One Night in Texas

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“What made Angie tell you now?”

Hardy shrugged. “I kept pressing her about Erin’s father. He needed to be there, and she was very evasive about him. Maybe she got tired of me pressuring her or maybe she just got tired of keeping her secret. I don’t know. She just blurted it out.”

“Good luck, man. I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

As he backed his truck off the lawn, he knew Wyatt was right. His name would be mud all over town. But he wasn’t worried about that. The only worry he had was how to make a connection to a little girl he didn’t even know.

Because he was her father.

Chapter Five

Hardy sped down the county blacktop to the Circle H Ranch. He drove under the wrought iron arch entrance and onto the graveled road that led to the colonial-style two-story house. Brown board fences bordered him on both sides. Live oaks graced the fence all the way to the house. In places their branches intertwined, giving a shady umbrella effect.

He swung into his parking spot in the detached garage. After walking through a breezeway into the kitchen, he found his dad, Mavis and Harvey Weltzen eating breakfast. Mavis had been the housekeeper for years and Harvey was the foreman of the ranch.

His dad looked up from his plate. “Where in the hell have you been?”

Judge Hardison Sr. was a barrel-chested man who exuded confidence and attitude. His booming voice was known to stop criminals in their tracks. Most people feared him because of his strong stance on crime and morality. There was no leeway, according to him.

“I told you, I was involved in an accident and I had to handle things.”

“You should’ve been man enough to phone and let us know what was going on. We worried all night. Olivia’s been calling and calling.” His dad looked him up and down. “You look fine. What kind of accident?”

The criticism stung, and Hardy bit his tongue. “A little girl ran out in front of my truck and I hit her.”

“Oh, my God!” Mavis covered her mouth with her hand in shock. “Is she okay?”

“She’s in the hospital in Temple with a broken leg, some cracked ribs and a bruise on her head, but the doctor said she’s going to be fine.”

“Where did you hit this girl?” his dad asked in his most authoritative voice.

“On Magnolia Street. I was on my way home.”

“Who is she?”

“Angie Wiznowski’s daughter.”

“Did Wyatt take a report?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure he will.”

His dad pointed a finger at him. “Get this swept under the rug as fast as you can.”

Hardy clenched his jaw. “I’m not sweeping anything under the rug. It was an accident. If people can’t understand that, then they have a problem.”

“Boy, you’ve got a lot to learn.”

“I’m the D.A. of this county, and I will make sure that the legal procedure is followed, even when it includes me.”

“If charges are filed, you can kiss that D.A. job goodbye and any chance of running for district judge will be gone. Talk to Angie. She’s a sweet girl. She’ll understand.”