Page 95 of A River of Crows

“Caroline.”

He stroked his gray beard. “I told you not to talk to her. She hasn’t messed up, has she?”

“Legally, no? As a mother, yes, I think so.”

Vince walked toward the kitchen. “Come on, have a seat. I’ll make you another bowl of ice cream, and we’ll talk.”

Libby plopped down at the kitchen table. “Is Ridge asleep?”

“Yeah, he passed out before I finished reading.” Vince looked up from the ice cream carton. “It’s nice to have a chance to do these dad things.”

A much-needed warmth expanded in Libby’s chest. “You would have made such a good father. Why did we never try to adopt?”

Vince set a bowl of Rocky Road in front of her. “Shoulda coulda woulda. I’d say we’ve had a good life, a fulfilling one, wouldn’t you?”

“Yeah, of course. But it does feel good to do this. To take care of a child, to nurture him.”

“He’s so resilient,” Vince said, scooping a bite out of his own bowl. “He’s a tough kid. I guess he had to be to survive all that abuse.”

Libby set her spoon down. “That’s what led to my phone call with Caroline tonight. Ridge told me earlier his dad never abused him. He seemed shocked that I thought otherwise.”

“Ridge is a child. I think you forget that sometimes because he’s so smart. You saw the bruises.”

“Yeah, but he said his mother told him Sloan was being abused by Jay. That Sloan even told her teacher. Don’t you think it’s strange she never mentioned that to me?” Libby asked.

“Sloan?”

“No, Caroline. Why would she tell Ridge that but not me?”

Vince tapped his spoon against his chin. “Ridge lived in that house. He probably heard or saw things. Probably realized what was happening, and Caroline just confirmed it.”

“It’s possible,” Libby said. “But something seems off. The way Caroline is acting, the things Ridge said.”

Vince sat down his spoon, rubbing a hand over his prominent belly. “Let me talk to Ridge tomorrow. He’ll shoot straight with me.”

Libby reached out and touched her husband’s arm. “Thank you. I’m sure I’m just emotional after learning that about Sloan.”

Vince put his own hand on top of hers. “Don’t worry. They’ll both be safe with their mother.”

Libby smiled and nodded, but honestly, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

Chapter 28

Mallowater, TX, 2008

Sloan drove home in a daze. What did Ridge mean it was her mother’s idea? Why would Mom hatch a plan for Ridge to be kidnapped? He was lying. Covering for the Turners.

“How was she?” Sloan asked Dylan, hating that she sounded like a parent quizzing the babysitter.

“Pretty good,” Dylan said. “How did it go for you?”

“Pretty bad.” Sloan plopped down on the couch next to Dylan. “He’ll probably be gone by tomorrow. But I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Okay. So, what do you want to talk about?”

“I don’t know.” Sloan rubbed her forehead. “Dad’s getting out tomorrow. Brad asked me to be there for his homecoming.”

“Are you?”