Page 19 of Murder at Rescue Ridge

“Being higher up would give us an advantage if anyone was heading our way,” Conrad said, nodding.

“I can pack sandwiches, and there’s an old cooler in the shed that no one’s using,” Irene added. “If anyone asks, we don’t know how that old thing disappeared.”

“It could be a good base since we’d be close enough to the ranch to make it there on foot,” Conrad said.

“I have an old jacket that I was about to donate to Goodwill,” Irene said, sizing up the oversized flannel that Nikki still had on and the lack of a coat or even a sweater on him. She turned to her husband. “Didn’t you say something about getting rid of an old hunting coat now that I got that new one for you last Christmas?”

“Sure did,” Hank said with a smile and a twinkle in his gray eyes. He got up from the table and then disappeared down the hall. He returned a few minutes later, wearing an even bigger grin. “I’ll just set these by the back door in case anyone might want them, which, of course, doesn’t apply to anyone here.” He winked.

“Who’s here?” Irene asked, scanning the room like Conrad and Nikki weren’t sitting two feet in front of her.

“Thank you,” Nikki mouthed.

“How can I repay you?” Conrad asked.

“Go find the bastard responsible and clear your good name,” Hank said before setting the items next to the door as promised.

Irene got up next and then disappeared for a few minutes before returning with a backpack. “This is Jake’s old camping bag. There’s a nice sleeping bag inside. It should keep you both warm tonight. Weatherman is promising a frosty one, but what does he know.”

She went to work in the kitchen, pulling supplies from the fridge to make those sandwiches she’d promised.

“Can I help you?” Nikki asked.

“Of course, dear.” Irene practically beamed.

Conrad picked up his knife, closed the blade, and tucked it back inside his jeans pocket.

“I don’t have a lot of cash, but you’re welcome to what I’ve got on me,” Hank said, but Conrad was already shaking his head.

“You’re doing enough for us already,” he said. “And I have a little money to get by on.”

“You sure about that?” Hank asked.

Jake’s family might not have a ton of zeroes in their bank account, but Conrad would have traded places with his buddy any day of the week. Jake had something Conrad couldn’t fathom—loving parents.

“A hundred percent, but thank you.”

“If you think of anything else you need, just let me know,” Hank said. Something dawned on him because he held up a finger, then disappeared. When he returned, he had a small flashlight. “I’m so used to using the one on my phone that I almost forgot to give you this. Batteries are new, so that shouldn’t be a problem. Irene’s got food working up.”

What Irene and Hank were doing right now must be what it was like to have parents taking care of you.

Emotion clotted in Conrad’s throat. All he could do was offer a handshake and his sincere thanks because words escaped him.

He glanced at Nikki, who gave him a determined, set smile.

The image of the two of them with their own family stamped his thoughts. He remembered her from years ago, but hadn’t known her. Even now, despite feeling like they’d known each other half their lives, she was a mystery.

Would she let him get to know her better?

7

Saying goodbye to the Zilkers turned out to be one of the hardest things Nikki had ever done. She’d put her drunk mother to bed more times than she could count. She’d worked her backside off to get through undergrad with almost a perfect 4.0 GPA. Plus, she’d survived a breakup that had ripped her heart out. Walking away from a couple she’d met a mere few hours ago shouldn’t be the thing that brought her down. And yet, a tsunami of emotion slammed into her as the older couple stood on the back porch, waving, like they were all dear friends.

They care for Conrad, not her.

And yet, those words rang hollow.

“Sweet couple,” she managed to say after clearing her throat. Talking helped her focus. She’d been told she could argue the sky was orange and win. Words had always come to her easily. The fact they escaped her now caused a quiet desperation to form in her chest, along with a real ache.

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