The Texas Ranger's Family (Lone Star Lawmen 3)

“Harold had gray eyes like his mother. His parents were killed in a car crash you know.”

“Yes. Harold told me.”

“We did what we could for him, but he was inconsolable. I think something happened inside his head. When he got older, he got mean and kept running away. We didn’t know what to do to help him. I didn’t know he’d been released from prison. I’m glad he met someone like you after all those terrible years. You sound so kind.”

“Natalie is a very kind woman, Mrs. Park,” Kit interjected. Natalie moved far enough away so Kit could lean toward Gladys.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Natalie’s cousin. She wanted you to meet your great-granddaughter before any more time passed. We flew here from Austin with Amy.”

Tears trickled out of the corners of the older woman’s eyes. “My prayers have been answered.”

“What prayers were those?” His question was so tender, the sound of his tone pierced Natalie’s heart.

“That I would hear some news of our grandson. Now that you’ve brought my great-granddaughter to see me and let me know Harold has gone to heaven, I can die knowing he met a wonderful woman and had a baby.”

While the older woman wept, Natalie buried her wet face in Amy’s hair.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Gladys?” Kit asked.

“Did you know Harold?”

“No,” he answered. “Tell me about him.”

“He was a beautiful-looking boy and a good child.”

“Did he have good friends?”

“Not after he changed. There was one boy he ran around with. They got into trouble all the time.”

“Do you remember his name?”

“Salter. Jimmy Salter. I’ll never forget him. His parents couldn’t do anything with him, either. My husband and I felt like such failures...you can’t imagine.”

“What did your husband do for a living?” Natalie interjected.

“He was an architect for a firm here in Denver. We had hopes our son might be an architect one day.” Her voice faded.

“In his last years of freedom Harold became an accountant.”

“Harold? An accountant? Oh, my. He hated school.”

“Which high school did he attend?” Kit asked.

“Tabor High.”

“Did you work when you were a young, married woman?” Natalie discovered she wanted to know everything this woman could tell her.

“Oh.” She gave a half laugh. “I taught girls’ physical education at Tabor High for thirty-eight years. I used to run marathons. Now I can’t make this body work anymore.”

“Amy runs constantly. I think she might have inherited that trait from you.”

Natalie’s gaze swerved to Kit’s. Streams of unspoken thoughts ran between them. “Do you have friends who visit?”

“Oh, yes. People from our church. I’ve been well looked after. My husband saw to that. But we couldn’t do anything for our Harold.” She wept again.

“Yes, you did,” Natalie contradicted her. “You gave him a wonderful home after his parents died. No one could have done more, but I’m sure you’re tired now. I’ll come to visit you again soon and bring Amy. I want her to get to know you.”