by B. J Daniels
He thought the past was finally behind him
Shade Sterling has carried a torch for Lizzy Conners since senior year of high school. But the timing never felt right for them, especially since his ex-girlfriend, Ariel, disappeared without a trace years ago. Now, with their ten-year class reunion approaching, Shade is tired of waiting. Determined to move on with his life and take a chance with Lizzy, he’s all in...until a car is dredged up from a local pond and Ariel’s remains are found inside.
As the newly appointed sheriff, Lizzy must investigate every single lead—including the ones that point right to Shade. She knows she can’t let her heart get in the way of an investigation, but she can’t accept that Shade is guilty. Now if she can only prove it—both to the town out for justice and to herself.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
B.J. Daniels
“Readers who like their romance spiced with mystery can’t go wrong with Stroke of Luck by B.J. Daniels.”
—BookPage
“Daniels keeps readers baffled with a taut plot and ample red herrings, expertly weaving in the threads of the next story in the series as she introduces a strong group of primary and secondary characters.”
—Publishers Weekly on Stroke of Luck
“Daniels again turns in a taut, well-plotted, and suspenseful tale with plenty of red herrings. Readers will be in from the start and engaged until the end.”
—Library Journal on Stroke of Luck
“B.J. Daniels has made Cowboy’s Legacy quite a nail-biting, page-turner of a story. Guaranteed to keep you on your toes.”
—Fresh Fiction
“I kept reading until I finished it once I started. It was that good.”
—Night Owl Romance on Cowboy’s Legacy
“Daniels is an expert at combining layered characters, quirky small towns, steamy chemistry and added suspense.”
—RT Book Reviews on Hero’s Return
Also available from B.J. Daniels and HQN Books
Sterling’s Montana
Stroke of Luck
Luck of the Draw
Just His Luck
The Montana Cahills
Renegade’s Pride
Outlaw’s Honor
Cowboy’s Legacy
Cowboy’s Reckoning
Hero’s Return
Rancher’s Dream
Wrangler’s Rescue
The Montana Hamiltons
Wild Horses
Lone Rider
Lucky Shot
Hard Rain
Into Dust
Honor Bound
Beartooth, Montana
Mercy
Atonement
Forsaken
Redemption
Unforgiven
New York Times Bestselling Author
B.J. Daniels
Just His Luck
This book is for Jodee Lee, who keeps our quilt club running so smoothly.
I wish I had your organizational skills, girl!
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
EXCERPT FROM RESTLESS HEARTS BY B.J. DANIELS
CHAPTER ONE
ANOTHER SCREAM ROSE in her throat as the icy water rushed in around her. She fought to free herself, but the ropes that bound her wrists to the steering wheel held tight, chafing her skin until it tore and bled. Her throat was raw from screaming while outside the car, the wind kicked up whitecaps on the pond. The waves lapped at the windows. Inside the car, water rose around her feet, before climbing up her legs to lap at her waist.
She pleaded for help as the water began to rise up her chest. But anyone who might have helped her was back at the high school graduation party she’d just left. If only she’d stayed at the party. If only she hadn’t burned so many bridges earlier tonight. If only...
As the water lapped against her throat, she screamed even though she knew no one was coming to her rescue. Certainly not the person standing on the shore watching.
The pond was outside of town, away from everything. She knew now that was why her killer had chosen it. Worse, no one would be looking for her, not after the way she’d behaved when she’d left the party.
“You’re big on torturing people,” her killer had said. “Not so much fun when the shoe is on the other foot, huh?”
More than half-drunk, the bitter taste of betrayal in her mouth, she’d wanted to beg for her life. But her pride wouldn’t let her. As her hands were bound to the steering wheel, she tried to convince herself that the only reason this was happening was to scare her. No one would actually kill her. Not even someone she’d bullied at school.
She was Ariel Matheson. Everyone wanted to be her friend. Everyone wanted to be her, a sexy spoiled rich girl. No one hated her enough to go through with this. Even when the car had been pushed into the pond, she told herself that her new baby blue SUV wouldn’t sink. Or if it did, the water wouldn’t be deep enough that she’d drown.
The dank water splashed into her face. Frantic, she tried to sit up higher, but the seat belt and the rope on her wrists held her down. The car lurched under her, as it wallowed almost full of water on the rough surface of the pond. Waves washed over the windshield, obscuring the lights of Whitefish, Montana, as the SUV slowly began to sink and she felt the last few minutes of her life slipping away.
She spit out a mouthful and told herself that this wasn’t happening. Things like this didn’t happen to her. This was not the way her life would end. It couldn’t be.
Panic made her suck in another mouthful of awful-tasting water. She tried to hold her breath as she told herself that she was destined for so much more. The girl most likely to end up with everything she wanted, it said in her yearbook.
Bubbles rose around her as the car filled to the headliner, forcing her to let out the breath she’d been holding. This was real. This wasn’t just to scare her.
The last thing she saw before the SUV sank the rest of the way was her killer standing on the bank in the dark night, watching her die. Would anyone miss her? Mourn her? She’d made so many enemies. Would anyone even come looking for her in the days ahead? Her parents would think that she’d run away. Her friends...
Fury replaced her fear. They thought she was a bitch before? As water filled her lungs, she swore that if she had it to do over, she’d make them all pay.
Ten years later
AS LIZZY WALKED around the desk and sat down in the large leather chair, she gave up trying to hide her grin. Sheriff Elizabeth Conners. By afternoon, those words would be painted on her office door. Still, she wanted to pinch herse
lf. She’d won the election and now this was her office.
She leaned back but didn’t dare put her feet up on her desk, although she knew that if the men who’d run against her were now sheriff, they would have.
“How’s it feel?” Sid Anderson asked from the doorway.
Lizzy sat up quickly, shooting to her feet at the sight of the former sheriff and her mentor. He laughed and motioned her back into her chair.
“Congratulations on your win. You’re going to make a great sheriff,” Sid assured her. It was so good to see him up and about, although he would probably have to use a cane the rest of his life after his hit-and-run accident.
“Thank you.” She noted that he remained standing in the doorway, leaning on his cane. “Want to come in?”
He shook his head as his gaze took in the office with what could have been nostalgia. She hoped it wasn’t regret. But he’d made it clear that he’d planned to retire even before his accident. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if he missed it. He swore that he’d been looking forward to the time when all he had to do was hang out in his woodworking shop. That and get married.
“Do I hear wedding bells?” she joked. “I heard that you finally proposed to Dorothea Brand.”
Sid broke into a huge grin. Dorothea had worked at Sterling’s Montana Guest Ranch for more than thirty years and was like part of the Sterling family. Lizzy had gone to school with Shade and knew that when his mother died, Dorothea had stepped into the role for him and his brothers, Will and Garrett.
“I asked and she said yes. I couldn’t get down on one knee to do it. She cried when I put the ring on her finger. I’ll admit this to you and deny it forever, but I had tears in my eyes, as well.”
Lizzy felt her heart soar. “You two are going to be so happy. Dorothea is perfect for you. I couldn’t be more delighted.”
“The save-the-date announcement will be in the mail soon,” he said. “I expect you to be there.”
“You couldn’t keep me away.”
Sid shifted his weight as he leaned on his cane. “I just had to stop by to tell you how proud I am of you.”
She’d grown up next door to Sid. From as far back as she could remember, she’d wanted to be a sheriff’s deputy and work with him. He’d hired her out of the police academy and she’d gotten her dream to work as a deputy with him. But that dream had been short-lived.
When he’d been forced into an early retirement because of his injuries, he’d encouraged her to run for sheriff, telling her she was the best deputy he’d ever had. She’d worked hard at the job because the last thing she’d wanted to do was to let Sid down, but she’d also known that he was partial when it came to her.
“You inspired me,” she said, wondering if he knew how true that was. “I just hope I can fill your shoes even a little bit.”
“You’ll do great.” He lowered his voice. “Just don’t let the male deputies give you a hard time.” He winked. The phone on her desk rang. “Best get to work.”
“Thanks for stopping by,” she said. He had no idea how much it meant to her. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for you,” he said.
Her phone rang again. She reached for it and when she looked up, Sid was gone.
“Sheriff...” She cleared her throat. “Sheriff Conners.”
There was a moment’s hesitation before the man on the other end of the line said, “This is Tiny Fraser. I’m a heavy equipment operator out here on Highway 93, northwest of town. I think you’d better come out and have a look.”
Her first thought was a car accident. “What’s the problem?” she asked, wondering if there were any patrol officers in the area to assist with traffic.
“I was doing some excavation work near this pond out here... I found a car that looks as if it’s been in the water for years. The problem is, there’s what looks like human remains behind the wheel and that’s not all.”
* * *
A WARM FALL wind whipped the pine boughs and sent dried leaves from the nearby aspens whirling through the air. A sound in the brush brought his horse’s head up with a jerk. Shade Sterling reined in as a grouse burst out of the trees with a flurry of wings. His horse sidestepped under him, but he quickly brought the gelding back under control.
He loved riding on the ranch this time of the year. Very soon winter would come and blanket the land in white. No longer would he be able to smell the scents of fall and enjoy a morning ride like this. Shade savored these days although they came with a little melancholy as they always did. Summer was gone and he could feel another year passing.
As he watched the grouse disappear over the horizon toward the town of Whitefish, he saw the flashing lights of police cars a half mile away at the pond. He’d heard that some kind of convenience store was going in on that corner. The valley was one of the fastest growing in the state. He hated to see the ranch and farmland disappearing because of what some called progress.
More and more people were moving in, the valley changing before his eyes. He wasn’t sure he liked change and had to laugh. He was starting to sound like his father, rest his soul.
He studied the flashing lights for a moment before curiosity got the better of him. Spurring his horse in that direction, he rode to the far end of the ranch where civilization encroached.
A combination of law enforcement and construction workers had gathered at the far end of the pond. A wrecker was pulling something from the water. Shade heard the wrecker motor roar to life, saw the cable tighten and vibrate as it began dragging a large moss-covered shape out of the water.
The day seemed to grow darker and cooler as Shade recognized the shape as it broke the surface. An eerie silence fell over the pond as his pulse quickened. Weeds clung to the slimed-over surface of the vehicle, and discolored water poured out onto the ground.
He felt as if he’d been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer. He knew that car.
* * *
I NEVER THOUGHT this day would ever come, though I would have preferred that someone found me when I was still alive.
Well, at least everyone is talking about me again. I thought they’d all forgotten me. It’s been a while since the name Ariel Matheson caused a stir in Whitefish. But it is about to.
I’m sure a lot of people thought they’d never hear from me again. They should have been so lucky. Little did most of them know how close I’ve been all these years. And now I’m about to make national news thanks to being the daughter of my illustrious father, the crooked politician. Otherwise, finding the body of a girl who’d disappeared the night of her high school graduation party over ten years ago would barely get a mention.
So I should be grateful. Thanks, Dad. Funny how things work out. Or don’t, in my case, since the one person I hated the most our senior year in high school will be in charge of finding my murderer. Sheriff Elizabeth “Lizzy” Conners. Now there’s irony for you.
Now it’s up to her to find out whom I tormented enough to make them want me dead. A lover? A friend? A classmate I bullied? That should keep Lizzy busy.
I think I’m going to enjoy this. Much more than I did the night I saw her kiss my former boyfriend Shade Sterling at the party. The same night my killer pushed me into the pond.
Little Lizzy should be very careful though. I’d hate for anything bad to happen to her before she can discover the truth. After all, there’s a killer out there who’s a lot closer than little Lizzy knows.
* * *
LIZZY FROZE WHEN she saw the car being pulled out of the pond. Memories assaulted her, taking her back to the many hours she’d spent riding shotgun in that once baby blue SUV that Ariel’s father had ordered special for her in her favorite color. It had been an early graduation present. The stereo was always cranked up to a deafening volume while Ariel talked over it a mile a minute and drove as if she owned the road. In this state, at least, she h
ad since her father had been the state attorney general—until his arrest.
Not that it often required her father taking care of her tickets. Usually all Ariel had to do was bat her baby blues, twist a lock of her long blond hair and purse those full bow-shaped lips. With that face, she’d breezed through life, laughing at how easy it was to get her grades changed or talk a cop out of writing her a ticket or keep her friends in line and her enemies running scared.
Ariel grew up used to getting everything she wanted and getting out of trouble, guilty or not. It was why some referred to her as Teflon. Nothing stuck to her no matter what she did. At the same time, there was something about her, a shiny brightness that drew people to her and made them want to be her—at the same time they dreaded her. Lizzy knew that better than anyone.
“Sheriff?”
She blinked and pulled her gaze away from the water streaming from the SUV to look at Tiny and the officer who’d approached.
“Remains?” she asked and cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, you said there are remains in the car?”
Tiny nodded. “Hard to say how long the car has been in the water. Long enough for a body to be little more than bones.”
She had a pretty good idea of how long the car and body had been in the pond. No one had seen or heard from Ariel Matheson since she drove away from her high school graduation.
“We called in the license plate,” the officer said.
“QueenB,” she said. “I recognize the car. It and the driver have been missing for over ten years.”
“No kidding?” He checked his notes. “Ariel Matheson.” He frowned. “Related to the former state attorney general?”
She nodded and looked again at the car. “His daughter.” His only child, which explained a lot. Lizzy thought about the day Ariel got the car.
* * *
“GET OVER HERE,” Ariel had called, laughing. “You aren’t going to believe this. Hurry. Tell me I don’t have my daddy wrapped around my little finger.” She’d hung up before Lizzy could ask what it was this time.
