Page 68 of Silent Deception
“Do you two have time for coffee? I can make some in a flash.”
RaeJean shook her head. “Carlita opened the shop for me this morning, but I’ve got late-morning appointments.”
“So I’ve got to take her back to her place so she can get her car,” Nora added, “then I’ve got to pick up a colt in Llano.”
Kristin followed them out to Nora’s pickup. “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of Cody. It gave him a chance to get to know you two better, and I think he loved every minute.”
“Not any more than we did,” RaeJean said. “You can be real proud of that boy.”
Kristin hesitated, knowing RaeJean’s propensity for gossip. “If I ask you something, can you keep it between the three of us?”
“Ofcourse,” RaeJean exclaimed.
“A while back, you told me some details about my father’s car crash, Aunt Nora. You mentioned thinking that you knew who was responsible.”
Nora hitched a shoulder. “Weeellll...I have my suspicions, is all. Can’t throw a cat in any direction and not hit someone who figures Clint Gallagher pulls the strings in this county.”
“I needed more to go on than hearsay, so I’ve been doing some research. I found a front fender from Dad’s truck at Buddy’s Auto Shop.”
RaeJean’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh, my.”
“The truck itself is gone, but this fender shows marks on it—possibly, paint residue from a vehicle thatmighthave run Dad off the highway.”
“Like I always thought,” Nora said, her mouth a grim line.
“Trouble is, the residue isn’t from an original paint job. If it was, maybe the sheriff could’ve checked VIN numbers and manufacturer records and at least come up with a list of possibilities. Someone repainted this car a dark, sea green.”
Nora’s brow furrowed. “The Four Aces trucks have always been black, same with Clint’s Lincolns. That oldest boy has a silver truck, but he hasn’t been around all that long.”
RaeJean nodded. “In a town this size, we’d probably remember an unusual color like that, but I can’t think of a single one. The Bates boys race fancy stock cars, but they paint theirs bright yellow, with emblems plastered everywhere.”
Kristin gave each of them a farewell hug. “Thanks anyways. If you think of anything, just give me a call.”
Maybe her aunts hadn’t seen the car in question, but she was closer to finding out the truth, she couldfeelit. Soon she’d be able to clear her father’s name and he could finally rest in peace.
Her mood lifted as she remembered the evening ahead. After going out for dinner with Ryan twice, she’d offered to make him dinner here instead.
She’d picked up flowers for the table yesterday, along with new tapers and dusty rose placemats. The flank steaks were already marinating in her favorite bourbon and honey mixture, and soon she’d need to start on the twice-baked potatoes and banana cream pie.
A quiet evening here would be lovely, and after Cody went to sleep, they could turn on some music and dance out in the moonlight, or simply talk into the wee hours. The possibilities made her shiver with anticipation. This would be another wonderful evening with him, building another memory to savor.
As much as she’d tried to convince herself otherwise, this was not a friendship. She wasn’t just falling in love...she’d never stopped, despite the heartbreak of years past.
And if her prayers were answered, maybe it wouldn’t have to end.
* * * *
CODY HAD LONG SINCEgone to bed and the dishwasher was humming. Candlelight flickered in the darkened living room, mirroring the dying flames in the fireplace and adding to the atmosphere of intimacy.
Ryan brushed a lock of hair behind Kristin’s ear, feeling inestimable sadness as he looked down at her lovely face. Her skin glowed in the dim light, her eyes were dark and luminous.
“That was the best meal I’ve had in years,” he murmured. “You are amazing.”
“It’s the Cantrell family’s secret marinade. Guys fall for it every time.” Her eyes twinkled. “Just wait until you try the pie. You’ll be at my beck and call forever.”
“It’s not the marinade I’m falling for.” A warning bell clanged in the far reaches of his brain, but he found himself moving closer and pulling her into a kiss. A kiss that seemed to wrap around his heart and warm his blood, until all he could think of was her.
Whatever had gone wrong in his life—whatever mistakes he’d made or the ways he’d failed—she was the one true thing. The one person he needed more than life itself. And somehow they were going to work this out, because he could no longer imagine life without her.
