by Barb Han
“Yes,” Mitch admitted.
Amber took in a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
Four brothers and three sisters-in-law sat around the large hand-carved wooden table in the massive kitchen. Seven sets of eyes landed on Amber when she walked into the room. She picked Will first. Better stare him down straightaway so he knew better than to call her out. His wife, Kelly, sat to his right. The pair had been through hell and back when Kelly was almost forced to marry a Fort Worth millionaire who was out for revenge. Amber’s brother Deacon and his wife, Leah, sat across the table from the others. Leah used to work for the city of Fort Worth as a detective. She’d been targeted by a murderer posing as a copycat. In the process of investigating her case, she’d met and fallen in love with Deacon. The other couple at the table was Nate and Chelsea. She’d moved to town after an inheritance from an aunt she never knew gave her a new lease on life. But trouble soon followed, and Nate stepped up to protect Chelsea and her daughter. In the process, she and Nate had fallen in love, married and the three, plus Linda, her mother, had settled into his house on the ranch. Which left Jordan and Amber, the single siblings in an increasingly small club.
Mitch and his wife, Andrea, sat side by side. He held on to her hands, and witnessing the comfort the pair—and all the couples—seemed to provide each other struck Amber. She’d never felt hollow inside. So, where was it coming from now?
Amber expected to find disapproval in Will’s eyes, but he mostly seemed concerned. He acknowledged her with a grim smile. It was most likely the weight of the situation at Rushing Creek that had him casting his gaze down and not his disappointment in her.
Zach entered the room last, and all attention went to him as Amber took a seat at the granite island toward the back of the kitchen. She couldn’t be in this room anytime around the holidays without thinking just how alive it had been in past years. Maybe it was time to change that, to bring some of that love and vibrancy back to the main house. It was a point worth considering because it was so easy in life to focus on what she didn’t have instead of seeing and appreciating all that she did.
“Here’s what we know so far.” He looked up from his notes. “This information stays inside this room, by the way.”
“Goes without saying,” Mitch added.
“There hasn’t been confirmation of the victim’s identity.” Zach paused. He took caring for the people of Jacobstown seriously, and a murder in his backyard was a big hit. Especially considering the murder had happened at the family ranch.
“She was found by Lone Star Lonnie on his morning rounds. He went farther north along the creek bed chasing wild boar.” Lone Star Lonnie was the foreman of KR aka Kent Ranch. “Coroner says she’d been dead for less than twelve hours. I have deputies on the scene, and Lonnie refuses to leave.”
Last night was Saturday. Amber’s hands fisted in her lap. This shouldn’t have happened. “I realize there hasn’t been confirmation, but do we have any idea who the victim might’ve been?”
“Lonnie did the right thing by not contaminating the crime scene. He kept his distance. Mike will text me the minute he knows something.” Zach referred to Mike Travis, the county coroner.
A thought struck that Amber couldn’t ignore. Could the victim be Brooklyn’s mother? The baby was outside with Rylan. Was that part of the reason he’d refused to come inside? Was he thinking the same thing? It was unbearable to know any life could be cut short. Amber’s heart clenched thinking that Brooklyn’s mother might be the one…
“Town will want answers today about the victim, her killer and how this happened,” Mitch said. He was always thinking two steps ahead, and Amber appreciated that about her brother.
“Every woman will be looking over her shoulder from now until we catch the perp,” Deacon chimed in.
“I’ll help in any way I can,” Leah offered.
Zach thanked her.
“My office won’t release information until we have all the facts,” he said. “But it never hurts to issue a statement about making sure folks lock doors and keep vehicle keys with them, like we’ve requested in the past.”
Rylan walked into the adjacent room with Brooklyn in his arms. One look at his face, and Amber could tell she’d guessed right a few minutes ago. He wore a heavy expression like he carried the weight of the world.
“If y’all will excuse me.” Will stood and then walked out the back door.
“Will,” Amber started, but stopped when she saw the momentary hurt darken Rylan’s features. For a split second, Amber considered going after her brother. Will needed air, and he needed to accept the fact that she and Rylan were friends. Granted, what was happening felt like more than friendship to her, and she thought Rylan experienced that same heat when the two of them were in the room together. But those were facts she didn’t want to examine at the moment.
Amber refocused on Will. She knew her brother well enough to realize he needed space. Rushing out there now would only hurt her cause, and both of them could end up saying words they’d regret.
“Welcome back to town, Rylan.” Mitch extended the first olive branch. “I’d offer a handshake, but I can see yours are full at the moment.”
“Thank you,” Rylan said, and she’d never heard two more sincere words from a single soul.
“Who is that sweet little girl in your arms?” Kelly, Will’s wife, asked after introducing herself.
“That’s a great question.” Rylan gave a quick rundown of what happened yesterday. “All we know for certain is that her name is Brooklyn.”
Leah seemed to catch onto the implication that Brooklyn’s mother could possibly be the victim. She introduced herself to Rylan before saying, “If you need someone to go with you to the morgue, I was a detective in a past life.”
“I appreciate the offer. I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that,” Rylan admitted after thanking her, as well. Seeing the family, save for Will, welcome Rylan so openly caused Amber’s heart to squeeze.
Andrea introduced herself, followed by Chelsea.
While introductions were being made, Amber thought back to what Rylan had told her about his sobriety. The simple truth was that he may not be able to positively ID the victim if she was Brooklyn’s mother. His mind was still fuzzy about what happened that weekend, and she took to heart the seriousness in his voice when he spoke about being sober. There was so much regret and self-reproach at the possibility he’d slipped up and had a weekend binge. The fact that he hadn’t had a similar one since the very early days of his sobriety struck a chord.
Zach, who had been studying his phone, walked over to Rylan. “I put the description of the man who dropped Brooklyn off at your place in the database. I flagged the file as urgent. I also just heard back from the sketch artist. She can meet this afternoon if you’re still game.”
Rylan was already nodding. “Of course. I want to do whatever I can to help.”
“I’m probably just being Pollyanna here, but maybe we’ll get lucky and the baby’s mother will show up to reclaim her,” Chelsea offered.
“That would be a best-case scenario for the little girl. Of course, there are legal ramifications for dropping off a baby and disappearing,” Zach pointed out.
“There are no easy answers on this one.” Rylan held on to the little girl, who was starting to fuss. Her gaze was locked on to Amber. From the looks of it, she found a new friend.
Mitch issued a warning look. There would be concerns from her family. They loved her and were keenly aware of her loss. Deacon was discreet, but she caught him watching her a little too intently. For now, she wanted to keep the focus on the victim and not bring up what she was doing with Rylan—other than helping an old friend after the holidays who’d been put in an impossible situation.
“IT’S NOT SAFE back at my house.” Rylan was finally alone with Amber in the kitchen after a round of everyone wanting to meet Bro
oklyn. He couldn’t deny the kid was cuteness times ten. She’d reeled him in almost immediately. He appreciated the kindness the Kent family showed to the little girl.
Will walking out after Rylan had come inside was a blow. He couldn’t say he didn’t deserve it or have it coming. It just hurt.
“After what happened last night on the ranch, I don’t think it’s safe anywhere.” Amber blew out a defeated breath. Then she looked up at him. “I’m going with you.”
“I’d argue with you but I’ve seen that face before,” Rylan said. His cell buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out and checked the screen. “It’s the doctor.”
He and Amber exchanged glances. This phone call had the ability to alter that little girl’s future in a big way.
“I’ll hold her.” Amber took the little girl, who seemed more than happy to make the switch.
Rylan answered the call and walked over to the sink. He could see the sun bathing the yard in light. “Thanks for getting back to me so soon, Dr. Logan.”
“I drew two samples, one for Zach to be locked up as evidence and the other to be sent to a lab for analysis. I had a friend open the lab and speed up the process as a favor. You deserve to know what you’re dealing with, although this is unofficial word when it comes to the courts.” Doc paused. “She’s your daughter.”
Those three words should be a gut punch. They weren’t. He’d allowed that little bean to worm her way into his heart. Rylan had expected the news to hit hard. A piece of him was relieved. He tried to convince himself it was for Brooklyn’s sake, that he would do a better job of protecting her than anyone else. That part was most likely true.
“Thank you, Doc,” he said into the phone.
“I hope you got the news you were hoping for,” Dr. Logan said.
“I appreciate the sentiment, Doc.” Rylan stared out the window for a long moment, absorbing the fact that he was someone’s father. And then he turned to face Amber, who’d already moved beside him, and nodded. “She’s mine.”
“Are you okay with the news?” she asked.
“She’s a great kid. She deserves to have someone looking out for her who cares. I’m ready to be that person.” Rylan meant every word. “This might not be the way I’d envisioned becoming a father. Hell, I’ve never held the wife and kids fantasy. But here she is. I have every intention of doing right by her.”
“Excuse me.” Zach’s voice came from behind them, interrupting their conversation. Based on his tone, he wasn’t there for casual chatter.
Rylan turned around.
“My deputy just called. We got him. The man you described who dropped off the baby and ran yesterday morning is in custody.” Zach put a hand up. “Now, I know what you’re going to say and I’d probably want to do the same thing if I was in your shoes—”
“I doubt you do.” Hearing the words inside his head that he was a father was about as foreign as it got. “I’m going down to your office with you.”
“I wasn’t about to say that you shouldn’t come. I need you to identify him. All I wanted to be clear about is that you can’t speak to him. You have to give me your word you’ll stay on the other side of the mirror and not try to catch him in the hallway when he’s being moved back and forth.” Zach must’ve seen the tension building in Rylan’s features because he kept talking. “Think of it this way. We make the right moves with this guy, and we find this girl’s parents.”
“Let me stop you right there, Zach. I just got a call from Dr. Logan. You’ll get the official results soon enough, and they’ll reveal that I’m Brooklyn’s father.”
Chapter Nine
After delivering the news that Rylan was Brooklyn’s father, there wasn’t much else that needed to be said. He had the rapt attention of everyone in the room. He turned to Amber. He’d tell her not to come with him, but he wasn’t one for wasting time. She’d insist. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” The word was spoken in a firm and confident voice. No one could argue she knew what she wanted. “Can we borrow a few baby clothes before we head out?”
“We keep a few things here at the main house. I’ll go grab some,” Mitch said.
“While you guys wait for those, I’ll get on the road. I need a five-minute head start.” Zach left first.
Amber picked up the diaper bag and slid the strap over her shoulder. She looked at her family like she was daring one of them to speak. Will, the one person Rylan wanted to speak to the most, was outside somewhere, most likely in the barn. Work did a lot of good to clear the mind. It was also a great outlet for anger, an emotion Rylan understood all too well.
“Thank you for your hospitality.” Rylan meant those words.
Mitch returned with a few items that he handed to Amber. He walked over and put his hand on Rylan’s shoulder. “It took a lot to show up here, Rylan. You always were like family. If you need anything come back any—”
“Thank you, but I doubt everyone shares that sentiment.” He motioned toward the barn.
“You know Will. He needs a minute. But he’ll come around.” Mitch set his jaw, looking confident in those words.
“Some people don’t deserve forgiveness,” Rylan said to Mitch.
“That’s where you’re wrong. Everyone does.” Mitch squeezed Rylan’s shoulder before leaning in close to his ear. “She’d kill me if she knew I said anything. But take it easy with her.”
Rylan issued a grunt. “Amber can—”
“Hear me out,” Mitch interrupted. “She probably didn’t tell you but she was married before.”
“Amber?” She never said anything about a husband. Why did it hit him so hard that she’d kept something so big a secret?
“It didn’t go well for her. There was a child involved and—”
Those words hit like another rogue wave. It was starting to make sense why the family seemed so concerned when she’d taken Brooklyn in her arms. Anyone could see those two were natural together. Had she been married to a man who’d had a child in a previous relationship? It made sense as to why she’d been so cautious with him.
“Based on your expression I’m guessing you had no clue about either one of those things,” Mitch said.
“Not a one.” Rylan was still trying to absorb the first of the two revelations.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. Those are not my secrets to share. I just don’t want to see her heart ripped out—”
“You’re trying to protect her.”
Amber walked into the kitchen. She froze when she saw the two of them in intimate conversation. She balled a fist and planted it on her hip. “What’s going on in here?”
“We were just talking,” Rylan started, but she grunted.
“I figured that much out. You plan on telling me what you were talking about?” she asked.
“We can talk on the way over to Zach’s office. Did you pick up your phone charger?” Rylan hoped the distraction would work.
It seemed to when she spun around and walked out of the room. She returned a few minutes later looking more than ready to go.
“Zach was our ride,” Rylan pointed out. And he’d left minutes ago.
“I have more than one vehicle, Rylan. And I keep a car seat in the back of my small sport utility.” Amber’s gaze moved from Mitch to Rylan. “What were the two of you talking about?”
“I was just giving Rylan some kid advice,” Mitch said, sidestepping the question.
“You sure that’s all?” Amber asked her brother.
“I told him to be cautious with you and that if he hurt you I’d be on his doorstep.” He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders.
“You know I’m a big girl, Mitch. I appreciate you having my back, but I’m capable of fighting my own battles,” she said.
“Maybe I think you shouldn’t have to fight anyone anymore.” Mitch pulled her into a bear hug.
“Love you, sis.”
“I know you do.” Amber returned the hug cautiously. “But we’ve gotta go.”
Rylan took the lead, walking toward the door. Part of him needed to know what had happened to her. He wanted, no needed to know if what Mitch said had anything to do with the seriousness in her eyes. Years ago, she’d been all spunk and spark and fire. Her heart was bigger and more open than the Texas sky. And he could still see those qualities in her, but some of that spark had dimmed and he wondered how much it had to do with her ex, with having a child taken away from her.
Thinking about anyone hurting Amber caused a fire bolt to swirl through Rylan.
Leah stopped them at the front door. “Have you guys considered leaving the baby here until you figure out what’s going on at Zach’s office? We have plenty of qualified family members here to take care of her, and there are lots of kiddos on the ranch. I doubt anyone would notice one more.”
Before Rylan could form an argument, Amber answered for him.
“She’ll be safer with us, and Rylan wouldn’t be able to concentrate if she’s away from him,” she said. She was right, and he was surprised that she could read him so well. “But we’re grateful for the offer.”
“Let us know if that changes. Any one of us could come pick her up at Zach’s office if the situation drags on or gets too tense.” Deacon moved beside his wife, nodding his agreement with what she said. He put his arm around her, and Rylan was struck at how happy they seemed.
“Thank you,” Rylan said, and he meant it for both of them.
Amber added an extra blanket over the baby. Rylan opened the door for Amber, who walked outside and into the brisk afternoon air. She shivered. “It’s gotten even colder.”
A blanket of gray clouds covered the sky, making it feel later in the day than it was.
Amber handed him the keys to her small sport utility after helping to buckle Brooklyn into her car seat. She stopped long enough to ask, “What did Mitch really say to you in the house?”
“Enough to make me curious about your past,” he admitted before taking the proffered keys and moving to the driver’s seat.