Page 75 of River Wild

Bailey looked toward the closed door. “In a nutshell? At the barbecue twelve years ago, I was assaulted and almost killed by one of the ranchers invited here today.” Elaine’s hand went to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. “Recently he killed Willow. He plans to kill me. This barbecue is to lure him out.”

“Oh, my God,” Elaine breathed. “No wonder your father didn’t tell me. What can I do?”

“Watch for a diversion. That’s when he’ll make his move. Just don’t get hurt.”

The older woman nodded and impulsively pulled Bailey into a hug. It had been years since they’d touched. Bailey hadn’t realized how much she’d missed human contact.

Elaine drew back, wiping her eyes with the end of her apron. “Thank you for telling me. I thought your father had lost his mind.” They both chuckled at that, but the sound of laughter died quickly from their lips. “Be careful.”

Bailey nodded. “You too. I’m worried things might get out of control and innocent people will get hurt.” She started to leave when Elaine said, “Your engagement?” She turned back and shook her head.

“I was afraid it wasn’t real,” the housekeeper said.

“But Stuart and I do love each other.”

Elaine smiled. “Good.”

“You don’t happen to remember who told my father that one of the horses had gotten out twelve years ago, do you?”

Elaine frowned. “Good heavens, no. It wasn’t me. Is that...” Her voice broke, and she shook her head as if not letting herself go there. “I wondered why you changed so much.” She cleared her voice. “It’s good to have you back. I’ve missed you.”

Bailey nodded, their gazes locking for a moment, before she left the kitchen. Yes, she was back—at least for the moment.

STUARTQUICKLYMOVEDto Bailey as she came out of the kitchen. From her expression, he could tell what had happened with her and Elaine. The women had been close, almost like mother and daughter. Until twelve years ago.

He pulled his fiancée into his arms, giving her a smile of encouragement. It was going to be a long day. He wanted to pull the plug on this and get her the hell out of here. If they left Montana, left the country... He brushed a kiss on her neck and felt her shiver before he whispered, “Say the word and we skip town and don’t look back.”

She laughed softly as if he’d said something sweet and endearing before pulling back to look at him. “I’m in this for the long haul, and you know it.”

“I suppose we’d better mingle, then,” he said, glancing toward the crowd that had gathered outside under the twinkling lights.

Stuart took her hand, and they stepped out of the house and into the crowd of ranchers and their wives. It quickly became a blur of voices and faces, handshakes and good-old-boy slaps on the back. He didn’t want to let go of Bailey, but they were pulled apart as ranchers wanted to talk to him and their wives wanted to hear about the wedding.Have you found a dress yet...how long have you been seeing each other...you two have certainly kept it a secret...let me see that ring again...it’s so beautiful.

The sheriff kept track of her by the sound of her voice that he knew so well until the roar of the crowd grew too loud. He looked for her, trying not to panic when he didn’t see her at once. One of the wives appeared to be talking her ear off, drawing her to the edge of the crowd.

He recognized the woman. Angie Erickson, Jay’s wife. He excused himself from a discussion about the rise of vandalism and pushed his way toward the two of them. Even from a distance, he could tell that they weren’t talking about weddings or dresses or marriage.

“There a problem here?” Stuart asked as he joined them.

Angie, her face screwed up in obvious anger, had been in the middle of warning Bailey about something. She checked her expression and took a step back, her gaze going to Bailey before settling on him.

“You have any idea what kind of woman you’re marrying?” Angie asked, and looked at Bailey again. “If she publishes that so-called book of hers...” Her gaze swept back to him. “Well, it might be a short engagement, let alone marriage.”

“I hope you’re not threatening my fiancée,” Stuart said. “There is a law against it. Unless you want to see the inside of my jail...”

Angie’s mouth snapped shut. With a glare at Bailey, she huffed off.

“You all right?” he asked, noticing that Bailey looked pale.

“I’m fine. I’ve dealt with the Durham family before,” Bailey said. “I thought at first that Angie was trying to get me alone for something else. We haven’t completely ruled Jay out, right?”

“Right.”

She looked past him, back toward the bar. “I could use something to drink.” They’d agreed earlier that neither of them would eat or drink anything that could have been tampered with. It seemed paranoid, but then again, was it paranoia when the killer was real?

“I’ll get you a bottled water, but don’t set it down, okay?”

Bailey nodded. “I know he’s here,” she said, looking into the crowd. “I can feel him.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “I just want him to make his move.”

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