Page 57 of Wait in the Truck
I force myself to swallow before reaching for the knob and pulling the door open.
Deputy Granger stands to one side, offering me an apologetic smile, while the town’s sheriff, Pete McClain, nods hello. “Good evening, Sage. Can we have a few words with you?” I don’t miss the way his gaze immediately flicks to Kade. The man hasknown me all my life and was buddies with my dadandKade’s, back in the day. My palms sweat. He has to know a member of the Rivers family being in this house is odd, and my thoughts are confirmed only a moment later. He removes his hat, eyeing my cowboy. “I hadn’t figured on seeing you here, Kade.”
I try to calm my nerves with a quick intake of breath, then peek up at my boyfriend. He’s wearing a playful smirk, and I don’t have time to downshift from how that look makes my stomach flip-flop when he offers, “Sage and I have been seeing each other for a while now.”
There’s no way to stop myself from what I say next. It bursts from me. “Please don’t tell Dad.” My jaw snaps shut, teeth clacking together as I do.
The sheriff eyes me. “Oh. Well. Yeah, I know there’s no love lost between your families. But… this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this happen, is it?”
I lift my hands to my face for a moment, dragging them downward, as I look at the sheriff with pleading eyes. “Nope.”
Kade clears his throat. “Of course, you’d be aware of Jonah and Lucy and what a toll it took on both families when we lost them.”
He scratches at his chin as he looks from Kade to me again. “Six years ago. Today, if I’m not mistaken.”
My lips tremble as I nod. “Yessir. That’s right. Seems like yesterday.”
Kade clears his throat, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “It’s been a rough day, do you mind if we get going with whatever you have to say?” He tugs me into his side as he gestures to the officers that they should enter. “Come on in.”
The sheriff nods. “Yes, we’d like to tell you what our investigation has uncovered.”
“Okay,” I say, needing this over with.
The two officers amble over and take seats at my kitchen table, fortunately, neither in my father’s usual place.I’ve gotta get rid of that chair as soon as I can. His recliner in the den, too.But it’s too early to start erasing all reminders of him from the house just yet, so I’ll bide my time.
I sit, my body completely rigid, but Kade chooses to stand behind me and rests his hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently. His touch reassures me in a way not much else would. Surely, if they’d found my dad—which I know is impossible—they’d have led with that. Quietly, he murmurs, “Let’s hear what they have to say.”
At that, the sheriff inclines his head. “I’m not gonna drag this out any longer than we already have. Sage, we’ve located Ridge’s truck.”
My lips part, and a shiver rolls down my spine. “Where?” My hand flies to my mouth as I try to keep up appearances. Kade’s hands anchor me, mirroring my falseshock. I feel every bit of what he’s trying to tell me without words.This was expected. We knew they’d find it.
The sheriff pauses almost as if it pains him to continue. “It was at the waterfall. We believe… Well… I’m sorry to tell you that we think it’s a potential suicide.”
“So sorry, Sage,” Winston says through gritted teeth.
And even though I already knew this would be the story law enforcement would conjure from the details we’d left for them, their words lance through my heart, tearing it to shreds. I press a few fingers to my lips, hoping to stop the sob from exiting, but it escapes anyway.
“Ah darlin’, I’m sorry,” Kade rasps by my ear as he bends at the waist to wrap his arms around me. For several, long moments, I let grief overtake me. It’s not for my father, but for the loss of everything my life should have been. “Shh, it’ll be okay. I’ve got you.”
Through eyelashes glittering with tears, I make eye contact with the sheriff. “Is there… Will there be a search for his body?”
“Yes. It’s underway, but I don’t hold out much hope. The current can be strong this time of year.” He lets out a breath. “It’s possible he’ll be recovered eventually. I hope so, for your sake, honey.” I look up to find him offering me a tight, sad smile.
That’s unlikely.I scrape my teeth over my bottom lip. “Thank you.” Reaching up, I wipe a tear from my cheek. “Was there anything else?”
With a slow shake of his head, the sheriff pushes his chair back and stands. Winston follows.
Moments later, both officers have departed. Kade and I watch them leave from the porch, his arm slung around my waist. I lean into his strength. “Is it over?” I whisper.
“With any luck, Wildflower.”
SAGE
31
To keep up appearances,I’ve taken more time off from Boozin’ Boots. Billy has been very understanding, but then Brandy and Cassidy both called out sick this morning, and I found myself right back here. Are people talking? Sure as hell are. But most of the whispered comments have been about how sorry they are concerning the loss of my father.Oh, what a shame, how’s she gonna run that ranch on her own?Maybe she’ll sell the place and go live out her life elsewhere.
Every happy memory created in my childhood home has been overshadowed by the hellish nightmare that happened there, so I don’t think it’s crazy that there’s a part of me that wants to demolish the house and rebuild. Bulldoze every last reminder of the abuse and how my father met his end. Deep down, it’d make me sad, but I alsodon’t want to live with the ghosts of my family’s past who have taken up residence.
