Promise Made (The Callahan Series) Read Free Page A

But Dugan did.”
    “Dugan gave you a ticket?” Gram asked, her face one big surprise.
    “You don’t think for one minute your honest-as-the-day-is-long sheriff would let me off with a warning, do you?”
    Gram sniffed. “That’s what makes him a good sheriff.”
    “I’m sure you’re right. I deserved it. So I’ll pay up and not complain.”
    “All right.” Gram stood, walked to the door. “Since you’re busy this morning, I’m going for my walk. We’ll talk later?”
    “Of course. I'll be here.” Kate followed her to the door. Gram hurried down the front walk to the street, looked left, then right. Gram seemed antsy this morning, twisting her hands in her lap, stealing glances at the clock as if she couldn’t wait to get out of the house. It wasn’t like her.
    In the bathroom, Kate looked in the mirror, wondered if Dugan had seen the changes. Probably not. It had been dark, so he couldn’t see much. She hoped he didn’t see the worry lines around her eyes or the strained look on her face. Not that it mattered. He was part of her past.
    She didn’t use much make-up, just a touch of color to her lips. Then, dropping her robe, she put on her jeans and T-shirt, added a light jacket, and stepped outside.
    Gram was right. It was a beautiful day. She opted to walk the four blocks to the courthouse.
    As she walked down the driveway to the street, she was reminded of the first time she’d seen Gram’s house. She’d just turned thirteen. How afraid she’d been—how alone and devastated she'd felt that day.
    It had taken a while, but Gram had made it right.
    When she got to the gate, she looked back at the house that had been her home until she left for Austin. It was an old two-story, built in the forties. But Gram kept it in good repair, had even added an extra bath upstairs. Green shutters gleamed against whiter than white painted boards. Ivy climbed toward the windows in green trails. Multi-colored flowers; everything from zinnias to petunias, bloomed in beds that didn’t sport a single weed.
    Kate loved this house. This place.
    Each time she came home for a visit, it got harder to leave. Maybe this time she wouldn’t. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Couldn’t.
    Her gaze went to the old Connor place next door. What a difference. The houses were probably close to the same age, but the Connors’ had been vacant for so long it had fallen into disrepair. The roof actually looked as if it was about to cave in.
    Thank goodness a large span of yard separated them.
    As she made her way to the courthouse she was stopped at least a dozen times with more questions than she could answer.
    Still, the sameness was a comfort. She didn’t feel as if she were being judged. It was such a great feeling that she smiled at Emma Wells, one of the town’s biggest gossips, and decided she might actually stay a full week or more this time around.
    Which was a huge change from her usual Christmas, Easter, and birthday visits. In between, Gram came to Austin to visit her. There, they’d go to the museum, take in a movie, go out to eat, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
    They often talked of taking a vacation together, but so far Kate hadn’t had the time.
    With so few visits, it was no wonder everyone in town was curious. But she had been busy. From her first day on the job until now, she’d juggled an enormous workload. In the process, she’d made a name for herself. A good one.
    And now she was running away again. If she were ever to have the life she wanted, this had to stop.
    To avoid another encounter with Dugan she stayed on the opposite side of the street from the sheriff’s office. One encounter was enough.
    “Hey, Kate.”
    She recognized the voice and turned. “Scott! Good to see you.”
    She smiled as Scott Bishop trotted up the sidewalk toward her.
    “How in the world are you?” he asked, his broad face beaming.
    They grinned at each other. They’d been high school sweethearts. Once she’d