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Harlan nodded. “Can you make that good spaghetti again?”

“Sure, I can.” Savanna winked at Harlan.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

Harlan and I went to the barn to get the chores out of the way while Savanna took charge of the kitchen. When we came in, the whole house smelled great, the food was ready, and we were starving.

“This is so good,” said Harlan. “I love spaghetti.”

I glanced at Savanna. “Have you been seeing anybody since you and Jack broke up?” I reached for another piece of garlic bread and left the last one for Harlan.

“Nope, and I like it that way. No stress.”

“Yeah, stress-free is the way to go.”

Harlan chuckled and I ignored him. He knew me better than anyone else. We were together twenty-four seven.

After Savanna left, I cleaned up the dishes and made a fresh pot of coffee, then I settled at the kitchen table and called Annie-girl.

Chapter Five

Friday, May 25th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

“Girls are coming home tonight.” First words out of Harlan’s mouth when I made it as far as the kitchen for coffee. He was showered and dressed, and he looked like he’d been up for hours. It was hard to believe the energy the kid had.

“Yep, we’ll go get them after work. Maybe we’ll take them for burgers in Shelby before we drive back, then we won’t have to worry about dinner.”

“That’s a good idea. They’ll have a lot to tell us.”

“I’m sure they will. Five days they’ve been gone, and a lot probably happened at Marilyn’s ranch. Twenty teenage girls all hanging out together. Can’t imagine it.”

Harlan laughed. “I can. Wish I was there.”

“I bet you do.”

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

I’d only been at the station for five minutes when Floyd Boyd blasted through the front door with the attorney he’d brought for his wife.

Garth Timleckson was an older guy about Boyd’s age. Gray hair and glasses, and Molly knew him. They chatted amicably while Boyd ranted and hollered at me for arresting his wife.

Ignoring Boyd, I motioned to the lawyer, “I’ll show Mister Timleckson where Mrs. Boyd is.”

“I want to see my wife too,” yelled Boyd. He was red in the face and looked ready for an infarction.

“No. Only her attorney can see her, sir. You’ll see her at her arraignment on Monday morning and not before.” I pointed to one of the empty desks. “Have a seat or you’ll be in a cell right next to your wife.”

“You can’t treat me like this,” said Boyd. “I’m a taxpayer and I do a lot for the community.”

“Sit down, sir.”

Boyd walked over to the empty desk and sat down but he wasn’t happy about it. He was fuming mad. Arrogant and full of anger—angry enough to kill Tory Masters? I mentally added him to my list of suspects.

I let Mrs. Boyd’s lawyer into the run to talk to her and posted Harlan at the door to let him out when he was finished.

Harlan didn’t mind. He was receiving all kinds of texts from the girls. I could imagine how excited they were about coming home for the weekend.