Page 56 of Dark Side of the River

As he reached the house, his thoughts turned to what they’d found on the ranch earlier. He hated to lay this on his father. But he’d waited long enough to tell him. He hadn’t heard anything from the sheriff, but then again, Stu didn’t have to call him. He’d left enough information that the sheriff wouldn’t have any trouble finding the meth lab at the old homestead. Stu knew this area as well as anyone, maybe better since, as sheriff, he saw more of it than anyone else.

“Dad?” Cooper found Holden sitting in his den in front of the fireplace. “Dad?”

His father stirred, waving him in, smiling. “I’m so glad Tilly had supper with us.”

“It was nice of you to invite her. Dad, there’s something you need to know.” Sitting down, he told him about everything he and Tilly had found on the far side of the ranch.

He could see that the news about the meth lab on McKenna property had struck him hard. “You could have both been killed,” Holden said. “Why didn’t you tell me as soon as you got back?”

“Because it’s on our property. I thought we should keep it between us—at least until Stuart raids the place and word gets out.”

“Well, it’s not like we have anything to do with it,” his father said, and then stopped as if suddenly realizing what Cooper was really saying. “You can’t think that Treyton...”

“Or someone else who works for us might be involved? I think it’s possible. I also think that it might be why Oakley was shot. She must have heard something about it, went to check it out, and someone tried to stop her from going to the authorities.”

Holden let out a breath as if trying to take it all in. “What do you suggest?”

“I already left messages with the sheriff. Whatever he finds, I guess we’ll ride it out. What else can we do?”

“You’re sure it’s a meth lab?”

“That’s what they look like on TV. I’ve personally never seen one before. We must have tripped some security device. Those two cowboys who showed up on the four-wheelers meant business. I didn’t have time to even think about taking a photo with my phone.”

His father shook his head as if still not wanting to believe it. Cooper knew how he felt. “That isn’t all. I found something, evidence that might prove Leann didn’t kill herself. I think there was another man she was planning to leave town with. I think he might have killed her.” He nodded at his father’s shocked look. “I asked the sheriff to reopen the case.”

“Oh, Cooper.”

“I know. But I have to know the truth. I hate that it will put me and the family back in the news. Also, as Stu pointed out, it might make the prosecutor come after me again.”

“Are you sure you want to do this? I’m worried you might go to prison for something you didn’t do.”

“I need to put it behind me, but I can’t.”

“Have you told Tilly?” his father asked.

He could see that Holden wanted to ask about their relationship. “Tilly and I...” He couldn’t finish. “It’s complicated.”

“Yes,” his father agreed.

“You’re worried.”

“Just that you might get your heart broken. While I want to end this animosity between our family and the Staffords, I’m no fool. It could take generations.”

“I know. Believe me, I’ve told myself all the reasons I should stay away from her.”

“Can you?” his father asked.

He shook his head. “I can’t. Not anymore.”

“Please don’t make the mistake I did. Our families were so opposed to Lottie and me... I was a coward. I took the easy way out. Don’t get me wrong. I know that if I had done things differently, I wouldn’t have you kids. So I can’t be sorry. But I gave up the love of my life because of this stupid family feud. I would hate to see you do that.” His father rose. “We should get some rest.”

DEACONWASUNLOADINGTilly’s horse when her brother CJ came out to see what was going on. “CJ,” Deacon said without stopping what he was doing. As he brought her horse out of the trailer, she took the lead attached to the halter that Deacon held out to her.

“What the hell is he doing on our ranch?” her brother demanded as Deacon unloaded her saddle and gear, putting them on the ground.

“Deacon was kind enough to help me get my horse home,” she said. “I was trying to get home after being thrown earlier.” A white lie. “Deacon happened to see me and offered to help.”

Her older brother stared at her, not buying the story. “You got thrown from a horse?”

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