Page 3 of Exposure of Murder

“Tsk. I’m sure there are other places in town we can go to.” Savannah tugged at Jane’s hand. “Come on, lazybones. Get ready! We’re going out to have some fun.”

Jane sighed. Perhaps going to a bar and having a drink would be good for her.

The past few months of isolating herself and avoiding getting involved in the town and making friends was getting tiresome.

The pain of Mike’s death still lingered, but grief had a way of fading over time, allowing hope to grow.

Maybe it was time to let go of the past and begin to build a new life for herself.

Two

Sheriff Ethan McQueeney paused in the mudroom of his family’s farmhouse. The tantalizing scent of food from the kitchen mingled with the familiar barnyard smell of manure and hay. He kicked off the caked-on dirt from his boots, remnants from feeding the cows, and untied his laces. He wiggled his toes, then followed his nose into the kitchen, where his brother Tanner was stirring something on the stove. A rich, savory scent hit his nose.

“Beef stew?” His mouth watered.

Tanner was dressed in his typical outfit of jeans, a tee and plaid shirt and turned to greet him. “Hey, you’re just in time. I’m reheating the stew Leah made the other night.”

“Smells delicious.” Ethan grabbed a couple of bowls from the cabinet and set them on the counter. “How is Leah? I haven’t seen her at the diner lately.” He paused, rubbing his neck. “Then again, I haven’t been there at all this week.”

“Oh, she’s fine. Evelyn is visiting her daughter in New York, so Leah’s been working longer days.” Tanner’s girlfriend was the talented cook at the Harvest Moon Diner, owned by Evelyn Thompson. Ethan stopped by for breakfast a couple of times aweek, but not lately because his office was short-staffed and they were all pulling extra shifts.

Tanner pulled a baking sheet from the oven, releasing a burst of warm, buttery air, and placed golden biscuits in a basket. “She made biscuits too.”

“You’re a lucky man,” said Ethan. “Leah’s smart, pretty and an incredible cook.”

Tanner grinned and nodded. He handed Ethan a brimming bowl of stew and sat down.

“You could be lucky too if you put yourself out there and dated again,” he said, his hazel eyes twinkling.

Ethan sighed. “Not happening. I tried love, but all I got was a broken heart. I’m never trusting another woman again.”

He wasn’t jealous that his brother had Leah in his life. Tanner deserved all the good things life offered.

Once upon a time, he had all that.

Until his fiancée—ex-fiancée—told him she just couldn’t live in their small town anymore. Corrine wanted more. She wanted the big-city life, an acting career, and left not caring that she broke his heart. Ethan couldn’t shake off the heartache and betrayal he felt.

They’d been high school sweethearts. When she left, his heart shattered. His dreams of a future life together were destroyed.

One year, that was how long she’d been gone, and not a peep from her, even though he heard she occasionally came back to visit family and friends. Oh sure, her parents were pleasant enough and said hi. But he couldn’t stand the pity and sympathetic eyes whenever they saw him. He never asked about her, and they never volunteered any information. Although they’d always hoped that Corrine and he would marry. Guess their dreams were shattered, too.

Ethan vowed never to get seriously involved with a woman again. Sure, he had women he liked and occasionally spentnights with—a man had needs, after all—but never for long and definitely not to marry.

“Yep, she was dancing naked in the barn.”

Naked?Ethan’s daydream was abruptly interrupted, bringing him back to reality. “Who was dancing naked in the barn?”

“You’re such as ass.” Tanner laughed. “I said I stopped by the neighbor’s farm today.”

“Which neighbor?”

Tanner blew out a breath. “Boy, you are slow today. I stopped by the old Jenkins farm and spoke to Jane’s friend Savannah. It turns out Jane bought a flock of sheep and is also going into beekeeping.”

“Humph. Good for her.”

“Have you even been over there yet? Jane’s been renovating the house and barn, which look great, by the way. I know Clarence is working for her.”

Ethan nodded. “Clarence is a good builder. In answer to your question, no, I haven’t been over there to talk to Jane. If she stays within the law, there’s no need.”

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