The Texas Ranger's Reward

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“I mean Melissa Dalton could be her double, in a superficial way, of course. I almost had a heart attack when I met her.” His voice grated as he continued, “It hit me so hard, I couldn’t respond naturally around her.” He drank some coffee, but forgot it was hot, and the liquid scalded his tongue.

“And Casey?”

“I don’t even know where to begin.”

Chaz leaned forward. “Has he said she reminds him of his mother?”

“No. I think he’s afraid to admit it to me, but I’m convinced he’s already bonded with her. Since she went to that movie with us on Friday, he’s worked himself up into seeing her again. I shouldn’t have given in to him. I feared there’d be a price to pay, but the thought of him refusing to go to school drove me to it. I purposely made it for the afternoon and—”

“Travis,” Chaz broke in. “I’m confused.”

“You’re not the only one.”

“Try telling me this from the beginning.”

He nodded. “Okay. Last Monday, when I took Casey to his first appointment with her, she challenged him to walk without his crutches. Just like that, he put them down and started walking around the therapy room with her. It was amazing. If I hadn’t been there to witness it, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

For the next five minutes Travis unloaded to Chaz. When he’d finished, his friend stared hard at him. “My next question for you is might there be a part of you that wants to see her again?”

“Hell, no!” Travis shot out of the chair and began pacing. If he did want to see her again, he’d need his head examined. “But Casey does.”

“How come you’re so upset? If you don’t want anything more to do with her, then Casey will have to accept it. Even if he goes into another funk for a week or two, that will be the end of it.”

Travis sighed. “You’re right. I just need to get over the shock. Thanks for talking to me. I’d better get to work. Roman should be here by now.”

“Bring Casey over tonight. We’ve invited Mitch and Heidi. They’ll bring Zack. It’s still beautiful weather. We’re going to grill some hamburgers out on the deck. Lacey and Abby will be thrilled if you two come.”

“Thanks, Chaz. I think I’ll take you up on that. It’ll be fun for Casey. I’ll bring the dessert.”

His friend smiled. “Not necessary. Just make sure Dexter comes, too. Abby loves him.”

“Will do.”

Travis headed to Roman’s office, feeling better after having aired his fears to Chaz. But he hadn’t told him everything. On Friday he’d discovered Melissa Dalton was the only woman of his acquaintance who showed no personal interest in him. He knew it when he couldn’t feel any vibes coming from her.

Travis wasn’t a vain man, but the few times she’d glanced at him, she’d seemed to look right through him. Their conversation on the phone when he’d told her about Valerie had been brief and to the point. She didn’t draw things out or show undue curiosity. Didn’t voice the usual platitudes.

Generous as she’d been to Casey, Travis sensed she wouldn’t like it if he brought his son around her again. She’d been professional and accommodating to her patient, but there was a limit, and Casey had reached it. Travis needed therapy if he allowed this situation to get to him. There was no reason they would ever see each other again. Ships passing in the night.

Roman had arrived, and motioned to him from his office. “Come on in and sit down. I’ve got something to discuss with you.”

“I was just going to ask you a few questions concerning the new case myself.”

His boss shook his head. “I’ve turned it over to Rand.” Rand was one of the older P.I.s who’d worked there for several years.

Travis squinted at his boss. “Maybe you didn’t realize that Casey is fine now and back in school.”

“I heard and it’s great news. But something else has come up and your name was mentioned as the person to get the job done. Ever heard of William Roberts?”

“No.”

“He’s the CEO of the Wasatch Front Steel company.”

“That name I’ve heard of.”

“Everyone has. Their family is one of the most prominent in our fair city. They’ve owned property in the Kamas area for close to eighty years, up in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The first Roberts settlers erected a cabin in 1935, and it has been used and maintained by the family ever since.