Page 2 of Dangerous Secrets
Walker narrowed his eyes.
“License and registration,asshole.”
“Fuck you.”
“Wrong answer.Exit thevehicle slowly, keep your hands where I can see them.”
The dog growled low in histhroat.
“Easy there,Bud.”
Walker pushed open the door and stoodin front of the officer, shoving his hands deep in his pockets.Inthe glow cast from the interior of his truck he saw a grin splitthe officer’s face.A moment later Walker was pulled into a tightembrace.He pulled his hands from his pockets to return it.When hewas released, his brother kept a grip on his shoulder.
“Christ, it’s good to seeyou.I’d know that pickup anywhere.What took you solong?”
“Had some shit to tie up,and it’s a long drive from Alaska.I’m here now.”He fingeredSawyer’s sleeve.“Got some stripes there, Deputy.”
“That’s lieutenant to you,son.”Sawyer must have read Walker’s expression correctly becausehe added, “Fetterly’s dead, and Sheriff Grafton’s gone.Carlisle isthe current sheriff.He’s a good man.”
Walker let that pass.“How’sPop?”
Sawyer shook his head and Walker toldhimself he’d known the old man wouldn’t get better.Walker was longpast the point in his life where he believed in miracles.Still,grief hovered over him, dark and oppressive like sullen stormclouds.
“It’s good you’re back.Clara moved him into the big house when he came home from thehospital so she and Delaney could look after him.”Bud continued togrowl, like the constant revving of an engine.Sawyer shone hisflashlight into the truck.“What the hell’s that?”
“Dog.”
His brows lowered.“You sure?Lookskind of puny for all the noise it’s making.”
“Tell him that.Damn dog’sgot a Napoleon complex.”
“Right.Let’s get youhome.”He jerked his head in the direction of the highway.“I’llgive you an escort.”
Minutes later Walker pulled up infront of the big house where golden light shone from first-floorwindows.Sawyer cut the blue and reds when he parked.Walker stoodon the gravel driveway, staring at the house.Just seeing the placemade something in him ease, like a spring wound too tight hadloosened.
Pop was dying and Walker would have toface Laney, but damn, being home felt good.He set Bud on theground and the dog rushed for the nearest clump of grass to lift aleg.
Walker caught the shadow in hisbrother’s eyes that matched his solemn expression.
“You ready for this?”Sawyer had always been able to read him.
“No.Let’s go.”
He gave a whistle and Bud scurried tofollow him.They crossed the wide porch and Walker felt like he wasmentally pulling on armor.He’d rather face thirty-foot seas in theGulf of Alaska than the emotional storm waiting to swamp him.Hepaused, took a slow breath to help beat back everything that wasclawing at him.Then he braced himself to do what camenext.
The living room looked as it alwayshad.The same leather sofas with cushions in earth tones.A litfireplace with its deep hearth radiating warmth.An old dog sittingclose to the heat of the fire.The dog rose slowly to its feet,ears perked.
“Is thatCallie?”
“Yeah, it’sCallie.”
Bud’s nails clicked on the hardwoodfloor as he made a beeline for the other dog, then stood quiveringas they touched noses.The black and white pointer approachedWalker, rumbling in her throat, the smaller dog prancing besideher.Callie stared at him, nose twitching, then must have caughthis scent because her tail swung like a pendulum as she surgedforward, sniffing his jeans before rubbing her face against hislegs.
“Well, I’ll be damned,”Sawyer muttered.“She remembers you.”
Walker crouched to hold out a hand tothe dog and felt those emotions straining to break free.He strokedher head.“Hey there, darlin’,” he murmured.Bud began a circuit ofthe room, nose to the floor, while Callie licked Walker’s chin.Hefigured that was as good a welcome home as any, and loads betterthan he could expect from Laney.
He rose to his feet and Sawyermotioned him through the living room to a short hall.Walkerfollowed more slowly to give himself a minute, then stepped intothe doorway.
