Page 51 of Hidden Memories

My dad met Kat? Something about him meeting her hasmy heart racing back to the past… how proud I would have been to introduce them then…

I dig my fingers into my eye sockets to bring me back to the present. “What did he mean by that? A set up like a booby trap?”

She laughs dryly. “You know him well. Those were his words exactly. There was a wire attached to a piece of wood, and that was propped under a big feed bag in the loft in the outbuilding. I never put any of it there. I never even unlocked the storage building this morning. I gave the keys to Kat, but someone else was in there first.”

My heart leaps into my throat. I’m concerned for Julia, but Kat’s farmhouse being ransacked seems like more of a clue than anything. Julia has no enemies. Does Kat?

Maybe Julia got to the bottom of it while they were waiting. “Who do you think the trap was intended for?”

“I don’t know. I just smell trouble. But putting the farmhouse and this together, I’d say it’s more likely her than me.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“If I have any enemies, they’ve never made themselves known. I tried to get her talking on the way to the hospital, but it was upsetting her, so I let it drop. I think between the accident and worrying about how Theo was doing, her head was spinning.”

I take my hat off, smooth my hair, and turn my cap backward. Kat told Callum her dad didn’t have anything to do with the break-in. Callum texted me saying dusting for prints came up short. Who would be after Kat?

“Why don’t you three stay at the ranch tonight?” I suggest, knowing full well Julia wouldn’t like that idea. Or Kat. What the hell am I even getting myself into?

“Santi, I’m not having some slumber party. I like my bed. Maybe Kat and Theo could, but they’d struggle to getto work with it being nearly two miles away from Heritage. That’s a long walk every day. Unless you bring them.”

Kat won’t take my offer anyway. And it’s not best having them here either. I really can’t do anything strange and unusual in my home knowing there could be another inspection from the foster company. I can’t have two rooms made up for people I haven’t declared live with me.

But there’s no way in hell I’ll sleep tonight knowing someone broke into Julia’s outbuilding intent on damage.

Julia lowers her voice. “What is going on with you two anyway? I haven’t seen that much sexual tension since I watched soaps eating ice cream and pickles.”

I’m glad Julia isn’t here to look me in the eyes. “You’re reading it all wrong.”

“If you say so…” Nothing gets by this woman.

I change direction. “Why don’t I stay at yours for a few days? If that’s all right?”

Another rough sigh reaches my ears. I know Julia doesn’t like a fuss, but it’s for Kat and Theo.

“Fine by me… oh! Gotta run,” Julia says urgently. “She’s done. We’ll be there in about fifty minutes.”

I head to the tree and look up at the boys. “Let’s grab some drinks.”

“Aw…” Owen protests and it’s the first time he’s ever moaned like a child.

It makes me smile.

“Can’t we stay a little longer? Or ride the horses?” he begs.

Theo darts his gaze to mine with a wide-eyed plea, nodding eagerly.

“Another time, boys. Theo’s mom hasn’t given him permission to ride…”

Owen glances at Theo and rolls his eyes. “Insurance.”

I glow inside at this small display of defiance. It means he’s comfortable. It means he knows even if he gets sassy with me, I’ll still be here.

I reach up for Theo, who puts his hands on my shoulders, and I lower him to the ground.

“Come on. I have sodas and some apples. You must need a snack by now.”

We head back to my house. We throw balls for Keeper and Mila, have some drinks and wait, my heart pounding a million miles a minute.

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