Page 57 of River Wild

He didn’t answer as he looked over at her. His gaze softened.

Her heart beat faster when he looked at her like that.

“I thought you and I had something.”

Holly Jo nodded, unable to speak about the lump that had formed in her throat.

“You’re my girl, right?”

“Right.” The word came out thick with emotion.

“That’s what I thought. “You know I’d do anything for you, and I know you’d do the same for me. Unless you don’t want to be my girl and go to the dance with me.”

Pulse pounding she smiled and nodded. Buck started the car and headed for the school.

BYTHETIMEthe sheriff reached Richard “Dickie” Cline’s ranch, he’d already been briefed by the Miles City Police Chief on Brock Sherwood’s cause of death. His throat had been cut. He’d bled to death.

Stuart assumed whoever had killed him had waited until Annette left the motel room.

“A pickup truck was seen leaving the scene shortly before Mrs. Cline returned to find the body,” the chief was saying. “I just ran the plates. The truck is registered to Richard Cline.”

“I’m on my way to talk to him now. He’s apparently been gone for a few days. I wanted to speak with him about our murder over here. I can bring him in if you want to come over to Powder Crossing to talk to him.”

“I’d be interested to hear what he has to say,” the chief said.

“I’ll get back to you,” the sheriff said, and disconnected.

Dickie had motive and opportunity and was seen leaving the scene of the murder. He was also the last one on Bailey’s list that they hadn’t already scratched off. Stuart was anxious to talk to him.

As he drove into the yard, he parked next to the rancher’s pickup and got out. He put a hand on the hood. Dickie hadn’t been home long—the engine was still ticking as it cooled.

Turning toward the house, he saw the rancher looking out the window. A moment later, the door opened, and Dickie stepped outside. He was a large man, muscular, but not what Stuart would call handsome. He had a thick head of dark hair that was wet from a recent shower. He ran his fingers through it, the scent of shampoo and body wash strong.

Stuart looked past him. “Annette around?” he asked casually, aware that she wasn’t.

The rancher looked over his shoulder back into the house. “Wasn’t home when I got here. Must have gone into town for something.” He looked at the sheriff. “Her text said you wanted to talk to me.” He frowned as if he couldn’t imagine why.

The sheriff had a few ideas. “Mind if we go in and sit down? I have some questions I need to ask you.”

Dickie shrugged, but pushed open the door behind him, letting Stuart lead the way into the house. He could hear the washing machine chugging away down the hall. Seemed the rancher had time to shower and do a load of clothing.

“Why don’t you have a seat,” the sheriff said, and walked down the hall to open the washing machine. Looked like jeans and a shirt or two.

“What the hell?” the rancher said behind him as Stuart pulled out the shirts and dropped them into the sink next to the washer and dryer. Any blood might already have been washed away, but he thought the crime lab would still be able to find some embedded in the jeans, because it appeared the wash had just started.

He turned to Dickie. “I’m going to have to ask you where you were this morning.”

The rancher looked at his shirt and jeans in the sink, then at the sheriff. “Not until I talk to my lawyer.”

“You’re going to have to talk to him at my office,” Stuart said, reaching for his handcuffs. “Richard Cline, you have the right to remain silent...”

OAKLEYTOLDHERSELFthat all she had to do was get through the baby shower. She felt as if she would burst with the knowledge.I am pregnant! Pregnant!She wanted to shout it from the rooftop, and yet she’d told no one, not even Pickett. She’d been afraid that she would jinx it.

“Are you all right?” Birdie asked her as she shoved another shower card over to her to log into the gift book Tilly had provided. “You’re getting behind, and if you mess up... Well, you probably know your sister better than I do, but she scares me.”

Oakley laughed. She liked Birdie and thought she was going to fit into their strange family just fine. “I’m so glad you’re helping me with this.” The young woman was perfect for her brother Brand. He needed someone who challenged him, and boy would Birdie challenge him.

“I got your back,” she whispered as Tilly opened yet another present, something so cute and adorable it made Oakley hold on even tighter to her secret.

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