Page 74 of Silos and Sabotage

His jaw tightened grimly. “They matched the bullet to a gun he had on him. It’s not looking good for him.”

Her heart raced sickeningly. “He shot his own brother?”

“It might’ve been an accident.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Sounds like he wasn’t too sober.”

“Oh, Gage!” This was bad. Really bad. Her heart ached for her family.

* * *

One week later

Avery Radcliffe spunaround from the window overlooking Heart Lake. “How do I look?” She was wearing a strapless ivory column gown. Her dyed white-blonde hair was pulled up in a complicated twist of waves and curls that were anchored in place with sprigs of baby’s breath.

“You look stunning.”And happier than you’ve been since I stumbled into town, dragging a mountain of danger behind me.Ella wasn’t surprised that her mother had already owned a suitable gown for a wedding in her impressive wardrobe. The bedroom in Raleigh’s weekend retreat on the lake, however, would require extensive renovating to hold her entire wardrobe — but only if they were planning on living there after they were married, which Ella doubted. Either way, she was glad that her mother would finally have the getaway with lake views that she’d always longed for.

Her mother stepped closer to cup her shoulders. “Please assure me you’re not upset with us for getting married in the middle of our search for Mick’s killer.” Since they were about the same size, she’d lent Ella a strapless A-line dress in lacy red fabric that swished around her knees every time she took a step.

Ella hastened to reassure her. “Considering that you’re doing it to protect me, how could I possibly hold it against you?”

Her mother looked relieved. “There’s something else you should know, hon. I think Raleigh loves me.” Her mother sounded breathless and off balance. “Years ago, he and Mick were close, and apparently they both, er…” She halted, blushing madly.

“Fell for the same girl?” Ella was thoroughly intrigued by the story.

“According to Raleigh, yes.” Her mother fanned at her face with both hands.

“Who ultimately yielded the playing field to my father?”

“Yes.”

Ella supposed she should be grateful for that. Otherwise, she might not be alive. “Someday, I want to hear the rest of the story.” Her regard for her uncle grew exponentially.

“I think we’re living the next chapter right now.” Her mother’s voice grew tremulous.

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. “That will be Gage.” Her mother spun her toward the sound and gave her a nudge toward the door. “Go. Be happy with him, dearest.”

Ella chuckled. “I’m pretty sure we’re only heading to the sunroom.”

“You know what I mean.” Her mother made a shooing motion. “You caught a good one. I approve. So does Raleigh, in case you’re wondering.”

Ella was still chuckling when she opened the door.

Gage stood there, stealing her breath in his three-piece beige suit. He had a white rose pinned to his lapel.

“No jeans or cargo pants? This is a first.” She placed her hand on his outstretched arm.

“Get your eyeful,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “Because it’ll hopefully be the last time.”

Her heart sank. “Is that your way of saying you’re not the marrying type?”

“Nope. It’s my way of saying the woman of my dreams better love me enough to marry me in jeans.” He reached over to tip her face up to his. “I love you in red, by the way.”

“Watch the lipstick,” she warned breathlessly.

“I’m watching it.” His mouth came down to hover over hers — close enough for their breath to mingle. “Imagine me kissing you silly, because that’s what I’m going to do after the wedding pictures.”

An exaggerated throat clearing on Johnny’s part made his head come up. “You’re like a cocklebur. You know that?”

Johnny grinned. “Yep. You can always count on me to stick around.” He had on the jeans and Stetson that Gage probably wished he was wearing. However, he’d swapped out the t-shirt he normally wore when he was off duty for a white dress shirt.

---