Page 75 of Silent Deception
If Clint had caused her father’s death, there would be no better way for Ryan to do that than to stay close to her, keep close tabs on what she discovered, and then find a way to eliminate that evidence.
Ryan had canceled their date. Perhaps he’d watched the house, hoping she would leave. But surely she couldn’t have been so wrong about him.
She leaned against her desk and stared at the wall...and wondered if she’d been a fool after all.
* * * *
“CAN WE GO OVER TO THEranch, Mom?” Cody begged on Saturday morning, around a mouthful of his favorite chocolate chip pancakes. “I bet I can find the kittens. Please?”
“Actually, I got a call from Hayden’s dad this morning.” Kristin refilled his glass of milk. “They did find Target, and said they’ll drop the kitten off around four this afternoon on their way out of town.”
But she hadn’t heard a word from Ryan...which seemed so strange.
“Hayden’s going away again?” Cody’s face fell. “I wanted to go over there to play or have him come here this time.”
She ruffled his hair. “Sounds like they’ll be busy. They’re packing up for a horse show in Dallas, and I hear Hayden and his sister have to help pack their motor home. Maybe there’s someone else at school you can call.”
“Na-a-ah.” He pushed the rest of his pancakes around the sea of syrup on his plate.
“Want to go riding this morning? It’s such a pretty day. When we get back, we can get ready for that kitten of yours.”
He perked up. “Can we go on the trail across the highway?”
They’d been over there once before, but they’d left too late and dusk had sent them home again before they’d gotten very far. According to Miranda, the trail wound through another parcel of the K-Bar-C land destined for new owners under the Home Free program, but it would be the last area developed. “We should have plenty of time, honey. We could even pack some sandwiches and juice if you’d like. Help me clear up these dishes, and we’ll go.”
* * * *
THE CRISP OCTOBER BREEZEand bright sunshine made every mile a delight, as did the endlessly rolling Hill Country, with vistas waiting around every bend. Kristin could have gone on forever, but by two o’clock in the afternoon, Cody was ready to turn home.
Rebel, who’d trudged patiently down the trail with his nose nearly on the ground and his ears at half-mast, was a different horse the moment they turned back. Ears pricked, head high, he eased into a fast walk that kept Boots at an intermittent jog just to keep up.
“I think he must be hungry,” Cody said, laughing.
“Rebel isalwayshungry.”
“Can we lope? I bet he’d really go now!”
Kristin shook her head. “He’s a sweetheart, but I’d hate to have him get away from you. That highway is coming up.”
Cody dutifully slumped back down in his saddle.
She watched him ride. He was so much more confident now and so much happier than he’d been when they first moved to Homestead. Whatever else she had to deal with here, this move had been a good one for him. A place to put down roots, with his great-aunts close by and the wide open spaces offering a taste of freedom, a departure from the urban life they’d had before.
When they reached their driveway, Cody urged Rebel into a slow jog and rounded the last bend. A second later, she heard a whoop of delight.
“They’re here, Mom! They came!”
By the time she caught up, Cody had dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching rail, and had run over to the Gallagher’s motor home parked in front of the house.
Garrett stood leaning against a front fender, his legs crossed at the ankles. “‘Afternoon, ma’am,” he said. “Looks like we made someone’s day.”
Wearing the biggest smile she’d ever seen, Cody already had the kitten in his arms. “Isn’t she beautiful, Mom?”
“It sure was nice of you to stop by.” Kristin dismounted and led Boots over to Garrett. “I’m sorry you had to wait for us. You’re probably in a hurry.”
“I got here a little early.” Garrett shrugged. “No problem. Trevor and the rest of them went on ahead with the big rig, because we figured it might be too tight to turn it around down here.”
“What do you say, Cody?” Kristin prompted.
