Truth and Consequences Read Online Free PDF Page A

caught the little girl, swinging her up to settle on his hip. He rubbed his stubbled jaw against her cheek, and she erupted into wild giggles.
    She patted his face. “You’ve got a booboo.”
    Jim Ed’s expression hardened for a moment, then he smiled. A chill slid over Jason’s spine.
    “Yeah, Daddy’s got a booboo. Give me a kiss and make it better.” She laid a smacking kiss on his cheek. Jim Ed laughed again and turned her in Jason’s direction. “Laurel, can you tell Uncle Jason hello?”
    The little girl ducked her head against her father’s shoulder. “Hey, Uncle Jason.”
    Uncle.
    Family. A brief spurt of shame flared in his chest and he shoved his hands in his back pockets, forcing a smile for the four-year-old. “Hey, Laurel.”
    An answering beam shaped Cupid’s-bow lips. “Daddy brought me a new kitty. His name’s Mims.”
    Jim Ed let the little girl slide to the ground. He tugged the end of one pigtail. “Go tell Mama we’ll be right in.”
    She flashed another smile in Jason’s direction, showing tiny, pearly teeth. “Okay.”
    Jason watched her tear across the lawn toward the house. “She sure loves her daddy.”
    Clapping him on the shoulder again, Jim Ed rumbled with laughter. “That she does. And I’m wrapped around that pretty little finger, too. Come on.”
    The garage door lifted to reveal an immaculate floor and organized storage areas. Tools not only hung on pegboards, but red outlines showed where each should reside. A long table ran along the back wall, holding an array of woodworking tools. A half-finished dollhouse stood at one end.
    “This is my baby.” Jim Ed reached for the canvas cover on the car parked in the third bay. He pulled it away to reveal a 1970 Chevelle SS. With the hood removed, the chromed engine glimmered in the dim light.
    Jason whistled and ran his hand down the right front quarter panel, the metallic blue paint slick and cool. The mingled scents of grease and oil tickled his nostrils, bringing back memories of his youth, hours spent piecing together junk cars with his cousins and their father. Envy shimmered under his skin. “Bet she set you back a penny or two, didn’t she?”
    Jim Ed patted a headlight. “She’s worth it, though. Here, fire her up.”
    Anticipation licking at him, Jason caught the keys in midair and opened the driver’s door. New vinyl and air freshener enveloped him, and the roar of the engine rolled along his senses. Fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, he soaked in the sensation of pure power. The urge to go tearing around the back roads of Haynes County swamped him.
    Through the windshield, he studied the massive brick home, the new truck, the professional landscaping. How did Jim Ed pay for it all?
    The possibilities made him ill. Killing the engine, he swung out of the car and tossed the keys to his cousin. He forced a grin, everything he’d eaten that day sitting in a lump in his gut. “She’s great.”
    “You hang with the department long enough and you’ll be able to afford one.”
    “Yeah.” Bitterness rang in his short laugh. Jim Ed had no clue what was in his bank account, but the condescension stung. “Sure.”
    “Bill Thatcher believes in rewarding loyalty.”
    Jason glanced at the house. “You must be awful damn loyal.”
    His cousin didn’t laugh. “Listen, Jason, I’m serious. This could be a good thing for you—”
    “Jim Ed!” Stacy stood on the deck, hands on her hips, an exasperated look on her pretty face. “Are you coming in or not? Supper’s getting cold.”
    “Wouldn’t want that to happen,” Jim Ed muttered and slapped Jason on the back. “Let’s go before she has a hissy fit.”
    Jason helped him replace the car cover. As they left the garage, Jim Ed whistled sharply and the bird dog, tongue lolling, raced across the yard to them. With the canine dancing about his legs, Jim Ed fondled its ears once more and clucked his tongue.
    At the sound, the dog shot toward a chainlink