week later
Over the last week Krisa felt like every sound every knock on the door was causing her to be jumpy. Tommy had noticed this as well.Ever since Krisa had drinks with Cordell last week she hadn't been acting like herself. Tommy knew something was wrong when she same home from the store about an hour ago looking over her shoulder.
He'd followed her into the kitchen which is where she was now putting away the stuff she'd gotten.Tommy noticed how his daughter seemed to be lost in her own head.
"Baby girl you okay?"
"I'm fine daddy."
"No,no you're not. You've been jumpy ever since you and Cordell had drinks last week now. What is going on?"
"Nothing daddy."
"Babygril did something happen that night?"
"No daddy things were good. I told you I mean Cordell did invite us to Sunday dinner before I leave."
"That's nice of him.. Only that can't be what's bugging you babygirl."
"Cade.. Matthew called that night. He said he would be coming to town this week. Guess I'm nervous because you two have never met."
"Nothing to be nervous about I'm looking forward to meeting him."
"There is something else daddy. I want you to move to Houston with me."
"Krisa…"
"Daddy please Austin isn't home anymore you'd like Houston.An you would be living with me and Matthew."
"Babygirl listen to me alright. Tommy began. " My life , my home, is here in Austin. Now if Houston is home to you thats just fine but it's not my home."
Krisa took a ragged breath. She dreaded telling her father the truth. It was something she wasn't sure she should tell him. Cade or Matthew had made her swear if she told anyone no one, not even Cordell, would see her again.
"Daddy I… I know this is home. I just worry about you here alone. I'd feel better if you were in Houston with me."
Tommy sighed as he got up from the table. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with his daughter. He wasn't about to leave the only home he'd known.
Meanwhile out at the Walkers. Cordell was having a bad feeling. Ever since Krisa had called him the other night he hadn't been able to shake it. It was bugging him so bad that he hadn't heard Abby or Boham talking to him.
"Huh? What?" Cordell asked.
"We asked about Krisa, Cordi." Abby laughed .
"What about her momma?"
"Did she mention anything about coming to Sunday dinner?" Bohman asked.
"She uhh.. she said " Cordell cleared his throat. "She would think about it.
"Think about it? That doesn't sound like Krisa at all. Have you talk to Tommy maybe he can convince her." Abby said.
"Cordell it's not her turning down the dinner invite that's bothering you is it son?" Bohman asked.
"Krisa called me at two am the other night. She said that she had a nightmare. Only I think it might have been more than that."
"I thought things went great the other night. Maybe it was just a nightmare." Liam said as he walked into the kitchen.
"It did but it was the phone call that seemed off."
"Starson maybe could have called her and they had a fight."
"Maybe I mean she did talk about him alot."
Abby and Bohman and Liam all three looked at Cordell. Bohman was just about to say something. When Stella and Auggie walked into the kitchen. The two teens noticed how weird the adults were acting.
"What's going on?" Stella asked as she sat the table.
"Nothing Stella Blu." Cordell smiled
"You guys are talking about Dad's old friend weren't you?" Auggie asked
"Yeah how did you know about that?" Abby asked
"Coach Trey, Dad and Uncle Larry were talking about her at the Side Step the other day." Stella said.
"So who is she anyway?" Auggie asked.
"Krisa was my best friend when we were young." Cordell answered.
"How come we've never heard of her till now then?" Stella asked.
"Because in high school she fell in love with your dad and left town." Liam said.
Cordell shot a look towards his brother. As if to say " Don't even go there." Liam laughed at the elook giving his brother a " You know I'm right" look. Abby and Bohman both laughed at their sons. Stella and Auggie smiled at each other. They both knew the looks.
"Anyway" Cordell cleared his throat. " She's home from a while and we caught up."
"Does she still love you?" Auggie asked eating a strip of bacon.
"She's getting…"Cordell was cut off when his cell phone rang. Looking at the ID it flashed " Tommy" and Cordell felt a lump form in his throat.
"Walker"
"Cordell it's Tommy"
"Hey Tommy everything alright?"
"Cordell, something is up with Kris."
"Is she okay?"
"No she's been jumpy recently and then this morning she asked me to move to Houston."
"What? she…" Cordell took a breath. " She told me Austin was home."
"I know but now suddenly Houston. Cordell, I'm worried."
"Want me to stop by and talk to her."
"She's not here. Said she was needing to go to talk to her mom. That was two hours ago."
"Okay I'll head out now. And I'll talk to her."
"Thanks Cordell."
Cordell hung up his phone and without so much as a word to anyone he grabbed his hat and walked out to his truck and drove off.
Krisa sat with her back to her mom's tombstone. She had been sitting just talking to her for ages. It was hard. It's been a long time since Krisa had talked to her mom. Suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder.
"Hey whoa sorry didn't mean to scare ya Kris."
"Cowboy? what are you doing here?"
"I uhh.." Cordell took a breath. " I wanted to talk to you. Your dad said you had beene jumpy all week and you called me after your nightmare so I wanted to see if you were alright."
Krisa sighed, running her hands through her hair. She should have known her dad would call Cordell. Standing up she brushed herself off as Cordell offered her a hand.
"Just nerves is all. Matthew is coming into town this week and I'm nervous about him meeting daddy."
"Your dad said you want him to move to Houston with you."
"Yeah I… I think he'd be happy in Houston with me."
"Krisa the other night you said Austin was home."
"I know."
"What changed? Why do you suddenly wantTommy to move to Houston?"
Krisa ran her fingers through her hair. Pacing back and forth she didn't want to tell Cordell about the nightmare or the reason she had to get her dad to move to Houston. If she told Corrdeell about the nightmare not to mention the truth she would be putting both her dad and Cordell in danger. Cordeell could tell Krisa was hiding something only he knew she would never tell him at least not yet.
"Kris if something is bothering you or your in some kind of trouble. You can tell me. I'll help anyway that I can."
"Cordi I'm fine.. it's just nerves about Matthew meeting daddy and it was only a nightmare."
Cordell smiled that sligh side smile of his and Krisa knew she wasn't going to be able to lie to him much longer. Cordell at one time had been able to read Krisa like a book. And she could read him. So when Cordell broke the silence Krisa wanted to tell him everything.
"Kris do you not trust me anymore?"
"Of course I trust you."
"Then why won't you tell me what's going on with you?"
Krisa just put both him and her dad in danger because she would end up telling him everything.
"I can't"
"You're lying"
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"No"
"Yes"
"Cor.."
"Don't.."
"I can't tell you."
Cordell put his hand on Krisa's shoulder forcing her to look him in the eye Krisa watched as the storm began to build in Cordell's eyes. The light green color slowly turns a dark stormy green. Krisa hated that she had caused the storm to form in his eyes.
"Cordi.."
"No."
"Yes, I can't tell you."
"Kris…"
"I have to go, Matthew is coming by this afternoon to meet dad."
"How long is he in town for?"
"A few days."
"I want to meet him."
"Maybe"
"Fine"
Cordell sighed in frustration as the storm in his eyes grew stronger. Krisa couldn't stand it anymore. Taking a breath she turned to walk away. Cordell grabbed her by the arm.
"Please don't.."
"Cordell"
"Don't walk away"
Krisa looked at his hand on her arm and back into his eyes. Cordell could read the look in her eyes. Twenty years ago this had been what should have happen the day she left. Neither of them said anything for a heart beat.
"Cowboy…"
'Kris.."
Reaching up Krisa cup his cheek. Cordell closed his eyes against her touch. Krisa smiled softly at him. Krisa felt her heart rate pick up and the truth at the back of her throat. Krisapulled away quickly
"i have to go." Krisa said as she ran away without a word. Leaving Cordell alone.
Meanwhile outside a courthouse across town. Matthew "Cade'' Starson was walking down the steps to his car. Pulling out his cell phone he made a call.
"Hey ,it's me. No not yet I just got into town. I'm meeting her later. She isn't dumb enough to talk. Believe me don't have a problem.Becauses Krisa isn't going to tlk. No but I'll find out." pausing for a moment to get in the car. Matthew continued to get in the car.
"I know two things for sure: she would do anything to protect her dad and she may marry me but her heart still holds a flame for the Ranger. She'd rather die before anything happens to him. Don't worry dad as long as she holds a candle for that Ranger we've got nothing to worry about. Because if we touch the Ranger to quote the song. Krisa is her own worst enemy. Don't worry dad that dam Ranger is her weakness. As long as she knows what will happen to both the Ranger and her dad. We've got that over her . Krisa will never talk. '' Matthew said as he ended the call with an evil grin on his face. As he pulled away from the courthouse.
