Page 79 of A River of Crows

“You helped. By getting me out of there, by helping me calm down, by giving me time.” Dylan turned his head toward the front door. “I just wish your mom hadn’t seen me freak out like that.”

Sloan swatted a mosquito on her arm. “Mom can hardly talk to anyone about freak-outs, now, can she?”

“Come on, Sloan. Caroline’s been through a lot. The human spirit isn’t indestructible.”

“Well, no need to stay with her today.” Sloan lowered her voice. “My plans can wait till tomorrow if you’re up for it then.”

“I’m up to it now,” Dylan said. “Go. Your mom and I are going to watch America’s Funniest Home Videos and Desperate Housewives, okay? Don’t crash our plans.”

Sloan smiled. “Okay, but only if we get our date when Mom goes to bed. You can control the remote.”

“How about we look at a different kind of star?” He pointed up to the sky. “We can spread out a blanket and count the stars. And if the mood strikes, I’ve got my guitar out in the jeep.”

Sloan leaned closer to Dylan, touching her forehead to his. “Most guys would have bowed out of my crazy life a long time ago.”

“And most girls would have bowed out of mine today.” He unstuck his forehead to move his lips to hers. Their kiss was interrupted by a bang on the window behind them.

“Come on, Dylan! Funniest Videos is starting.” Caroline motioned him inside.

“On my way,” he said, rising from the chair. He smiled at Sloan. “I’d like to stay, but then I’d miss videos of kids falling off trampolines and cats meowing strangely.”

Sloan rubbed her forehead. “Sorry. Mom has always had the most annoying taste in television.”

“It’s fine,” Dylan said, opening the screen door. “These days, I’ll take laughs however I can get them.”

Brad called as Sloan was driving to the RV park. “Still no luck with Daughtry,” he said. “I bet he’d talk for the money, but his lawyer won’t let us anywhere near him. May have to bribe a guard or something.”

“Well, thanks for trying,” Sloan said.

“I won’t give up. It’s important we get to the bottom of this. There’s something to it. I’m sure of it.”

Sloan grimaced. He had no idea.

She realized she should call the whole thing off now, but she couldn’t bring herself to. She still had too many questions. “Well, keep me posted, okay?” she said.

“Yeah, I will. But hey, that’s not the only reason I called. Dad gets out Thursday.”

Sloan slouched in her seat. With everything going on with Ridge, she’d forgotten.

“And I was wondering . . . ” Brad continued, “The media’s going to be buzzing like flies. It would be nice if you were there with us. In a show of solidarity for Dad.”

“A show of solidarity?” Sloan sat up straighter. “Why would I do that?”

Brad cleared his throat. “I just assumed that since you saw Dad, since you agreed with me about Eddie that—”

“I’m not some PR puppet. I’m an actual human being with feelings,” Sloan practically screamed into the phone.

“Okay, okay.” Brad lowered his voice. “I just thought you were all in for Dad.”

“Well, you thought wrong.” Sloan ended the call without bothering to say goodbye.

Sloan and Ridge sat outside his RV, drinking beer and watching the darkening sky. “Sorry I wasn’t able to get the pictures. But I’ll bring them tomorrow, along with a few other things that will make you smile,” Sloan said.

“You coming here makes me smile,” Ridge said. “Man, I wish it was fall, so we could head out to the creek and watch a roost. Remember the last time we did?”

“Yes. Flying crows, flying stars.” Sloan brought the beer bottle to her lips but lowered it before taking a drink. “You wanted to stay longer. I promised you I’d bring you back. You said I wouldn’t.” Sloan froze, and goosebumps suddenly covered her arms. “Wait. How did you know we wouldn’t go back?”

Ridge picked at his beer bottle’s label. “That was just me being an annoying little brother. And you must admit, it’s not like you enjoyed taking me anywhere.”