  “Oh, what a lovely old-fashioned name.” She looked thoughtful. “I don’t know any Donnellys. Are you new in the area?”

  She nodded. “A few months.”

  “Nora is a nurse at West Hills,” Brandon answered.

  Abby Randell glanced between the two of them and smiled. “You probably don’t know many people around here.”

  “I know a lot of people at the hospital.”

  “Maybe you and your husband would like to come out to the ranch?”

  Brandon sent her a stern look. “Mother.”

  “I’m a widow. It’s just me and my son, Zach.”

  “I’m sorry. That has to be difficult, especially for your son. How old is he?”

  “Zach is seven.”

  Abby smiled. “I have an idea. It’s tradition that the family has a barbecue on Sundays while the weather is warm. There are dozens of cousins, and kids whose parents work on the ranch. This weekend we’re hosting it at our place.” She gave her son a pointed look. “Actually, it’s Brandon’s ranch.”

  “It belongs to the family,” he corrected.

  Abby smiled. “I bet Zach would love to spend a day on a working ranch.”

  Nora was caught, knowing her son would love to have some kids to play with. “I’m sure he would.”

  “Then that settles it. Brandon will bring you out this coming Sunday.” Abby Randell then turned and walked out before Nora could change her mind.

  Brandon sank onto the edge of the desk. “Welcome to the world of the Randells.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “FOLLOW through, Zach.”

  With a nod, the seven-year-old threw the baseball and Brandon managed to field the errant toss. “That’s pretty good,” he told the boy, and was rewarded with a shy smile.

  Brandon knew he should be at the office, following up leads on Carlson’s family. Yet, thirty minutes ago when he brought Nora back to her apartment, he hadn’t wanted to leave. Not after he saw young Zach Donnelly in the yard, tossing a baseball up in the air trying to catch it. The kid looked lost.

  “A little practice and you’ll get better in no time.”

  “I don’t have anyone to play with,” Zach said, giving his mother a look. “Except Mom.”

  Nora straightened at her spot on the step. “Hey, I didn’t think I was so bad.”

  “I know.” The boy looked embarrassed as he murmured, “But you’re a girl.”

  Brandon had noticed that. A pretty one, too. He bit back a smile. “What about at school?”

  The boy glanced away. “I’m new and the kids around here don’t want me to play with them.”

  Brandon felt a tightness in his chest. Zach was small for his age, and on the thin side. Worse, he was the new kid in town.

  “Sometimes it just takes a little time to get to know everyone.” Brandon tossed the ball back, and the boy managed to get the new oversize glove under it. “Good job.”

  Zach’s smile quickly faded. “Nobody
picks me because all the other kids are better than me.”

  Brandon doubted that, but the new kid often got picked on. He glanced to Nora, watching the interaction closely. “Maybe I could help you.”

  The boy perked up. “Really?”

  Nora had to end this. She stood and walked toward her son. “Zach, we should probably go inside. You have homework.”

  “Aw, Mom.”

  She remained persistent. “You also need to get something to eat.”

  The boy started to argue, but Brandon stepped in. “Zach, it’s best to mind your mother. She only wants you to be healthy and strong. We can do this another day.”

  “Okay,” Zach answered, but didn’t leave. “When? When are you coming back?”

  Wait. Wasn’t she the parent here? “Zach, Detective Randell is busy with work. You can’t expect him just to drop everything.” She made eye contact with Brandon, daring him to challenge her. “Now, you go inside.”

  Her son finally nodded, then glanced at Brandon. “Thanks for playing catch with me.”

  “You’re welcome,” Brandon said and the boy took off up the steps.

  Nora was trying hard to hold her temper. She didn’t like how Brandon Randell had worked his way into her private life. She had to put a stop to it. Now.

  She faced him. Well, darn if he wasn’t giving her one of those cocky, how-can-you-resist-me grins. It wasn’t going to work on her.

  “Look, Detective—”

  “It’s Brandon, Nora,” he interrupted her. “I think we can move on to first names, don’t you?”

  No! She wanted to scream. “That’s the problem, Det—Brandon. I don’t think it’s a good idea since we have no reason to even see each other again.”

  He frowned. “I haven’t solved your case.”

  “You don’t need me for that. And I’ve told you everything I remember of that night.”

  Brandon took a step closer. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to shake some sense into her, or pull her into his arms and keep her safe. He’d never felt this protective about any woman before.

  “What if he comes back?” he asked. “What if this guy discovers where you live? I have a patrol car drive by at night, but even with security, he could still get to you.”