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Taking out a pen, he started doodling on a utility bill envelope, drawing intricate loops and circles that looked like tooling on a fancy boot. “No kids for me.”
    â€œYou sure?” Teague could hear a smile in the sheriff’s voice. “Jodi Brand’s back in town.”
    â€œI saw her,” Teague said. He sat back and looked at what he’d drawn. It looked like a heart. He scratched it out. “What does that have to do with anything?”
    â€œAlways thought you two would end up together.”
    â€œI burned that bridge a long time ago.” Teague started doodling again, drawing a star this time.
    â€œBridges can be fixed.”
    â€œWhat are you, my mom?” Teague regretted the words the minute they shot out of his mouth. “Sorry. You more or less are my mom.”
    Woodell laughed. “Somebody had to look after you. Your folks sure as hell couldn’t do it.”
    â€œOr wouldn’t.”
    â€œWell, you were a handful.”
    â€œOnly way I could get your attention.”
    It was true. Sometimes, when he was a kid, Teague had started trouble just so the sheriff would try to talk him straight. Back then he hadn’t wanted to admit it to himself, but it felt good that somebody cared.
    It wasn’t enough, though. Finally, Woodell had thrown up his hands and let the system have at it with Teague. He’d ended up spending eighteen months at Green River in the reformatory. It hadn’t helped. He’d sulked through the group therapy sessions, clammed up on the counselors, and gone home with all his anger and attitude intact.
    The only thing that had saved him was Troy. When Teague Sr. died in a car wreck and their mother followed him soon after, he’d had to step up and take care of his brother. He’d been doing it ever since.
    Doing a dang good job of it, too.
    So of course he worried when his brother disappeared.
    He drew a crescent moon to cradle the star while the sheriff went on about how great Jodi looked and how good it was to have her back in town. Teague sighed and gazed out the window. He really didn’t want to hear it.

Chapter 5
    Jodi slapped her hand over her mouth and backed out of the bedroom doorway, slamming the door shut and stifling a scream. Who the hell was in her bed? Taking a deep breath and steeling herself, she eased open the door. The lump in the bed shifted and let out a couple of bearlike grunts, and what was going to be a scream turned into a giggle.
    â€œTroy?” She opened the door and stepped into the room. “Troy! What are you doing in my house?”
    A tousled head peeked out from under the covers. She caught sight of Troy’s familiar features, marked with the unmistakable stamp of Down syndrome, but he couldn’t seem to make out who she was. He squinted, twisting up his face; she giggled again and a broad grin creased his cheeks.
    â€œJodi?” He flung back the covers and swung his short legs over the edge of the four-poster. “ Jodi! ”
    She grinned and nodded.
    â€œWhat are you doing home? I been taking care of it for you. I been helping you.”
    â€œYou been sleeping,” she teased.
    â€œYes. I mean, no.” Troy’s eyes widened. “I was hiding. I didn’t know it was you. I thought maybe Teague was looking for me.” He glanced out the window. “Oh, man, he’s gonna kill me. I was ’sposed to be home. I was ’sposed to take care of the horses.” His mouth worked as the realization worked him into a panic. “Oh, he’s gonna be mad. So mad,” he moaned.
    â€œIt’s okay, Troy.” Jodi took his hand and led him from the room. “Let’s toss your bike in the truck and I’ll give you a ride home.” She paused and nodded at the tidy counters in the kitchen. “Did you keep my house clean for me? Was that you?”
    â€œUh-huh.” He threw his arms around her in a bear hug and she thought