The Maverick Cowboy(17)

Chase slowly stood up and took out his cell, punching in a single number.

"BB? You'd better get your ass back here double quick."

* * *

Blue pulled into the parking lot that fronted the Morgantown Sheriff's Department and turned off the engine. He was already on his way home when Chase's call came through, so he'd just driven faster, his heart in his mouth as Chase had refused to elaborate on the phone. By the time he reached Morgantown, a thousand scenarios, each of them worse than the previous one, had crowded into his head.

He practically ran down the hallway into Nate's office and then pulled up short as he surveyed the unexpectedly peaceful scene in front of him. January and Jenna sat either side of a young girl, and Chase and Nate leaned against the desk talking intently on their cells.

"What's going on?" Blue said. "Is Ruth okay?"

Chase put his cell in his pocket. "She's good. I'll leave Nate to tell you what's going on." 

Blue touched his brother's arm. "Chase, what's up?"

"Nate will explain. I'm not sure I have the words right now." He nodded at Blue. "We'll wait outside."

In fact they were all looking at him as if he'd done something heinous-except the child, and who the hell was she anyway?

January lingered, her anxious gaze moving between Chase and the girl. "Maybe I should stay-"

Jenna patted her arm. "I'll stay. Nate might need my help."

January and Chase went out, leaving Blue facing Nate.

"What's up?"

"This is Maria. She just arrived on the last bus."

Blue nodded at the girl. "Hi, Maria."

Nate was watching him intently. "Do you know her?"

"Should I?"

Jenna cleared her throat. "Perhaps I should take Maria to sit outside as well."

"Hold up," Blue said. "Why should I know her?"

The girl pulled out of Jenna's grip and came over to Blue. "Because you're my father."

As if from a long way off, he became aware that he was shaking his head. "Hell, no."

"Yes, you are. My daddy, I mean the man I thought was my daddy told me."

"That can't be right."

She fixed him with a glare that reminded him forcefully of Ruth. "My mom was sick and my dad got sick, too, but his was because of drinking and he told me the truth." Her voice faltered. "He told me to get out."

Blue sank down onto his haunches in front of her. "Like out of the house?"

She nodded solemnly. She had very blue eyes. "He gave me some money and put me on the bus."

"That's . . . terrible."

She nodded again.

Blue stared at her. "What was your mom's name, sweetheart?"

"Angelina."

Blue stood up again and turned to Nate, lowering his voice. "I don't know what's going on here. I have no idea who or what she's talking about."

"Are you quite sure, BB?"

"Yes, I'm damned sure," Blue snapped and instantly reined in his temper. "I'm sorry, Nate. This is just a bit of a shock."

A yawn shuddered through Maria, and she raised her hand to cover her mouth.

"Do you have your dad's cell number, Maria?" Blue asked.

"He says he's not my dad, and I don't remember his number. He took my phone away from me before he put me on the bus."

Blue looked up at Nate, who shrugged. "So far I haven't been able to get any information out of her."

Jenna put her hand on Maria's shoulder. "She needs to get some sleep. Can Blue take her back to the ranch for the night so that Ruth can keep an eye on her?"

Blue stiffened. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea-"

The searing look Jenna gave him made him shut up real fast.

"CPS aren't going to be able to get back to me until tomorrow, so she needs a safe environment." Nate straightened up. "I'm quite happy for Ruth to take care of her if that's okay with you, BB?"

Blue looked at the forlorn figure and slowly nodded. "Sure. We can sort everything out in the morning. Shall we go?"

"Who's Ruth?"

Jenna answered before Blue. "She is Blue and Chase's grandmother. I bet she will be thrilled to meet you."

Maria didn't look convinced but she stood up, grabbing her backpack, which was covered in cartoon ponies with freakishly long manes and tails.



       
         
       
        

"I'll call Ruth and let her know you're on your way." Jenna nodded at Blue, her gaze distinctly unfriendly.

"Thanks." Blue didn't have time to sort out what was going on with Jenna; his attention was totally fixed on the little girl. He held out his hand to take the backpack, but instead she grabbed his fingers and squeezed hard. "Let's go and find Chase."

"I'll be round first thing, BB." Nate accompanied them to the door. "I'll talk to the bus company and to CPS."

"Cool." Blue saw Chase and January sitting in the front office. "We're taking Maria home for the night, okay?"

Chase frowned. "So you're admitting it now?"

Blue held his gaze. "She needs somewhere to sleep, Chase. That's it."

He looked down at Maria. "You're too old for a car seat, right?"

"Yes. I'm almost eleven."

Blue had thought her younger than that because she was quite petite. But then so was Ruth . . . He pushed that thought away.

"Maybe Maria would prefer to ride with me and January."

Blue slowly exhaled. What the hell was up with Chase? "Maria? Who do you want to go with?"

She tightened her grip on his hand. "You."

"Then that's settled." Blue gave his brother a short nod. "We'll see you at home."

* * *

Blue glanced over at his passenger as the ranch house came into view. "We're here."

Maria wrinkled her nose. "It smells bad."

"It's a ranch. You'll get used to it." He had no idea how to talk to kids. None of his friends were married, so he'd avoided having to deal with any ankle biters for years. He got out of the cab and came around to lift Maria down. "Come and meet Ruth."

His grandmother was already opening the door as they walked up the steps onto the porch. She flicked a glance at Blue and then smiled at Maria.

"Well, what a lovely surprise! Come on in, Maria, are you hungry?"

Maria allowed Ruth to lead her into the kitchen with Blue following along behind. Ruth helped Maria out of her bulky ski jacket and sat her at the table.

"You want something, BB?"

"I'll just have some coffee, thanks." His stomach was too knotted up to eat. The coffee would at least keep him awake while they attempted to get to the bottom of this world-class clusterfuck.

"You like grilled cheese, Maria?"

"Yes, please." Maria yawned again and politely covered her mouth. "Excuse me." Whoever had brought her up had done a good job on her manners. 

Within a few minutes Ruth placed a sizzling sandwich in front of Maria and a tall glass of milk. "Eat your fill and then I'll take you up to bed. You look worn out. How long were you on that bus?"

"All day." Maria ate fast and then wiped her mouth with the paper towel Ruth had given her. "I had money to get food."

"How did you know when to get off?" Blue asked casually.

"My dad . . . asked the driver to let me off in Morgantown." She swallowed hard. "He said someone would be meeting me here."

Ruth came to sit by Maria. "You did the right thing going into the shop and asking Maureen for help. That was very sensible of you."

"I kind of knew there wouldn't be anyone waiting for me." Maria's tentative smile faded. "He just wanted me gone."

Ruth wrapped her arm around Maria's shoulders. "You're safe with us now. We'll sort everything out in the morning."

She picked up Maria's backpack. "Say good night to BB."

Maria faced him, her expression solemn. "Good night."

Her eyes were exactly the same shade of blue as Ruth's.

"Night, Maria." He nodded and started to sit back down just as January and Chase came into the kitchen. January excused herself and went upstairs, leaving the two brothers alone in the kitchen. The comforting smell of grilled cheese and the soft lighting failed to soothe Blue's agitated nerves, and by the look on his face, Chase wasn't much happier either.

Chase poured himself a cup of coffee and took the seat Maria had vacated right opposite Blue. He looked all business.

"So are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"What do you want me to say?"

"Is she your daughter?"

"Hell, no! I haven't been hiding some dark secret for years-if that's what you're implying. Have a little faith, bro."

"Then how did she turn up here? She does have our blue eyes."

"So do a million other people." Blue scrubbed an unsteady hand over his unshaven jaw. "I have no idea who she is or where she came from. You've got to believe me."

Chase leaned back in his chair stretching out his long legs. "There's an easy way of proving you're not her father."

"DNA testing? Sure. I'm up for that. She said her mom's name was Angelina. I don't recall ever dating someone with that name, let alone creating a child with her."

"Is it possible Angelina didn't tell you about the child?"