More to Texas than Cowboys. Roz Fox Denny

sheriff’s office was at the back of the courthouse. His dark wood walls were papered with Wanted posters. Greer assumed she’d be stuck answering a million questions once they left, as Shelby knelt on a bench, paying an inordinate amount of attention to the posters hanging at adult eye level. For a third-grader, Shelby read exceedingly well, and she retained everything. Greer hoped there weren’t a lot of really horrid criminals whose deeds would give her daughter nightmares.

      Greer announced herself to a secretary. Barbara Jean Steck, it said on her name tag. “I’m new in town,” Greer told the woman. “A former resident, actually.” She darted a glance at Shelby and lowered her voice. “Uh, last night there was an incident at my ranch I’d like to report. To Wade if he’s available.”

      “He’s in. Let me call and ask if he has time to see you, Ms. Bell.”

      Wade flung open his office door a moment after his clerk buzzed him. “Greer, long time no see. Come in, come in. I don’t like hearing you’ve had an incident at your place. That would be the Dragging F, correct?”

      Cringing, Greer’s eyes automatically cut to the girl still on her knees. “Will my daughter be all right by herself for a few minutes?” As Wade nodded Greer noticed that he hardly looked different from the brown-eyed, brown-haired, lanky guy he’d been in high school. There was an added maturity, of course. Or maybe the official khaki pants, white shirt, boots and heavy belt loaded with cop paraphernalia gave him that commanding aura.

      Wade stepped around Greer and introduced himself to Shelby. “My wife’s sister, Brittany, is about your age. We’ll have to get you together one of these days. Brit will be ecstatic to have another girl in town. She thinks the school here is overrun with boys.”

      Shelby, obviously impressed with Wade’s height and hardware, sat flat on the bench. She did little but nod with wide eyes.

      Turning to his secretary, Wade said, “I’ll bet Barbara Jean can find a cold bottle of juice for Shelby while her mom and I have a word in my office.”

      Smiling, the woman removed a bottle of fruit punch from a compact refrigerator. Greer smiled with pride when Shelby remembered to say thank you for the drink.

      After leading Greer into a Spartan office, he pulled out a straight-backed chair across from his desk. Wade shut his office door and made his way to a swivel chair. “Problems out at the Dragging F so soon? Didn’t you just move in yesterday?”