One Night in Texas

Angie. Sweet, irresistible Angie had just shattered his heart. And there was no way to forgive that.

Ever.

* * *

ANGIE STARED OUT the window toward Horseshoe. It was dark, but she knew the direction.

She touched the windowpane and the coolness of the glass shot all the way to her heart. She was cold and empty. Somewhere deep inside she found the courage she’d been running on for years. It was like high octane keeping her going. But being strong had cost her more than she’d ever imagined.

She exhaled deeply, turned back to Erin and sat in the chair by the bed, her hand stroking Erin’s face.

After Dennis had left, she hadn’t known how to tell her mother that the marriage was over. Being a strong Catholic, her mother didn’t believe in divorce. So, with her stubborn pride intact, she’d had Erin alone, but after the birth she’d called Patsy and Peggy. She’d needed someone. They got her through it, and then she’d gone home to her parents.

There had been tons of questions from her mother, but her pit-bull sisters had fielded every one of them. And she’d let them protect her until she found the courage once again to stand on her own. It hadn’t been easy, and now she was about to lose it all.

She laid her head on the bed, tears rolling from her eyes. Everyone thought Dennis was Erin’s father, even her family. She’d told no one, not even Dennis, that Hardison Hollister was the father of her baby. That had been her secret.

Looking at her precious daughter, she had one thought. It was over. Her secret wasn’t a secret anymore. Hardy knew he was Erin’s father. She should feel some sort of relief, but the boulder on her chest felt that much heavier. Because it really wasn’t over. The worst was yet to come.

* * *

HARDY’S HEAD POUNDED, and he cursed under his breath. Where was he? It was dark, and he was sitting outside on a bench. A warm breeze touched his face and ruffled his hair. Reaching up to brush it out of his eyes, he realized he had a bottle in his hand. A whiskey bottle.

Just what he needed. He took a swig. Oh, yeah, Tennessee whiskey. It should solve all his problems, or maybe just drown them.

Through the pounding he kept hearing You’re Erin’s father.

He took another swallow, but the sound wouldn’t go away. Damn! He needed more booze.

“Hardy, is that you?”

Hardy blinked and saw at least two Wyatt Carsons standing there. He knew it was him because the moonlight reflected off the badge on his shirt.

“Yeah.”

“What are you doing sitting on the bench in front of the courthouse?”

“Hell, I don’t know.” He turned the bottle up again.

“Are you drunk?”

“Good guess. You’re not the sheriff for nothing.”

Wyatt sat beside him. “Are you drinking that straight?”

“Straight as an arrow to my gut, and I’m waiting for the numbness to knock me on my ass.”

“What’s wrong with you? I know it’s been a rough day, but I’ve never seen you drink like this and I’ve known you all of my life.”

“You know me pretty well, huh?”

“Pretty good.” Wyatt nodded.

“Do you know I have a kid?”

“What?”

“I have a kid, and I found out tonight.”

“You’re talking out of your head.” Wyatt stood. “Let’s go over to the jail and I’ll make some coffee and you can sober up. Then you can tell me what’s going on.”

“I’m telling you now. Damn it! Can’t you hear me?”

“The whole town can hear you, and I don’t think you want them to see the D.A. drunk on his ass.”

“Like I give a damn.” He tipped up the bottle again.

Wyatt jerked it out of his hand. “You’ve had enough.”

Hardy sat with his elbows on his knees, his face buried in his hands. “I have a kid, Wyatt. A kid I know nothing about.”

Wyatt sat down again. “Are you serious?”

“As serious as I’ve ever been.”

“How did you find this out?”

Hardy ran his hands up his face, trying to wipe away her voice. But it was right there, taunting him. He exhaled deeply. “She told me.”

“Who told you?”

“You’d never guess in a million years.”

Wyatt sighed. “Let’s go get some coffee.”

“Angie.”

Complete silence followed the word, and he could see his friend was flabbergasted.

“Are you talking about Angie Wiznowski?”

“Is there another Angie you know?”

“You mean...?”

The storm that had been brewing in him suddenly hit. He jumped to his feet, which was a trick because the world suddenly tipped. His stomach roiled and didn’t give him any time. He threw up everything he had in him, holding on to a tree. Sinking to his knees, he felt like the lowest scum who had ever walked on earth.

Wyatt put an arm around his waist and helped him to his feet. They made their way to the sheriff’s office.