by Cassie Miles
“I want to check up on Connie and Carlos and baby Rosalie. Other than that, I’m free.”
“Tell me when you want to go. I’ll drive.”
Keeping herself covered, she sat up on the bed. “I don’t remember inviting you along.”
“I’m going to stick close to you, Tab. Until we’re 100 percent sure that the killer wasn’t lurking around at your grandma’s house, waiting to attack you, I’m your bodyguard.”
“Why me?”
“You were a witness to David’s murder.”
Before she could object, he left the bedroom. When he went out the door, the sunlight dimmed and the room felt empty. Her friendship with Aiden was on the verge of becoming something more, and she was anxious to see what came next.
Chapter Fifteen
After lunch, Aiden, Tab and Misty were on their way to the little house on the outskirts of Henley where Connie and Carlos lived. Aiden rode shotgun in Tab’s van, an appropriate seating arrangement given his claim to be her bodyguard.
Earlier, when he announced that plan, he’d expected her to launch into one of her tirades about being able to take care of herself. Instead, she’d ducked under the covers and hadn’t complained a bit. Damn, she was complicated—shy but confident, funny and serious at the same time, kind-hearted with others but demanding when it came to herself. She’d picked up street smarts from living in cities, but he knew she would always be rooted in the traditions of her people. Figuring out Tab Willows might be a lifetime project.
His agenda for now was to make sure she was safe. And he’d taken precautions. After explaining the potential danger to Blake, they cut back the daily chores to the bare minimum and put the men on high alert. Every ranch hand was armed, and they rotated in shifts doing guard duty, patrolling near the main house and barns on horseback with rifles. Protecting the herd that was spread out over several acres a couple of miles from here would have been impossible without an army, but the cattle weren’t under threat. Danger from the serial killer was aimed at Tab and maybe Misty. And Aiden had it covered.
Being a passenger in her van gave him the opportunity to sit back in his seat and study her as she drove. This afternoon, she looked fresh scrubbed and neat with her raven hair pulled back in a glossy braid. Her blue wool jacket brought out the color of her eyes. His gaze measured the angle of her cheekbones, the stubborn thrust of her jaw and her long, graceful neck. Was it possible for a throat to be beautiful? He was fascinated by the hollow at the base of her throat. She was wearing a necklace with a four-leaf clover pendant, which he recognized right away.
He’d given her that pendant ten years ago, a silly little gift to let her know he was grateful for the way she was handling Misty. She’d kept it all these years. That must mean something.
She shot him a questioning look. “You’re staring.”
“Am I?”
“Oh, yeah,” said Misty from the backseat. “You’ve been totally checked out, haven’t been listening to a word I said.”
“Did I miss anything important?”
“You’re such a jerk, Aiden.” His little sister huffed and giggled at the same time. “Tab, are you sure it’s okay for us to visit?”
“When I called Connie, she said the more the merrier. And there was background noise so I think she has other visitors. How could she not want to see us? We’re bringing two of Grandma’s pies and your baby gift.”
“The cutest baby snowsuit, pink with fake fur. I got it in Billings.”
Aiden asked, “Weren’t you saving that for your baby?”
“I’d rather let Connie have it,” Misty said. “I’m really happy for her. Do you think she’ll let me hold little Rosalie?”
“That’s up to her,” Tab said. “But I think she will.”
“Since we both will have babies the same age, I know we’re going to be really good friends. We can do play dates together and share babysitting.”
“Glad you see it that way,” Tab said. “It takes a village, you know.”
She parallel parked on the street outside a small frame house with flower beds that would be colorful in the spring and a small crab apple tree to the left of the sidewalk. Carlos worked at the tree nursery, and Aiden had always thought he had talent in landscaping.
In addition to two cars in the concrete driveway, three other vehicles were parked on the street behind them. He wasn’t surprised that Connie had plenty of visitors. She was a popular waitress at the local café, and she knew everybody. The whole town had been watching Connie’s belly grow and taking bets on when she’d pop. But he hadn’t expected to see Bert Welling. The gas station owner, still dressed in his spotless gray jumpsuit, came out the door as they approached.
Aiden gave him a nod. “Hi, Bert. I didn’t know you were interested in babies.”
“I’m not.” His stern mouth pulled into a frown. “But Connie takes good care of me at the café. Every morning for breakfast, she serves me two eggs sunny-side up, four slices of bacon and wheat toast, buttered light. I’m good to people who are good to me.”
“And those who aren’t?”
The frown deepened. “See you around, Aiden.”
As he went down the sidewalk, he acknowledged Tab and Misty with a slight nod of his head, but he didn’t say a word to them. Aiden had to wonder if Bert was aware of his nephew’s attraction to Misty. Did he ever talk to David? Did he know anything of that young man’s hopes and dreams? It was hard to tell if Bert thought of his nephew as someone who was good to him or as a problem he had to deal with.
Following Tab and Misty into the house, Aiden watched for reaction from the other townspeople. If Chuck and Woody could be used as an example, lots of folks would be blaming his sister for David’s murder. In addition to Connie and Carlos, there were four other people who greeted them. They all seemed friendly. One bland, middle-aged lady who worked as a teacher at the high school gave Misty a giant hug and remarked about how awful it must have been to see David killed.
“It was terrible,” Misty said.
He didn’t trust his sister to keep quiet about the murder. “She’s not at liberty to talk about what happened. That’s Sheriff Fielding’s order. We’re here to celebrate this pretty new baby.”
Standing beside the rocking chair where Connie was sitting, he leaned down to get a better look at the tiny bundle in her arms. Sound asleep, Rosalie held one perfect little hand beside her Cupid’s bow mouth. Aiden felt a tug at his heart. “She’s the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen.”
Connie beamed. “She has black hair, like her daddy.”
“But Carlos isn’t this cute.” He glanced toward the proud papa. “No offense, man.”
“None taken. I want my baby girl to look just like her mama.”
Tab stood on the opposite side of the rocking chair. “How has she been with the breastfeeding?”
“It’s just like you told me,” Connie said. “Every three hours or so, she’s hungry. And my boobs have turned into milking machines.”
“Too much information,” Aiden said.
“Get used to it,” Tab warned. “You’re going to have one of these at your house very soon.”
He liked the idea, but he was a little bit scared, as well. “Every three hours?”
“Not your problem,” Tab said. “I know you’re the most responsible person in the world, but breast feeding is Misty’s job.”
He stepped aside to let Misty take his place. Though she cooed and giggled over the baby, he saw a subtle transformation in his sister. She seemed calmer and less focused on herself. An immediate bond formed between her and Connie as they talked about babies and childbirth.
While Tab took Connie and Carlos into a bedroom to talk about other things, he and Misty milled around with the other people. Their interactions stayed upbeat and pleasant, appropriate for celebrating a new birth. Still, there were occasional references to the terrible serial killings and the murder of Ellen Jessop. A hint of fear whispered below the surface of their conv
ersations. A terrible danger threatened their community.
The serene atmosphere changed when Woody and Chuck appeared at the door. Before Carlos showed them inside, Aiden intervened. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to these two outside for a moment.”
Carlos looked from one to the other. “You all play nice. I don’t want fighting around my daughter.”
Outside on the sidewalk, Aiden squared his shoulders. “Like Carlos said, I don’t want any trouble.”
“We get it.” Chuck spoke through pinched lips. His tone was hostile. “And if we don’t behave, you’ll chase us down with your chopper and have us thrown in jail.”
After shooting off guns near his house, they deserved to be arrested. Aiden wouldn’t apologize for the role he played. “If that’s what it takes, then so be it.”
Inhaling a deep breath, Chuck pushed out his chest. “My mom told me I had to say I was sorry.”
“Not necessary,” Aiden responded. “Just don’t do it again.”
Woody hadn’t said a word. He stared down at his boots. In his hands, he held a couple of pieces of loose twine that he kept fiddling with. Instead of his Bronco jersey, he wore a neat blue windbreaker shirt and jeans that made Aiden think he’d also had a talk with his mother. These two young men were out of high school, but their parents were still an influence in their lives.
Woody looked up. “Is Misty here?”
She stepped outside and closed the door behind her. “I’m right here. If there’s something you want to say, tell me to my face.”
Aiden had never been so proud of his sister. Even pregnant, she was showing more guts than these two guys who accused her in a nasty note and ran away.
“We were wrong,” Woody said.
“You were,” she said. “What made you do it?”
“We were mad about David getting himself killed.”
“I don’t buy it.” There were no giggles from Misty. “You guys weren’t that close to David. You worked with him at the gas station, but you didn’t hang out with him much. You thought you were better than him because you were jocks.”
“We’re sorry,” Chuck said. “Okay? Can that be an end to it?”
“Why did you come after me? Who were you talking to?”
Woody opened his mouth but Chuck spoke first. “Nobody, we weren’t talking to nobody.”
She took a step toward them with her belly protruding aggressively. “It was Jim, wasn’t it? That lame-brain ski bum who thinks he’s all that.” She snapped her fingers in Chuck’s face. “Aspen Jim is nothing but a phony.”
“You’re not going to say that when he opens Little Big Horn Rafting Company. We’re going to be the first guys he hires.”
“That’s right.” Woody held up the piece of rope he’d been playing with. “I’m learning knots so I know how to handle the rafts.”
Or tie up helpless victims? Aiden had to wonder what other actions Aspen Jim had demanded from them. He didn’t see Chuck and Woody as killers; they were basically decent and still respected their parents…if that was any kind of alibi.
He was amazed by how much information his sister had gotten in a short, angry confrontation. In jail, the sheriff had questioned Chuck and Woody extensively and hadn’t learned that they were acting on something Aspen Jim had told them. Apparently, the only way to break the teenage code of silence was through another teenager.
Misty braced her hands on her hips. “Here’s what I want you to tell Jim. If he’s got a problem with me, he can bring it to me himself. Just bring it.”
“Whoa.” Woody held up his hands to fend off her rage. “The Gabriel family is real kickass.”
“You better believe it,” Misty said.
“Is it okay if we go in and see the baby now?” Chuck asked. “My mom told me I had to say hi to Connie. After being in jail, I’ve got to prove I’m not some kind of criminal.”
“One more question,” Aiden said. “Aspen Jim convinced you that Misty had something to do with David’s murder. Who changed your mind?”
“Clinton,” they said in unison. “He was there. He ought to know what really went down.”
“When did you see him?” Misty asked.
“Yesterday afternoon. He’s a good guy, Misty. You’re lucky to be with him.”
“I know.”
For once, Aiden agreed with her about Clinton. He’d taken on the task of convincing people that Misty was innocent. Aiden had to respect him for that.
* * *
ALL DAY LONG AIDEN HAD kept to his promise to watch over Tab. They’d done everything together, from a trip into Billings to check up on the Buffalo Man to helping out in the kitchen with dinner. But the day was winding to an end, and he’d have to leave her alone to sleep. Or not…
The best way for him to protect her would be to have her lying beside him in his bed. All day long, they had been touching, occasionally holding hands and exchanging long, lingering gazes. Their closeness sent his imagination into overdrive. When he leaned close and caught a whiff of her shampoo, he’d fantasize about kissing the nape of her neck, drowning in the delicate scent from her hair. Every gesture she made seemed like a caress. The sound of her laughter was sexy. Her sighs penetrated his soul.
Too bad their lovemaking was only in his head. He wanted to separate her from the rest of his family and get her alone in his cabin, but that didn’t seem to be happening. After dinner, he and Tab sat in the living room with his mom and Blake and Misty. Maria Spotted Bear had already gone upstairs to bed, but the rest of the crew seemed as if they could spend the whole damn night talking.
“We saw my dad in Billings,” Tab said. “He says hello to everyone.”
“I’ve always liked your father,” Sylvia said. “When Aiden built his cabin a couple of years ago, he tried to hire your dad to do it. But he was too busy.”
“Not many building contractors have been as successful as my dad. He doesn’t do much in the way of new construction, but he has four different crews working on renovations and repairs.”
Sylvia nudged Blake in the ribs. “We could use some renovating around here.”
“I want to fix up the old bunkhouse,” Misty said.
Aiden slouched lower in his chair. This was an old argument from Misty. A couple of years back, at the same time Aiden was building his cabin, they’d constructed a new bunkhouse for the crew that lived full time at the ranch. Instead of tearing down the old barracks, they used it for storage. Misty had a different plan. She wanted to turn the old bunkhouse into her own little home for herself and the baby.
She giggled and chattered away about how easy it would be to make the renovations. This afternoon, when she saw how happy Connie and Carlos were, she must have started rethinking her plan to raise her baby alone because she spent the entire drive back to the ranch talking about Clinton.
“I’d like to see it,” Tab said.
He hadn’t been following the conversation. “See what?”
“Your cabin.” Her blue eyes confronted him. “I’ve seen it from the outside, but I’d like to check out the interior.”
He didn’t need further invitation. Aiden jumped to his feet. “I’d be happy to show you around.”
As they left the main house, he clasped her hand. This might turn out to be a good night, after all.
Chapter Sixteen
Once again, Tab was holding hands with Aiden and walking the familiar route from the main house toward the barn. But this time was different. They weren’t racing toward the chopper to pursue a bad guy or to visit the hospital. She was on her way to the special place he’d built to give himself privacy—on her way to his house with his living room, his dining room, his kitchen and his bedroom.
She still couldn’t believe that she’d invited herself. Asking if she could see his home? That little ruse hadn’t fooled anybody. Tab had seen the knowing look that passed between Sylvia and Blake. Misty had been smiling so hard that Tab thought for a moment that the perky little blonde would whip
out her cheerleader pom-poms, pregnant or not.
Everybody seemed to want a relationship to work out between her and Aiden. This afternoon, her dad had come right out and asked if they were dating, and he’d looked disappointed when she told him they were just friends.
Maybe that was the truth. Maybe they weren’t meant to be anything more than pals. Or maybe she needed to take a risk and let him get close. Her hand, held firmly in his grasp, began to sweat.
“I wish we’d had more time with your dad,” Aiden said. “During that summer when you were babysitting, I talked to him a lot, and he had good advice.”
Her dad was a quiet man who usually kept his thoughts to himself. When he spoke, he was worth listening to. “What did he tell you?”
“That summer when my dad died was hell. Mom could barely get out of bed. Misty kept a smile on her little face, but I could see she was hurting.”
“So were you.”
“Mostly, I was overwhelmed. The business of running the ranch kept piling up, and I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. Outside contractors tried to take advantage of me because I wasn’t as savvy as my dad. Half the ranch hands were fixing to quit. I didn’t know who I should trust and who I should fire.”
She’d been aware of those pressures, but mostly she’d been consumed by how handsome he was. “You did a good job of hiding how you felt.”
“I couldn’t let anybody know that I was in over my head and drowning. But your dad saw the truth, and he gave me two pieces of advice. The first thing he said was that it was natural for me to be mad at my father for leaving me with this mess. I had to let that anger out. And you know what? He was right. I remember going for long walks with my dog, and when I was far away and alone, I’d just stand and yell, cursing so loud I could have raised the dead.”
On the night she’d decided he was the perfect man, he must have been returning from one of those sessions. “I knew you took night walks with Reilly.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame my father for dying. He loved life, loved his life on the ranch. But I was so damn mad at what his death did to me.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Can you guess the second piece of advice from your dad?”
