Page 16 of River Wild

“I have no idea. I’ve tried calling her cell phone number. It goes straight to voicemail. I’m worried about her. What if something has happened to her?”

“Charlotte Stafford? Seriously?” Oakley laughed. “If it was anyone else, maybe you would worry. But not about our mother. I’m sure she’s fine, though she was acting strange before she left. Can you believe she left the house for Holden and family to live in after the fire destroyed the one at McKenna Ranch? The man she has despised all of our lives? Something must have happened to make her do that. Maybe a heart transplant.”

“Ha,” Tilly said. “Maybe she was tired of being bitter about Holden breaking her heart.”

“Or maybe she was running away from all her lies,” Oakley said. “Do I have to remind you of even half the things our mother has done—not to mention our brother CJ?”

“No, please don’t. I’ll admit, it’s been a lot more peaceful without either of them around.” Tilly’s hand went to her stomach again. She felt the flutter of movement and smiled through tears she hadn’t realized she’d cried. “But I’m pregnant. Why wouldn’t she want to be here for me?”

“Not the waterworks again,” Oakley said with a groan. “Really, sis, you’re convincing me to put off baby making as long as possible.”

“Doesn’t Pickett want children?”

“We both do, but not yet. I want more time alone with my husband.”

Tilly realized with a start that her sister always avoided her gaze when she talked about her and Pickett having children. Had they been trying and failing? Was there more going on than she’d realized?

“Wasn’t that awful about Willow?” Oakley said, changing the subject. “I suppose you heard that Ralph Jones thought at first it was Bailey.”

Yes, Tilly had heard that. “They did resemble each other, especially after Willow went back to her natural color hair.” She thought about asking her sister about her suspicions, but let it go. Oakley would eventually tell her what was going on with her and Pickett if there was anything to tell. Maybe.

“And Bailey is like an alley cat prowling around at night,” Oakley said of Tilly’s sister-in-law. “What is the deal with her anyway?”

She shook her head. Oakley was still living on the McKenna Ranch in Pickett’s cabin until her and Pickett’s house was finished. “I never saw much of her, especially after the fire, when all of us were living at the Stafford Ranch while the house was being rebuilt. Cooper says she’s always been like that, but I know Holden worries about her. I’ve always suspected she has a secret lover. Does she even date?” Oakley walked over to gaze out the large picture window overlooking the McKenna Ranch land.

“Not that I know of.” Tilly wanted to change the subject, feeling uncomfortable talking about her sister-in-law.

“I always thought she and Stuart would get together,” Oakley said dreamily.

“What? Why?” Not that long ago, Tilly had dated Stuart. She definitely didn’t want to talk about Bailey and Stuart. “If you aren’t really worried about Mother, there must be another reason you stopped by?”

“Oh yeah,” Oakley said, turning to look at her again. “I want to throw you a baby shower. If that doesn’t get Mother home, at least it will make her aware you’re pregnant.”

Tilly felt that sharp pinch of pain that brought tears to her eyes. “I wish she wasn’t the way she is.”

Oakley laughed. “Don’t we all. Are you sure Elaine doesn’t know where she is?” As the McKenna housekeeper and head cook, and Holden’s confidant, she always seemed to know what was going on—at least at the ranch.

“Why would she know?” Tilly asked in surprise. “Elaine got Mother to help her one time, but that was all.”

“Well, I saw Elaine and Mother down by the creek before Mother left town. I think they’re actually friends.”

Tilly rolled her eyes. “I can’t imagine that.” Nor could she imagine Stuart with Bailey. “You’ve always had an overactive imagination.”

Oakley shrugged. “I know what I saw, and one time I saw the sheriff with Bailey.” She nodded her head, smiling. “When you think about it, those two might just be made for each other.”

Tilly shook her head, remembering Stuart’s reaction when she’d broken things off and started hanging out with his best friend, Cooper McKenna, her now-husband. She’d reminded Cooper once about how strange the sheriff had behaved. The two best friends had almost come to blows, their friendship nearly lost forever.

“Stu was in a bad place back then,” Cooper had said, brushing it off. “A lot has happened since then. I heard he’s been seeing a therapist. He seems better, more like his old self.”

Tilly remembered the darkness she’d glimpsed in the sheriff—along with the anger. It had frightened her. She thought of the darkness and anger in her sister-in-law, Bailey. Is that why Oakley thought they were perfect for each other?

Tilly couldn’t help but wonder what those two kinds of powerful dark energy could become if brought together. Sounded dangerous to her.

ONHERWAYto Billings, Bailey hadn’t gotten far out of Powder Crossing when she picked up the tail. A gray SUV had pulled in behind her as she’d left town, but it hadn’t tried to catch her. Instead, it hung back, matching her speed a quarter mile or so behind her.

After what had happened with the female officer the last time she’d tried to leave town, she felt a sliver of fear pierce her already pounding heart. She glanced at the road ahead, seeing no other vehicles and knowing that she might not for miles. She began to drive faster. So did the vehicle behind her. The driver kept the same distance between them—at least for now.

Call Stuart.She balked at the idea. By now he would have resigned, she told herself. Unfortunately, she’d learned the hard way she couldn’t always take care of herself. The fact that she needed Stuart rankled. But she also knew he was one of the few people she could trust.

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