Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Tex looked up as someone walked into the coffeehouse.

Patrick. He’d shown up just like he said he would. Tex wasn’t sure why he’d been doubtful.

Tex had hated to leave Chelsea this morning, but when Patrick had texted and said he had some time to meet for coffee, Tex didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

But he couldn’t help but wonder if Chelsea was safe. If she were out of danger.

He’d never forgive himself if he left her alone and something happened to her. He prayed that wouldn’t be the case.

Patrick slid into the booth across from him. “Morning.”

“Morning.” Tex pointed to the coffee in front of him. “I ordered you a black, just like you said you preferred.”

Patrick smiled and took the cup. “Thank you. I appreciate that. I only have about thirty minutes before I’ve got to get back. Sorry to be so rushed.”

“I’m just glad you could meet at all. I know you’ve got to be busy.”

“We’re definitely understaffed. General practitioners are becoming a thing of the past. Everybody wants to be a specialist nowadays so they can make more money.”

“I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to see and treat all your patients.”

“It can be a lot, but I love what I do.” Patrick paused and glanced at Tex, something shifting in his gaze. “You wanted to meet? Is everything okay?”

Tex tried to keep his voice casual. “I was hoping to catch up with you. It’s been a long time, and I wanted to see how things are going. It seems as if you’re doing well for yourself.”

“I can’t complain,” Patrick said. “I never thought I’d stay in this town. But here I am. I guess Holly Ridge is where I’m meant to be.”

“Do you ever talk to any of the guys we grew up with?”

“A few.” He shrugged. “You heard Pete Lawson is running for senate?”

“I did. He was always a smooth talker.”

Patrick chuckled. “Yes, he was. But I heard his campaign has run into some trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“I’m not sure. It’s all rumors, I suppose. But someone on a local news podcast said he was considering dropping out of the race.”

“That’s too bad,” Tex muttered. “What about Gilbert? From the way you talked yesterday, I have the impression the two of you aren’t in touch much.”

“We’re not.” He shrugged. “Maybe I should be grateful because he gave me a roof over my head and food in my stomach. But I resent my time in his home, to be honest.”

Tex tried to keep his expression neutral. “I know it wasn’t the best of times. Gilbert could be hard on us.”

“Everyone knows he just took in foster kids for the money—money he was supposed to spend on us but that he spent on himself instead. Fostering wasn’t something he did out of the goodness of his heart. I, for one, was relieved when he decided not to do anything with foster care anymore. It was time.”

Tex raised his eyebrows. Patrick’s words were strong. He’d obviously thought a lot about this.

“He does seem a bit more friendly now that he’s dating Anna.”

“Yes, tell me about Anna. Do you know her well?”

“Well? No. But she seems nice enough. Moved here about a year ago to work at the school.”

As much as he’d like to engage in small talk, he needed to get to the heart of the matter.

He shifted with his ceramic coffee mug in front of him before meeting Patrick’s gaze. “You seem like you’ve got it all together. But why do I feel like you’re not happy? You know I’ve always felt like you were a brother to me. If you need to talk, I’m here.”

Something flickered in Patrick’s gaze as if he were considering Tex’s words. But an edge of caution remained. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Back in school, Patrick had never been one of the cool kids. No, he’d been one of the smart ones. A mathlete, as they were now called.

Tex had become accustomed to taking up for him when other kids got rough with him. Tex wasn’t exactly one of the “in crowd,” but he’d been on the football team, and that had given him some social status.

“If you ever need to talk, I’m here,” Tex finally said.

Patrick still hesitated but finally nodded. “I appreciate that. Everything hasn’t been totally rosy.”

“Is there anything I can help you with? I know I’ve been largely absent, but I’m trying to change that. I’m trying to do better. I’m now working here in the States, and I don’t travel as much as I did.”

Patrick still hesitated. Finally, he licked his lips and said, “Maybe you could give me some advice.”

Tex’s breath hitched, but he was careful to hide his excitement. “Sure. What do you need?”

Patrick leaned closer as if about to share a secret. “The truth is, there have been some things happening lately that?—”

Before he could finish the statement, his phone rang.

Disappointment ripped through Tex.

What had Patrick been about to say?

As much as Chelsea might want to stay inside with the doors locked where she could know she was safe, that wasn’t an option. Whatever was going on wouldn’t disappear on its own. She needed to figure out some answers if she ever wanted to live in peace again.

She gathered up all the courage she had inside her and opened her front door.

But everything outside was peaceful. The sky was cloudy. There were rumors around town that they might even get some snow. It would be the first for the year.

A memory of one particular snowfall hit her. It had taken place probably thirteen years ago.

It was after Tex had kissed her. When they’d been “dating,” even though she wasn’t officially allowed to date.

Tex had come over and they’d built a snowman together. Afterward, they’d had a snowball fight.

The day had ended with hot cocoa in front of the fireplace and making sugar cookies.

The sweet memory filled her with warmth.

Back then, she’d been sure that she and Tex would be together forever.

She’d been wrong.

Chelsea launched herself from the door toward her car, looking for any signs of trouble as she did. Reaching her VW, she quickly scanned the back seat before scrambling inside and locking the doors.

Her breathing was heavier than she wanted as she started the engine and turned the heat on.

Everything is okay, she reminded herself. No one is in the car with me. I’m going to be fine.

If only she believed those words. She had too many thoughts going through her head to let her guard down.

Several minutes later, she started down the road. She’d given the situation a lot of thought this morning, and she had a couple of possibilities on how she might start finding out some answers.

Her first stop would be at Holly Woods, a gift shop owned by a woman named Diane Woods in the downtown area of Holly Ridge.

Sofia Smith, the girlfriend of one of the school’s football players, worked there. Sofia had always liked Chelsea, and Chelsea liked Sofia. The girl was also pretty chatty, the kind who couldn’t keep a secret.

She seemed like Chelsea’s best bet for finding out any information.

Several minutes later, Chelsea found a parking place on the street of the historic downtown area. Holiday flags hung from the streetlamps, and evergreen circled every pole in sight. A banner stretched across the street, welcoming everyone to town. Many of the storeowners had decorated their windows for Christmas, and on weekends in December carolers walked around town singing.

Holly Ridge really was a great place to live.

Usually.

Chelsea hurried inside the store.

She spotted Sofia right when she walked in, and relief swept through her. She hadn’t been 100 percent sure the girl would be working today, but she suspected she would be.

Sofia was petite with long, dark hair and a quick, easy smile. She seemed to dance everywhere she went, almost like a Disney princess might.

Chelsea paced to a display of gourmet popcorn and waited for Sofia to finish helping another customer.

She was rewarded a few minutes later when Sofia spotted her and bounced toward her.

“Ms. Lennox. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“I just thought I’d look for some last-minute gifts. I hear this caramel corn is really tasty.”

Sofia’s eyes widened. “Everyone loves it. I think it would make a great gift.”

“Wonderful. I’ll take two then.”

She grinned. “I’d be more than happy to ring you up.”

“So, how are you?” Chelsea started as they walked toward the register. “Anything new?”

The other employee was helping another customer, so this was a great time for Chelsea to talk to Sofia. She only hoped they had enough time.

Sofia shrugged, pausing before slipping around the corner. “I’m trying to work some extra shifts so I have money to buy everyone Christmas gifts. My mom says I’m old enough to use my own money this year.”

Chelsea nodded. “Sounds wise. And what is Alex up to today?”

Alex Moulton was the school’s star quarterback and a person of influence among his classmates. Chelsea, however, wasn’t sure if he used that influence for good or bad.

“He and his friends are doing some training,” Sofia said. “They’re trying to stay in shape so when football season starts up, they’ll be ready to win the state championship again.”

“I have to say, I don’t know a lot about football, but the team was pretty impressive this year.”

“They were thrilled to do so well. Alex really hopes he’ll be recruited for a D1 school. It’s his dream.”

Chelsea leaned against the counter and tried to sound casual as she asked, “Say, has Alex been okay lately? He hasn’t seemed like himself in class.”

Something raced through Sofia’s gaze, and Chelsea knew there was more to this.

“He hasn’t, has he?” Sofia admitted. “I’ve thought the same about him and some of his friends.”

“I’ve been a little concerned about the situation. Is something going on?” Chelsea held her breath as she waited to see if Sofia would talk.

Sofia twirled a strand of her hair as if contemplating how to respond. Then she glanced at Chelsea and seemed to sense she could trust her because she nodded and said, “Honestly, I do think something is going on.”

“But you don’t know what?” She tried not to sound overeager as she asked the question.

Sofia glanced around before stepping closer. “I wish I knew. But Alex won’t open up to me.”

“Do you have ideas? Any guesses even?”

Sofia frowned and glanced around again. “I shouldn’t be saying any of this. You’re a teacher, and I don’t want to get Alex or anyone else in trouble. But at what point is it more important to help someone rather than worrying about if you’ll get them in trouble?”

“If the person’s life is on the line, that definitely takes priority over getting in trouble.”

Sofia blew out a breath. “You want to know the truth?”

Chelsea’s lungs froze. Yes, that was exactly what she wanted to know. But she didn’t want to look too anxious either. “You know you can talk to me at any time, Sofia. I only want to help.”

She glanced around again. “I’ve got to wonder if the football team is doping.”

Chelsea blanched as if she were surprised.

The truth was, even though Chelsea had suspected something like this might be going on, hearing it out loud still felt shocking.

She swallowed hard before calmly asking, “Why do you think that?”

“I’ve overheard some of their conversations.”

“Well, if that’s what’s really going on, then who are they getting these drugs from?” Chelsea waited, anticipating that Sofia would say Gilbert.

But the girl nibbled on her lip. Then she said, “I’m pretty sure they’re getting them from Dr. Day.”