Page 3 of Finding English

Chapter 2

Henry walked into the bar, his eyes adjusting to the dark space quickly as he took in the scent of beer, sweat, and hot wings. His mouth had been watering for the taste of Jed’s hot wings since he’d shaken off the disappointment of his failed attempt at dating and caught a cab to his parent’s Ranch.

When Henry had seen the sign for the Rolling Stones Ranch, his heart had automatically settled into a steadier rhythm. The place had always given him peace. Henry had spent most of his summers there as a kid. As an only child, he’d had his grandparents’ sole attention and basked in it. He loved helping with the chores, as long as it meant he got to be with his gramps.

His great-grandpa had settled in San Antonio from Monmouth and built the Rolling Stones Ranch from what he had always called a tiny farm with only a small head of Herefordshire cattle for beef. His grandpa had added a horse stud and his own his father was building the reputation of the Ranch countrywide.

His dad, Jerry, had been a banker in London after landing a huge job opportunity when Henry was only two until three years ago, when he and Henry’s mum Josie had come home to take over the Ranch from Jerry’s dad. His Gran and Gramps had moved to Florida, the constant sun better for their joints and overall health. Henry’d never seen his father look so happy as when he was out in the fields, fixing fences or one of the million and one things that needed doing on a holding this large. Ranching was back-breaking work compared with being a banker, but his father said it fed his soul in a way nothing else did.

Henry understood that, he felt the same about police work. He’d majored in chemistry with his degree, which was where he’d met his friend Calder Stonewall. Choosing to do his degree in the USA and attend his father’s college had been his dad’s dream and Henry had jumped at the chance to have some freedom. He and Cal had done the same degree and been great friends ever since. Henry was now friends with Cal’s colleagues and friends, Dax and TJ, who were also law enforcement, as well as with their partners.

Henry still loved science, the excitement of learning had always given him a rush. He’d done a few years as an Analytic Chemist at Scotland Yard before being drawn to the investigative side of the job and moving into police work. Now, though, his feet were itching again, and Henry didn’t know why. He still loved his job, he had great friends, but something wasn’t right with his world.

Spotting Calder in the corner with Dax and TJ, Henry wandered over to the table they’d secured.

“Good to see you, Sax.” Calder pushed a beer toward him.

Henry smiled at the greeting. He’d been christened Saxon back in college because of his British roots, and it had stuck as Sax. “Good to be back.”

Henry took a seat before lifting the bottle and tipping the cold beer into his mouth, loving the hoppy taste on his tongue. Lowering the bottle, he looked to the three men around the table.

All good men. Dax was a Texas Ranger, TJ was a former Army sniper and now worked for the Highway Patrol, while Calder was the Medical Examiner. Some thought it odd that Calder loved his job, but Henry understood it. Finding closure for the victims and their devasted families was essential, and as officers of the law, they all understood that.

“How’s the family?”

Henry saw the look of satisfaction crawl over his friend’s face; it made him happy that these three men had found that.

“They’re great. Kids are growing like a weed, and Hope is great, happy.”

Henry lifted his chin with a grin before focusing on the other two men. “How about Mackenzie?”

“Still the same wonderful, crazy woman I fell in love with,” Dax said with a chuckle as he tipped the beer back, taking a long pull.

“Milena and JT well?”

“Yup, all good in my world,” TJ answered with a smile. “What about you? No woman yet?”

Henry shook his head and plopped the bottle down as he grabbed the menu, his belly rumbling. “What? Are we gonna start comparing handbags next?” He deflected the comment, still feeling sore over his rejection from the only woman he’d had any interest in for years

Dax chuckled. “Nah, but you know the second I get home the first thing Mackenzie will ask is if you’ve got a woman yet.”

“What about Cruz?” Cruz worked for the FBI and Henry had met him through Calder, they had got on well, having similar interests.

“Cruz is good,” Calder said and raised his beer to his lips, taking a drink.

Henry closed the menu, already knowing what he wanted. He looked at the three men who were still waiting for his answer and shrugged. “Nothing to tell. Work keeps me so busy I don’t have time for anything else.”

“I call bullshit,” Calder said and smirked.

Henry raised a brow, wondering if work was an excuse. “Maybe it is, but apparently I’m out of practice anyway. I asked this cute, sexy woman out at the airport, and she shut me down.”

Calder raised a brow. “Wow, times have changed. There was a time when you had to fight them off with a stick, that damn accent could land you about anyone you wanted.”

“Maybe that’s the problem,” TJ added.

Henry looked around for a waitress and couldn’t see one before he concentrated on what TJ had said. “Success is a problem?”

“No, but having anyone you want is. Perhaps it’s time for the person. The one who completes you.”