Page 62 of River Wild

“IT’SALLMYFAULT,” Bailey said as Stuart brought her another beer from the kitchen. “If I had gone to your father right away, the man’s wounds would have been fresh. Maybe he would have been caught.”

“You know that’s not necessarily true,” he said, taking his place on the couch. He’d hated having to tell her that they’d struck out. That he’d stuck out. He didn’t want her ever blaming herself. “You didn’t see his face. You couldn’t identify him. My father would have had to check every man who came to the barbecue, but with no evidence to demand. It’s not like he’d have a DNA evidence kit handy.”

“Still,” she said.

“You didn’t expect him to ever do this again. As time went by, even though you were still actively looking for him, he stayed hidden.”

“So why kill Willow?” she demanded. “Why come out of hidingnow? It has to be more than her change of hair coloring. He’d gotten away with what he’d done. Twelve years had gone by. He was safe. Why take a chance?”

Stuart didn’t know. “Maybe Willow triggered something because she looked so much like you at that age—and with your hair color. Maybe he couldn’t help himself. He’d gotten away with it once. He probably thought he could do it again.”

“He’d almost gotten caught and was definitely wounded enough that someone had to help him get away twelve years ago,” Bailey pointed out. “Maybe it scared him, but as time went on...” She shook her head. “None of it makes any sense.”

“I really doubt we will ever know what went on in the man’s head,” Stuart said, thinking about the woman who had almost killed him. “He’s obviously sick. Maybe he’d fallen for Willow—just as he’d fallen for you. Only this time, he was hoping he wouldn’t have to kill her. If he uses the branding iron to mark what he feels is his property, then why destroy that property?”

They fell into a tension-filled silence for a few minutes.

“We are no closer to finding him than I have been in the past twelve years,” Bailey said. “We know he’s still here since I got his message.” She sat up little, her eyes suddenly bright and shining. “What if we call him on it?”

“I’m not gambling with your life.”

As if not hearing him, she continued, “What if my father throws another barbecue and invites the same people?”

Stuart was on his feet. “Not a chance in hell. You’re talking about using yourself as bait.”

“I’m already bait,” she said. “This puts the ball in his court.”

“You’re confusing me with all these metaphors.”

She stood to face him, clearly excited. “Once he hears the news, he’ll get that I’m calling him out. He won’t do anything until the day of the barbecue. We’ll have control over when he is going to make his move.”

“You’re not giving him a lot of credit. What makes you think he’d fall for that?”

“Because of his arrogance, believing he can outsmart both of us. He has so far. Why wouldn’t he think he can do it again? He assumes we don’t have a clue who he is.”

“We don’t,” the sheriff pointed out. “I can’t let you do this.”

“You can’t stop me.” She stepped closer to put a finger over his lips before he could respond to that. “Do you know how much I’ve wanted to come to your bed at night?” He was taken aback for a moment by the change of topic. “I haven’t been with any man in all this time. I thought I’d never feel desire.” She met his gaze as her finger traced his lower lip before she moved her hand to cup his cheek. “I want you, Stuart Layton, but I can’t until I know this man is gone for good.”

He heard what she was saying. Not just caught, but dead. “Women have tempted me with sex before, Bailey, but not so blatantly.”

“I’m not talking just sex, Stuart, but I think you know that.”

The sheriff shook his head at even the idea of the two of them having the future he’d dreamed of. He’d be a fool to think it possible. Worse, he knew she was right. He couldn’t stop her. All he could do was try to keep her alive, whether they had a future together or not.

“If we don’t do this, then he could strike at any time. We offer the bait, he’ll come. This time we’ll know he’s coming and be ready.”

“As ready as we can possibly be at a big barbecue with over fifty ranchers and their wives there.”

She leaned into him. “But it will be worth it when it’s over.”

He wished he could believe that with all his heart. But she was right. She didn’t need his approval. Clearly, she’d already made up her mind. “Damn, woman, you drive hard bargain.”

She laughed and kissed him, hugging him as she looked into his eyes. “We can do this.”

He wished he had her confidence. They still had no idea who he was or if he’d fall for this. Even if he did, he couldn’t use the same ruse he had last time. They might not see him coming until it was too late.

The sheriff thought about the resignation letter still in his desk drawer down at the department. He’d had the nightmare again last night, reminding him that there was a very good chance he wasn’t up to this.

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