A Texas Child. Linda Warren

didn’t think the little girl was old enough to walk. Cadde and Chance came into the den with their sons in their arms. Carly looked past them, her bottom lip trembling, and fat tears rolled from her eyes.

      Jessie immediately gathered her into her arms. “Sweetie, Daddy’s coming.”

      Kid burst through the door about that time. “Hey, what’s wrong with my baby?”

      Carly smiled, slipped from Jessie’s arms and waddled to her father. Kid scooped her into his arms and everyone was happy.

      Myra and Jessie got to their feet. Jessie hugged her husband and her boys and she seemed to melt right into them. It was clear how much love they shared, and it made Myra very aware that there was real love in the world. Jessie had been lucky enough to find it. For Myra, that would never happen, which made her a little sad. But only for a moment.

      “Hello, Hardin boys,” Myra said with her hands on her hips.

      “The wicked lady’s back,” Kid quipped.

      “You better believe it.”

      Kid grinned. “Always a pleasure, but I’ve got to run. We’re meeting Lucky for lunch and that’s a big part of our day.”

      “Me, too,” Chance added. “Nice seeing you, Myra.”

      “I’ll take the boys outside so you two can visit,” Cadde offered.

      “Thanks, honey.”

      Myra and Jessie sank onto the sofa. “What’s wrong?” Jessie asked.

      Myra made herself comfortable. “Why do you think something’s wrong?”

      Jessie sat cross-legged in shorts and a tank top. “Because you’re here in the middle of the day when you should be at work. And you look a little stressed.”

      “Thanks.”

      “You’re beautiful when you’re stressed.”

      “I saw Levi today,” Myra blurted out.

      “Levi Coyote?”

      “Yes. There’s only one Levi.”

      “I always loved his name. He was just so big and strong and indestructible and I liked to see him smile. He reminds me a lot of Cadde. You know, tough and unbending. It takes a woman to soften them up.”

      “Levi’s found someone to soften him up. He’s getting married.”

      “That bothers you?”

      “I... No.”

      “I think it does.” Jessie touched her arm. “Tell me why you saw Levi today after all this time.”

      “You remember I told you about Natalie.”

      “Yes, how is she?”

      “Still in a coma and the police haven’t been able to locate the boyfriend or the baby.”

      “How sad.”

      “Stu, her father, and I had this insane idea that Levi would be able to find them.”

      “So you asked him?”

      Myra took a breath. “Yes, and the response was a big no with capital letters and an exclamation point.”

      She could feel Jessie’s eyes on her.

      “You never told me why you and Levi broke up. At the time, you said you didn’t want to talk about it. Do you want to talk about it now?”

      Myra stood up. She couldn’t remain still any longer. “I didn’t tell you because I knew if I did you would look at me differently.”

      “What do you mean?”

      “You’d think I was a horrible person.”

      “Not likely.” Jessie lifted an eyebrow. “Nothing on this earth will ever change my opinion of you. You were the only bright spot in my dismal childhood and I know you as well as I know myself. If you did something you’re not proud of, then it was just a bad choice.”

      Awkward silence followed and that was new for them. They could always talk about anything.

      “Tell me what happened,” Jessie said softly.

      Myra resumed her seat on the sofa and gathered her thoughts and courage. “You remember when that serial rapist was released from prison and, a week later, he followed a mother and her sixteen-year-old daughter home from the mall?”

      “Yes. Levi was involved. The story was everywhere, but I don’t remember much of the details.”

      “A neighbor was looking out her window when the guy forced them inside the house with a gun. She called 9-1-1. Levi was in the area and the first to respond. He was ordered to stand down until the situation was assessed, but as soon as Levi heard who the truck in the driveway belonged to, he knew the man was dangerous. He’d arrested him before. He parked down the street, out of sight, and walked to the house. Hearing a scream coming from the upstairs, he acted quickly, disobeying a direct order.

      “He got in through one of the downstairs windows. The father had been shot in the living room. The screams and sobbing continued as Levi made his way to one of the bedrooms. The mother was tied up and the guy was ripping clothes off the teenager. His gun lay on the carpet. Levi burst in and the guy immediately went for his gun. Levi shot him.”

      “I remember Levi received an accommodation for his bravery.”

      “Not at first. He was immediately suspended for disobeying a direct order. But the father survived, and when he heard what had happened, he was livid that Levi had been suspended for saving his wife and daughter. He had political connections, and once he got through making phone calls, the suspension was lifted immediately and the accommodation awarded.”

      “I don’t understand what this has to do with you and Levi.” Jessie’s face scrunched into a frown.

      Myra wrapped her arms around her waist as if to ward off what she had to say, but she had to tell Jessie. She had to tell someone.

      “Before the father woke up, the cops and detectives were all behind Levi, especially Stu, who was assistant police chief, and they supported his choice to go into that house against a direct order. They got a petition going so everyone could sign to show their support, and it was to be given to the chief of police and higher-ups.”

      “Oh, Myra.” Jessie placed her hands over her mouth. “You didn’t sign it, did you?”

      “No.” It came out as a moan. She rested her head on the sofa and covered her face with her hands. “The D.A. hadn’t signed it and I didn’t know what my position was supposed to be. Can you believe that? I was afraid of losing my job and, in the end, I lost something much more important. When Levi saw my name wasn’t on the petition, he came to my office and said, ‘You didn’t sign it,’ and I had to say no. He walked out without another word. His things were gone from my apartment that afternoon and I never spoke to him again...until today.”

      “My—”

      “Wait, that’s not quite true. I met him in the hall a couple of times and told him how sorry I was. He walked away without a word.” She drew a long breath. “Now you can tell me what a horrible self-centered bitch I am.”

      “I will do no such thing.” Jessie scooted closer and hugged her. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but no one is perfect and—”

      Myra sprang to her feet. “Don’t do that, Jessie.”

      “What?”

      “Be understanding and nice. I need you to be angry with me.”

      Jessie shrugged. “Sorry. Not gonna happen.”

      Myra paced. “When he walked into my office looking so hurt and disillusioned, I knew I’d screwed up so bad I could never make it right. I don’t understand why I let him down so badly. I’ve