Page 25 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

The man coming toward her was someone she’d grown up with. Tall and handsome with a smile that had raised a lot of skirts in his time, Dan Duke looked good in uniform.

“Thanks.”

“Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m good, but thanks, Dan.”

“Well, if you do, let someone know. There are plenty of us, so chances are, one of us can help.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Come on through now. Uncle Asher is just finishing up with something.”

She followed him to an office. The Sheriff of Lyntacky rose when she walked in.

He was big like his four nephews but not as tall. The man never raised his voice, but he didn’t have to. He had an air of authority that told you not to mess with him.

“I’m sorry to hear the news about Shirley, Nina.”

By her count, hug number seven for the day followed, but it could have been more.

“I’m guessing Nancy gave you the letter she left for you?”

Her eyes went to Dan.

“He doesn’t know,” Sheriff Dans said. “But he’s good for it and won’t tell anyone.”

“I-I don’t know what to think or feel right now,” Nina said, sounding a little desperate. She felt Dan’s large hand rest briefly on her shoulder. She knew that whatever he heard in here today wouldn’t go any further.

“Then let’s sit. You tell me what was in the letter, and I’ll fill in any gaps. But give me a second. I need to get something.”

She watched him walk to the safe in one corner. He punched in some numbers on the keypad, and it swung open. He pulled out a shoebox before closing it again.

“Shut the door, nephew.”

Dan followed the instruction and then took the seat next to Nina, across the desk from his uncle, who had sat down again with the box now in front of him.

“Maybe you should read this,” she said, pulling the letter out of her pocket and handing it to Dan. “Then you will be caught up to where I am about my father.”

“So you know your name is Christina Falcon and that your dad is alive?” Sheriff Dans asked.

Nina nodded. “My guess is, Mom took me and ran when he went to prison. She did some traveling and then settled here. The letter said she had two choices. Stay where he thought she’d be when he got out, or run. She chose option two.”

“Yes, that’s what she told me,” the sheriff said.

“In Mom’s letter, it says I should speak to you.”

“This had to rock your world,” Dan said, handing the letter to his uncle when he was done. “I’m sorry you learned about this the day she died, Nina.”

She nodded but kept her eyes on the sheriff. Watched as he read the letter, and then when he was done, looked up at her.

“When your mom came to me just after her diagnosis, I told her to tell you the truth, but she was worried you’d try to find him and said it was best to let sleeping dogs lie,” Sheriff Dans explained.

“I wish I’d known,” Nina said. “I could have talked to her about him.”

“Okay, so let me fill in some gaps because I was the only one besides your mom who knew about this.”

Her muscles were clenched so tight now, she was sure they’d be aching tomorrow.