Page 6 of Reckoning with the Cowboy
“I can’t promise that. I need to help Max with something.”
“Do not tell me that you’ve involved Max in your trouble.”
“I don’t have time to go into it on the phone, but Max is in more danger than I am. That’s why I’m back. I’m not leaving until my brother is safe. That’s why I need to get out of jail.”
“Did Max buy this story of yours?”
“Oh, you know Max. He thinks he’s invincible and I’m just a screwup.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, clearly agreeing.
“He probably doesn’t think he needs me. But this time, he does, trust me.” The moment he said it, he knew it was the wrong thing to say. “You used to trust me,” he added quickly.
“And look where it got me,” she said.
He heard the cellblock door open, and footfalls headed his way. “Max only gave me three minutes, but there’s so much I need to—”
“I’ll see you Monday morning.”
“That might be too late.” He thought she had already hung up.
“What kind of trouble are you in, Cordell?” Her tone sounded almost warm, concerned, definitely caring, giving him hope. “Never mind, I don’t want to know. I’ll be right there.” Just like that, this time she really was gone.
He disconnected and turned to see Max waiting for his phone. “She going to represent you?” He sounded doubtful.
“She’s coming right in,” he said, holding out the phone. “We can’t waste any time with Grimes on his way here.”
Max shook his head, clearly refusing to believe anything Cordell had told him as he took his cell and pocketed it. “You all right about seeing her again?”
“Seriously? You want to talk about how I feel about Josie?” He sighed since the answer was simple. He felt as if he’d been kicked in the chest by a horse at just the sound of her voice. “She’s not married, is she? Seeing anyone?”
“Married? No. Dating…?” He shrugged. “You can take that up with her when she gets here,” his brother said and started to walk out.
“You can try to convince yourself that I’m wrong, but Roger is still headed this way,” he called after his brother.
Max slowed and turned as if he’d changed his mind. Walking back, he said, “I’ll move you into a cell with a bed.”
Cordell sighed. “How gracious of you. That sandwich was great, but what time’s dinner? I really didn’t take time to eat on the road.”
Max unlocked his cell and opened another one with a narrow cot-like bed. “It’s Saturday so the special is Goldie’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn. I suppose you’ll want pie. Your favorite still banana cream?”
His grin broadened. “You remembered.” He was actually touched by that. “Boy, is it good to be home, bro. I just wish it was under different circumstances.”
“Yeah,” Max said and locked the cell after Cordell entered. “I can’t wait to see what happens when the town finds out what’s in the back of that trailer you brought.”
“I told you. It’s a peace offering.”
“You serious?” his brother said, shaking his head. “I can’t imagine what you were thinking. You aren’t going to have to worry about our dead phony stepfather killing you. The town’s people will be showing up with pitchforks demanding your head on a stake.” With that he walked out.
“About dinner? What time did you say it is?”
His brother didn’t answer as he let the door slam behind him.
* * *
“You’RE GOING TOrepresent him?” Amy Sue asked in horror. “After everything Cordell did to you?”
“He didn’t do anything to me that I didn’t want to happen,” Josie snapped. She’d been more than a willing participant. She’d fallen for the town bad boy, and she’d fallen hard. When he’d broken her heart and left town, no one blamed her—the good girl—for getting involved with him. It was all Cordell who caught the community’s wrath. Josie was their pride and joy. The girl who had made good and come back here after passing the bar.
