Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

one who needs some self-discipline,” she murmured as she passed her brother. “I’ll put him in the bed, but seriously Dylan, you need to stop antagonizing him.” Caitlyn went to the driver’s side of the truck and opened the door. She clicked Renegade’s leash onto his collar and moved him from the cab to the bed of the truck.

Colt opened the passenger side door for Dylan. “It’s just a quick DNA cheek swab test. You’ll be out of there and home before you know it. I’m sorry about all this, Dylan. I hope you understand, we’re just trying to find a killer.”

“Yeah, but it isn’t me.”

“I hope not.” Colt stared Dylan down until he turned away and climbed into the truck. He closed the door behind Caitlyn’s brother and walked to the tailgate to talk to her. “Hey, I want you to know I thought a lot about our discussion last night. I want to help you as much as I can—without losing my job.”

Caitlyn relaxed and warmed with gratitude. “Thank you, Colt.”

“I’ll call you tonight, after work.” His eyes held a promise she didn’t want to think about right now.

Caitlyn smiled and climbed into her truck. Colt shut the door behind her, and she started her engine. Though the clinic was only two blocks away, she wasn’t about to leave her truck in front of the Sheriff’s Office and have to return to it after Dylan took the test. They drove to the clinic in silence.

Caitlyn dropped Dylan at the front door and parked around the corner. She ran Renegade through a few obedience drills while she waited for Dylan outside. Twenty minutes later, her brother emerged from the clinic and without meeting her eye, climbed back into the truck. Caitlyn loaded Renegade back into the bed and told him to lie down. Then together, they set out on the long trek to the Reed family ranch.

“At least you’ll get to sleep in your own bed tonight.” Caitlyn attempted conversation.

Dylan gazed out the window without saying a word during the drive.

16

Caitlyn’s truck bumped to a stop in front of her parents’ log cabin home. Their mother rushed out the front door, across the porch, and down the steps before Caitlyn and Dylan got out of the truck.

“Thank heavens you’re home, Dylan. I’ve been so worried about you.” Caitlyn’s mother embraced her brother.

“I’m fine, mom. I’ve slept in worse places.” He half-heartedly returned her embrace before making his way inside the house.

“Thanks for bringing him home.” Her mother met her at the tailgate as she let Renegade out.

“No problem.” Caitlyn opened the door to the cab. “Load up, Ren.” Renegade leapt into the cab.

“Can’t you stay for a while? I thought you might have lunch with us.” Her mom hooked her arm through Caitlyn’s.

“I guess, but I’ll have to leave Ren in the yard. He seems to have issues with Dylan lately, and I don’t want anything to happen.”

“What do you mean?”

Caitlyn called to Renegade, and the women walked toward the backyard gate.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s Dylan’s nasty attitude. But when he grumbles at me, stomps around, or hits things, Renegade gets upset. I can’t blame Ren—he’s just being protective.” Caitlyn filled a bucket with fresh water and left it for her dog, then followed her mother into the house.

Her mom called out, “John, Dylan, lunch will be ready in the kitchen in ten minutes.”

The family gathered, but the mealtime conversation was awkward with everyone trying to ignore the elephant in the room. Eventually, Caitlyn had enough. “So, the Gesslers have appealed to the court and they’re forcing Dylan to take a paternity test.” Her brother sent her a glare, and she stuck the tip of her tongue out at him.

Their dad bit off an extra-large mouthful of sandwich and took his time chewing, while their mom folded her napkin neatly, pressing creases into the paper with her fingertips. Her worried blue eyes sought Caitlyn. “What does that mean for Dylan’s defense?”

“It’s just information, Mom. No matter what the results are, it isn’t evidence of anything other than whether Dylan was the baby’s father, or not. That’s it.”

“Then why demand the test?” Her mother’s gaze was direct.

“I imagine the Gesslers simply want to know. They’re grieving and trying to piece this whole thing together. I think the court is showing compassion for them in this terrible time.”

“I see.” Her mother blinked several times before she shifted her eyes toward Dylan. He shoved his plate away and stood abruptly, having to catch the chair before it toppled over. Saying nothing, he stormed out of the room. Seconds later, they heard the front door slam shut. When her mother turned questioning eyes to Caitlyn, all she could do was shrug. She finished her lunch as calmly as she could, so as not to upset her parents. Then she mumbled a vague excuse before she left to find her brother.

Dylan was out behind the barn, leaning on the fence rail, watching the weanling calves as they bawled for their mothers. She stood next to him and bumped his shoulder with hers. “They’re just trying to make sense out of all this.”

Dylan spit tobacco juice into the dirt. Chewing was a habit he turned to when something upset him.

Caitlyn stared off into the distance and softened her tone. Not sure she wanted the answer to her question, she pressed on anyway. “What are the test results going to tell us, Dylan?”

He shrugged and sent another brown-tinged stream of spit flying, the sweet scent of wintergreen wafting with it. Footsteps sounded behind them, and Caitlyn turned to see who was coming.

Their dad took a position on Dylan’s other side. He leaned backward against the fence, facing them. “Son, I think it’s time you came clean about your part in all this. We’re going to find out this afternoon that you’re the father of that poor baby, aren’t we?”

Dylan dug into the dirt with the heel of his boot, but didn’t look up at