Free Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble Page A

hugged her. “We’ll call to Mr. Clay from the window. He’ll come and unlock the door for us.” She retreated to the window and cranked it open. She could see Clay on the trail. He was showing Lacie how to use her camera. “Clay, I need help,” she called. She had to raise her voice and repeat it.
    His head came up and he turned toward the building. “Eden? Where are you?”
    She waved, not sure he could see her in the window. “In the ladies’ room. Someone locked the door. I . . . I smell smoke.”
    He jogged to the building. She heard him at the door, then it opened and he stuck his head in.
    “It wasn’t locked,” he said.
    “Well, I couldn’t open it.” Now that he was here, her courage came flooding back. “Go back out and let me try from in here.”
    He shrugged and complied. Once the door had closed, she pulled on it and it opened easily. “I know it was locked,” she said. “I tried and tried to open it. I saw the lock thrown too.” She gave Katie a pat on the behind. “Go join the other girls,” she said.
    After Katie ran off, Eden sniffed the air again. “Did you smell the smoke?”
    “A cigarette.” He pointed to a still-smoldering butt perched on the edge of the sidewalk.
    “Did you see anyone out here?”
    He shook his head. “Were you frightened?”
    She hugged herself. “Clay, the door was locked. I know it was.”
    “A childish prank maybe. There’s a group of teenage boys here.” He frowned, his gaze intent on her face. “We can’t discount it, though.” He hugged her. “Stay close to me. I’ll be on my guard. Don’t be afraid.”
    Easier said than done, but she kept her mouth shut and followed him back to the children.

    Bluebird Crossing was a town with only one eye open. Or so it seemed to Eden that night as she peered through the café window at the sleepy town. She could almost imagine it was the West Texas version of Mayberry. Red-and-white-checkered tablecloths covered the tables, and the decor was vintage fifties. The aromas of enchiladas mingled with those of roast beef and fried potatoes.
    “There they are,” Clay said when a couple stepped into the café and came toward them. He rose and waved. “Over here.”
    Eden liked the looks of Gracie Wayne right off. Petite with fine blond hair and a dusting of freckles across her nose, she looked like the girl next door. Her husband, Michael, was military and had the erect posture to prove it. Good looking too. Eden liked the way he guided his wife with his hand at the small of her back. He clearly loved her.
    The couple reached the table, and the men shook hands and introduced their wives before they were seated. “Good to get you back here,” Michael said.
    Back here? Eden glanced at Clay. She’d thought the men knew each other from the air force.
    “Feels a little surreal to come home,” Clay said. “Thanks for putting in a good word with the Baileys for me.”
    She should have asked him if the Waynes knew that Brianna was somewhere at the ranch. She’d assumed they didn’t, but it was clear that the two men shared a special friendship. There was so much about her husband that she didn’t know.
    “I hear you have three children,” she said to Gracie after the server brought their iced tea.
    Gracie smiled. “Jordan, Evan, and Hope. We’re a blended family.”
    Michael grinned. “About to be homogenized.” He patted Gracie’s belly.
    The gentle swell told the tale. “Congratulations! When are you due?” Eden asked, trying to ignore the tiny stab of longing.
    Gracie blushed. “Not for four months. The kids are so excited.” She leaned her chin on her hand. “How did the two of you meet?”
    Eden shrugged. “The usual kind of story. He was a handsome soldier on leave and I was on vacation.”
    Clay grinned. “Handsome? You thought I was handsome?” He nudged Michael. “I’ll bet you can’t say the same, buddy.”
    Michael nodded. “You’re so right. She took one look at me and