Page 73 of River Wild

“It’s the truth.”

“Then why did you bother to come here?”

“Because I had to look into your eyes to make sure.”

“And now you’re sure?” He held her gaze for a few moments before dragging it away. “You’re right. I’d do anything to get out of here, let alone not go to prison for years. Who wouldn’t? But maybe I’m not all bad. Maybe there’s hope for me. Don’t you believe in second chances?”

Her look said she didn’t believe a word of it.

“How’s life with Pickett? I heard he’s building a house for the two of you.”

“You aren’t really interested in my life.”

“Heard Tilly’s pregnant. Do we know if it’s a boy or girl yet?”

“Stop, CJ.”

“You think I don’t know that things have changed?” he demanded. “Tilly’s married to a McKenna, and you’re practically married to one too. Both of you will be living on the McKenna Ranch. Brand and Ryder have taken over the family ranch. Brand’s now with the daughter of Dixon Malone, mother’s murdered second husband? I hear about all of it. Isn’t it possible that I wish I’d done things differently so I’m a part of it? It’s like you’ve all written me off, all going on with your lives, completely forgetting that I existed.”

Oakley smiled. “There’s the CJ I know. Poor you. If you’d gotten your way, I would be dead right now. You would have kept the feud going between the families. It’s been a relief not having you around.” Her voice broke. “A lot has changed because you weren’t part of it. You will never be part of it. You’re the family’s bad seed. You will never change.”

With that she rose, slammed down the phone and, without even a look back, walked out.

He sat for a moment, surprised at the emotion he felt. Fury being utmost. He wanted to make her pay for what she’d said, because it had hurt a lot more than he’d thought it would. But an even stronger emotion had him wanting to prove her wrong. Prove everyone wrong about him as the guard came to take him back to his cell.

But the only way he could do that was to make his mother believe he could change. That’s if she came back to see him after she talked to Oakley. He swore. He was never getting out of here.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THESHERIFFTOLDhimself that he’d done everything he could to make sure Bailey would be safe today as he dressed for the barbecue. He felt as if the two of them had been holding their collective breaths for days, afraid the man wouldn’t wait, that he would strike when they least expected it.

Finally, it was Saturday. His nerves felt raw. He regretted even going along with this even as he knew Bailey wasn’t about to back out. That meant he’d be there doing everything he could to keep her alive. The problem was that anything could happen. They’d gone through various scenarios until she’d finally told him to stop.

“Don’t you think that I’ve already thought of what I would do if I werehim?” Bailey had demanded as she’d paced his small living room. “How to get me away from the crowd. Couldn’t use the same ruse. Would need possibly a diversion. Maybe start a fire. Or set off firecrackers in the crowd to panic everyone that it was gunfire.” She’d looked over at him. “What?”

“You. I know it’s strange, but I love the way your mind works—even though it scares the bejesus out of me,” he said.

She’d smiled and had looked as if she was going to say,When this is over...But she turned away, biting down on her lower lip. “We’re ready. We’ve done all we can.”

Stuart nodded. He had deputies standing by, close but not too close to the McKenna Ranch. He couldn’t chance that the man might spot one of them and not show up.

He and Bailey would be going out to the ranch together. He wasn’t about to let her go alone for fear she’d never make it there. His plan was to try to be by her side as much as possible. After all, she was his fiancée, and this party was to celebrate their engagement. It would be odd if he didn’t stick close to her.

But he knew that he couldn’t watch her the whole time. He’d actually gotten the feeling that she didn’t want him to. She wanted the killer to make his move today so this could end—one way or the other.

The thought terrified him. He would do whatever it took to make sure that when this day was over, Bailey was alive and coming home with him.

Yet he knew the odds were against them. Just like the first barbecue, there would be a lot of people. It would be impossible to watch them all.

But he told himself that this time, the killer would have to be more creative to get to Bailey. She knew he was coming. He had to suspect that this was a trap. But if she was right about the man, he would see it as a challenge. He and his accomplice, Stuart reminded himself. The man wouldn’t come to the barbecue alone.

BAILEYTRIEDTObreathe as Stuart drove the patrol SUV into the McKenna Ranch. The place looked like it had twelve years ago. Lights were strung around a huge deck that had been constructed for the event. A mixture of classic country played from a sound system. Several makeshift bars had been set up.

As Stuart parked, she could already hear the clink of ice in glasses, the murmur of voices as the caterers finished up work to leave as per plan and the ranch hand bartenders got ready for the rush to begin. Other ranch hands had set up tables and were taking care of barbecuing the meat.

The fall day was perfect, all blue sky and puffy white clouds drifting on the warm breeze. The air even smelled the same, the scents of dried fall leaves and grasses mixing with those of the beef and pork roasting on the spits.

Bailey felt herself freeze, her heart pounding. The thought of stepping out into the coming chaos stole her breath.Hemight already be here waiting for her. She took a breath and then another.

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