Page 50 of A Mile of Ocean

The bickering went on until Savannah cleared her throat. “Whatever happened to the genealogy project you were doing with Cooper Richmond, Mrs. Callum?”

“Postponed until this mess is over with,” Duchess muttered.

“Maybe postponing it isn’t such a good idea,” Savanna advocated. “No one seems to know why this man is bent on revenge, right? Going back into the family background might provide some answers and uncover a reason.”

Having recently gone through her own genealogy bombshell, Brogan traded concerned looks with Lucien.

“Expect some surprises,” Lucien cautioned, squeezing his wife’s hand. “Be careful opening up that Pandora’s box. The results could be emotional and gut-wrenching. Maybe both.”

“It’s true. I speak from experience,” Brogan admitted. “But as long as you’re willing to accept whatever Cooper learns and promise not to shoot the messenger, it’s a two-sided coin. You may get the answers you’re looking for, but you’ll also discover things you never knew or wanted to learn. Or it could be a boring process, and there’s nothing to worry about. Either way, I guarantee that if there is a family secret somewhere, it will come to light. If Cooper is willing to research the entire family tree, you should turn him loose.”

“What harm could it do?” Tate asked, buttering her toast. “Imagine getting to the bottom of why Granddad was murdered like he was. Wouldn’t that be worth knowing? What could possibly be so bad that it would change things?”

Carrying her cup of coffee, Eastlyn took a seat at the table. “Cooper has already started researching the family tree, beginning with the Callums. He hasn’t gotten to the de Haviland side of the family.”

“I wanted the Callums researched,” Duchess reminded them. “There’s no need to go into my side of the family. I already know their history. It’s the Callums we know nothing about.”

Before going on, Eastlyn eyed Duchess, who was sitting at the head of the table. “Cooper’s been thorough with the information Duchess provided when they first discussed the project. I know because he and I discussed the ramifications of undertaking this the day after Barrett died.”

“How did that conversation go?” Savannah asked.

“Despite my concerns, he decided to go ahead with it.”

“What were your concerns?” Duchess wanted to know.

“The same things Lucien and Brogan went through. After learning the big family secret, I’ve known people whose lives were upended. To be honest, I didn’t want Cooper involved. And before you ask, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that someone from his past wanted Barrett dead. So much so that he’s camped out here and killed again. He wants access to this house for a reason. Can anyone here tell me why that might be?”

Tate glared at her grandmother, looking for answers. “This could all be happening because of something from decades earlier. Do you know what he might want here in the house?”

“I’ve answered that,” Duchess insisted. “I don’t know who wanted Barrett dead. I don’t know what’s so valuable that this lunatic would kill for it.”

“Oh, really,” Tate pushed back. “What about the safe? Is there anything in there worth all of us dying for?”

“Tate,” Trent began, trying to play peacemaker, “this isn’t the time or the place.”

“When is a good time to discuss what happened to our parents, Trent?” she said, tossing down her napkin. “Nobody ever wants to discuss anything about that. Answer me this. Why are we out there night after night, trying to catch this guy when we don’t even know why he’s here?”

“I’m headed to the bunkhouse,” Woody tossed out. “Anybody coming with me?”

The ranch hands got up without saying a word, deposited their dirty dishes into the bins, and followed Woody out the door.

“Are you happy now?” Duchess charged, scowling at Tate. “You’ve ruined everyone’s breakfast.”

“Me? You’re the one keeping secrets. You’re the one who wanted to forget about how your own son died and refused to talk about him ever again. You even talked Granddad into avoiding the subject. Who does that? That wasmyfather and mother. And yet, all this time, I couldn’t even bring them up for fear I’d get the death stare from you. You’re the one who got the facts wrong about their accident. They were not heading back to the ranch from town. They’d been somewhere else because they were driving over the bridge headed north back to the ranch, not south. So don’t talk to me about ruining anything. If anyone’s ruined anything, it’s you!”

Tate got up and stormed out of the dining room, slamming the back door as she went.

“Family dynamics are difficult,” Savannah uttered.

“They certainly are,” Lucien commiserated. “I can vouch for that.”

“More like theatrics,” Duchess remarked. “She’s always been our resident drama queen.”

Trent let out a weary sigh and glanced over at his grandmother. “You know that isn’t true. She’s not prone todrama. You have to realize she hasn’t slept for two days. She spent all her downtime at the hospital with Brock.”

“She was great,” Brock related. “When I woke up, she was right there beside my bed.”

“You’re family,” Duchess maintained. “I’ll put your physical therapy appointment on my calendar. When the time comes, I’ll drive you there myself.”

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