The Texas Ranger's Reward

No mention of picking her up beforehand or eating dinner afterward. He’d even gone so far as to say he didn’t want to interfere with her evening plans. That didn’t surprise her. The last thing he’d be looking for—if he were looking—would be a woman who reminded him of his wife.

Where Casey was concerned, she had to remember that children could be manipulative. He liked getting presents and it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that he was hoping to wangle one more out of her. That was why she would show up empty-handed.

Melissa worked through until four-twenty, then left for the movie theater. The minute she climbed out of her Jeep, she heard her name being called. And there was Casey, running up to her. No one would know he’d ever had a broken leg.

His father, striking in a black polo and khakis, stood back with his hands on his hips. She noticed he’d drawn the attention of several women, not just her.

Casey broke into a smile. “That’s an awesome Jeep.”

“Thanks. I love it.”

“I wish I could ride in it sometime.”

“Maybe you can. It’s up to your father. How’s school?” She started walking toward his dad. Casey kept up with her.

“Pretty good. Thanks for the cupcakes.”

“You’re welcome. Thanks for asking me to come to the movie. After being at work all day, this is a treat.” She lifted her gaze to find a pair of midnight-blue eyes staring down at her. They weren’t quite as frosty this afternoon, thank goodness. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Stillman.”

“Casey and I are pleased you could come. We’d better go in. The previews have probably started.”

He held the main door open for them, and they passed through the lobby to the theater itself. She was careful not to brush against him, but even without touching, she was aware of him. The place wasn’t crowded yet, though the previews were on. Casey took the lead and walked down the aisle to an empty row. “Can we sit here?”

“I was just going to pick it,” his father said.

Melissa moved ahead so Casey would be sitting between them.

“I’ll get us some popcorn and be right back,” Travis murmured.

“Thanks, Dad.” When he’d gone, Casey turned his head to look at her. “Do you like Spider-Man?”

“I think he’s amazing the way he swings around on his web, looking for bad guys.”

“Except he’s not real. But my dad is.”

“What do you mean?”

“He looks for bad guys.”

Melissa didn’t know what to say to that, for fear she’d bring up something painful. His father might have moved to Utah, but he’d never give up the search for the criminal who’d killed his wife. “You mean a long time ago.”

“No, now. He’s a P.I. You know—he looks for people doing bad things.”

She blinked. Travis Stillman was a private investigator? “Here in Salt Lake?”

“Yup. At Lufka’s.”

Lufka’s? She’d seen that name written somewhere, but not in Casey’s patient file. “I didn’t know that.”

Just as the main feature started, his father returned with a tub of popcorn and passed it down. Throughout the film she munched on it, but her mind wasn’t on the film. While Casey sat there totally absorbed, she was thinking about what he’d told her. Until people got up to leave, she didn’t even realize the movie was over.

“I wish we could watch it again,” Casey said to his dad.

“I know, but we can’t. We’re due at your aunt Pat’s for dinner. Let’s go.”

Melissa filed out of the row after them. They made their way through the lobby and outside. Without looking at his father, she patted Casey on the shoulder. “Thanks for inviting me. I loved the movie and the popcorn. Now I have to go or I’ll be late for my dinner date.” In this case she hoped she could be forgiven for a small white lie.

“I wish you could come with us.”

“But she can’t.” His father’s voice had an edge. “Have you thanked her for coming?”

Casey’s blue eyes revealed a poignant longing that caught her off guard. “Thanks, Melissa.”

She smiled. “I bet I had a better time than you did. Have fun at your aunt’s. Are you taking Dexter with you?”

He nodded.

“Lucky dog,” she said, and hurried off to her Jeep to prevent his father from having to say another word.

Once inside, she reached into her purse for her iPhone and searched for Lufka’s in Salt Lake. A list with that spelling came up. She clicked on the first entry, and up popped the website for the Lufka Private Investigator firm on Wasatch Boulevard. Now she remembered where she’d seen it before. She’d passed their place of business hundreds of times.

Her eyes took in the information. The firm covered everything from surveillance and insurance fraud to missing persons, stalking cases, theft of property and protection to individuals. In Melissa’s mind, Mr. Stillman had traded one dangerous job for another, and would make an adversary without equal.

Not wasting another second, she headed for her parents’ home. She knew they had a business dinner tonight, but maybe they hadn’t left yet. Melissa needed to talk to them. She had an idea.

Chapter Three

After dropping Casey off at school Monday morning, Travis drove to work. Despite the promise of another hot, beautiful September day, he was in a foul mood.

As he was getting out of his car, Chaz walked over to him. “Things must be better with Casey or you wouldn’t be here.” But when he got closer and scrutinized him, he added, “So how come you look like you haven’t slept in a week? What’s wrong?”

“Let’s just say I’ve been haunted by a ghost.”

Chaz frowned. The guys knew about Valerie and had always been sensitive to his moods. “That doesn’t sound good. Want to talk about it?”

Travis let out a deep sigh. “Maybe I should.” He looked around. Roman wasn’t here yet. When his boss arrived, they were going to go over the new missing person’s case he’d been assigned. Travis had barely started the groundwork, and had some questions only Roman could answer through his connections with the police department. “Sure you have the time?”

“I’ll make it. Come on.”

He followed Chaz inside. Somebody had brought SweetSpuds for the staff, probably Mitch. Since marrying Heidi Norris, whose family owned the SweetSpuds doughnut company, Mitch kept them in good supply. Before long they would all have to go on a strict diet, but not this morning.

Travis poured them coffee and took it to Chaz’s office, while his friend carried the doughnuts. “You know the therapist Casey saw last week, and then he suddenly had a miraculous recovery?” He sat down heavily in a visitor’s chair.

Chaz’s eyes narrowed as he settled behind his desk. “Yeah?”

Travis rubbed his face with his hands before letting out a groan. “Weird as this may sound, she looks and acts like … Valerie.”

A shadow crept over Chaz’s face. “You mean …”