Saxon's Soul (Haven, Texas 5)

“I don’t know. She hasn’t come in the last few days. I was going to go and see her after I closed up today and take her some food. Don’t think she’s got a lot and she has those two adorable boys to take care of.”

“Box me up three specials of the day. And three pieces of pie. I’ll go visit her myself.”

He was aware of the look of speculation on the woman’s face.

“What is it? Out with it. You obviously have something to say.”

“I know what you did for her with her car. I’m wondering about your interest in her,” the woman said boldly.

Saxon just stared at her. “I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”

Peggy straightened her shoulders. “It is when that girl doesn’t have anyone watching out for her.”

“I’m not going to hurt her.” On the contrary, he felt far too protective of her for his own liking. “And she does have someone watching over her. Me.”

“Like that, is it?” Logan asked. Damn it, how had he not noticed the other man moving closer? “Thought you only got involved with subs?”

“It’s not like anything. Aspen needs someone to watch out for her.”

“And you’re that someone?”

“I am.”

Logan drummed his fingers on the counter. “Maybe I better go out there with you. Check on the girl for myself.”

“Why don’t you worry about your own life and keep your nose out

of mine?”

Logan laughed then turned away and walked out. Saxon frowned at his wide back. What the hell was that about?

“Here’s your food,” Peggy told him, and he turned back to pay for it. “Tell Aspen I hope she gets better soon and if she needs anything then she’s to call me. Anytime.”

“I will.”

Although, he realized he didn’t like the idea of Aspen calling anyone but him for help. He was in so much trouble.

Where was she?

Aspen paced back and forth across the living room floor. Her mother had been missing for three days now and she hadn’t heard from her once. She’d taken the car into Freestown three nights ago and hadn’t returned. Worry churned in her gut. It didn’t matter that she was a crappy mother and they’d never really been close, other than the boys she was all she had left.

Should she call the police? Maybe. She had to do something. Not only did she have no idea if her mother was all right, but Aspen was stuck here until she returned. No car. No babysitter.

Fuck. Fuck.

She heard a car pull up and raced out the door. Relief filled her as she saw her car. Her mother climbed out as another car drove up and parked behind hers. A big man climbed out. He might have been handsome and fit once, but now he was balding with a ruddy complexion, a large bulbous nose, and a fat gut that hung out over his belt.

“I’ll just grab my stuff, Rex, and then I’ll be ready to go.”

“Mom, where have you been?” Aspen asked. And what did she mean by grab her stuff? “You’ve been gone three days, I’ve been worried.”

Her mother still wore the clothes she’d had on three nights ago and she looked a little worse for wear. She stumbled slightly and Aspen got a whiff of mix of sweat and bourbon.

“You’ve been drinking and driving!”

“Jeez, always were a genius, weren’t you?” her mother said nastily as she made her way into her bedroom.

Aspen followed her, watching with a sense of growing doom as her mother grabbed a suitcase from the closet and started packing her stuff into it.