Courting Trouble (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 3) by Kathy Carmichael

where he'd been staying since returning to Dallas.
    Diedra called Meagan's cell phone, but again no response. Next she dialed Alec's number.
    He answered on the first ring. It didn't bode well.
    "Meagan isn't here."
    "Don't panic, Diedra. I'm sure they're just talking it over, working things out."
    "I just wish she'd call. If you hear from Jeff, you'll call me, won't you?"
    "Of course I will. I know you're worried. When you hear from Meagan, call me."
    "Okay." Diedra didn't know what else they could do. It wasn't as though she could make a missing person's report to the police. Jeff hadn't actually threatened Meagan. And it was possible Meagan and Jeff were doing just what Diedra wanted them to. Talk.
    But she didn't want to hang up the phone, either. She was exhausted physically and mentally, and emotionally spent. Alec's kiss had done that and his puzzling behavior afterward made her head spin.
    "Diedra?"
    "Yes," she whispered.
    Her tone was forlorn and A.C. wanted to comfort her somehow.
    "I enjoyed that kiss. Night." A.C. punched the disconnect button, wondering what had possessed him to tell her that.
    Then he placed another call. His mother answered immediately.
    "You haven't phoned in four days, Alexander."
    A.C. ground his teeth. At the age of fourteen, weeks after his father had permanently left home, A.C. had asked his mom, repeatedly, to call him A.C. She hadn't been able to remember then and he'd long since given up asking, but it hadn't stopped bothering him.
    "I'm sorry, Mom. I've been busy. Have you heard from Jeff?"
    "He called me yesterday. And we had a long talk." Her omissions said it all. Jeff was a better nephew than Alec was a son.
    "Has Jeff called or come by tonight? I'm trying to find him."
    "No. I haven't seen him. Isn't he still living with you?"
    "So far as I know. His stuff is still here cluttering up the place. But he had dinner with Meagan tonight, so he might be moving out soon."
    "Meagan? I hoped they were getting divorced." Her tone reeked with disapproval. She'd never liked Meagan and she especially hadn't liked the fact they had moved out of state. Although it had been Jeff's decision, Mom had blamed Meagan.
    What his mother had apparently forgotten was how unhappy she'd been when Dad left her. How she could wish that on another person he didn't know.
    When Dad left her, he'd left completely. A.C.'s mom had become his responsibility.
    Sure his dad had paid child support. But money didn't take out the garbage or hold weeping mothers during long, cold nights. He'd never forget the night his father had called to say he wasn't ever coming home.
    But that was all behind him. Years behind him.
    "I don't think things ever progressed that far, Mom. They were just separated. If you hear from Jeff, tell him to call me, okay?"
    "All right." His mom coughed. "The light over the stairs is out again."
    His responsibilities would never end. Unlike his father, he couldn't walk away, wouldn't walk away. "I'll try to change it tomorrow, or else I'll send someone over to do it."
    "No. That's okay. I know you're busy. I'm sure I can find the ladder..."
    "Don't be silly. I'll take care of it. Night."
    "Night, Alec. Don't be a stranger."
    A.C. hung up, wondering whether it was possible any relationship could ever work out.

 
     
     
    Chapter 7

     
    A.C. waited for Diedra to answer the phone. He'd been at his downtown law office since a quarter after seven that morning but had waited until eight o'clock before calling her.
    In the meantime, he'd arranged for a handyman to go over to his mom's house to change the light and take care of any other things she might need repaired.
    The phone kept ringing. Just as he moved to punch the disconnect button, he heard a sleepy, "Hello."
    "Diedra? Is that you?"
    "Hmm."
    He heard the rustling of sheets and for a moment fantasized about joining her in a warm bed. It might be worth it, but considering how things always went wrong around her, he'd probably end up in traction