Brash by Laura Wright

sister.”
    â€œ
Little
sister?”
    â€œBy a couple of minutes.”
    Her lips twitched with humor. “So she never mentioned the name Sweet? Not necessarily related to a guy?”
    â€œNo. Or not that I remember.”
    â€œBut to Mac?”
    â€œYeah. He was mentioned. But not in detail.”
    â€œHow is it possible that this young girl could be having a relationship—or meeting up with this stranger—and no one knows about it?”
    The knot that had been forming inside Cole’s stomach ever since they started going through Sheriff Hunter’s paperwork twisted. “It isn’t. That’s why everyone thought she’d just made him up.”
    Grace was quiet for a moment sifting through papers, and Cole went back to his work. When he heard her laugh softly, he glanced up.
    â€œWhat is it?” he asked.
    â€œOne of my essays from junior high. It’s all about my love for Tex-Mex. Queso dip, specifically. It’s a miracle I graduated, I swear.”
    â€œYou didn’t go local, right?” he asked. “I don’t remember you. And I’m sure I would’ve remembered you.”
    Her cheeks flushed, but she shook her head at him. “You’re such a flirt, Cole Cavanaugh.”
    â€œWasn’t flirtin’, Doc. Least not that I’m aware of.” His eyes moved over her. “Just telling the truth. If you went to school with me, I would’ve had a crush of my own to deal with.”
    She stared at the papers before her. “I went to a boarding school a few hours away from here.”
    â€œWhy is that? Your family didn’t think the River Black schools were good enough?”
    â€œWasn’t my family. It was my dad.” A sad lookcrept over her face. “I went to River Black Elementary, but after my mom died I started acting out. Getting in fights at school—yep, badass Grace Hunter—stealing stuff from the store and from my friends. I wouldn’t speak to my dad for days at a time.” She shrugged. “I think he felt like I was falling apart. That maybe I needed time away from this town for a while.”
    If there was one thing Cole understood, it was loss. “Sorry about your mom,” he said.
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œIt sucks, doesn’t it?”
    Her eyes lifted again and connected with his. “Losing someone you love? Oh yeah. But I had my dad, and he was amazing.” She laughed softly. “You know, when I finally let him be amazing. He worked so hard to keep me happy and engaged. After the debacle of junior high, he pushed me. Wouldn’t let me turn my back on my goals even when things got hard.”
    Cole didn’t say anything. What could he say? He wasn’t going to be an asshole right now. Not when she was reliving her grief.
    Her eyes implored him then. “I know you don’t think so, but he’s a good man, Cole.”
    â€œI’m not going to argue you that, Doc,” he said, dropping back against the pillows. “I only come to this from what I know. What you’ve told me. What he’s told me.”
    She paled. “He wouldn’t have hurt your sister.He isn’t built like that. It’s not in his DNA. I know it. And I will prove it.”
    Again he didn’t answer.
    â€œWhat?” she demanded, an ache in her voice he’d never heard before.
    â€œJust don’t want you feelin’ disappointed, let down, is all. My daddy was no saint, but I didn’t think he was capable of steppin’ out on my mom, making a baby . . .” His jaw went tight. “Lying his ass off about it—and letting us all find out at his funeral.”
    She dropped her gaze, pretending to look through the contents of a faded red folder, but Cole had seen tears prick her eyes. She wasn’t being honest, with herself or with him. She was worried—real worried. Maybe even suspected him, her pops. No doubt that was why