Page 47 of Whispers of My Skin

“Which I happen to completely agree with,” I can’t help butting in.

Fermin ignores my comment as he continues.

“Something stinks and it’s got nothing to do with all the cow shit around here, Tara. Joel is in love with you, and he’s terrified that something might happen to you. My question is, who would benefit the most if something untoward happened to you? Who would gain the most from your early demise?”

Suddenly, the incredible run of bad luck we’ve had over the last few years comes sharply into focus. The death of my father, the bad management of Redlands, the financial losses we’ve suffered, and, of course, last night’s scary episode. The dots rapidly connect and I wonder why the hell I didn’t see it before.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit!

I have to talk to Joel, to fill him in about everything, including the real reason I went looking for him. Thanks to me, my husband could have been killed last night, so I think he at least deserves that much honesty from me.

Paint splatters everywhere as I impatiently throw down my brush, but I give zero fucks about any of that right now.

“Where are you going?” Fermin queries, as I hastily put the lid back on the tin of paint.

“I have to find Joel. Do you know where he went? Did you say he was heading out to the stables?” I’m already running in that direction.

“Tara, just calm down and wait a minute. There’s no point in rushing over there, he could be anywhere on the ranch by now, he said something about moving some cows and fixing fences,” Fermin yells, trying to keep up with me. But I’m a woman on a mission to find her man and there’s no stopping me.

“Then I’ll get a horse to go find him,” I shout as I run toward the stables, leaving him behind as he gives up and takes out his cell to make a call instead.

There’s no one around when I get to the stables, but I quickly pick out a docile looking pinto and set about saddling up, cursing impatiently as I struggle with the fiddly straps. But soon enough I’m heading out to find Joel.

I have to see him, I have to tell him.

Fortunately, I don’t have to ride out too far before I spy my husband a short distance away. Dear Lord, just the sight of him on horseback, wearing chaps and his Stetson, has me hot and bothered. He’s so assured and commanding as he expertly reins in his horse while issuing orders to the workers.

“Joel!” I yell to catch his attention. “Joel!”

“Tara?” He turns to look my way, but instantly appears alarmed and steers his horse towards me. “Tara! Watch out!”

“Why? What do you mean?” I shout back, totally clueless about what’s got him so spooked.

Until my world turns upside down.

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