“Never been apart, huh?”
“No. He’s been my only family for a long time now.”
The detective looked at her with questions filling his eyes. But she didn’t give him any answers. That’s what the next few days would be like—him probing, her evading. They continued down the road in silence, his
eyes on the road in front of them, hers focused on the car behind them. At last, the Honda turned off onto a side road and disappeared from view. Tension seeped out of her.
“Your cat is going to love the ranch,” Riley said. “We have six horses, four dogs, at least three cats and a few ducks.”
Devra looked at him, her eyes wide. Just where was he taking her?
“My stepmother, LuAnn, trains horses and I’m afraid she has a soft spot for abandoned animals. She takes them in, heals them, loves them until they’re happy and healthy, then tries to find homes for them. More often than not, she gets so attached she can’t bear to part with them.”
“She sounds like a very special woman.”
“She has a huge heart beneath a tough exterior. Mac and I tried everything we could think of to make her life miserable after she married my dad. She never held it against us. Not even after the snake episode.”
Devra’s heart skipped a beat. “I’m not sure I want to hear about the snake episode.”
He smiled and as much as she didn’t want to, she found herself smiling back at him. Another one of his tactics, she was sure.
A few minutes later, they turned right onto a gravel road and drove under a large cast-iron arch that spelled out the word MacIntyres. A huge antebellum home sat back from the road amidst a cluster of guardian live oaks that had to be at least two hundred years old.
Devra stared at the house, awestruck by the tower
ing columns and wraparound verandah. “I thought you said you lived on a ranch?”
“I do. This is it.”
“Looks more like Tara to me,” she muttered. “You actually live here?”
“Yep. Grew up here, as did my daddy and his daddy before him.”
“Incredible. I’m afraid Felix and I will probably get lost.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll be staying with me. I have a much smaller place in back.”
Devra wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it wasn’t a Southern mansion and it certainly wasn’t staying in “something smaller out back” with just him. They continued around a barn-shaped five-car garage to a small farmhouse hidden behind a cluster of trees. She couldn’t take her eyes off the old-fashioned front porch offering two inviting granny rockers.
He parked in front of a massive live oak shading the walk. “This is it.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said, taken in by the peaceful setting.
“Wait ’til you see the river behind the house. Do you like to fish?”
Devra turned to him. “I don’t know. I’ve never been.”
His mouth twisted into a smirk. “That is a sin against nature. What have you been doin’ all your life?”
“Not much.” She was embarrassed to admit it. That’s what happened when you lived in fear of people finding out who you were, what you’d done and where you’d been.
“You had better change that. Life’s too short to let it pass you by without enjoying all she has to offer, and fishing is most definitely near the top of life’s most enjoyable experiences.”
He was actually smiling at her. “Near?” she asked distracted by the humor brightening his face. It was having a strange effect on her, lifting her spirits and the corners of her mouth. She wasn’t at all sure she liked it.
“Oh, yeah. You don’t need me to tell you what’s at the top, do you?” His suggestive gaze swept her body, lighting a flame deep in her belly.
Heat suffused her cheeks. She just kept stepping in it, didn’t she?
He chuckled and leaped out of the truck. “Come on, let’s settle the cat so we can get some supper.”
“Sounds good to me,” she said, realizing how hungry she was. And maybe if her mouth was full of food, she’d stop sticking her foot in it.
RILEY TOOK HIS TIME settling his guest in his house. He wasn’t ready to face his family, to see the disappointment and questions lingering in their eyes. He led Miss Morgan through the grounds, pointing out the names of the lush vegetation as they slowly followed the river path toward the back door of the estate.
She had changed into a cream-colored dress that glided like silk over her soft curves as she walked. He tried not to notice, tried to ignore the subtle scent of vanilla he caught a whiff of every now and again. But she kept drawing him back with her small sweet smile
and sultry voice. As they approached the house, he wished he could slip his arm around her waist and turn her in another direction. He wished he were anywhere but home.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, and he realized they were standing outside the back door.
Nothing would ever be all right unless they found Michelle’s killer. He wanted to continue walking down the path, but he had to go in and face his family. Unease tightened his stomach as he stood staring at the back door.
Concern entered her expressive eyes.
“Everything’s fine,” he assured her and opened the door. The heavy floral scent assaulted him the second they walked into the kitchen. Every spare inch of counter space was covered with flowers, casseroles and every dessert known to the South. News spread fast in this small Southern community. Especially bad news.
“Let’s leave this door open. I can hardly breathe in here,” he said and propped open the door.
She nodded and straightened her dress, her fingers fluttering as she patted her hair.
Suddenly, he could easily see her beauty hiding behind her glasses and tightly pulled back hair. She wasn’t fooling anyone. “You’ll be fine. They won’t bite,” he assured her.
“I’m…just not used to meeting new people. Even under the best of circumstances, which this obviously isn’t.” She gestured toward the flowers.
She was right. This wasn’t the best time to spring her on the folks. “It will be okay, you’ll see.” Besides, there
wasn’t anything he could do about it now. He couldn’t send her back to his house alone. “Anybody home?” he yelled.
“Riley.” His stepmother, LuAnn, bustled into the kitchen and enveloped him in a big hug. Her swollen and puffy eyes squeezed the guilt burdening his heart. “How are you?” she asked, her sharp gaze probing his face. He nodded, not knowing what he could say.
“Your father’s in his study,” she said. “Dinner will just take a few minutes.” She noticed Devra and took a step back, disapproval flashing through her eyes.
Riley stepped closer to Devra and placed a comforting hand on the small of her back. “LuAnn, I’d like you to meet Miss Devra Morgan. This is the woman I told you about. She’ll be staying with me for a few days.”
LuAnn offered her hand, but didn’t mask the troubled look on her face. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Morgan. I’m sorry that we can’t give you our usual warm welcome, but I’m sure you understand given our situation.”
“Yes, of course,” Devra responded, looking more uncomfortable than ever. “And, please, call me Devra. Both of you,” she said with a pointed gaze that met and held his.
“Where’s Mac?” Riley asked, though he was having a hard time breaking her eye contact.
“He took the dogs and went for a ride. He said not to wait on dinner for him. He wanted to be alone.” She opened a cabinet and started removing serving platters. “He’s having a hard time.”
“I know,” Riley said and wished he could disappear,
too. But he was thankful for the reprieve. He wasn’t ready to face the condemnation he knew he’d find burning in his brother’s eyes. “Look, LuAnn, it’s been a real tough day. Would you mind if Miss—” Devra’s raised eyebrows stopped him. “If Devra and I just took a couple plates to go?”
“No, not at all. Of course I understand. Please, go see your dad while I get it together for you.”
He nodded and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, you’re the best.”
He wasn’t sure what to expect as he entered his father’s study. Usually in times of crisis his dad became stronger, more in charge, a solid leader who would support anyone who needed it. Not today. The weary face that greeted him from behind the big mahogany desk looked ragged and reminded him of the night his mother had been killed. He cut off the painful memory before it could dig in and take hold.
“How are you doing, Dad?” he asked, knowing it was a dumb question even as the words left his mouth.
“As well as can be expected, Son,” his father replied. “You have news for us? Anything that will help explain how this has happened to our family?”
Again?
The unspoken word hung heavily in the air.
“Not yet. We’re working on it.”
“I understand you brought a young lady home with you. Timing’s not real good for that, Riley.”
“Trust me, Dad. I’ve got my reasons.”
“I hope so, Son.” His father let out an uncustomary sigh, his head bent as he stared at the top of his desk.
“She’ll stay out of your way,” Riley added, and was
thankful he and Devra would be dining alone. His family didn’t need a vision of Michelle sitting across the dinner table tonight. They were too raw, too hurt. For a second, he regretted bringing her, but she’d stay until he got what he needed out of her. Until he got the truth.
Chapter Five
“So, Devra,” LuAnn said as soon as Riley disappeared down the hall. “Tell me a little bit about yourself. I don’t detect a Southern accent. Where are you from?”
There was something in the woman’s hawk-eyed gaze that made Devra uncomfortable. “All over I guess.” She offered a small smile and tried not to choke on the cloying scent of too many flowers. A pinprick of a headache started pinching her temples.
LuAnn was still staring at her. “There’s something familiar about you.” Her eyes squinted in speculation.
“Can I do anything to help prepare dinner?” Devra asked, and brushed her hand across her hair to make sure it was all still firmly in place.
“No. The neighbors brought enough food to feed us for a week.” LuAnn turned to the fridge, removed several Tupperware containers and placed them in a bag.
Before she had a chance to question her some more, Devra turned toward the door. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a short walk outside.”
LuAnn stopped and turned toward her. “Stay on the path, dear. We wouldn’t want you to get lost.”
Something in her voice sent a small shudder skipping down Devra’s spine. Surely she didn’t mean anything by that? As LuAnn turned away to busy herself with the food, Devra shook off her uneasiness and walked out the door. She was seeing danger where there wasn’t any. She was perfectly safe here, safer than anywhere she’d probably ever been.
Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right as she followed the path in front of her. It meandered beautifully through large bushes of camellias and other flowering shrubs. In a perfect picture-postcard setting, wisteria wound its way around tree trunks forming a canopy over her head as she continued away from the house. A hummingbird flitted past her ear. She ducked and hoped it was a hummingbird, and not some giant-size insect.
The parklike setting of the estate was breathtaking. Obviously, someone had put a lot of love and care into these grounds. She should feel soothed, calm even. Yet as she walked farther down the path, the uncanny feeling that someone was watching came over her. Uneasiness prickled the nape of her neck. She stopped and turned, her gaze searching the shrubbery, but no one was there.
Obviously, her nerves were stretched too thin, she told herself. Still, she continued forward again, her ears straining for any unusual sounds. Was it possible the killer had followed them? Was there a chance he knew where she was? Something small lying farther along on
the path caught her eye. She felt herself being pulled toward it, even though in the deep recesses of her mind something urged her to turn…to run.
Slowly, she approached, telling herself how silly she was, how ridiculous. Her heart started pounding, and as she stared down at the perfect yellow daisy lying in the middle of the path, she realized she couldn’t move, she couldn’t swallow. Images flashed through her mind— Tommy placing a yellow daisy behind her ear, ice-cold water tumbling over the rocks. She heard laughter—hers, his. Then she saw him, crumpling before her, his blood splattering her blouse. A guttural cry emitted from her chest and she dropped to her knees. The pain of the rocks pushing into her skin pushed back the long-buried memories and brought her reeling back to the present. She picked up the daisy, to prove to herself it couldn’t hurt her, that it was just a flower, then wiped its soft petals across a tear on her cheek. It was a coincidence, that was all. Yellow daisies are common, they’re found everywhere. She peered through the dense greenery.
Just not here.
The slight crackle of leaves broke into her thoughts. She listened intently. There it was again. A footstep? A fist of fear clutched her heart and squeezed. “Is anyone there?” she tried to call, but her voice came out no louder than a hoarse whisper.
Silence answered her. Complete silence. There was no sound at all. Not even the raucous noise of insects or the chirping of birds. Something was wrong. “Hello,” she called again, a slight quiver to her voice drawing out the syllables.
Bushes rattled behind her. She stood, turning, her breath catching in her throat, her mouth opening to scream. A bird burst through the leaves and flew into the sky. Shocked, she stared at it, then took a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves.
Only a bird.
“Hey, there you are,” Riley said as he turned a corner in the path. “You hungry?” He held up the bag of food LuAnn had packed.
She nodded and tried to school her expression so he wouldn’t see her fear. There had been no one there, she told herself. She’d let her imagination run away with her. He was giving her an odd look, staring at her with speculation lighting his eyes. She tried to smile, but couldn’t shake the tingling at the back of her neck or the sensation that someone was watching her.