Read Jackson: The Sons of Dusty Walker for Free Online

he’d make Vic feel his job was at risk. Especially from
Jackson, who was impatient to shake the dust of this town off his boots come
Sunday morning.
    They took a table in a corner and ordered the special: a
meatloaf sandwich with gravy and mashed potatoes, green beans, and a home-baked
roll.
    “What made you come to Red Creek?” Jackson took a cold gulp
of his strong sweet tea.
    “A couple things.” Vic narrowed his dark eyes. “I got tired
of California, and the Walker Company has one of the best reputations in the
business.”
    Jackson hadn’t been aware of the company’s status in the
industry. The hours he’d spent with Elaine and Abby the day before had filled
him in on what was going on with the company, but besides the way the women
spoke highly of his father, they didn’t go into much detail. “He’s done pretty
well financially.”
    “That, and his honesty, integrity, business sense…” Vic
shrugged. “I would tell you that it’ll be a pretty big hat to fill, but I get
the feeling you’re not planning on filling Dusty’s hat.”
    At that last part, the wind went out of Jackson’s sails.
He’d been questioning the honesty/integrity piece, recalling the illegitimacy
of the sons of Dusty Walker. “How do you figure that?” Vic was right about
Jackson’s future plans, of course, but he’d tried to keep that fact hidden.
    Their lunches arrived, and Vic got busy turning his sandwich
black with pepper from the shaker. “Just a hunch.” He gestured out the window.
“This town doesn’t hold much appeal for a young guy like you.”
    Jackson laughed. “You’re what, five years older than me?”
    “Ten.” Vic took a big forkful and chewed, swallowing it down
with coke. “But I’m an office kind of guy. You? Rodeo, buckle bunnies, seeing
the country.”
    Running away , as Sapphire had always said when
Jackson had gone out on the circuit. “I guess.”
    “You don’t have to sit behind Dusty’s desk for the rest of
your life.” Vic set down his utensils. “You can always travel the country doing
what your dad loved best.”
    What Dad loved best? Besides his four mistresses and their
bastard sons? “It’s all up for grabs right now.” He said the words, but they
were a deflection. His brothers could do what they wanted with the company for
the next year. Jackson was looking forward to that big payout come next August.
    “I understand.” Vic ate for a while. “Just so you know, your
dad’s done some really good things for this town. The Walker name is highly
respected here.”
    “I’m sure it is.” Jackson had heard about his dad bailing
out businesses, but that could have been just self-preservation. If the town
went under, the company wouldn’t have a place to call home.
    Elaine walked up to their table. “Mind if I join you? My
lunch meeting just ended.”
    The guys stood and Jackson pulled out a chair for her.
“Please do.”
    “Oh, such gentlemen. The town of Red Creek is blessed to
have you two bachelors gracing our streets.”
    Jackson met Vic’s gaze, sending the man a silent request for
confidentiality.
    Vic turned toward Elaine. “So, who did you meet with?”
    Tucking back into his meal, Jackson let them talk business
while he considered his options. Dusty’s death threw a whole lot of new ones in
front of him, and he couldn’t overlook the fact that his old way of life would
change no matter how hard he tried to keep it the same.
    ****
    Later that afternoon, Rori stepped into Heart Starter, Lexie
Choate’s quirky coffee shop, glad to see the place was empty.
    “Hey, girl.” Lexie had her sketch pad out and was drawing
something. The woman’s artistic talent was insane, and the shop walls were
filled with her artwork.
    “Hi. Can I get an iced mocha? Large, please.”
    “Sure.” Lexie started the big, scary espresso machine. “Need
to stay awake this evening?”
    Rori sat on a stool at the counter. “No. I’m just
procrastinating. I promised Dusty’s son,