Page 6 of Dark Side of the River

He told himself to forget about the horse. He had bigger things to concern himself with—like facing his father after all this time, given the way he’d left.

As he started to back out, he had to throw on his brakes for the second time that day as a pickup came roaring into the parking lot. The driver apparently still hadn’t seen him as the speeding pickup swung into the space next to him. In the mood he was in, Cooper knew things could go south if he hit his horn or, worse, got out to give the driver a piece of his mind.

Fortunately, he did neither as the driver’s-side door flew open and a woman bounded out, her blond braid flying from her shoulder to trail behind her as she stormed toward the rear entrance of the sheriff’s department.

Matilda “Tilly” Stafford. He’d recognize her anywhere.

He shifted into Park and jumped out, calling after her. “Tilly?”

She’d been stalking up the walk, but now stopped. He had no doubt that she’d recognized his voice as her back stiffened before she turned around. He saw her eyes narrow, her jaw set. She headed toward him looking as if she planned to take off his head.

He held up his hands to ward her off as she charged up within a few feet of him and stopped. He could see that she was furious but also close to tears. He’d never seen her cry, although he knew there were times in competitions that she’d wanted to. The fury he’d seen before. Right now, he could see that she was struggling with both as she approached him.

Before she could speak, he asked, “Did you get Oakley’s horse back?”

She blinked as if that was the last thing she’d expected out of his mouth.“What?”she demanded impatiently.

“Oakley’s horse. The deputy wouldn’t let me go look for it and make sure the mare was all right.”

The fury won over the tears as she spit out the words. “You’re worried about herhorse?”

“I’m worried about her too. But she was worried about the horse. So—”

Her eyes widened.“She talked to you?”

“No, just... I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be bothering you with this.”

“I thought you left town. How was it that you were the one who found her?”

He shook his head. “Just dumb luck?”

The tears were about to win. She turned and rushed away as if she couldn’t deal with him right now. He couldn’t help being relieved.

But as she started away, he called after her. “What’s the name of her horse?”

Tilly stopped again, her back to him. Even from where he stood, he could see that she was vibrating with that earlier fury. He felt as if he’d poked a bear and was about to pay the price.

But to his surprise, she didn’t turn, she didn’t storm back to him. He heard her mutter, “Him and the damned horse? What is wrong with him?” Her shoulders seemed to slump for a moment before she said without turning around, “Cheyenne. Her horse’s name is Cheyenne.” She shook her head as if he was a pesky bug and disappeared into the sheriff’s department.

Cheyenne? He stared after her, frowning. Not Buttercup?

Then what the hell was Oakley trying to tell him?

CHAPTER THREE

AFTERPASSINGTREYTONMCKENNAon her way in, Tilly Stafford headed for the sheriff’s office, her body trembling with more emotions than she could handle right now. Fortunately, she’d avoided a confrontation with Treyton. He had stormed out so fast it was as if he hadn’t even seen her.

Which was fine with Tilly. Running into Cooper McKenna had been bad enough. She’d thought she’d seen the last of him. Now he was back? He just happened to return today? Just happened to find her sister after she was shot? After all this time, he just happened to pick today to cross paths with her?

She marched toward the sheriff’s open door, ignoring the dispatcher who was asking if she needed help.

Stuart looked up as she stormed in. Without a word, he got up, came around his desk and pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry.” He rubbed her back as she fought the tears that she’d dammed up since hearing the news. She stayed there taking the comfort he offered for a few moments before she pulled back to look into his handsome face. She’d known Stuart all her life. Just as she had Cooper. The three of them had gone to the same rural school, often with the same classes, especially in high school.

“I need to know what happened,” she said, wanting the man she’d recently been dating to be the sheriff now.

He nodded and offered her a chair as he went to close the door before returning to his desk. He cleared his voice. “I can only tell you what I know, which isn’t a lot. I’m sure you heard that Cooper found your sister after she’d been shot and called 911. If he hadn’t found her... He saved her life.”

She felt a stab of guilt as she thought about the way she’d just treated him outside. He was a McKenna; she’d just assumed since Oakley had been found coming out of McKenna property that he’d had something to do with her condition. Or knew who had.

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