The Maverick by Jan Hudson Page A

Cass frowned. Carrie Outlaw, who was married to Frank James Outlaw, judge of the Naconiche County Court of Law, was a former landman for an oil company. She’d come to town to lease drilling rights in the area, and stayed to marry Frank. These days she practiced law in town. “I wonder what she wants?”
    “She didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. Are you free?”
    “I’ll have to check with Sunny. Shall I get back to you or to Carrie?”
    “Me first. I can relay your message, and she can call you if she needs to.”
    They said goodbye and Cass reentered the dining room. The business with Carrie was intriguing but totally overshadowed by having to deal with telling her mother about their new relationship with the Outlaw family.
    Everybody appeared as if they’d been zapped into suspended animation while she was gone. Sunny was sitting stock-still, staring down at her hands; their mom was staring at Sunny; Aunt Min was staring at Gloria.
    “Sorry about the interruption,” Cass said. “Anything else we need to go over, Sunny?”
    “Uh, no. I think we’ve just about covered everything.”
    Cass sat back down in the chair she’d vacated earlier and tried desperately to think of the right opening. Her scalp prickled and she began to reexperience the sausage biscuit she’d eaten earlier.
    “She’s a lovely young woman,” Gloria said.
    “Who?”
    “Belle. What did you say her last name was?”
    “Burrell. Her husband’s name is Gabe.”
    “I see,” Gloria said, pinning Cass with a sharp gaze, the same gaze that never missed anything. “And what is her father’s name?”
    “Wes.” Cass swallowed. “Wes Outlaw.”
    One could have heard the proverbial pin drop.
    “My stars and garters!” Aunt Min said.
    Gloria took a deep breath. “I see. No wonder her resemblance to you is amazing.”
    “Belle is Belle Starr Outlaw Burrell. We’ve met the whole family. We didn’t go looking for them. One of Belle’s brothers came in for lunch one day and, quite by accident we discovered we were cousins. And, Mom, all the Outlaws were delighted to learn about us.”
    “They’ve welcomed us into the family with open arms,” Sunny said. “They’re such nice people, and they’re eager to meet you, Mom.”
    “I see.”
    “Gloria,” Min said quietly, “it was bound to happen sooner or later. Isn’t it wonderful things have turned out so well?”
    “Of course. I just need a little time to get used to the idea. Now, girls, if you’ll excuse us for a while, Min and I have some shopping to do.” She rose and walked toward the back exit.
    Aunt Min shrugged and whispered, “Don’t fret. She’ll come around. Just give her a bit of time to chew on it.” She patted her nieces’ hands, rose and followed her sister.
    “That went well,” Sunny said, rolling her eyes.
    “Actually, it went better than I expected. At least Mom didn’t go into hysterics.”
    “And when,” Sunny asked, “did you ever see Mom go into hysterics?”
    “Never, now that I think about it. I suppose the closest was when I got a C in conduct in the second grade. Or when you fell off your bike and were all bloody.”
    “I just hope she isn’t too hurt by this,” Sunny said.
    The kitchen crew arrived just then and the two of them went to get things organized.
    They got busy, and Cass didn’t remember until later to tell Sunny about Carrie Outlaw wanting to meet with them. Both were curious about the request, but they decided there was no need to speculate until they talked with her. In consideration of their mother, they also decided not to go to Wimberley and spend the day with part of the Outlaw clan just yet.
    Cass talked with Carrie that evening, and they agreed to meet for a late Sunday breakfast in Drippings Springs, the small town about halfway between Austin and Wimberley. Even through she tried her best to get more information, Carrie was evasive.
    “It’s business, and better if we talk in person,” Carrie said. “See you in