Promise Made (The Callahan Series) Read Free Page B

started seeing Dugan in college, however, that was the end of any romantic relationship with Scott.
    “What brings you to town?” he asked.
    “What can I say? Got lonesome for Gram, so here I am.” She looked him over. He still had his football wide shoulders, but was beginning to get a little paunch. “You look good. How’s Wanda?” He’d married Wanda Jackson shortly after Kate started dating Dugan. She often wondered if he’d been in such a hurry because they broke up or if he truly loved the girl. She hoped it was the latter.
    Some of the light went out of his dark brown eyes. “Wanda’s fine. Visiting her parents in San Antonio this week.”
    “Good for her. Lonely for you.” Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Dugan walking out of his office and turning their way. “Gotta run. Good to see you.”
    “Maybe we can have dinner. You know, reminisce. Talk about old times.”
    If there was one thing Kate had no intention of doing it was to start tongues wagging about her and Scott. Though they were barely acquaintances now, they had once been a twosome. Here in Oaktree, you didn’t go out to eat with a man you once had a relationship with whose wife was out of town. “My stay will be a busy one. So I doubt I’ll have time, but just in case, have Wanda call when she gets back in town. I’d love to see the two of you.”
    She escaped before Dugan crossed the street. Once inside the courthouse, she paid her ticket. It took only minutes to fork over the hefty fine.
    Even here, nothing much had changed. The building had seen better days, but Martha, the county clerk, kept fresh flowers on a table out front and the dark wood gleamed.
    Outside, Kate shaded her eyes from the glare of the sun. Gram would be back from her walk soon and they could talk. Until then, she’d indulge in her second-favorite sweet treat at Molly’s and catch up on the latest gossip.
    As she opened the door of the diner, the aroma that was uniquely Molly’s assailed her. A mixture of bacon, home fries, and homemade cinnamon rolls made her mouth water. The place hadn’t changed since the day she’d arrived in Oaktree. Hopefully, it never would.
    Oaktree was too small to support a McDonalds or a Sonic or any other fast food place. Molly’s and Gino’s Pizza further down the street, along with a small deli in Buddy’s ice-cream store were it. But Kate’s favorite was Molly’s.
    Though Molly’s and Gino’s were the meeting places for the kids after school, Molly’s was the older folks’ favorite locale for morning coffee and breakfast, cinnamon rolls, and conversation.
    Several booths were still occupied. She stopped at each one to say hello. Not everyone was friendly.
    Dusty Potter, owner of Potter’s Mercantile, stopped her. “Heard you were back,” he said. “Grace all right?”
    “She’s fine, thank you. I’m on a much needed vacation.” It was almost the truth and as good a story as any.
    By the time she’d made her rounds, she was ready for a cup of Molly’s coffee, more than ready for one of her cinnamon rolls.
    Molly greeted her with hands on her hips. “Good to see you, Kate. I should be upset.” Her grin took away the threat. “You didn’t stop in to see me when you were here for the Easter holiday.”
    Kate circled her arms around the big woman’s waist, planted a kiss on her wrinkled cheek. “I apologize. It was a short visit.”
    “This is a longer one, I hope.”
    “Maybe.”
    “Make it one. Do you want your usual?”
    “What else?” Kate laughed.
    “Cinnamon roll and coffee, coming up.”
    Kate sank into a burgundy vinyl booth. She’d worry about the sugar high and the calories later.
    She was taking her first bite when the door opened and Dugan walked in. The diner that had been buzzing with conversation fell silent. A dozen pairs of eyes swept from Dugan to Kate then back again. Everyone here knew their history.
    Which made it a wonder anyone spoke to her.
    Dugan took his time. He