Page 17 of River Wild

The call went to voicemail. She had no choice but to leave a message, hoping he checked it soon. Unfortunately, from experience she knew that she might lose cell service soon. Once she topped the upcoming hill, she wouldn’t be able to get coverage until she was closer to Billings.

She’d taken the shortcut road as she always did to get to Montana’s largest city. So she knew that for miles there was nothing but open country, badlands and little to no traffic. It was why she always came this way.

Except today she regretted it as she looked back to see the car still behind her. She called and left another message. “I’m being followed on the shortcut road to Billings. I’m going to drop back and see if I can get a license plate number.” She disconnected. —if she could get it.

She still held out hope that the car following her was only someone else from the Powder River Basin headed for Billings on the same road. Except that this wasn’t the first time she’d been followed.

But it might be the last, she thought as she waited until the vehicle behind her disappeared around a curve. She hit her brakes, pulling quickly off the road behind a large stack of hay. She would be able to see the car that had been following her when it went past, but the driver wouldn’t be able to see her. At least until he realized he’d lost her.

Bailey waited, heart in her throat. She didn’t have to wait long.

AFTERHISMEALwith his good friend, Stuart returned to his office more determined than before to give his notice. He sat down behind his desk and pulled out his resignation. That’s when he realized that he’d turned off his phone. As soon as he turned it back on, he saw that he had two messages from Bailey. He swore as he listened to her voicemails, especially the last one.

He checked the time of the calls. Not that long ago. He stood, reached for his Stetson and headed for the door. A text from Bailey came through on his phone. A Montana license plate number.

At his computer, he quickly ran the plate. “What the hell?” he said, shocked to see that the SUV was owned by Ralph Jones—the rancher who’d found Willow’s body in the river.

Why would Ralph be following Bailey?

PICKETTHANSONWALKEDthrough the open doorway of their home under construction and stopped short. Shoving back his Stetson, he leaned against one of the wood studs to study his wife. He would never get tired of looking at this woman or counting his blessings. The surge of love he felt for her almost dropped him to his knees.

Oakley must have sensed him watching her, because she turned and broke into a smile. “What are you doing, cowboy?”

“Admiring the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he said truthfully.

“You’re talking about our house, aren’t you,” she joked. “Wait until it has walls.”

“I like it just fine this way.” He could see the entire open stud structure. He didn’t need to imagine what it would look like when finished. He enjoyed taking it a step at a time, savoring the slow progress the same way he enjoyed each new day in this new life with his bride. He didn’t want to rush a thing.

Oakley moved to him, shaking her head with each step. “You aren’t tough enough on the contractor. At this rate, they aren’t going to get it done before winter.”

“Then I guess we’ll just have to keep bunking together in my small cabin, where you can’t get away from me.” She laughed as he pulled her into his arms.

“Doesn’t anything bother you?” she asked, backing up a little to meet his eyes. She’d touched a nerve.

He knew he’d often moved too slow, while she tore through life as if it were a race. “I don’t like you being here alone,” he chided her. “It’s dangerous.” He saw her bristle, this independent woman who had proven she could take care of herself in most every circumstance. He didn’t want to remind her that she’d almost died because of her stubbornness about doing things at her own pace alone. “A woman’s been murdered.”

She pulled free. “Don’t you think I know that?” She turned away for a moment before spinning toward him again. “Pickett, I know you feel you have to rein me in sometimes, but do not try to corral me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, wishing he hadn’t mentioned anything. He wanted her in his arms. “You know we have the perfect opportunity right now to try out every room in the house.”

That’s what he loved about her; she didn’t stay angry long. “I wish we could,” she said wistfully, “but I have to plan a baby shower for Tilly.”

He knew Oakley was disappointed that she hadn’t gotten pregnant yet. He could tell it was why she’d been complaining about her sister, saying babies and pregnancy were the only things Tilly now talked about. He’d even overheard her saying that the two of them didn’t want children for a while, just wanted to spend time together.

“I’m sure Tilly would love to help with the shower,” he said.

She let out a bark of a laugh. “Take over, you mean. No, I have this. I just wanted to check our house before I head into town to see what they have at the general store for decorations. We’ll hold it at Tilly and Cooper’s house since ours is so...airy.”

He smiled at that and pulled her to him again to kiss her before sending her on her way. He fought the need to follow her into town to make sure she made it. Willow Branson’s murder had shaken him to his core. He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to his beautiful, headstrong wife. He hoped the killer was caught—and soon. One less thing to worry about, he told himself.

Just as he hoped his wife would soon be pregnant with the baby they both so desperately wanted. He couldn’t stand seeing Oakley unhappy—let alone afraid it might never happen.

He glanced at the time, reminding himself that he’d promised Holly Jo a trick riding practice after school. Maybe he’d surprise her and pick her up at the bus stop on the county road so she wouldn’t have to walk the quarter mile or so to the ranch house. He liked spending time with her and had from when she’d arrived at the ranch, hating everything but horses.

Pickett smiled to himself at the memory. He told himself it wouldn’t be that long before he and Oakley would be picking up their own kids from the bus stop.

BAILEYHADBEENready with her phone camera when the SUV following her went past. She had managed to get a decent shot of the back of the rig, capturing the license plate number.

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